Masco Corp S-3ASR, filed Feb 11, 2025
Masco Corp (MAS)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2025
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MASCO CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| Delaware | 38-1794485 | |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
17450 College Parkway
Livonia, Michigan 48152
(313) 274-7400
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Kenneth G. Cole
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
17450 College Parkway
Livonia, Michigan 48152
(313) 274-7400
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
Copy to:
John B. Meade, Esq.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 450-4000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| 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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
PROSPECTUS
Masco Corporation
DEBT SECURITIES
PREFERRED STOCK ($1 Par Value)
COMMON STOCK ($1 Par Value)
DEPOSITARY SHARES
PURCHASE CONTRACTS
UNITS
WARRANTS
We may offer and issue, and selling security holders may offer and sell, the securities described in this prospectus, including debt securities and shares of our preferred stock and common stock, from time to time. The debt securities and shares of preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock or other securities. We may offer and issue preferred stock either directly or represented by depositary shares. We may offer contracts to purchase our securities from time to time either separately or as part of a unit that combines our debt securities or securities of third parties. We may offer warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights from time to time either individually or together with any other securities. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we, or any selling security holders, will offer them. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which we, or any selling security holders, will offer these securities.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MAS.”
Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See “Item 1A — Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and “Risk Factors” contained in any applicable supplement to this prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
We, or any selling security holders, may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. We, or any selling security holders, may sell the securities directly to you, through agents we or they select, or through underwriters and dealers we or they select. If we or they use agents, underwriters or dealers to sell these securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.
The date of this prospectus is February 11, 2025.
We are responsible for the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus we prepare or authorize. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility for any other information others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its date. Except as otherwise specified, the terms “Masco,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Masco Corporation.
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Masco Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products. Our portfolio of industry-leading brands includes BEHR® paint; DELTA® and HANSGROHE® faucets and bath and shower fixtures; LIBERTY® branded decorative and functional hardware; and HOT SPRING® spas. We leverage our powerful brands across product categories, sales channels and geographies to create value for our customers and shareholders.
Our principal executive offices are located at 17450 College Parkway, Livonia, Michigan 48152, and our telephone number is (313) 274-7400. We maintain a website at www.masco.com. This text is not an active link, and our website and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, is not incorporated into this prospectus.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we or selling security holders may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or selling security holders may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed this prospectus as part of a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC. The registration statement contains exhibits and other information that are not contained in this prospectus. In particular, the registration statement includes as exhibits our senior debt indenture and form of subordinated debt indenture. Our descriptions in this prospectus of the provisions of documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC are only summaries of the documents’ material terms. If you want a complete description of the content of the documents, you should obtain the documents by following the procedures described in the paragraph below.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site at www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access our filings with the SEC, including the registration statement containing this prospectus (including the exhibits thereto).
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” much of the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those publicly available documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. In addition, information we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the completion or termination of all offerings of securities pursuant to this prospectus:
| (i) | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024; and |
| (ii) | The description of our common stock contained in the amendment on Form 8 dated May 22, 1991 to our registration statement on Form 8-A. |
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You may obtain free copies of any of these documents by writing or telephoning us at 17450 College Parkway, Livonia, Michigan, 48152, Attention: Investor Relations, (313) 274-7400, or by visiting our website at www.masco.com. However, the information on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS
Certain sections of this registration statement contain statements that reflect our views about our future performance and constitute “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “outlook,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “appear,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “assume,” “seek,” “forecast” and similar references to future periods. Our views about future performance involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, accordingly, our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in our forward-looking statements. We caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements.
Readers should consider the various factors, including those discussed in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2024 under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management’s then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Our future performance may be affected by the levels of residential repair and remodel activity, and to a lesser extent, new home construction, our ability to maintain our strong brands, to develop innovative products and respond to changing consumer purchasing practices and preferences, our ability to maintain our public image and reputation, our ability to maintain our competitive position in our industries, our reliance on key customers, the cost and availability of materials, our dependence on suppliers and service providers, extreme weather events and changes in climate, risks associated with our international operations and global strategies, our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of our strategic initiatives, our ability to successfully execute our acquisition strategy and integrate businesses that we have and may in the future acquire, our ability to attract, develop and retain a talented and diverse workforce, risks associated with cybersecurity vulnerabilities, threats and attacks and risks associated with our reliance on information systems and technology. Additional factors that may significantly affect our performance are discussed in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K we filed with the SEC, including under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors.” See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities described in this prospectus for our general corporate purposes, which may include making additions to our working capital, repaying indebtedness, financing acquisitions and investments in new or existing lines of business. We will describe our intended use of the proceeds from a particular offering of securities in the related prospectus supplement. Funds not required immediately for any of the previously listed purposes may be invested in cash equivalents.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Debt May Be Senior or Subordinated
We may issue senior or subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities will constitute part of our senior debt, will be issued under our Senior Debt Indenture, as defined below, and will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be issued under our Subordinated Debt Indenture, as defined below, and will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, as set forth in the Subordinated Debt Indenture, to all of our “senior indebtedness,” which is defined in our Subordinated Debt Indenture. If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with a series of subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information we incorporate in this prospectus by reference will indicate the approximate amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter. We refer to our Senior Debt Indenture and our Subordinated Debt Indenture individually as an “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures.”
We have summarized below the material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities, or indicated which material provisions will be described in the related prospectus supplement. These descriptions are only summaries, and each investor should refer to the applicable indenture, which describes completely the terms and definitions summarized below and contains additional information regarding the debt securities.
Any reference to particular sections or defined terms of the applicable indenture in any statement under this heading qualifies the entire statement and incorporates by reference the applicable section or definition into that statement. The indentures are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to our negative pledge and limitations on sales and leasebacks, which are included in the Senior Debt Indenture only, and the provisions relating to subordination, which are included in the Subordinated Debt Indenture only. Neither indenture limits our ability to incur additional indebtedness.
We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. The debt securities may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. We may also issue debt securities, from time to time, with the principal amount or interest payable on any relevant payment date to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices or indices. Holders of these types of debt securities will receive payments of principal or interest that depend upon the value of the applicable currency, security or basket of securities, commodity or index on or shortly before the relevant payment dates. As a result, you may receive a payment of principal on any principal payment date, or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value on such dates of the applicable currency, security or basket of securities, commodity or index. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on such date is linked and any additional material United States federal income tax considerations will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate, which may be zero, or a floating rate. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount.
We may, without the consent of the existing holders of any series of debt securities, issue additional debt securities having the same terms so that the existing debt securities and the new debt securities form a single series under the indenture.
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Terms Specified in Prospectus Supplement
The prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to any offered debt securities:
| • | classification as senior or subordinated debt securities and the specific designation of such securities; |
| • | aggregate principal amount and purchase price; |
| • | currency in which the debt securities are denominated and/or in which principal, and premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, is payable; |
| • | minimum denominations; |
| • | date of maturity; |
| • | the interest rate or rates or the method by which a calculation agent will determine the interest rate or rates, if any; |
| • | the interest payment dates, if any; |
| • | any repayment, redemption, prepayment or sinking fund provisions, including any redemption notice provisions; |
| • | whether we will issue the debt securities in definitive form or in the form of one or more global securities; |
| • | the terms on which holders of the debt securities may convert or exchange these securities into our common stock or other securities of Masco or other entities; |
| • | information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date and/or the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on that date is linked; |
| • | any special United States federal income tax consequences applicable to the debt securities being issued; |
| • | whether we will issue the debt securities by themselves or as part of a unit together with other securities; and |
| • | any other specific terms of the debt securities, including any additional events of default or covenants, and any terms required by or advisable under applicable laws or regulations. |
Registration and Transfer of Debt Securities
You may present debt securities for exchange and transfer in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the applicable indenture. We will provide you those services free of charge, although you may have to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any exchange or transfer, as set forth in the applicable indenture.
If any of the debt securities are held in global form, the procedures for transfer of interests in those securities will depend upon the procedures of the depositary for those global securities. See “Global Securities” below.
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Defeasance
Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, we will be able to discharge all of our obligations, other than administrative obligations such as facilitating transfers and exchanges of certificates and replacement of lost or mutilated certificates, relating to a series of debt securities under an indenture by depositing cash and/or U.S. Government obligations with the trustee in an amount sufficient to make all of the remaining payments of principal, premium and interest on those debt securities when those payments are due. We can do this only if we have delivered to the trustee, among other things, an opinion of counsel based on a United States Internal Revenue Service ruling or other change in U.S. federal income tax law stating that holders will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of this deposit.
We can also avoid having to comply with the restrictive covenants in the applicable indenture, such as the negative pledge and the limitation on sale and leaseback transactions covenants in the Senior Debt Indenture, by depositing cash and/or U.S. Government obligations with the trustee in an amount sufficient to make all of the remaining payments of principal, premium and interest on the outstanding debt securities when those payments are due. We can do this only if we have delivered to the trustee, among other things, an opinion of counsel stating that holders of those securities will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of this deposit.
Indentures
Debt securities that will be senior debt will be issued under an indenture dated as of February 8, 2022 between Masco and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. We call that indenture, as may be supplemented from time to time, the “Senior Debt Indenture.” Debt securities that will be subordinated debt will be issued under an indenture to be entered into later between Masco and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. We call that indenture, as may be supplemented from time to time, the “Subordinated Debt Indenture.” We refer to U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association as the “trustee.”
Subordination Provisions
There are contractual provisions in the Subordinated Debt Indenture that may prohibit us from making payments on our subordinated debt securities. Subordinated debt securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner stated in the Subordinated Debt Indenture, to all of our senior indebtedness.
The Subordinated Debt Indenture defines senior indebtedness generally as obligations of, or guaranteed or assumed by, Masco for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes or debentures or other similar instruments or incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, and amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any of that indebtedness or of those obligations. The subordinated debt securities and any other obligations specifically designated as being subordinate in right of payment to senior indebtedness are not senior indebtedness as defined under the Subordinated Debt Indenture.
