Le Lézard
Classified in: Covid-19 virus
Subject: Share Issue

Altria Announces Pricing of Previously Announced Cash Tender Offers


Altria Group, Inc. ("Altria") (NYSE: MO) today announced the pricing terms for its previously announced cash tender offers for certain of its outstanding senior unsecured notes (each, a "Tender Offer" and collectively, the "Tender Offers").

Tender Offers

Summarized in the table below are the applicable Reference Yields and Total Consideration to be paid in connection with the Tender Offers for (i) up to an amount that is sufficient (the "Pool 1 Maximum Amount") to allow Altria to accept for purchase all of its 2.850% Notes due 2022 and 2.950% Notes due 2023 (collectively, the "Pool 1 Notes") that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date (collectively, the "Pool 1 Tender Offers"), (ii) up to an amount that is sufficient (the "Pool 2 Maximum Amount") to allow Altria to accept for purchase all of its 4.000% Notes due 2024 and 3.800% Notes due 2024 (collectively, the "Pool 2 Notes") that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date (collectively, the "Pool 2 Tender Offers"), (iii) up to $500,000,000 aggregate purchase price (the "Pool 3 Maximum Amount") in respect of its 4.400% Notes due 2026, 2.625% Notes due 2026 and 2.350% Notes due 2025 (collectively, the "Pool 3 Notes") that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date in the priorities set forth in the table below (collectively, the "Pool 3 Tender Offers"), (iv) up to $1,300,000,000 aggregate purchase price (the "Pool 4 Maximum Amount") in respect of its 4.800% Notes due 2029 (the "Pool 4 Notes") that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date in the priority set forth in the table below (the "Pool 4 Tender Offer") and (v) up to $450,000,000 aggregate purchase price (the "Pool 5 Maximum Amount" and, together with the Pool 1 Maximum Amount, the Pool 2 Maximum Amount, the Pool 3 Maximum Amount and the Pool 4 Maximum Amount, the "Maximum Amounts") in respect of its 9.950% Notes due 2038, 10.200% Notes due 2039, 6.200% Notes due 2059, 5.800% Notes due 2039, 5.375% Notes due 2044 and 5.950% Notes due 2049 (collectively, the "Pool 5 Notes" and, together with the Pool 1 Notes, the Pool 2 Notes, the Pool 3 Notes and the Pool 4 Notes, the "Notes") that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date in the priorities set forth in the table below (collectively, the "Pool 5 Tender Offers" and, together with the Pool 1 Tender Offers, the Pool 2 Tender Offers, the Pool 3 Tender Offers and the Pool 4 Tender Offer, the "Capped Tender Offers" and each a "Capped Tender Offer"). The sum of the Maximum Amounts is $4.623 billion (the "Aggregate Maximum Amount"), which represents the maximum aggregate purchase price in respect of the Notes subject to the Tender Offers and excludes any Accrued Interest (as defined below).

The Tender Offers are being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated February 1, 2021 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"), which sets forth a detailed description of the Tender Offers. The Tender Offers are open to all registered holders (individually, a "Holder" and collectively, the "Holders") of the Notes. Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available to Holders through the Depositary and Information Agent for the Tender Offers, Global Bondholder Services Corporation, by email at [email protected] or by phone (212) 430-3774 (for banks and brokers) and at the following web address: https://gbsc-usa.com/registration/altria/.

The Tender Offers will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, March 1, 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated by Altria.

The applicable Reference Yield and applicable Total Consideration for the Tender Offers are summarized in the table below:

Capped Tender Offers

Title of Notes

CUSIP Number

Acceptance Priority Level(4)

UST Reference Security

Fixed Spread (bps)

Reference Yield

Total Consideration(5)

 

Pool 1

Tender Offers

2.850% Notes due 2022

02209S AN3

1

0.125% UST due January 31, 2023

10

0.117%

$1,038.75

2.950% Notes due 2023

02209S AP8

2

0.125% UST due January 31, 2023

15

0.117%

$1,058.96

 

Pool 2

Tender Offers

4.000% Notes due 2024

02209S AS2

1

0.125% UST due January 15, 2024

25

0.200%

$1,103.91

3.800% Notes due 2024

02209S BB8

2

0.125% UST due January 15, 2024

25

0.200%

$1,096.60

 

 

Pool 3

Tender Offers(1)

4.400% Notes due 2026

02209S BC6

1

0.375% UST due January 31, 2026

45

0.525%

$1,160.97

2.625% Notes due 2026

02209S AU7

2

0.375% UST due January 31, 2026

55

0.525%

$1,080.06

2.350% Notes due 2025

02209S BH5

3

0.375% UST due January 31, 2026

40

0.525%

$1,057.65

Pool 4

Tender Offer(2)