The Subordinated Debt Indenture provides that, unless all principal of and any premium or interest on the senior indebtedness has been paid in full, or provision has been made to make those payments in full, no payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any subordinated debt securities may be made in the event:
| • | of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings involving us or a substantial part of our property; |
| • | a default has occurred in the payment of principal, any premium, interest or other monetary amounts due and payable on any senior indebtedness, and that default has not been cured or waived or has not ceased to exist; |
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| • | there has occurred any other event of default with respect to senior indebtedness that permits the holder or holders of the senior indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of the senior indebtedness, and that event of default has not been cured or waived or has not ceased to exist; or |
| • | that the principal of and accrued interest on any subordinated debt securities have been declared due and payable upon an event of default as defined under the Subordinated Debt Indenture, and that declaration has not been rescinded and annulled as provided under the Subordinated Debt Indenture. |
If the trustee under the Subordinated Debt Indenture or any holders of the subordinated debt securities receive any payment or distribution that is prohibited under the subordination provisions, then the trustee or the holders will have to repay that money to the holders of the senior indebtedness.
Even if the subordination provisions prevent us from making any payment when due on the subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be in default on our obligations under that series if we do not make the payment when due. This means that the trustee under the Subordinated Debt Indenture and the holders of subordinated debt securities of that series can take action against us, but they will not receive any money until the claims of the holders of senior indebtedness have been fully satisfied.
Covenants Restricting Pledges, Mergers and Other Significant Corporate Actions
In the following discussion, we use a number of capitalized terms which have special meanings under the indentures. We provide definitions of these terms under “Definitions” below.
Negative Pledge. The Senior Debt Indenture provides that so long as any of the senior debt securities remains outstanding, we will not, nor will we permit any Consolidated Subsidiary to, issue, assume or guarantee any Debt if such Debt is secured by a mortgage upon any Principal Property or upon any shares of stock or indebtedness of any Consolidated Subsidiary which owns or leases any Principal Property, whether such Principal Property is owned on the date of the Senior Debt Indenture or is thereafter acquired, without in any such case effectively providing that the senior debt securities shall be secured equally and ratably with such Debt, except that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to Debt secured by:
| • | mortgages on property, shares of stock or indebtedness of any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Consolidated Subsidiary; |
| • | mortgages on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof, or mortgages to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price of such property upon the acquisition of such property, or to secure any Debt incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 120 days after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction or improvement or the commencement of commercial operation of such property, which Debt is incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof or construction or improvements thereon, provided that in the case of any such acquisition, construction or improvement, the mortgage shall not apply to any property theretofore owned by us or a Consolidated Subsidiary, other than any property on which the property so constructed or the improvement is located or to which the property so constructed or the improvement is appurtenant; |
| • | mortgages securing Debt owing by any Consolidated Subsidiary to us or another Consolidated Subsidiary; |
| • | mortgages on property of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged or consolidated with us or a Consolidated Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of the corporation or firm as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to us or a Consolidated Subsidiary, provided that no such mortgage shall extend to any other of our or any Consolidated Subsidiary’s Principal Property or any shares of capital stock or any indebtedness of any Consolidated Subsidiary which owns or leases a Principal Property; |
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| • | mortgages on our property or a Consolidated Subsidiary’s property in favor of the United States of America or any State thereof, any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of America or any State thereof, or in favor of any other country or any political subdivision thereof, to secure payments pursuant to any contract or statute, including Debt of the pollution control or industrial revenue bond type, or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such mortgages; or |
| • | one or more extensions, renewals or replacements, in whole or in part, of mortgages existing at the date of the Senior Debt Indenture or any mortgage referred to in the preceding five bullet points as long as those extensions, renewals or replacements do not increase the amount of Debt secured by the mortgage or cover any additional property. |
Notwithstanding the above, we may, and may permit any Consolidated Subsidiary to, issue, assume or guarantee Debt secured by a mortgage not excepted by the foregoing exceptions, provided that, after giving effect thereto, the total of the aggregate principal amount of such Debt then outstanding and the aggregate principal amount of Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback arrangements at such time does not exceed 5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined as of a date not more than 90 days prior thereto.
The Subordinated Debt Indenture does not include negative pledge provisions.
Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Arrangements. The Senior Debt Indenture provides that so long as any of the senior debt securities remain outstanding, we will not, nor will we permit any Consolidated Subsidiary to, enter into any sale and leaseback arrangement involving a Principal Property which has a term of more than three years, except for sale and leaseback arrangements between us and a Consolidated Subsidiary or between Consolidated Subsidiaries, unless:
| • | we or the Consolidated Subsidiary could incur Debt secured by a mortgage on that Principal Property at least equal to the amount of Attributable Debt resulting from that sale and leaseback transaction without having to equally and ratably secure the senior debt securities in the manner described above under “Negative Pledge”; or |
| • | we or a Consolidated Subsidiary apply an amount equal to the greater of the net proceeds of the sale of the Principal Property or the fair market value of the Principal Property within 120 days of the effective date of the sale and leaseback arrangement to the retirement of our or a Consolidated Subsidiary’s Funded Debt, including the senior debt securities. |
However, we cannot satisfy the second test by retiring:
| • | Funded Debt that we were otherwise obligated to repay within the 120-day period; |
| • | Funded Debt owned by us or by a Consolidated Subsidiary; or |
| • | Funded Debt that is subordinated in right of payment to the senior debt securities. |
The Subordinated Debt Indenture does not include any limitations on sale and leaseback arrangements.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. The Senior Debt Indenture provides that we will not consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation and will not sell or convey our property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation if, as a result of such action, any Principal Property would become subject to a mortgage, unless either:
| • | such mortgage could be created as described above under “Negative Pledge” without equally and ratably securing the senior debt securities; or |
| • | the senior debt securities shall be secured prior to the Debt secured by such mortgage. |
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Each of the indentures provides that we may consolidate or merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets if:
| • | we are the continuing corporation or, if we are not the continuing corporation, such continuing corporation is organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia and assumes by supplemental indenture the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and the premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the applicable indenture to be performed by us; and |
| • | we are not, or such continuing corporation is not, in default in the performance of any such covenant or condition immediately after such merger, consolidation or sale of assets. |
Definitions
“Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback arrangement is defined in the Senior Debt Indenture to mean, at the time of determination, the lesser of:
| • | the fair value of the property, as determined by our board of directors, subject to such arrangement; or |
| • | the present value, discounted at the rate per annum equal to the interest borne by fixed-rate senior debt securities or the yield to maturity at the time of issuance of any Original Issue Discount Securities determined on a weighted average basis compounded semi-annually, of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such arrangement, including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended, or until the earliest date on which the lessee may terminate such lease upon payment of a penalty, in which case the rental payment shall include such penalty, after excluding all amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water and utility rates and similar charges; |
provided, however, that there shall not be deemed to be any Attributable Debt in respect of a sale and leaseback arrangement if:
| • | such arrangement does not involve a Principal Property; |
| • | we or a Consolidated Subsidiary would be entitled as described above under “Negative Pledge” to issue, assume or guarantee Debt secured by a mortgage upon the property involved in such arrangement without equally and ratably securing the senior debt securities; or |
| • | the greater of the proceeds of such arrangement or the fair market value of the property so leased has been applied to the retirement, other than any mandatory retirement or by way of payment at maturity, of our Funded Debt or any Consolidated Subsidiary’s Funded Debt, other than Funded Debt owed by us or any Consolidated Subsidiary and other than Funded Debt which is subordinated in payment of principal or interest to the senior debt securities. |
“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” is defined in the Senior Debt Indenture as the aggregate amount of our assets less applicable reserves and the aggregate amount of assets less applicable reserves of the Consolidated Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom:
| • | all current liabilities, excluding any such liabilities deemed to be Funded Debt; |
| • | all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles; and |
| • | all investments in any Subsidiary other than a Consolidated Subsidiary, in all cases computed in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles and which under generally accepted accounting principles would appear on a consolidated balance sheet of Masco and its Consolidated Subsidiaries. |
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“Consolidated Subsidiary” is defined in the Senior Debt Indenture to mean each Subsidiary other than any Subsidiary the accounts of which:
| • | are not required by generally accepted accounting principles to be consolidated with our accounts for financial reporting purposes; |
| • | were not consolidated with our accounts in our then most recent annual report to stockholders; and |
| • | are not intended by us to be consolidated with our accounts in our next annual report to stockholders; |
provided, however, that the term “Consolidated Subsidiary” shall not include:
| • | any Subsidiary which is principally engaged in owning, leasing, dealing in or developing real property or purchasing or financing accounts receivable, making loans, extending credit or other activities of a character conducted by a finance company, or |
| • | any Subsidiary, substantially all of the business, properties or assets of which were acquired after the date of the Senior Debt Indenture whether by way of merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise, |
unless in each case our board of directors thereafter designates such Subsidiary a Consolidated Subsidiary for the purposes of the Senior Debt Indenture.
“Debt” is defined in the Senior Debt Indenture to mean any indebtedness for money borrowed and any Funded Debt.
“Funded Debt” is defined in the Senior Debt Indenture to mean indebtedness maturing more than 12 months from the date of the determination thereof or having a maturity of less than 12 months but renewable or extendible at the option of the borrower beyond 12 months from the date of such determination:
| • | for money borrowed; or |
| • | incurred in connection with the acquisition of any real or personal property, stock, debt or other assets, to the extent that indebtedness in connection with acquisitions is represented by any notes, bonds, debentures or similar evidences of indebtedness, for which we or any Consolidated Subsidiary is directly or contingently liable or which is secured by our property or the property of a Consolidated Subsidiary. |
“mortgage” is defined in the Senior Debt Indenture to mean a mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or other encumbrance.
“Original Issue Discount Security” is defined in both indentures to mean any debt security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof.
“Principal Property” is defined in the Senior Debt Indenture to mean any manufacturing plant or research or engineering facility located within the United States of America or Puerto Rico owned or leased by us or any Consolidated Subsidiary unless, in the opinion of our board of directors, such plant or facility is not of material importance to the total business conducted by us and our Consolidated Subsidiaries as an entirety.
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“Subsidiary” is defined in both indentures to mean any corporation of which at least a majority of the outstanding stock having voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect a majority of the board of directors of said corporation shall at the time be owned by us, or by us and one or more Subsidiaries, or by one or more Subsidiaries.
Events of Default, Waiver and Notice
The indentures provide that the following events will be events of default with respect to the debt securities of a series:
| • | we default in the payment of any interest on the debt securities of that series for more than 30 days; |
| • | we default in the payment of any principal or premium on the debt securities of that series on the date that payment was due; |
| • | we default in the payment of any sinking fund deposit on the debt securities of that series on the date that payment was due; |
| • | we breach any of the other covenants applicable to that series of debt securities and that breach continues for more than 90 days after we receive notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of that series; |
| • | we commence bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or consent to any bankruptcy relief sought against us; or |
| • | we become involved in involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings and an order for relief is entered against us, if that order remains in effect for more than 60 consecutive days. |
The trustee or the holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of a series may declare all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately if an event of default with respect to a payment occurs. The trustee or the holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of each affected series voting as one class may declare all of the debt securities of each affected series due and payable immediately if an event of default with respect to a breach of a covenant occurs. The trustee or the holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of debt securities outstanding under the indenture voting as one class may declare all of the debt securities outstanding under the indenture due and payable immediately if a bankruptcy event of default occurs. The holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series or number of series described in this paragraph may annul a declaration or waive a past default except for a continuing payment default. If any of the affected debt securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, by principal amount we mean the amount that the holders would be entitled to receive by the terms of that debt security if the debt security were declared immediately due and payable.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any or all series affected and then outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee under the indentures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if such trustee determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would conflict with the applicable indenture or would involve such trustee in personal liability.
Each indenture requires that we file a certificate each year with the applicable trustee stating that there are no defaults under the indenture. Each indenture permits the applicable trustee to withhold notice to holders of debt securities of any default other than a payment default if the trustee considers it in the interests of the holders.
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Modification of Indentures
We can enter into a supplemental indenture with the applicable trustee to modify any provision of the applicable indenture or any series of debt securities without obtaining the consent of the holders of any debt securities if the modification does not adversely affect the holders in any material respect. In addition, we can generally enter into a supplemental indenture with the applicable trustee to modify any provision of the indenture or any series of debt securities if we obtain the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of each affected series voting as one class. However, we need the consent of each affected holder in order to:
| • | change the date on which any payment of principal or interest on the debt security is due; |
| • | reduce the amount of any principal, interest or premium due on any debt security; |
| • | change the currency or location of any payment; |
| • | impair the right of any holder to bring suit for any payment after its due date; or |
| • | reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities required to consent to any modification or waiver of any provision of the indenture or the debt securities. |
Concerning the Trustee
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association is the trustee under each indenture. Affiliates of the trustee may be a depository for our funds, make loans to us and perform other banking services for us from time to time in the normal course of business.
The following description of the material terms of our capital stock is based on the provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation. For more information as to how you can obtain a current copy of our certificate of incorporation, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of one million shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share and 1.4 billion shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share.
Preferred Stock
We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series, without stockholder approval. Subject to limitations prescribed by law, our board of directors is authorized to determine the voting powers, if any, designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, for each series of preferred stock that may be issued and to fix the number of shares of each series of preferred stock.
The prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock will describe the dividend rights of that series of preferred stock. Holders of preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when and as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, dividends, which may be cumulative or noncumulative, at the rate determined by our board of directors for that series and set forth in the prospectus supplement, as well as any further participation rights in dividend distributions, if any. Dividends on the preferred stock will accrue from the date fixed by our board of directors for that series. Unless we have declared and paid in full all dividends payable on all of our outstanding preferred stock for the current period, we will not be allowed to make any dividend payments on our common stock.
The terms, if any, on which preferred stock of any series may be redeemed will be described in the related prospectus supplement. If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series, we will determine the method of selecting which shares to redeem.
The prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock that is convertible will state the terms on which shares of that series are convertible into shares of another class of stock of Masco.
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In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, before any distribution of assets will be made to the holders of our common stock, the holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive out of our assets available for distribution to our shareholders the liquidation price per share determined by our board of directors prior to the issuance of the preferred stock of that series and described in the applicable prospectus supplement as well as any declared and unpaid dividends on those shares. The holders of all series of preferred stock are entitled to share ratably, in accordance with the respective amounts payable on their shares, in any distribution upon liquidation which is not sufficient to pay in full the aggregate amounts payable on all of those shares.
The preferred stock of a series issued pursuant to this prospectus will not be entitled to vote, except as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless required by applicable law. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock, each share of a series will be entitled to one vote on matters on which holders of that series are entitled to vote.
There is currently no preferred stock outstanding.
Common Stock
Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by our stockholders and, subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred stock of Masco then outstanding, to receive dividends, if any, when declared by our board of directors in its discretion out of legally available funds. Upon any liquidation or dissolution of Masco, holders of common stock are entitled to receive pro rata all assets remaining after payment of all liabilities and liquidation of any shares of any preferred stock at the time outstanding. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are no conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to common stock. As of January 31, 2025, there were approximately 211,983,493 shares of our common stock outstanding. All of our outstanding common stock is fully paid and non-assessable and all of the shares of common stock that may be offered with this prospectus will be fully paid and non-assessable.
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare.
Certain Provisions of Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Under both our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws members of our board of directors are divided into three classes. The members of each class are elected for a period of three years and the term of one class will expire each year. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire board of directors. The classified board could have the effect of making the removal of incumbent directors more time-consuming and difficult, which could discourage a third party from attempting to take control of the Company.
Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws vest the power to call special meetings of stockholders in our chairman of the board, our CEO, our President or majority of our board of directors, subject to the rights of holders of any one or more classes or series of preferred stock or any other class of stock issued by us which shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors. Stockholders are not permitted under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws to act by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
To be properly brought before an annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to our Secretary not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by us). Such notice must be in accordance with the advance notice provisions set forth in our Bylaws.
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Subject to certain exceptions, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires that business combinations between us and another entity who is the beneficial owner of 30% or more of our outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote in election of directors must be approved by 95% of our outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote in elections of directors. Relatedly, holders of 95% of our outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote in elections of directors must approve any amendment or repeal of such provision, unless such amendment or repeal has been unanimously recommended to our stockholders by our board of directors by the Board if all directors are persons who would be eligible to serve as continuing directors. Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation also provides that, in addition to any affirmative vote required by law, any amendment of, repeal of, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with the article relating to the number of directors, the establishment of classes of directors for purposes of director elections, the nominations for election of directors, stockholders acting by written consent, and the calling of special meetings requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock entitled to vote, voting together as a single class.
Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law
We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL (“Section 203”). In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in various “business combination” transactions with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date of the transactions in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless:
| • | the transaction is approved by the board of directors prior to the date the interested stockholder obtained such status; |
| • | upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or |
| • | on or subsequent to such date the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
A “business combination” is defined to include mergers, asset sales, and other transactions resulting in financial benefit to a stockholder. In general, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts with respect to our company and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we exercise this option, we will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares, and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.
The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The depositary will have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock underlying the depositary share, to all of the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights may include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.
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The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under a deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, in accordance with the terms of the offering. The following description of the material terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts is only a summary and you should refer to the forms of the deposit agreement and depositary receipts that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific depositary shares.
Pending the preparation of definitive engraved depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. These temporary depositary receipts entitle their holders to all of the rights of definitive depositary receipts. Temporary depositary receipts will then be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.
Dividends and Other Distributions. The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received with respect to the underlying stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders.
If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares that are entitled to receive the distribution, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the applicable holders.
Withdrawal of Underlying Preferred Stock. Unless we say otherwise in a prospectus supplement, holders may surrender depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and, upon payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of underlying preferred stock and all money and other property represented by the related depositary shares. We will not issue any partial shares of preferred stock. If the holder delivers depositary receipts evidencing a number of depositary shares that represent more than a whole number of shares of preferred stock, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares to that holder.
Redemption of Depositary Shares. If a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of that series of underlying stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to that series of underlying stock. Whenever we redeem shares of underlying stock that are held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the shares of underlying stock so redeemed. If fewer than all of the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or proportionately, as may be determined by the depositary.
Voting. Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the underlying stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares underlying the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the underlying stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the underlying stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will then try, as far as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying those depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all actions which may be deemed necessary by the depositary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote the underlying shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions with respect to the depositary shares representing the preferred stock.
Conversion of Preferred Stock. If the prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares says that the deposited preferred stock is convertible into common stock or shares of another series of preferred stock of Masco, the following will apply. The depositary shares, as such, will not be convertible into any securities of Masco. Rather, any holder of the depositary shares may surrender the related depositary receipts to the depositary with written instructions to instruct us to cause conversion of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into or for whole shares of common stock or shares of another series of preferred stock of Masco, as applicable. Upon receipt of those instructions and any amounts payable by the holder in connection with the conversion, we will cause the conversion using the same procedures as those provided for conversion of the deposited preferred stock. If only some of the depositary shares are to be converted, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted.
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Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement. The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us or by the depositary only if (a) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or converted for any other securities into which the underlying preferred stock is convertible or (b) there has been a final distribution of the underlying stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and the underlying stock has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.
Charges of Depositary. We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the underlying stock and any redemption of the underlying stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and those other charges, including a fee for any permitted withdrawal of shares of underlying stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.
Reports. The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that we deliver to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the underlying stock.
Limitation on Liability. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our respective obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our respective duties under the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or underlying stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting underlying stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary. The depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us of its election to resign. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue purchase contracts representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, securities at a future date or dates. The price and number of securities may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts and described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:
| • | debt or equity securities issued by us or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices or such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement; |
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| • | currencies; or |
| • | commodities. |
Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities, currencies or commodities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.
The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner and, in certain circumstances, we may deliver newly issued prepaid purchase contracts, often known as prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original purchase contract.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the material terms of any purchase contracts and, if applicable, prepaid securities. The description in the applicable prospectus supplement will not contain all of the information that you may find useful. For more information, you should review the purchase contracts, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such purchase contracts and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which the prepaid securities will be issued. These documents will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of the purchase contracts. Material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more warrants, debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock, purchase contracts or any combination of such securities.
We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms, including pricing, of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also set forth the amount of warrants outstanding, if any.
Each debt security, warrant and unit will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities issued at one time. Certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security and, in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying
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agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, warrants or units represented by the global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below under “Global Securities.”
Global Securities
We may issue the debt securities, warrants and units of any series in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series and registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. In that case, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of outstanding registered securities to be represented by such global securities. Unless and until the depositary exchanges a global security in whole for securities in definitive registered form, the global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary or by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary or by the depositary or any of its nominees to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of such successor.
If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such security. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for such global security (“participants”) or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for such global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities represented by such global security beneficially owned by such participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of such securities. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for such global security, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in global securities. So long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of such global security, such depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of such securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, unit agreement or warrant agreement. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable indenture, unit agreement or warrant agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for such global security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under applicable indenture, unit agreement or warrant agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under applicable indenture, unit agreement or warrant agreement, the depositary for such global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take such action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
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Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments with respect to warrants or units, represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to such depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of such global security. We and the trustee or any of our or their agents will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or commodities to holders in respect of such global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in such global security as shown on the records of such depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participants.
If the depositary for any of the securities represented by a global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and we do not appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days, we will issue such securities in definitive form in exchange for such global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have any of the debt securities, warrants or units represented by one or more global securities and, in such event, will issue debt securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for all of the global security or securities representing such securities. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a global security will be registered in such name or names as the depositary shall instruct the relevant trustee. We expect that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in such global security.
We or selling security holders may sell the securities being offered by this prospectus in the following manner or any manner specified in a prospectus supplement:
| • | directly to purchasers; |
| • | through agents; |
| • | through underwriters; and |
| • | through dealers. |
If any securities are sold pursuant to this prospectus by any persons other than us, we will, in a prospectus supplement, name the selling security holders, indicate the nature of any relationship such holders have had to us or any of our affiliates during the three years preceding such offering, state the amount of securities of the class owned by such security holder prior to the offering and the amount to be offered for the security holder’s account, and state the amount and (if 1% or more) the percentage of the class to be owned by such security holder after completion of the offering.
We or any selling security holder may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 and describe any commissions we or any selling security holder must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
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As one of the means of direct issuance of securities, we may utilize the services of any available electronic auction system to conduct an electronic “dutch auction” of the offered securities among potential purchasers who are eligible to participate in the auction of those offered securities, if so described in the prospectus supplement.
If any underwriters are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we and, if applicable, any selling security holder will enter into an underwriting agreement with them at the time of sale to them and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering their names and the terms of our agreement with them.
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we and, if applicable, any selling security holder will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
Remarketing firms, agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us and by any selling security holder against some types of civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriter may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities, the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriter may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for its own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. In any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
Any underwriter, agent or dealer utilized in the initial offering of securities will not confirm sales to accounts over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of its customer.
If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we or selling security holders will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by the types of purchasers specified in the prospectus supplement to purchase offered securities from us or selling security holders at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject to only those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such offers.
The validity of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be passed on for us by Kenneth G. Cole, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Masco, and for the underwriters, if any, by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017. Mr. Cole is a Masco stockholder and a holder of options to purchase shares of our common stock. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP performs legal services from time to time for us.
19
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
20
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses payable by us in connection with the sale of the securities being registered hereby.
| Amount to be Paid | ||||
| Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee |
$ | * | ||
| Printing expenses |
* | * | ||
| Legal fees and expenses (including Blue Sky fees) |
* | * | ||
| Trustee and transfer agent fees and expenses |
* | * | ||
| Rating agency fees |
* | * | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
* | * | ||
| NYSE listing fees |
* | * | ||
| Miscellaneous |
* | * | ||
|
|
|
|||
| TOTAL |
$ | * | * | |
|
|
|
|||
| * | Omitted because the registration fee is being deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r). |
| ** | These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances, and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware empowers us to indemnify, subject to the standards therein prescribed, any person in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought or threatened by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving as such with respect to another corporation or other entity at our request. Article Fifteenth of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that each person who was or is made a party to (or is threatened to be made a party to) or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company shall be indemnified and held harmless by us to the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of Delaware against all expense, liability and loss (including without limitation attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith. The rights conferred by Article Fifteenth are contractual rights and include the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending such action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof.
As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, Article Fourteenth of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except for liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, which makes directors liable for unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions, or (d) for transactions from which the director derived improper personal benefit.
Our directors and officers are covered by insurance policies indemnifying them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws (other than liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act), which might be incurred by them in such capacities.
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| Item 16. | Exhibits |
| * | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein in connection with an offering of the offered securities. |
II-2
| Item 17. | Undertakings |
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
| (ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee Table” in the effective registration statement; |
| (iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
| (2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| (4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
| (i) | Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
| (ii) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; |
II-3
| provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
| (5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
| (i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| (ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant; |
| (iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and |
| (iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser. |
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-4
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Livonia, State of Michigan, on February 11, 2025.
| MASCO CORPORATION | ||||
| By: | /s/ Richard J. Westenberg | |||
| Name: | Richard J. Westenberg | |||
| Title: | Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kenneth G. Cole and Richard J. Westenberg and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign (i) any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this registration statement and (ii) a registration statement, and any and all amendments thereto, relating to the offering covered hereby filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Keith J. Allman Keith J. Allman |
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
February 11, 2025 | ||
| /s/ Richard J. Westenberg |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) |
February 11, 2025 | ||
| Richard J. Westenberg | ||||
| /s/ Bonnie Van Etten |
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
February 11, 2025 | ||
| Bonnie Van Etten | ||||
| /s/ Lisa A. Payne |
Chairperson of the Board | February 11, 2025 | ||
| Lisa A. Payne | ||||
| /s/ Mark R. Alexander |
Director | February 11, 2025 | ||
| Mark R. Alexander | ||||
| /s/ Aine L. Denari |
Director | February 11, 2025 | ||
| Aine L. Denari | ||||
| /s/ Marie A. Ffolkes |
Director | February 11, 2025 | ||
| Marie A. Ffolkes | ||||
| /s/ Jonathon J. Nudi |
Director | February 11, 2025 | ||
| Jonathon J. Nudi | ||||
| /s/ Christopher A. O’Herlihy |
Director | February 11, 2025 | ||
| Christopher A. O’Herlihy | ||||
| /s/ Donald R. Parfet |
Director | February 11, 2025 | ||
| Donald R. Parfet | ||||
| /s/ John C. Plant |
Director | February 11, 2025 | ||
| John C. Plant | ||||
| /s/ Sandeep Reddy |
Director | February 11, 2025 | ||
| Sandeep Reddy | ||||
| /s/ Charles K. Stevens, III |
Director | February 11, 2025 | ||
| Charles K. Stevens, III | ||||
Exhibit 1.1
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
[ ]
[Name(s) of Representative(s)]
As Representative(s) of the several Underwriters
listed in Schedule 1 hereto
| c/o | [Name(s) and Address(es) of Representative(s)] |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Masco Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you are acting as representative(s) (the “Representative(s)”), $[•] principal amount of its [Notes] due 20[•] (the “Securities”) having the terms set forth in Schedule 2 hereto. The Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of February 8, 2022 between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”)[, as amended and supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture dated as of [•]] ([collectively,] the “Indenture”).
The Company agrees to issue and sell the Securities to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and each Underwriter, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective principal amount of Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule 1 hereto[, less their respective amounts, if any, of Contract Securities (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions and determined as provided therein)] at a price equal to [•]% of the principal amount of the Securities, plus accrued interest, if any, from [•], 20[•] to the Closing Date (as defined below). The Company will not be obligated to deliver any of the Securities except upon payment for all the Securities to be purchased as provided herein.
The Company is advised by you that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portion of the Securities as soon after this Agreement is entered into as in your judgment is advisable (unless the timing of the offering is otherwise described in Schedule 2 hereto). The terms of the public offering of the Securities are specified in Schedule 2 hereto.
The closing of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement shall occur at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on [•], 20[•], or at such other time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the [•] business day thereafter, as the Representative(s) and the Company may agree upon in writing. The time and date of such payment and delivery is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.”
Payment for the Securities shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account(s) specified by the Company to the Representative(s) against delivery to the nominee of The Depository Trust Company, for the respective accounts of the Underwriters as specified by you in writing not later than 1:00 P.M. New York City time, on the second business day prior to the Closing Date, of one or more global notes representing the Securities.
All provisions contained in the document entitled Masco Corporation Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions (Debt Securities) February 11, 2025 (“Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions”) are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein, except that if any term defined in the Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions is otherwise defined herein, the definition set forth herein shall control.
1
This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement, if any, shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.
2
| Very truly yours,
MASCO CORPORATION | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Accepted on the date first written above.
For themselves and on behalf of the several
Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto.
| [NAME(S) OF REPRESENTATIVE(S)] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]
Schedule 1
Securities
| [Notes] due 20[•] |
||||
| Underwriter |
Principal Amount of Securities To Be Purchased |
|||
| $ | [ | •] | ||
| $ | [ | •] | ||
| $ | [ | •] | ||
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
$ | [ | •] | |
|
|
|
|||
Schedule 1
Schedule 2
Certain Terms of the Securities
| Issuer |
Masco Corporation | |
| Securities Offered |
$[•] principal amount of % [Notes] due 20[•] | |
| Maturity Date |
[•], 20[•] for the [Notes] due 20[•] | |
| Interest Rate |
[•]% for the [Notes] due 20[•] | |
| Redemption Provisions |
[•] | |
| Interest Payment Dates |
Each and , beginning on , 20[•] (Interest accrues from [•]) | |
| Form and Denomination |
[•] | |
| Ranking |
[•] | |
| Trade Date |
[•] | |
| Settlement Date |
[•] | |
| Price to Public |
[•] | |
| Benchmark Information |
[•] | |
| CUSIP |
[•] | |
| Book-Runners and Managers |
[•] | |
| Other Terms |
[•] | |
Addresses for Notices:
Company:
Masco Corporation
17450 College Parkway
Livonia, Michigan 48152
Representative(s):
Representative(s) and Address(es)
Schedule 2
Exhibit 1.2
MASCO CORPORATION
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
STANDARD PROVISIONS
(Debt Securities)
February 11, 2025
These Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions may be incorporated by reference into underwriting agreements entered into from time to time by Masco Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), that provide for the sale of debt securities designated in any such underwriting agreement (the “Securities”) to the several underwriters named in Schedule 1 therein (the “Underwriters”), for whom the certain Underwriters named therein shall act as representatives (the “Representatives”). The underwriting agreement between the Company and the Representatives, including the Schedules thereto and these Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions, is referred to herein as the “Underwriting Agreement.” Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in these Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the relevant Underwriting Agreement. Delivery of any document or writing to the Representatives shall be deemed to be delivery of such document or writing to the Underwriters, and any action by the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters shall be deemed to be the action of each of the Underwriters. The Securities proposed to be issued from time to time by the Company will be issued pursuant to the provisions of (i) the Indenture dated as of February 8, 2022 between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (such indenture, as further amended and supplemented from time to time, the “Senior Debt Indenture”), or (ii) a subordinated indenture between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (such indenture, as executed or thereafter amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Subordinated Debt Indenture,” which together with the Senior Debt Indenture, the “Indentures,” and each, an “Indenture”). U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association shall be referred to herein as the “Trustee.”
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) an automatic shelf registration statement, including a prospectus, relating to the Securities, which registration statement became effective upon filing under Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). The registration statement as amended to the date of the Underwriting Agreement, including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 430B under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement,” and the prospectus as amended to the date of the Underwriting Agreement (other than as amended by prospectus supplements relating to securities other than the Securities) (the “Base Prospectus”) and as amended by a prospectus supplement (the “Prospectus Supplement”) relating to the Securities to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the “Prospectus” (including in each case documents incorporated by reference). The term “preliminary prospectus” means a preliminary prospectus supplement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) specifically relating to the Securities, together with the Base Prospectus. The term “free writing prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Act. The term “issuer free writing prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Rule 433 under the Act. The time when sales of Securities are first made is referred to as the “Time of Sale.” The term Time of Sale Prospectus means the Base Prospectus and preliminary prospectus, if any, together with any term sheet as set forth in Schedule 2 to the Underwriting Agreement. As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement,” “Base Prospectus,” “Prospectus,” “preliminary prospectus” and “Time of Sale Prospectus” shall include in each case the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein. The terms “supplement,” “amendment” and “amend” as used herein shall include all documents deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus that are filed subsequent to the date of the Base Prospectus by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
1
I.
The Company agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and the Underwriters, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agree to purchase from the Company, severally and not jointly, the principal amounts of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement, less their respective amounts, if any, of Contract Securities (as hereinafter defined), determined as provided below, at the respective purchase prices set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, plus accrued interest, if any, as specified in the Underwriting Agreement. Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters are hereinafter called “Underwriters’ Securities.” Securities to be purchased pursuant to delayed delivery contracts as herein provided are hereinafter called “Contract Securities.” The terms of the public offering of the Underwriters’ Securities and Contract Securities, as applicable, are as specified in the Underwriting Agreement.
If so indicated in the Underwriting Agreement, the Company authorizes the Underwriters to solicit offers to purchase Contract Securities on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts substantially in the form set forth in the Underwriting Agreement but with such changes therein as the Company may authorize or approve (“Delayed Delivery Contracts”). Delayed Delivery Contracts are to be with institutional investors approved by the Company and of the types set forth in the Prospectus. The aggregate principal amount of Contract Securities shall not exceed the amount set forth in the Underwriting Agreement. On the Closing Date, the Company will pay to the Underwriters as compensation, for the accounts of the Underwriters, the fees specified in the Underwriting Agreement in respect of all Contract Securities. The Underwriters may pay to dealers the commission specified in the Underwriting Agreement in respect of Securities for which Delayed Delivery Contracts are arranged by such dealers. The Underwriters will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or the performance of Delayed Delivery Contracts.
The deduction for the Contract Securities shall become effective upon execution and delivery by the Company and the several institutional investors of the Delayed Delivery Contracts, and such deduction shall be in the amount which shall bear the same proportion to the total principal amount of Contract Securities as the principal amount of Underwriters’ Securities set forth opposite the name of the respective Underwriter bears to the aggregate principal amount of Underwriters’ Securities set forth in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement, except to the extent that the Representatives determine that such deduction shall be otherwise than in such proportions and so advise the Company in writing.
II.
Payment for and delivery of the Securities will be made at the time and place set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
III.
The several obligations of the Underwriters under the Underwriting Agreement are subject to the following conditions:
(a) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or be threatened by the Commission and there shall have been no material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the financial condition, earnings or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole from that set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; and the Underwriters shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an authorized officer of the Company, to the foregoing effect. The officer making such certificate may rely upon the best of his knowledge as to proceedings pending or threatened.
(b) Subsequent to the Time of Sale, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any of the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act) or any public notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or of a possible change in any such rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change.
2
(c) The Representatives shall have received an opinion dated the Closing Date, satisfactory to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, of the Company’s General Counsel or an Assistant General Counsel, to the effect that:
(i) the Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, is authorized by its certificate of incorporation to transact the business in which it is engaged and is duly registered and qualified to conduct the business in which it is engaged and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its failure so to register or qualify would materially adversely affect the business results, results of operations or financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(ii) all the outstanding shares of capital stock of Masco Corporation of Indiana and Behr Process Corporation have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; and all such outstanding shares of capital stock are owned directly or indirectly by the Company free and clear of all liens or encumbrances;
(iii) the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement of the Company in accordance with its terms and has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;
(iv) 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 the Underwriting Agreement (or, in the case of Contract Securities, by institutional investors pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts), will be valid and binding obligations of the Company and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture;
(v) the Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;
(vi) the Delayed Delivery Contracts, if any, have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and are valid and binding agreements of the Company in accordance with their terms;
(vii) no authorization, consent or approval of, or registration or filing with, any governmental or public body or regulatory authority is required on the part of the Company for the issuance of the Securities in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture or the sale of the Securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, or for the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Securities, other than registration of the Securities under the Act, qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and compliance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of various jurisdictions;
(viii) the execution and delivery of the Indenture and the Underwriting Agreement, the issuance of the Securities in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and the sale of the Securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Securities do not result in any violation by the Company of any of the terms or provisions of any law or regulation (except for securities or Blue Sky laws of various jurisdictions, as to which such counsel is not called upon to express an opinion), or of the certificate of incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, or, to the knowledge of such counsel, of any indenture, mortgage or other agreement or instrument by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound;
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(ix) the statements contained in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Notes” (and “Delayed Delivery Arrangements,” if any), insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the documents or matters referred to therein, fairly present the information called for with respect to such documents or matters;
(x) the Company is not an “ineligible issuer” in connection with the offering pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Act. The Company has not made any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a free writing prospectus other than the issuer free writing prospectus containing substantially the same terms as provided for in Schedule 2 to the Underwriting Agreement. Any such free writing prospectus as of its issue date complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and was filed with the Commission in accordance with the Act (to the extent required pursuant to Rule 433(d) thereunder);
(xi) (A) at the time of the initial filing of the Registration Statement, (B) 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 Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), (C) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c) under the Act) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163 under the Act and (D) at the Closing Date, the Company was and is a “well-known seasoned issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act), including not having been and not being an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act). The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act), and the Securities, since their registration on the Registration Statement, have been and remain eligible for registration by the Company on an automatic shelf registration statement. The Company has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Act objecting to the use of the automatic shelf registration statement form;
(xii) such counsel does not know of any legal or governmental proceeding required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus which is not described as required, nor of any material contract or other material document required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which is not described or filed as required;
(xiii) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto (except for the financial statements and other statistical and financial data included therein and except for supplements relating only to securities other than the Securities, as to which such counsel need not express an opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act, and such counsel has no reason to believe (A) that (except as aforesaid and except for the Statements of Eligibility on Form T-1 furnished by the Trustee and filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement) the Registration Statement, as of the date each part of the Registration Statement at the time such part became effective as to such Underwriter and as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement, 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 or (B) that (except for the financial statements and other statistical and financial data included therein and except for supplements relating only to securities other than the Securities, as to which such counsel need not express an opinion) the Time of Sale Prospectus, as of the Time of Sale, or the Prospectus, as of its date and as of the Closing Date, contained any untrue statement of material fact or omitted 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; and
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(xiv) the documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and any supplements or amendments thereto (except for the financial statements and other statistical and financial data included therein as to which such counsel need not express an opinion) complied when so filed as to form in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
In rendering such opinion (A) such counsel may rely to the extent such counsel deems appropriate on the opinion of other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters and (B) with respect to clauses (xii) and (xiii) of this paragraph (c), such counsel may state that his or her opinion and belief is based upon his or her participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, and the Prospectus and any amendment and supplement thereto and review and discussion of the contents thereof, but without independent check or verification except as specified in such opinion.
(d) The Underwriters shall have received an opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, as to the matters referred to in clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (ix) and (xiii) of the foregoing paragraph (c), provided that with respect to clause (xiii) of the foregoing paragraph (c) such counsel may state that their opinion and belief are based upon their participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (other than documents incorporated by reference) and review and discussion of the contents thereof (including documents incorporated by reference), but without independent check or verification except as specified in such opinion.
(e) The Underwriters shall have received letters of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the pricing date and the Closing Date, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in or incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, and the Prospectus.
(f) The Company shall not have failed on or prior to the Closing Date to have performed or complied with any of the agreements contained in the Underwriting Agreement and required to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date, and all of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Underwriting Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date.
IV.
In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters contained in the Underwriting Agreement, the Company covenants as follows:
(a) To furnish to each of the Underwriters without charge two copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits and documents incorporated by reference) and, during the period mentioned in paragraph (c) below, as many copies of the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto prepared pursuant to paragraph (c) below as each Underwriter may reasonably request.
(b) To prepare and file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, as promptly as practicable after the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, a prospectus supplement setting forth such information as is necessary so that the Prospectus, when delivered to a purchaser of the Securities, will comply with law and, before amending the Registration Statement or supplementing the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus with respect to the Securities, to furnish each Underwriter a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement.
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(c) If the Time of Sale Prospectus is being used to solicit offers to buy the Securities at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and any event shall occur as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time, not misleading, or if any event shall occur as a result of which any free writing prospectus included as part of the Time of Sale Prospectus conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement then on file, the Company shall forthwith prepare and furnish, at its expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses the Underwriters will furnish to the Company), either amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Prospectus so that the statements in the Time of Sale Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time, be misleading or so that any free writing prospectus which is included as part of the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will no longer conflict with the Registration Statement.
(d) If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Securities as in the opinion of counsel to the Underwriters a prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer (including in circumstances where no physical delivery is required pursuant to Rule 172), any event shall occur as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission (if required) and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses the Underwriters shall furnish to the Company) to which Securities may have been sold by the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law.
(e) To endeavor to qualify the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters shall reasonably request and to pay all expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) in connection with such qualification and in connection with the determination of the eligibility of the Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters may designate; provided that the Company shall not be required to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now qualified or to take any action which would make it subject to general or unlimited service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.
(f) To make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering a twelve-month period beginning with the first calendar quarter after the date of the Underwriting Agreement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.
(g) To notify the Representatives not less than 48 hours prior to the Closing Date of the principal amount of Contract Securities.
(h) Not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of for cash any debt securities of the Company substantially similar to the Securities during the period beginning on the date of the Underwriting Agreement and continuing to and including the Closing Date, without the Representatives’ prior written consent.
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V.
The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:
(a) each document filed by the Company pursuant to the Exchange Act which is incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus complied when so filed in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and each document, if any, hereafter filed and so incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus will comply when so filed in all material respects with the Exchange Act and such rules and regulations;
(b) the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus comply, and the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (and any amendments and supplements thereto, other than supplements relating only to securities other than the Securities) will on the Closing Date comply, in all material respects with the Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;
(c) each preliminary prospectus, if any, relating to the Securities filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act complied when so filed in all material respects with the Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder;
(d) each part of the Registration Statement at the time such part became effective and as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the Time of Sale Prospectus, as of the Time of Sale, did not and on the Closing Date, will not, and each electronic road show, if any, when taken together as a whole with the Time of Sale Prospectus, as of the Time of Sale, did not and on the Closing Date, will not, and the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented, other than by supplements relating only to securities other than the Securities), as of its date, did not, and on the Closing Date, will not contain 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; except that these representations and warranties do not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus based upon information furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of any Underwriter expressly for use therein or contained in the Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 furnished by the Trustee and filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;
(e) the Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (1) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (2) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (3) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (4) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and except as described in the Prospectus, (I) since December 31 of the most recently completed fiscal year, nothing has come to the attention of management that would lead management to believe that a material weakness has existed at any time thereafter, and (II) since December 31 of the most recently completed fiscal year, nothing has come to the attention of management that would lead management to believe that a change has occurred which has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting;
(f) the Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within those entities; and the Company has carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act;
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(g) the Company and each of its “significant subsidiaries” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) have filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date of the Underwriting Agreement or have received extensions thereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid thereon (except for cases in which the failure to file or pay would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, or, except as currently being contested in good faith and for which reserves required by U.S. GAAP have been created in the financial statements of the Company), and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries which has had (nor does the Company have any notice or knowledge of any tax deficiency which could reasonably be expected to be determined adversely to the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries and which could reasonably be expected to have) a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(h) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that could result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder or the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 or similar law of any other relevant jurisdiction; and the Company has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance therewith;
(i) the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements and the money laundering statutes and the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar applicable rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened which could reasonably be expected to be determined adversely to the Company or its subsidiaries;
(j) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) is currently subject to any sanctions administered or imposed by the United States (including any administered or enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department, the U.S. Department of State, or the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, or the United Kingdom (including sanctions administered or controlled by His Majesty’s Treasury) (collectively, “Sanctions” and such persons, “Sanction Persons”) or (ii) will use the proceeds of this offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person in any manner that to the Company’s knowledge at the time of such funding will result in a violation of any economic Sanctions by, or could result in the imposition of Sanctions against, any person (including any person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise);
(k) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is a person that is, or is 50% or more owned or otherwise controlled by a person that is: (i) the subject of any Sanctions; or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions that broadly prohibit dealings with that country or territory (currently, including, without limitation, the non-government controlled areas of
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the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Regions of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, or so-called Luhansk People’s Republic or any other Covered Region of Ukraine identified pursuant to Executive Order 14065, and the Crimea region, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria) (collectively, “Sanctioned Countries” and each, a “Sanctioned Country”);
(l) except as has been disclosed to the Underwriters or is not material to the analysis under any Sanctions, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has engaged in any dealings or transactions with, or, to the Company’s knowledge, for the benefit of, a Sanctioned Person, or with or in a Sanctioned Country, since April 24, 2019;
(m) except as disclosed in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries: (i) is in violation of, or to the knowledge of the Company has liability or obligations under, any statute, common law, rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (ii) owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any Environmental Laws, or is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any Environmental Laws; or (iii) is subject to any claim relating to any Environmental Laws, nor is the Company aware of any pending investigation or any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such claim, except where any of the foregoing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business results, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(n) neither the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents, and none of them is: (i) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which such entity is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its property or assets is subject; or (ii) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in any case, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(o) the Company, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus will not be required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, “Investment Company Act”); and
(p) the Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) and data (including all personal, personally identifiable, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Personal Data”)) used in connection with their businesses, and there have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability, nor any material incidents under internal review or material investigations relating to the same in the preceding three years. The Company and its subsidiaries are presently in material compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except for any noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as whole.
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The Company acknowledges and agrees that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, (b) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not an agent or fiduciary of the Company, or its stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory or 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) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, (d) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.
The Company agrees that, unless it has or shall have obtained the prior written consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company that, unless it has or shall have obtained, as the case may be, the prior written consent of the Company, 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 a free writing prospectus containing the information contained in the final term sheet, as set forth in Schedule 2 to the Underwriting Agreement; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the free writing prospectus included in Schedule 2 to the Underwriting Agreement and any electronic road show. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representatives or the Company 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.
The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers and employees of each Underwriter and each person, if any, controlling any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable expenses (including reasonable costs of investigation) arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus (as amended or supplemented), any issuer free writing prospectus (taken together as a whole with the information in the Time of Sale Prospectus) or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any preliminary prospectus or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or allegation thereof which has been made therein or omitted therefrom in reliance upon and in conformity with information (a) furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter expressly for use therein or (b) contained in the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 furnished by the Trustee and filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
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If any action or claim shall be brought or asserted against any Underwriter or any director, officer or employee of any Underwriter or any person so controlling an Underwriter in respect of which indemnity may be sought from the Company, such Underwriter, director, officer or employee or controlling person shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel and the payment of all expenses. Any Underwriter or any such director, officer or employee or controlling person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or such director, officer, employee or controlling person unless (a) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (b) the Company has failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or (c) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both such Underwriter or such director, officer or employee or controlling person and the Company and such Underwriter or such director, officer or employee or controlling person shall have been advised by such counsel that there are one or more material legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such Underwriter or such director, officer or employee or controlling person, it being understood, however, that the Company shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (other than local counsel, if required), at any time for all such Underwriters, directors, officers or employees and controlling persons, which firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives, and that all such reasonable fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred). The Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with the written consent of the Company, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Underwriter and any such director, officer or employee or controlling person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
Each Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, controlling any such person within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with respect to information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by it, or on its behalf, expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus, the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto. In case any action or claim shall be brought against the Company or its directors, officers or employees or any such controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company or its directors, officers or employees or any such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to the Underwriters by the preceding paragraph. The Underwriters shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without their written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with the written consent of the Underwriters, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the Underwriters agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and such directors, officers, or employees or controlling persons from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
If the indemnification provided for in this Article V is unavailable to an indemnified party under the fourth or sixth paragraph of this Article V in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (a) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities or (b) if the allocation provided by clause (a) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (a) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of Securities (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to
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the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Article V were to be determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article V, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. 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. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Article V are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Article V and the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the Underwriting Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (a) any investigation made by or on behalf of any person, (b) acceptance of any Securities and payment therefor hereunder and (c) any termination of the Underwriting Agreement. A successor of any Underwriter or of the Company or of its directors and officers or of any such controlling person, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnity, reimbursement and contribution agreements contained in this Article V.
VI.
In the event that on or prior to the Closing Date, (a) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on the New York Stock Exchange, (b) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange, (c) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by Federal or New York authorities, (d) a material disruption shall have occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or (e) an outbreak or escalation of hostilities or a declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis shall have occurred since the execution of the Underwriting Agreement which, in the Representatives’ judgment, makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the completion of the sale of or any payment for the Securities, the Underwriting Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives, without liability on the part of any Underwriter to the Company. Notice of such cancellation may be given to the Company by telephone but shall be subsequently confirmed by letter.
VII.
If any of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Underwriters’ Securities which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase hereunder, and the aggregate principal amount of Underwriters’ Securities which such defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate principal amount of Securities, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, in the proportions which the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement bears to the aggregate principal amount of Securities, or in such other proportions as the Underwriters may specify, to purchase the Underwriters’ Securities which such defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed or refused to purchase; provided that in no event shall the
12
principal amount of Securities which any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to Article I of the Underwriting Agreement be increased pursuant to this paragraph by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such principal amount of Securities without the written consent of such Underwriter. If any of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Underwriters’ Securities and the aggregate principal amount of Underwriters’ Securities with respect to which such default occurs is more than said one-tenth of the aggregate principal amount of Securities and arrangements satisfactory to the Underwriters and the Company for the purchase of such Underwriters’ Securities are not made within 36 hours after such default, the Underwriting Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. In any such case either the Underwriters or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of any such Underwriter under the Underwriting Agreement.
If the Underwriting Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so terminated the Underwriting Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with the Underwriting Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
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 the Underwriting Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under the Underwriting Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Underwriting Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. 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 the Underwriting 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 the Underwriting Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. As used in this paragraph:
(a) “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);
(b) “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);
(c) “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; and
(d) “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.
The Agreement herein set forth has been and is made solely for the benefit of the several Underwriters and the Company and of the controlling persons, directors and officers referred to in Article V hereof and their respective successors and assigns or personal representatives, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of the Underwriting Agreement. The terms “successor” or “successors and assigns” as used in the Underwriting Agreement shall not include a purchaser of any of the Securities from any of the several Underwriters in his or its status as such purchaser.
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The Underwriting Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in the Underwriting Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to the Underwriting Agreement, if any, shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.
The Underwriting Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
14
Exhibit 5.1
February 11, 2025
Masco Corporation
17450 College Parkway
Livonia, MI 48152
RE: MASCO CORPORATION REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3
Dear Sirs:
I am acting as your counsel in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in which this opinion is included as Exhibit 5.1, registering securities of Masco Corporation (the “Company”), including (i) shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company; (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company; (iii) depositary shares representing Preferred Stock (“Depositary Shares”) evidenced by depositary receipts (the “Receipts”), which may be issued pursuant to a deposit agreement (the “Deposit Agreement”) between the Company and a depositary agent (the “Depositary Agent”); (iv) the Company’s senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities (collectively, the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to a senior indenture (the “Senior Indenture”) and a subordinated indenture (the “Subordinated Indenture”), respectively, each between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”); (v) purchase contracts (the “Purchase Contracts”) which may be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and the purchase contract agent to be named therein (the “Purchase Contract Agent”); (vi) units (the “Units”) to be issued under one or more unit agreements to be entered into among the Company, a bank or trust company, as unit agent (the “Unit Agent”), and the holders from time to time of the Units (each such unit agreement, a “Unit Agreement”); and (vii) warrants of the Company (the “Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) between the Company and the warrant agent to be named therein.
I or attorneys under my supervision upon whom I am relying have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such documents and corporate records, as I have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:
| 1. | The Company has been duly incorporated and is a validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. |
| 2. | The Senior Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding obligation of the Company. |
| 3. | The Subordinated Indenture has been duly authorized and, when executed and delivered by the Company, will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company. |
| 4. | When the specific terms of a particular series of Debt Securities have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture and such Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with such Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability. |
1
| 5. | When the necessary corporate action on the part of the Company has been taken to authorize the issuance and sale of such shares of Common Stock proposed to be sold by the Company, and when such shares of Common Stock are issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor (in excess of par value thereof) or upon conversion or exercise of any security offered under the Registration Statement (the “Offered Security”), in accordance with terms of such Offered Security or the instrument governing such Offered Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board of Directors, for the consideration approved by the Board of Directors (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Common Stock), such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
| 6. | Upon designation of the relative rights, preferences and limitations of any series of Preferred Stock by the Board of Directors of the Company and the proper filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of a Certificate of Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock, all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company will have been taken to authorize the issuance and sale of such series of Preferred Stock proposed to be sold by the Company, and when such shares of Preferred Stock are issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor (in excess of par value thereof), such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
| 7. | When the issuance of the Depositary Shares and underlying Preferred Stock have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Deposit Agreement and the Receipts duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the Deposit Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Depositary Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable and the Receipts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability. |
| 8. | When the Purchase Contract Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Purchase Contracts has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchase Contract Agent and the Company, the specific terms of the Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement and such Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability. |
| 9. | When the Unit Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Units has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Unit Agent and the Company, the specific terms of the Units have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Unit Agreement and such Units have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Unit Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability. |
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| 10. | When the Warrant Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent and the Company, the specific terms of the Warrants have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and such Warrants have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability. |
In connection with the opinions expressed above, I have assumed that, at or prior to the time of the delivery of any such security, (i) the Board of Directors shall have duly established the terms of such security and duly authorized the issuance and sale of such security and such authorization shall not have been modified or rescinded, (ii) the Company shall remain validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (iii) the Registration Statement shall have become effective and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded, (iv) the Senior Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture and the Debt Securities are each valid, binding and enforceable agreements of each party thereto (other than as expressly covered above in respect of the Company) and (v) there shall not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity or enforceability of such security. I have also assumed that none of the terms of any security to be established subsequent to the date hereof, nor the issuance and delivery of such security, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such security will violate any applicable law or public policy or will result in a violation of any provision of any instrument or agreement then binding upon the Company, or any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement referred to above and further consent to the reference to my name under the caption “Validity of Securities” in the prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not admit that I am in the category of persons whose consent is required by the Securities Act or Rules.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Kenneth G. Cole
Kenneth G. Cole
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
3
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Masco Corporation of our report dated February 11, 2025 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Masco Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
| /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
| Detroit, Michigan |
| February 11, 2025 |
Exhibit 25.1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)
91-1821036
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
| 800 Nicollet Mall | ||
| Minneapolis, Minnesota | 55402 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
James Kowalski
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
535 Griswold Street, Suite 550
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 234-4716
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
MASCO CORPORATION
(Issuer with respect to the Securities)
| Delaware | 38-1794485 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| 17450 College Parkway | ||
| Livonia, Michigan | 48152 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Senior and Subordinated Notes
(Title of the Indenture Securities)
FORM T-1
| Item 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee. |
| a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of the Currency
Washington, D.C.
| b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes
| Item 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation. |
None
| Items 3-15 | Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee. |
| Item 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification. |
| 1. | A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 1. |
| 2. | A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2. |
| 3. | A copy of the authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, included as Exhibit 2. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 4. |
| 5. | A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6. |
| 7. | Report of Condition of the Trustee as of September 30, 2024, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Detroit, State of Michigan on the 11th of February, 2025.
| By: | /s/ James Kowalski | |
| James Kowalski | ||
| Vice President |
Exhibit 1
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
U. S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association (the “Association”) to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned enter into the following Articles of Association:
FIRST. The title of this Association shall be U. S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, state of Oregon. The business of the Association will be limited to fiduciary powers and the support of activities incidental to the exercise of those powers. The Association may not expand or alter its business beyond that stated in this article without the prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.
THIRD. The board of directors of the Association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the Association or of a holding company owning the Association, with an aggregate par, fair market, or equity value of not less than $1,000, as of either (i) the date of purchase, (ii) the date the person became a director, or (iii) the date of that person’s most recent election to the board of directors, whichever is more recent. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the Association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may increase the number of directors up to the maximum permitted by law. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the Association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determined the number of directors of the Association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the Bylaws, or if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the
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Association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases, at least 10 days’ advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares he or she owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the Association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by the shareholders at a meeting called to remove him or her, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove him or her is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of the Association shall be 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of ten dollars ($10) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States. The Association shall have only one class of capital stock.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the Association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the Association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.
Transfers of the Association’s stock are subject to the prior written approval of a federal depository institution regulatory agency. If no other agency approval is required, the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency must be obtained prior to any such transfers.
Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the Articles of Association must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
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Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval.
Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
The Association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether subordinated, which may be issued by the Association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this Association and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the Association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this Association. A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the Bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| (1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the Association. |
| (2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the Association. |
| (3) | Fix the compensation and enter employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| (4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| (5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| (6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the Association’s management or committees of the board. |
| (7) | Regulate the manner any increase or decrease of the capital of the Association shall be made; provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the Association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
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| (8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. |
| (9) | Adopt initial Bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the Articles of Association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the Association. |
| (10) | Amend or repeal Bylaws, except to the extent that the Articles of Association reserve this power in whole or in part to the shareholders. |
| (11) | Make contracts. |
| (12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any authorized branch within the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of the Association for a location outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, but not more than thirty miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any office or offices of the Association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of the Association, or any shareholder owning, in the aggregate, not less than 25 percent of the stock of the Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws or the laws of the United States, or waived by shareholders, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at least 10, and no more than 60, days prior to the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record at his/her address as shown upon the books of the Association. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount; provided, that the scope of the Association’s activities and services may not be expanded without the prior written approval of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the Articles of Association for submission to the shareholders.
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In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 11th of June, 1997.
| /s/ Jeffrey T. Grubb |
| Jeffrey T. Grubb |
| /s/ Robert D. Sznewajs |
| Robert D. Sznewajs |
| /s/ Dwight V. Board |
| Dwight V. Board |
| /s/ P. K. Chatterjee |
| P. K. Chatterjee |
| /s/ Robert Lane |
| Robert Lane |
Exhibit 2
|
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency | |||
| Washington, DC 20219 |
CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND FIDUCIARY POWERS
I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:
1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.
2. “U.S. Bank Trust Company National Association,” Portland, Oregon (Charter No. 23412), is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking and exercise fiduciary powers on the date of this certificate.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today, October 7, 2024, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.
2025-00037-C
Exhibit 4
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of directors and the transaction of any other proper business, shall be held at a time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. Notice of such meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days prior to the date thereof, to each shareholder of the Association, unless the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) determines that an emergency circumstance exists. In accordance with applicable law, the sole shareholder of the Association is permitted to waive notice of the meeting. If, for any reason, an election of directors is not made on the designated day, the election shall be held on some subsequent day, as soon thereafter as practicable, with prior notice thereof. Failure to hold an annual meeting as required by these Bylaws shall not affect the validity of any corporate action or work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association.
Section 1.2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose, at any time by a majority of the board of directors (the “Board”), or by any shareholder or group of shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding stock. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called upon not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
Section 1.3. Nominations for Directors. Nominations for election to the Board may be made by the Board or by any shareholder.
Section 1.4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting and any adjournments of such meeting and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.
Section 1.5. Record Date. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting will be thirty days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise determined by the Board.
Section 1.6. Quorum and Voting. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Association.
Section 1.7. Inspectors. The Board may, and in the event of its failure so to do, the Chairman of the Board may appoint Inspectors of Election who shall determine the presence of quorum, the validity of proxies, and the results of all elections and all other matters voted upon by shareholders at all annual and special meetings of shareholders.
Section 1.8. Waiver and Consent. The shareholders may act without notice or a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all shareholders.
Section 1.9. Remote Meetings. The Board shall have the right to determine that a shareholder meeting not be held at a place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication in the manner and to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 2.1. Board of Directors. The Board shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board.
Section 2.2. Term of Office. The directors of this Association shall hold office for one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Section 2.3. Powers. In addition to the foregoing, the Board shall have and may exercise all of the powers granted to or conferred upon it by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws and by law.
Section 2.4. Number. As provided in the Articles of Association, the Board of this Association shall consist of no less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the Association from the twenty-five- member limit. The Board shall consist of a number of members to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of the Board or the shareholders at any meeting thereof, in accordance with the Articles of Association. Between meetings of the shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, the Board
by a majority vote of the full Board may increase the size of the Board but not to more than a total of twenty-five directors, and fill any vacancy so created in the Board; provided that the Board may increase the number of directors only by up to two directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was fifteen or fewer, and by up to four directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or more. Each director shall own a qualifying equity interest in the Association or a company that has control of the Association in each case as required by applicable law. Each director shall own such qualifying equity interest in his or her own right and meet any minimum threshold ownership required by applicable law.
Section 2.5. Organization Meeting. The newly elected Board shall meet for the purpose of organizing the new Board and electing and appointing such officers of the Association as may be appropriate. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within thirty days thereafter, at such time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained.
Section 2.6. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Board shall be held, without notice, as the Chairman or President may designate and deem suitable.
Section 2.7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time, at any place and for any purpose by the Chairman of the Board or the President of the Association, or upon the request of a majority of the entire Board. Notice of every special meeting of the Board shall be given to the directors at their usual places of business, or at such other addresses as shall have been furnished by them for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at least twelve hours (three hours if meeting is to be conducted by conference telephone) before the meeting by telephone or by being personally delivered, mailed, or electronically delivered. Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.
Section 2.8. Quorum and Necessary Vote. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board, except when otherwise provided by law; but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Unless otherwise provided by law or the Articles or Bylaws of this Association, once a quorum is established, any act by a majority of those directors present and voting shall be the act of the Board.
Section 2.9. Written Consent. Except as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, the Board may act without a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all directors, to be filed with the Secretary of the Association as part of the corporate records.
Section 2.10. Remote Meetings. Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone, video or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, the remaining members of the Board may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 3.1. Advisory Board of Directors. The Board may appoint persons, who need not be directors, to serve as advisory directors on an advisory board of directors established with respect to the business affairs of either this Association alone or the business affairs of a group of affiliated organizations of which this Association is one. Advisory directors shall have such powers and duties as may be determined by the Board, provided, that the Board’s responsibility for the business and affairs of this Association shall in no respect be delegated or diminished.
Section 3.2. Trust Audit Committee. At least once during each calendar year, the Association shall arrange for a suitable audit (by internal or external auditors) of all significant fiduciary activities under the direction of its trust audit committee, a function that will be fulfilled by the Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association. The Association shall note the results of the audit (including significant actions taken as a result of the audit) in the minutes of the Board. In lieu of annual audits, the Association may adopt a continuous audit system in accordance with 12 C.F.R. § 9.9(b).
The Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association, fulfilling the function of the trust audit committee:
(1) Must not include any officers of the Association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the Association’s fiduciary activities; and
(2) Must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the Association.
Section 3.3. Executive Committee. The Board may appoint an Executive Committee which shall consist of at least three directors and which shall have, and may exercise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all the powers of the Board between meetings of the Board or otherwise when the Board is not meeting.
Section 3.4. Trust Management Committee. The Board of this Association shall appoint a Trust Management Committee to provide oversight of the fiduciary activities of the Association. The Trust Management Committee shall determine policies governing fiduciary activities. The Trust Management Committee or such sub-committees, officers or others as may be duly designated by the Trust Management Committee shall oversee the processes related to fiduciary activities to assure conformity with fiduciary policies it establishes, including ratifying the acceptance and the closing out or relinquishment of all trusts. The Trust Management Committee will provide regular reports of its activities to the Board.
Section 3.5. Other Committees. The Board may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more persons who need not be directors, for such purposes and with such powers as the Board may determine; however, the Board will not delegate to any committee any powers or responsibilities that it is prohibited from delegating under any law or regulation. In addition, either the Chairman or the President may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more officers, employees, agents or other persons, for such purposes and with such powers as either the Chairman or the President deems appropriate and proper. Whether appointed by the Board, the Chairman, or the President, any such committee shall at all times be subject to the direction and control of the Board.
Section 3.6. Meetings, Minutes and Rules. An advisory board of directors and/or committee shall meet as necessary in consideration of the purpose of the advisory board of directors or committee, and shall maintain minutes in sufficient detail to indicate actions taken or recommendations made; unless required by the members, discussions, votes or other specific details need not be reported. An advisory board of directors or a committee may, in consideration of its purpose, adopt its own rules for the exercise of any of its functions or authority.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 4.1. Chairman of the Board. The Board may appoint one of its members to be Chairman of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Chairman shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.2. President. The Board may appoint one of its members to be President of the Association. In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at any meeting of the Board. The President shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the office of President, or imposed by these Bylaws. The President shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.3. Vice President. The Board may appoint one or more Vice Presidents who shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board and to perform the duties of the President on those occasions when the President is absent, including presiding at any meeting of the Board in the absence of both the Chairman and President.
Section 4.4. Secretary. The Board shall appoint a Secretary, or other designated officer who shall be Secretary of the Board and of the Association, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws to be given; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the Association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the Association; shall, upon request, authenticate any records of the Association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the Secretary, or imposed by these Bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries with such powers and duties as the Board, the President or the Secretary shall from time to time determine.
Section 4.5. Other Officers. The Board may appoint, and may authorize the Chairman, the President or any other officer to appoint, any officer as from time to time may appear to the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other officer to be required or desirable to transact the business of the Association. Such officers shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by these Bylaws, the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other authorized officer. Any person may hold two offices.
Section 4.6. Tenure of Office. The Chairman or the President and all other officers shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, subject to the right of the Board or authorized officer to discharge any officer at any time.
ARTICLE V
Stock
Section 5.1. The Board may authorize the issuance of stock either in certificated or in uncertificated form. Certificates for shares of stock shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time prescribe. If the Board issues certificated stock, the certificate shall be signed by the President, Secretary or any other such officer as the Board so determines. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to such person’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. Each certificate of stock shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association properly endorsed. The Board may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the Association for stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related matters, and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
ARTICLE VI
Corporate Seal
Section 6.1. The Association shall have no corporate seal; provided, however, that if the use of a seal is required by, or is otherwise convenient or advisable pursuant to, the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, the following seal may be used, and the Chairman, the President, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix such seal:
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 7.1. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, checks, drafts, orders, indentures, notes, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, endorsements, assignments, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, guarantees, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, countersigned, executed, acknowledged, endorsed, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Association, whether in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise, by any officer of the Association, or such employee or agent as may be designated from time to time by the Board by resolution, or by the Chairman or the President by written instrument, which resolution or instrument shall be certified as in effect by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Association. The provisions of this section are supplementary to any other provision of the Articles of Association or Bylaws.
Section 7.2. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws as revised or amended from time to time and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board, and standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for the purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Secretary, or other officer appointed to act as Secretary of the meeting.
Section 7.3. Trust Files. There shall be maintained in the Association files all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.
Section 7.4. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and according to law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made and does not vest in the Association a discretion in the matter, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under law.
Section 7.5. Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws or law, such notice shall be by mail, postage prepaid, e- mail, in person, or by any other means by which such notice can reasonably be expected to be received, using the address of the person to receive such notice, or such other personal data, as may appear on the records of the Association.
Except where specified otherwise in these Bylaws, prior notice shall be proper if given not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days prior to the event for which notice is given.
ARTICLE VIII
Indemnification
Section 8.1. The Association shall indemnify such persons for such liabilities in such manner under such circumstances and to such extent as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as now enacted or hereafter amended. The Board may authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance and/or the execution of individual agreements for the purpose of such indemnification, and the Association shall advance all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding to all persons entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1. Such insurance shall be consistent with the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 7.2014 and shall exclude coverage of liability for a formal order assessing civil money penalties against an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u).
Section 8.2. Notwithstanding Section 8.1, however, (a) any indemnification payments to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), for an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be reasonable and consistent with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and the implementing regulations thereunder; and (b) any indemnification payments and advancement of costs and expenses to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), in cases involving an administrative proceeding or civil action not initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law and consistent with safe and sound banking practices.
ARTICLE IX
Bylaws: Interpretation and Amendment
Section 9.1. These Bylaws shall be interpreted in accordance with and subject to appropriate provisions of law, and may be added to, altered, amended, or repealed, at any regular or special meeting of the Board.
Section 9.2. A copy of the Bylaws and all amendments shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the principal office of the Association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during Association hours.
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 10.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the thirty-first day of December following.
Section 10.2. Governing Law. This Association designates the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, as the governing law for its corporate governance procedures, to the extent not inconsistent with Federal banking statutes and regulations or bank safety and soundness.
***
(February 8, 2021)
Exhibit 6
CONSENT
In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.
Dated: February 11, 2025
| By: | /s/ James Kowalski | |
| James Kowalski | ||
| Vice President |
Exhibit 7
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Statement of Financial Condition
as of 9/30/2024
($000’s)
| 9/30/2024 | ||||
| Assets |
||||
| Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions |
$ | 1,551,827 | ||
| Securities |
4,568 | |||
| Federal Funds |
0 | |||
| Loans & Lease Financing Receivables |
0 | |||
| Fixed Assets |
1,070 | |||
| Intangible Assets |
576,760 | |||
| Other Assets |
153,717 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total Assets |
$ | 2,287,942 | ||
| Liabilities |
||||
| Deposits |
$ | 0 | ||
| Fed Funds |
0 | |||
| Treasury Demand Notes |
0 | |||
| Trading Liabilities |
0 | |||
| Other Borrowed Money |
0 | |||
| Acceptances |
0 | |||
| Subordinated Notes and Debentures |
0 | |||
| Other Liabilities |
215,240 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total Liabilities |
$ | 215,240 | ||
| Equity |
||||
| Common and Preferred Stock |
200 | |||
| Surplus |
1,171,635 | |||
| Undivided Profits |
900,867 | |||
| Minority Interest in Subsidiaries |
0 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total Equity Capital |
$ | 2,072,702 | ||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
$ | 2,287,942 | ||