4.800% Notes due 2029

02209S BD4

1

0.875% UST due November 15, 2030

90

1.244%

$1,188.50

 

 

 

Pool 5

Tender Offers(3)

9.950% Notes due 2038

02209S AE3

1

1.625% UST due November 15, 2050

235

2.080%

$1,672.87

10.200% Notes due 2039

02209S AH6

2

1.625% UST due November 15, 2050

235

2.080%

$1,709.69

6.200% Notes due 2059

02209S BG7

3

1.625% UST due November 15, 2050

220

2.080%

$1,356.89

5.800% Notes due 2039

02209S BE2

4

1.625% UST due November 15, 2050

145

2.080%

$1,294.34

5.375% Notes due 2044

02209S AR4

5

1.625% UST due November 15, 2050

175

2.080%

$1,234.48

5.950% Notes due 2049

02209S BF9

6

1.625% UST due November 15, 2050

185

2.080%

$1,337.66

(1) Because the aggregate purchase price in respect of Pool 3 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date would exceed the Pool 3 Maximum Amount, Altria expects that it will accept (i) validly tendered 4.400% Notes due 2026 on a prorated basis and (ii) none of the validly tendered 2.625% Notes due 2026 and 2.350% Notes due 2025.

(2) Because the aggregate purchase price in respect of Pool 4 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date would exceed the Pool 4 Maximum Amount, Altria expects that it will accept validly tendered 4.800% Notes due 2029 on a prorated basis.

(3) Because the aggregate purchase price in respect of Pool 5 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date would exceed the Pool 5 Maximum Amount, Altria expects that it will accept (i) all of the validly tendered 9.950% Notes due 2038 and 10.200% Notes due 2039, (ii) validly tendered 6.200% Notes due 2059 on a prorated basis and (iii) none of the validly tendered 5.800% Notes due 2039, 5.375% Notes due 2044 and 5.950% Notes due 2049.

(4) Subject to the Aggregate Maximum Amount, the Maximum Amounts and proration, the principal amount of each series of Notes that is purchased in each of the Tender Offers will be determined in accordance with the applicable acceptance priority level (in numerical priority order) specified in this column.

(5) Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase.

Holders of all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase are eligible to receive the applicable Total Consideration, which includes the early tender payment of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date. In addition to the applicable Total Consideration, Holders of Notes accepted for purchase will receive accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date ("Accrued Interest").

The applicable Total Consideration payable by Altria for the Notes (the "Total Consideration") was determined per $1,000 principal amount in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to the applicable fixed spread set forth in the table above plus the yield to maturity of the applicable U.S. Treasury reference security (the "UST Reference Security") set forth in the table above on the bid-side price of such UST Reference Security as of 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on February 16, 2021.

Altria expects to purchase the Maximum Amount in respect of each Capped Tender Offer and accept and make payment for the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Date on February 18, 2021 (the "Early Settlement Date"), subject to the respective acceptance priority levels for each Capped Tender Offer as described in the Offer to Purchase and in the case of the 4.400% Notes due 2026 for the Pool 3 Tender Offers, in the case of the 4.800% Notes due 2029 for the Pool 4 Tender Offer and in the case of the 6.200% Notes due 2059 for the Pool 5 Tender Offers, subject to proration as described below.

Because the aggregate purchase price in respect of Pool 3 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date would exceed the Pool 3 Maximum Amount, Altria expects that it will accept (i) validly tendered 4.400% Notes due 2026 on a prorated basis and (ii) none of the validly tendered 2.625% Notes due 2026 and 2.350% Notes due 2025. Because the aggregate purchase price in respect of Pool 4 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date would exceed the Pool 4 Maximum Amount, Altria expects that it will accept validly tendered 4.800% Notes due 2029 on a prorated basis. Because the aggregate purchase price in respect of Pool 5 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date would exceed the Pool 5 Maximum Amount, Altria expects that it will accept (i) all of the validly tendered 9.950% Notes due 2038 and 10.200% Notes due 2039, (ii) validly tendered 6.200% Notes due 2059 on a prorated basis and (iii) none of the validly tendered 5.800% Notes due 2039, 5.375% Notes due 2044 and 5.950% Notes due 2049.

Altria expects to accept for purchase the Aggregate Maximum Amount of Notes on the Early Settlement Date and does not expect to purchase additional Notes after the Early Settlement Date. As described in the Offer to Purchase, Notes tendered and not accepted for purchase will be promptly returned to the tendering Holder's account.

The Tender Offers are not conditioned on any minimum principal amount of Notes being tendered, but the Tender Offers are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase. Each Tender Offer is a separate offer. None of the Tender Offers is conditioned on any other. Each Tender Offer may be individually amended, extended or terminated by Altria. Altria expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate the Tender Offers at any time prior to the Expiration Date, subject to compliance with applicable law.

Notes Issuance

On February 4, 2021, Altria completed an underwritten public offering of senior unsecured notes in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to satisfy the financing condition described in the Offer to Purchase.

First Quarter Charge

Based on the Total Consideration specified in the table above and the amount of Notes validly tendered and expected to be accepted for purchase, and taking into account the previously announced redemption of Altria's 3.490% Notes due 2022, Altria will record a one-time, pre-tax charge against reported earnings in the first quarter of 2021 of approximately $645 million, or an estimated $0.27 per share, reflecting the loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the tender offer and the redemption.

Information Relating to the Tender Offers

Altria has retained Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC to act as Dealer Managers for the Tender Offers (the "Dealer Managers"). Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been retained to act as the Depositary and Information Agent for the Tender Offers (the "Depositary and Information Agent"). Requests for assistance relating to the procedures for tendering Notes may be directed to the Depositary and Information Agent either by email at [email protected], or by phone (212) 430-3774 (for banks and brokers only) or (866) 470-4200 (for all others toll free). Requests for assistance relating to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers may be directed to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC at (800) 820-1653 (toll free) or (212) 325-2476 (collect), Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. at (866) 627-0391 (toll free) or (212) 250-2955 (collect) or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC at (800) 624-1808 (toll free) or (212) 761-1057 (collect). Beneficial owners may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of tenders with respect to, the Notes. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Tender Offers are being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase made available to Holders of the Notes. None of Altria, the Dealer Managers, Depositary and Information Agent or the trustee with respect to the Notes, or any of their respective affiliates, is making any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Notes in response to the Tender Offers. Holders are urged to evaluate carefully all information in the Offer to Purchase, consult their own investment and tax advisors and make their own decisions whether to tender Notes in the Tender Offers, and, if so, the principal amount of Notes to tender.

Altria's Profile

Altria's wholly-owned subsidiaries include Philip Morris USA Inc. (PM USA), U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC (USSTC), John Middleton Co. (Middleton), Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Ltd. (Ste. Michelle) and Philip Morris Capital Corporation (PMCC). Altria owns an 80% interest in Helix Innovations LLC (Helix). Altria holds equity investments in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (ABI), JUUL Labs, Inc. (JUUL) and Cronos Group Inc. (Cronos).

The brand portfolios of Altria's tobacco operating companies include Marlboro®, Black & Mild®, Copenhagen®, Skoal® and on!®. Ste. Michelle produces and markets premium wines sold under various labels, including Chateau Ste. Michelle®, 14 Hands® and Stag's Leap Wine Cellarstm, and it imports and markets Antinori® and Champagne Nicolas Feuillattetm products in the United States. Trademarks and service marks related to Altria referenced in this release are the property of Altria or its subsidiaries or are used with permission.

More information about Altria is available at altria.com, or follow Altria on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This release contains projections of future results and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the projections and forward-looking statements included in this release are described in Altria's publicly filed reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020. These factors include the following:

Altria cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that it may make except as required by applicable law. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Altria or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements referenced above.


These press releases may also interest you

at 05:25
PureTech Health plc ("PureTech" or the "Company") today announces its results for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as its cash balance as of the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. The following information represents select highlights from...

at 04:33
Uxin Limited ("Uxin" or the "Company") , China's leading used car retailer, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2023. Highlights for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2023 Transaction volume was...

at 03:45
Phoenix Motor Inc. (the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses and electrification solutions provider for medium-duty vehicles, today announced it signed a waiver agreement with JAK Opportunities II LLC, one of the...

at 03:05
Vagaro, the leading international salon and spa software, and Jack Mead, award-winning hair stylist, salon owner, and educator, officially announced the release of their highly-anticipated Master Class series, delivering expert insights on using the...

at 02:30
Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Pension Administration Software Market by Component (Solution and Services), Deployment Mode (On-Premise and Cloud), Type (Public Pension and Private Pension), End User (Employers, Pension Plan...

at 02:05
AstraZeneca: Revenue and EPS summary     Q1 2024 % Change $m Actual CER1 - Product Sales 12,177 15 18 - Alliance Revenue   457 59 59...



News published on and distributed by: