Registration No. 333-65578
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
PROSPECTUS
$1,000,000,000
[LOGO]
Zero-Coupon Convertible Debentures due 2021 and shares
of CD common stock issuable upon conversion of the debentures
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We issued the debentures in a private placement in May 2001 at an issue
price of $1,000 per debenture. Under this prospectus, the selling
securityholders named in this prospectus or in prospectus supplements may offer
and sell their debentures and the shares of CD common stock issuable upon
conversion of their debentures.
Holders may surrender the debentures for conversion into shares of our CD
common stock at a conversion rate of 39.0755 shares of our CD common stock per
debenture under any of the following circumstances: (i) during any conversion
period if the closing sale price of our CD common stock for at least 20 trading
days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the first day of such
conversion period is more than 110% of the Accreted Conversion Price (as defined
below) per share of CD common stock on first day of the conversion period;
(ii) during the five business day period following any 20 consecutive
trading-day period in which the average of the trading prices (as defined in
this prospectus) for a debenture was less than 95% of the average closing sales
prices of our CD common stock multiplied by the number of shares into which such
debenture is convertible for that period; (iii) if the debentures have been
called for redemption; (iv) during such period, if any, that the credit rating
assigned to the debentures by both Moody's and Standard & Poor's is below a
specified level, or if neither rating agency is rating the debentures; and
(v) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions. The conversion rate
may be adjusted as described in this prospectus.
The debentures will mature on May 4, 2021 unless earlier redeemed or
repurchased. At maturity, we will pay the Accreted Value (as defined below) plus
accrued and unpaid cash interest, if any, of the debentures in cash. The issue
price represents a yield to maturity of 0% per annum. We will not pay cash
interest on the debentures prior to maturity unless an interest adjustment
occurs or we elect to do so following a Tax Event (as defined in this
prospectus).
The interest rate on the debentures will be 0% per annum through May 4,
2004. If the average of the sale prices of our CD common stock is less than or
equal to 60% of the initial conversion price of the debentures for any 20 out of
the last 30 trading days ending five days prior to May 4, 2004, then the
yield-to-maturity on the debentures will be subject to an upward interest
adjustment equivalent to 7% per annum for the subsequent six-month period. After
May 4, 2004, an upward interest adjustment equivalent to 7% per annum will be
made each November 4 and May 4 for the subsequent six-month period if an upward
interest adjustment is not already in effect and the price of our CD common
stock is less than or equal to 60% of the Accreted Conversion Price of the
debentures for 20 out of the last 30 trading days of the semi-annual period
ending on the fifth day preceding each November 4 and May 4. The "Accreted
Conversion Price" as of any day will equal the Accreted Value of the debenture
divided by the number of shares of our CD common stock issuable upon conversion
of such debenture on that day. "Accreted Value" means, as of any date, the sum
of the issue price of the debentures and the accrued and unpaid interest as of
such date (excluding any accrued and unpaid interest payable as cash interest).
If an interest adjustment is in effect for a particular semi-annual period, we
will pay a portion of the interest adjustment as cash interest at a rate of
0.25% per annum (0.125% per semi-annual period) of the Accreted Value and the
remaining interest will be accrued and payable at maturity. After May 4, 2004,
if the average of the sale prices of our CD common stock is greater than 60% of
the Accreted Conversion Price of the debentures for 20 out of the last
30 trading days of the semi-annual period ending on the fifth day preceding each
November 4 and May 4, then the interest rate on the debentures for the
subsequent six-month period will be 0% per annum.
On May 4, 2002, May 4, 2004, May 4, 2006, May 4, 2008, May 4, 2011 and
May 4, 2016, holders may require us to purchase all or a portion of their
debentures. The repurchase price will be the Accreted Value plus accrued and
unpaid cash interest, if any, per debenture. We may choose to pay the repurchase
price in cash, shares of CD common stock or a combination of cash and shares of
CD common stock. In addition, upon a change in control, holders may require us
to repurchase all or a portion of their debentures in cash.
We may redeem all or a portion of the debentures at any time on or after
May 4, 2004 at a redemption price equal to the Accreted Value plus accrued and
unpaid cash interest, if any, up to the redemption date.
Our CD common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "CD." The last reported sale price of the shares on August 21, 2001 was
$20.52 per share.
INVESTING IN THE DEBENTURES OR SHARES OF OUR CD COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISKS.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 10 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the debentures or
the shares of CD common stock by any of the selling securityholders. The
debentures and the shares of CD common stock may be offered in negotiated
transactions or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at
negotiated prices. The timing and amount of any sale are within the sole
discretion of the selling securityholders. In addition, the shares of CD common
stock may be offered from time to time through ordinary brokerage transactions
on the New York Stock Exchange. See "Plan of Distribution." The selling
securityholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" as defined in the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. Any profits realized by the selling securityholders may
be deemed to be underwriting commissions. If the selling securityholders use any
broker-dealers, any commission paid to broker-dealers and, if broker-dealers
purchase any debentures or shares of CD common stock as principals, any profits
received by such broker-dealers on the resale of the debentures or shares of CD
common stock may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the
Securities Act.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is August 27, 2001.
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CENDANT.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF CENDANT SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THOSE
SPECIFICALLY OFFERED HEREBY OR OF ANY SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY
JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SPEAKS ONLY AS OF
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS UNLESS THE INFORMATION SPECIFICALLY INDICATES THAT
ANOTHER DATE APPLIES.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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Cautionary Statement Concerning
Forward-looking Statements........ 1
Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference...................... 2
Prospectus Summary.................. 4
The Offering........................ 5
Risk Factors........................ 10
Use of Proceeds..................... 12
Dividend Policy..................... 12
PAGE
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Description of Debentures........... 13
Description of CD Common Stock...... 32
Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Consequences.................. 35
Selling Securityholders............. 42
Plan of Distribution................ 44
Legal Matters....................... 47
Experts............................. 47
Where You Can Find More
Information....................... 47
i
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Forward-looking statements in this prospectus about Cendant are subject to
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our
actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements were based on
various factors and were derived utilizing numerous important assumptions and
other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include
the information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy,
projected plans and objectives.
Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words
"believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "project", "estimates",
"plans", "may increase", "may fluctuate" and similar expressions or future or
conditional verbs such as "will", "should", "would", "may" and "could" are
generally forward-looking in nature and not historical acts. You should
understand that the following important factors and assumptions could affect the
future results of Cendant and could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed in such forward-looking statements:
- the effect of economic conditions and interest rate changes on the economy
on a national, regional or international basis and the impact thereof on
our businesses;
- the effects of changes in current interest rates, particularly on our real
estate franchise and mortgage businesses;
- the resolution or outcome of our unresolved pending litigation relating to
the previously announced accounting irregularities and other related
litigation;
- our ability to develop and implement operational and financial systems to
manage growing operations and to achieve enhanced earnings or effect cost
savings;
- competition in our existing and potential future lines of business and the
financial resources of, and products available to, competitors;
- our ability to integrate and operate successfully acquired and merged
businesses and risks associated with such businesses, including the
pending acquisitions of Galileo International, Inc. and Cheap Tickets,
Inc. and the acquisitions of Avis Group Holdings, Inc. and Fairfield
Resorts, Inc. (formerly known as Fairfield Communities Inc.), the
compatibility of the operating systems of the combining companies, and the
degree to which existing administrative and back-office functions and
costs and those of the acquired companies are complementary or redundant;
- our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms to finance our growth
strategy and to operate within the limitations imposed by financing
arrangements and rating agencies;
- competitive and pricing pressures in the vacation ownership and travel
industries, including the car rental industry;
- changes in the vehicle manufacturer repurchase arrangements between
vehicle manufacturers and Avis Group Holdings, Inc. in the event that used
vehicle values decrease; and
- changes in laws and regulations, including changes in accounting standards
and privacy policy regulation.
Other factors and assumptions not identified above were also involved in the
derivation of these forward-looking statements, and the failure of such other
assumptions to be realized as well
1
as other factors may also cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected. Most of these factors are difficult to predict accurately and are
generally beyond our control.
You should consider the areas of risk described above in connection with any
forward-looking statements that may be made by us. Except for our ongoing
obligations to disclose material information under the federal securities laws,
we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are
advised, however, to consult any additional disclosures we make in our Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K and Current Reports on Form 8-K
to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). See "Where You Can
Find More Information." Also note that we provide a cautionary discussion of
risks and uncertainties under "Risk Factors" on page 10 of this prospectus.
These are factors that we think could cause our actual results to differ
materially from expected results. Other factors besides those listed here could
also adversely affect us. This discussion is provided as permitted by the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we
file with the Commission, which means that we can disclose important information
to you by referring to another document filed separately with the Commission.
The information that Cendant files after the date of this prospectus with the
Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. Cendant
incorporates by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below and
any future filings made with the Commission under sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act until all of the securities offered by this prospectus
are sold.
- Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2000,
filed on July 3, 2001;
- Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended March 31, 2001,
filed on July 3, 2001;
- Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001,
filed on August 14, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 9, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 18, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated January 19, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 7, 2001, filed on
February 8, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 8, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 20, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 2001, filed on March 9, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated March 21, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 2, 2001, filed on April 3, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2001, filed on April 19,
2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2001 filed on April 19,
2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 2, 2001;
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- Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 10, 2001, filed on May 11, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 24, 2001, filed on May 25, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 13, 2001, filed on June 15, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 15, 2001, filed on June 18, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2001, filed on July 3, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 10, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 18, 2001, filed on July 19, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 19, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 23, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated July 23, 2001, filed on July 24,
2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 30, 2001, filed on July 31, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 31, 2001, filed on August 1,
2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 1, 2001, filed on August 2,
2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 16, 2001;
- Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 24, 2001, filed on August 27,
2001; and
- The description of Cendant's CD common stock contained in the Proxy
Statement dated February 10, 2000, filed on February 11, 2000.
All documents filed by Cendant with the Commission from the date of this
prospectus to the end of the offering of the debentures and shares of CD common
stock shall also be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or considered to be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be considered to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained in this prospectus or in any subsequently filed document that is or is
considered to be incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any statement that is modified or superseded shall not, except as so
modified or superseded, constitute a part of this prospectus.
You may request a copy of any of the documents which are incorporated by
reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits which are not specifically
incorporated by reference into such documents and our Certificate and By-laws,
at no cost, by writing or telephoning Cendant at the following:
Investor Relations
Cendant Corporation
9 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
Telephone: (212) 413-1800
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This prospectus constitutes part of a registration statement on Form S-3
that we filed with the Commission using a "shelf" registration process. Under
this shelf process, any selling securityholder 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 the selling
securityholders may offer. All references to "we," "us," "our," or "Cendant" in
this prospectus are to Cendant Corporation.
CENDANT
We are one of the foremost providers of travel and real estate services in
the world. We were created through the merger of HFS Incorporated into CUC
International, Inc. in December 1997 with the resultant corporation being
renamed Cendant Corporation. We operate in four business segments: Hospitality,
Real Estate Services, Vehicle Services and Financial Services. Our businesses
provide a wide range of complementary consumer and business services. Our
businesses are intended to complement one another and create cross-marketing
opportunities both within each segment and between segments.
- Our Hospitality segment franchises hotel businesses and facilitates the
sale and exchange of vacation ownership intervals;
- Our Real Estate Services segment franchises real estate brokerage
businesses, provides home buyers with mortgages and assists in employee
relocations.
- Our Vehicle Services segment franchises and operates car rental
businesses, provides fleet management services to corporate clients and
government agencies and operates parking facilities in the United Kingdom;
and
- Our Financial Services segment provides marketing strategies primarily to
financial institutions through offering an array of financial and
insurance-based products to consumers, franchises tax preparation service
businesses and provides consumers with access to a variety of discounted
products and services.
As a franchisor of hotels, residential and commercial real estate brokerage
offices, car rental operations and tax preparation services, we license the
owners and operators of independent businesses the right to use our brand names.
We do not own or operate hotels, real estate brokerage offices or tax
preparation offices. Instead, we provide our franchisees with services designed
to increase their revenue and profitability.
Our principal executive offices are located at 9 West 57th Street, New York,
New York 10019. Our telephone number is (212) 413-1800. Our web site is
www.cendant.net. The information contained on our web site is not incorporated
by reference in this prospectus.
***
We continually explore and conduct discussions with regard to acquisitions
and other strategic corporate transactions in our industries and in other
franchise, franchisable or service businesses in addition to the transactions
previously announced. As part of our regular on-going evaluation of acquisition
opportunities, we currently are engaged in a number of separate, unrelated
preliminary discussions concerning possible acquisitions. The purchase price for
the possible acquisitions may be paid in cash, through the issuance of CD common
stock or other of our securities, borrowings, or a combination thereof. Prior to
consummating any such possible acquisition, we will need to, among other things,
initiate and complete satisfactorily our due diligence investigations; negotiate
the financial and other terms (including price) and conditions of such
acquisitions; obtain appropriate Board of Directors, regulatory and other
necessary consents and approvals; and, if necessary, secure financing. No
assurance can be given with respect to the timing, likelihood or business effect
of any possible transaction. In the past, we have been involved in both
relatively small acquisitions and acquisitions which have been significant.
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THE OFFERING
Debentures............................. $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Zero-Coupon
Convertible Debentures Due May 4, 2021.
Maturity............................... May 4, 2021.
Ranking................................ The debentures are senior unsecured obligations of Cendant
and rank equal in right of payment with all existing and
future senior unsecured indebtedness of Cendant.
Interest Adjustment.................... The interest rate on the debentures is 0% per annum
through May 4, 2004. If the average of the sale prices of
our CD common stock is less than or equal to 60% of the
initial conversion price of the debentures for any 20 out
of the last 30 trading days ending five days prior to
May 4, 2004, then the yield-to-maturity on the debentures
will be subject to an upward interest adjustment for the
subsequent six-month period equivalent to 7% per annum.
After May 4, 2004, an upward interest adjustment
equivalent to 7% per annum will be made each November 4
and May 4 for the subsequent six-month period if an upward
interest adjustment is not already in effect and the price
of our CD common stock is less than or equal to 60% of the
Accreted Conversion Price of the debentures for 20 out of
the last 30 trading days of the semi-annual period ending
on the fifth day preceding each November 4 and May 4. If
an upward interest adjustment is in effect for a
particular semi-annual period, we will pay a portion of
the interest adjustment as cash interest at a annualized
rate of 0.25% per annum (0.125% per semi-annual period) of
the Accreted Value and the remaining interest will be
accrued and payable at maturity. As a result, during any
semi-annual period in which an upward interest adjustment
is in effect, the debentures will accrete interest at a
rate of 6 3/4% per annum. After May 4, 2004, if the
average of the sale prices of our CD common stock is
greater than 60% of the Accreted Conversion Price of the
debentures for 20 out of the last 30 trading days of the
semi-annual period ending on the fifth day preceding each
November 4 and May 4, then the interest rate on the
debentures for the subsequent six-month period will be 0%
per annum.
Cash Interest Payment.................. We will not pay cash interest on the debentures prior to
maturity unless an upward interest adjustment is in effect
or we elect to do so following a Tax Event, each as
described below. If an upward interest adjustment is in
effect for a particular semi-annual period, we will pay a
portion of the interest adjustment as cash interest at the
rate of 0.25% per annum (or 0.125% for each semi-annual
period), of the Accreted Value at the beginning of the
applicable semi-annual period. If we elect to pay cash
interest upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, the amount of
cash interest payable for each
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semi-annual period will be determined based on the
Accreted Value. Cash interest, if any, will be paid
semi-annually on each November 4 or May 4 to the holders
of record of the debentures as of the record date.
Conversion Rights...................... Holders may convert their debentures prior to stated
maturity under any of the following circumstances:
(i) during any conversion period if the closing sale
price of our CD common stock for a period of at least 20
trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading
days ending on the first day of such conversion period
is more than 110% of the Accreted Conversion Price per
share of CD common stock on the first day of the
conversion period. A conversion period will be the
period from and including the twelfth trading day in a
fiscal quarter to but not including the twelfth trading
day in the immediately following fiscal quarter;
(ii) during the five business day period following any
20 consecutive trading-day period in which the average
of the trading prices (as defined in this prospectus)
for a debenture was less than 95% of the average closing
sale prices of our CD common stock multiplied by the
number of shares into which such debenture is
convertible for that period;
(iii) if the debentures have been called for redemption;
(iv) during such period, if any, that the credit rating
assigned to the debentures by both Moody's and Standard
& Poor's is below a specified level, or if neither
rating agency is rating the debentures; and
(v) upon the occurrence of specified corporate
transactions described under "Description of
Debentures--Conversion Rights."
For each debenture surrendered for conversion, a holder
will receive 39.0755 shares of our CD common stock. This
represents an initial conversion price of $25.59 per share
of CD common stock. The conversion rate may be adjusted
for certain reasons, but will not be adjusted for accrued
interest. Upon conversion, holders will not receive any
cash payment representing accrued interest. Instead,
accrued interest will be deemed paid by the CD common
stock received by holders on conversion. Debentures called
for redemption may be surrendered for conversion until the
close of business one business day prior to the redemption
date.
Redemption of the Debentures at Our
Option............................... On or after May 4, 2004, we may redeem for cash all or
part of the debentures at any time, upon not less than 15
nor more than 60 days notice by mail to holders of
debentures, for a price equal to the Accreted Value plus
accrued and unpaid cash interest, if any, on such
redemption date.
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Purchase of Debentures at Your
Option............................... You have the right to require us to repurchase the
debentures on May 4, 2002, May 4, 2004, May 4, 2006,
May 4, 2008, May 4, 2011 and May 4, 2016. In each case,
the repurchase price payable will be equal to the Accreted
Value plus accrued and unpaid cash interest, if any, on
such repurchase date. We may choose to pay the repurchase
price in cash or shares of our CD common stock or a
combination of cash and shares of our CD common stock. If
we elect to pay the repurchase price in shares of our CD
common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our CD
common stock, we must notify holders not less than 20 days
prior to the repurchase date. The shares of our CD common
stock will be valued at 100% of the average closing sales
price for five trading days ending on the third day prior
to the repurchase date.
Tax Event.............................. We can elect to pay cash interest on the debentures upon
the occurrence of a Tax Event from and after the date a
Tax Event occurs instead of accruing any interest payable
pursuant to an interest adjustment.
Change in Control...................... If we undergo a change in control, you will have the
option to require us to repurchase your debentures for
cash. We will pay a repurchase price equal to the Accreted
Value plus accrued and unpaid cash interest, if any, on
the repurchase date, or, if we elected to pay cash
interest on the debentures following a Tax Event, the
restated principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid
cash interest through the repurchase date.
Events of Default...................... If there is an event of default on the debentures, an
amount equal to the Accreted Value plus accrued and unpaid
cash interest, if any, may be declared immediately due and
payable. These amounts automatically become due and
payable in some circumstances.
The following are events of default with respect to the
debentures:
- our failure for 30 days to pay when due any cash
interest on the debentures (after any interest
adjustment or after our election to pay cash
interest on the debentures following a Tax Event);
- our failure to pay principal of the debentures (or,
if we have elected to pay cash interest on the
debentures following a Tax Event, the restated
principal amount) and accrued interest (including
any interest payable pursuant to an interest
adjustment) at maturity, upon redemption, repurchase
or following a change in control, when the same
becomes due and payable;
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- our default under any of our other instruments of
indebtedness with an outstanding principal amount of
$50,000,000 or more, individually or in the
aggregate, which has caused the holders of such
indebtedness to declare such indebtedness due and
payable prior to its stated maturity;
- our default in the payment of principal or premium
under any of our other instruments of indebtedness,
which default is in an aggregate principal amount
exceeding $50,000,000 and continues unremedied or
unwaived for more than 30 business days;
- our failure to comply with any of our covenants or
agreements in the debentures or the Indenture for 60
days after written notice by the Trustee or by the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of all outstanding debentures affected by
that failure; and
- some events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of Cendant.
Tax.................................... Pursuant to the Indenture, for United States federal
income tax purposes, each holder will treat the debentures
as "contingent payment debt instruments" and be bound by
our application of the Treasury regulations that govern
contingent payment debt instruments, including our
determination that the rate at which interest is deemed to
accrue for United States federal income tax purposes is
9.2%, which is the rate comparable to the rate at which we
would borrow on a noncontingent, nonconvertible borrowing.
Based on the agreement, (i) each holder is required to
accrue interest on a constant yield to maturity basis at
that rate, with the result that a holder will recognize
taxable income significantly in excess of cash received
while the debentures are outstanding and (ii) a holder
will recognize ordinary income upon a conversion of a
debenture into shares of our CD common stock equal to the
excess, if any, between the value of the stock received on
the conversion and the sum of the original purchase price
of the holder's debenture and accrued but unpaid interest.
The proper application of the regulations that govern
contingent payment debt instruments to a holder of a
debenture is uncertain in a number of respects, and if our
treatment were successfully challenged by the Internal
Revenue Service, it might be determined that, among other
differences, a holder should have accrued interest income
at a lower rate, should not have recognized income or gain
upon the conversion, and should not have recognized
ordinary income upon a taxable disposition of its
debenture.
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EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN
INVESTMENT IN THE DEBENTURES AND WHETHER AN INVESTMENT IN
THE DEBENTURES IS ADVISABLE IN LIGHT OF THE AGREED UPON
TAX TREATMENT AND THE INVESTOR'S PARTICULAR TAX SITUATION.
Use of Proceeds........................ We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by
any selling securityholder of the debentures or shares of
CD common stock offered under this prospectus.
Book Entry Form........................ The debentures were issued in book-entry form and are
represented by permanent global certificates deposited
with a custodian for and registered in the name of a
nominee of The Depository Trust Company, commonly known as
DTC, in New York, New York. Beneficial interests in any of
the debentures are shown on, and transfers will be
effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its
direct and indirect participants and any such interest may
not be exchanged for certificated debentures, except in
limited circumstances.
Trading................................ The debentures issued in the initial private placement are
eligible for trading in the PORTAL market. However,
debentures sold using this prospectus will no longer be
eligible for trading in the PORTAL market. Our CD common
stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "CD."
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the debentures or shares of CD common stock involves
significant risks. You should carefully consider all the information in this
prospectus. In particular, you should evaluate the specific risk factors set
forth under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 10.
9
RISK FACTORS
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACTORS AND OTHER INFORMATION IN
THIS PROSPECTUS BEFORE DECIDING TO PURCHASE ANY DEBENTURES OR SHARES OF CD
COMMON STOCK.
WE HAVE HAD ACCOUNTING IRREGULARITIES AND RELATED LITIGATION AND GOVERNMENTAL
INVESTIGATIONS.
Cendant was created in December 1997, through the merger of HFS Incorporated
into CUC International, Inc. with CUC surviving and changing its name to Cendant
Corporation. On April 15, 1998, Cendant announced that in the course of
transferring responsibility for Cendant's accounting functions from Cendant
personnel associated with CUC prior to the merger to Cendant personnel
associated with HFS before the merger and preparing for the report of first
quarter 1998 financial results, Cendant discovered accounting irregularities in
some of the CUC business units. As a result, Cendant, together with its counsel
and assisted by auditors, immediately began an intensive investigation. As a
result of the findings of the investigations, Cendant restated its previously
reported financial results for 1997, 1996 and 1995 and the six months ended
June 30, 1998.
Following the April 15, 1998 announcement of the discovery of accounting
irregularities in the former business units of CUC, approximately 70 lawsuits
claiming to be class actions, three lawsuits claiming to be brought derivatively
on Cendant's behalf and several individual lawsuits and arbitration proceedings
were commenced in various courts and other forums against Cendant and other
defendants by or on behalf of persons claiming to be stockholders of Cendant and
persons claiming to have purchased or otherwise acquired securities or options
issued by CUC or Cendant between May 1995 and August 1998.
The SEC and the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey have
conducted investigations relating to the matters referenced above. As a result
of the findings from our internal investigations, we made all adjustments
considered necessary by Cendant, which are reflected in its previously filed
restated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995 and for the six months ended June 30, 1998. On June 14, 2000, pursuant to
an offer of settlement made by Cendant, the SEC issued an Order Instituting
Public Administrative Proceedings Pursuant to Section 21C of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, Making Findings and Imposing a Cease and Desist Order. In
such Order, the SEC found that we had violated certain financial reporting
provisions of the Exchange Act and ordered us to cease and desist from
committing any future violations of such provisions. No financial penalties were
imposed against us.
On December 7, 1999, we announced that we had reached a preliminary
agreement to settle the principal securities class action pending against
Cendant in the U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey, brought on behalf of
purchasers of all Cendant and CUC publicly traded securities, other than PRIDES,
between May 1995 and August 1998. The PRIDES litigation had previously been
settled through the issuance of rights. Under the settlement agreement, we would
pay the class members approximately $2.85 billion in cash and 50% of any
recovery we may obtain in connection with claims we have asserted against CUC's
former public auditor. The definitive settlement document was approved by the
U.S. District Court by order dated August 14, 2000. Certain parties in the class
action have appealed various aspects of the District Court's orders approving
the settlement. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit heard oral
arguments for all appeals on May 22, 2001; the Court reserved its decision. The
settlement agreement required us to post collateral in the form of credit
facilities and/or surety bonds by November 13, 2000, which we have done.
The settlement does not encompass all litigations asserting claims against
us associated with the accounting irregularities. We do not believe that it is
feasible to predict or determine the final outcome or resolution of these
unresolved proceedings. An adverse outcome from such unresolved proceedings
could be material with respect to earnings in any given reporting period.
However, we
10
do not believe that the impact of such unresolved proceedings should result in a
material liability to us in relation to our financial position or liquidity.
AN ACTIVE TRADING MARKET FOR THE DEBENTURES MAY NOT DEVELOP.
The debentures are a new issue of securities for which there currently is no
active trading market. We cannot assure you that an active trading market for
the debentures will develop or as to the liquidity or sustainability of any such
market, the ability of the holders to sell their debentures or the price at
which holders of the debentures will be able to sell their debentures. Future
trading prices of the debentures will depend on many factors, including, among
other things, prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, the
price of our CD common stock, our performance and other factors.
WE MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO RAISE THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO FINANCE THE CHANGE
IN CONTROL PURCHASE OR THE PURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER.
On May 4, 2002, May 4, 2004, May 4, 2006, May 4, 2008, May 4, 2011 and
May 4, 2016, and upon the occurrence of a change in control of Cendant, holders
of the debentures may require us to purchase their debentures. However, it is
possible that we would not have sufficient funds at that time to make the
required purchase of debentures. In addition, certain important corporate
events, such as leveraged recapitalizations that would increase the level of our
indebtedness, may not constitute a change in control under the Indenture. See
"Description of Debentures--Repurchase Rights" and "--Change in Control."
OUR HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE RESULTS IN STRUCTURAL SUBORDINATION AND MAY AFFECT
OUR ABILITY TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE DEBENTURES.
The debentures are obligations exclusively of Cendant. We are a holding
company and, accordingly, substantially all of our operations are conducted
through our subsidiaries. As a result, our cash flow and our ability to service
our debt, including the debentures, depends upon the earnings of our
subsidiaries. In addition, we depend on the distribution of earnings, loans or
other payments by our subsidiaries to us.
Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Our subsidiaries
have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the debentures or to provide us
with funds for our payment obligations, whether by dividends, distributions,
loans or other payments. In addition, any payment of dividends, distributions,
loans or advances by our subsidiaries to us could be subject to statutory or
contractual restrictions. Payments to us by our subsidiaries will also be
contingent upon our subsidiaries' earnings and business considerations.
Our right to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their
liquidation or reorganization, and therefore the right of the holders of the
debentures to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to
the claims of that subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors. In
addition, even if we were a creditor of any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a
creditor would be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of our
subsidiaries and any indebtedness of our subsidiaries senior to that held by us.
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF OWNING
THE DEBENTURES.
While the proper tax treatment of a holder of the debentures is uncertain,
we and each holder have agreed in the Indenture to treat the debentures as
"contingent payment debt instruments" and to be bound by our application of the
Treasury regulations that govern contingent payment debt instruments. Pursuant
to this agreement, a holder is required to accrue interest on a constant yield
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to maturity basis at a rate comparable to the rate at which we would borrow in a
noncontingent, nonconvertible borrowing (9.2%). A holder will recognize taxable
income significantly in excess of cash received while the debentures are
outstanding. In addition, under the Indenture, a holder will recognize ordinary
income, if any, upon a sale, exchange, conversion or redemption of the
debentures at a gain. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences."
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by any selling
securityholder of the debentures or the shares of CD common stock.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never paid a cash dividend on our capital stock. We do not
anticipate paying cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future
and intend to retain all earnings to finance the operations and expansion of our
business and to reduce debt. The payment of cash dividends in the future will
depend on our earnings, financial condition and capital needs and on other
factors deemed relevant by our board of directors at that time. For further
information regarding our payment of dividends, see "Summary Comparison of Terms
of Existing Common Stock with Terms of CD Common Stock and Move.com Common
Stock" in our Proxy Statement, dated February 10, 2000, which is incorporated
herein by reference.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES
We issued the debentures under an indenture dated as of May 4, 2001, between
us and The Bank of New York, as trustee. The terms of the debentures include
those provided in the indenture and those provided in the registration rights
agreement dated as of May 4, 2001, between us and Goldman, Sachs & Co.
The following description is only a summary of the material provisions of
the debentures, the indenture and the registration rights agreement. We urge you
to read these documents in their entirety because they, and not this
description, define your rights as holders of these debentures. You may request
copies of these documents at our address set forth below under "Where You Can
Find More Information."
In this section, references to "Cendant", "we", "our" or "us" refer solely
to Cendant Corporation and not its subsidiaries.
GENERAL
The debentures are senior unsecured obligations of Cendant, are limited to
an aggregate initial principal amount of $1,000,000,000, plus accrued interest
pursuant to any interest adjustments. The debentures will mature on May 4, 2021.
The debentures rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness.
The debentures were initially offered at a price to investors of $1,000 per
debenture. We will not pay interest on the debentures unless an upward interest
adjustment becomes payable or we elect to do so following a Tax Event. The
maturity value of each debenture may exceed $1,000 in the event an upward
interest adjustment becomes payable on the debentures. The issue price
represents a yield to maturity of 0% per annum unless an upward interest
adjustment occurs. The debentures were issued only in denominations of $1,000
principal amount and multiples of $1,000 principal amount.
You have the option to convert your debentures into shares of our CD common
stock at a conversion rate of 39.0755 shares of CD common stock per debenture.
This is equivalent to an initial conversion price of $25.59 per share of CD
common stock. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment if certain events
occur. Upon conversion, you will receive only shares of our CD common stock. You
will not receive any cash payment for interest adjustments, if any, to the
conversion date.
Each holder has agreed in the Indenture, for United States federal income
tax purposes, to treat the debentures as "contingent payment debt instruments"
and to be bound by our application of the Treasury regulations that govern
contingent payment debt instruments, including our determination that the rate
at which interest will be deemed to accrue for United States federal income tax
purposes will be 9.2%, which is the rate comparable to the rate at which we
would borrow on a noncontingent, nonconvertible borrowing. Accordingly, each
holder is required to accrue interest on a constant yield to maturity basis at
that rate, with the result that a holder will recognize taxable income
significantly in excess of cash received while the debentures are outstanding.
In addition, a holder will recognize ordinary income upon a conversion of a
debenture into shares of our CD common stock equal to the excess, if any,
between the value of the shares received on the conversion and the sum of the
original purchase price of the holder's debenture and accrued but unpaid
interest. However, the proper application of the regulations that govern
contingent payment debt instruments to a holder of a debenture is uncertain in a
number of respects, and if our treatment were successfully challenged by the
Internal Revenue Service, it might be determined that, among other differences,
a holder should have accrued interest income
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at a lower rate, should not have recognized income or gain upon the conversion,
and should not have recognized ordinary income upon a taxable disposition of its
debenture.
EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX TREATMENT OF
AN INVESTMENT IN THE DEBENTURES AND WHETHER AN INVESTMENT IN THE DEBENTURES IS
ADVISABLE IN LIGHT OF THE AGREED UPON TAX TREATMENT AND THE INVESTOR'S
PARTICULAR TAX SITUATION.
INTEREST ADJUSTMENT
The interest rate on the debentures is 0% per annum through May 4, 2004. If
the average of the sale prices of our CD common stock is less than or equal to
60% of the initial conversion price of the debentures for any 20 out of the last
30 trading days ending five days prior to May 4, 2004, then the
yield-to-maturity on the debentures will be subject to an upward interest
adjustment for the subsequent six-month period equivalent to 7% per annum. After
May 4, 2004, an upward interest adjustment equivalent to 7% per annum will be
made each November 4 and May 4 for the subsequent six-month period if an upward
interest adjustment is not already in effect and the price of our CD common
stock is less than or equal to 60% of the Accreted Conversion Price of the
debentures for 20 out of the last 30 trading days of the semi-annual period
ending on the fifth day preceding each November 4 and May 4. If an upward
interest adjustment is in effect for a particular semi-annual period, we will
pay a portion of the interest adjustment as cash interest at a rate of 0.25% per
annum (0.125% per semi-annual period) of the Accreted Value and the remaining
interest will be accrued and payable at maturity. As a result, during any
semi-annual period in which an upward interest adjustment is in effect, the
debentures will accrete interest at a rate of 6 3/4% per annum. After May 4,
2004, if the average of the sale prices of our CD common stock is greater than
60% of the Accreted Conversion Price of the debentures for 20 out of the last 30
trading days of the semi-annual period ending on the fifth day preceding each
November 4 and May 4, then the interest rate on the debentures for the
subsequent six-month period will be 0% per annum.
We will pay cash interest semi-annually on each November 4 or May 4, to the
holders of record of the debentures on the record date. Cash interest will be
determined on the basis of a 360-day year, consisting of twelve 30-day months.
In the event of an upward interest adjustment, the debentures will accrete
interest in an amount equal to the effective yield to maturity that results from
the upward adjustment in the principal amount of the debentures and the maturity
value of the debentures will exceed their initial maturity value of $1,000.
The "sale price" of our CD common stock on any date means the closing per
share sale price (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the
bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the
average bid and the average asked prices) on that date as reported on the New
York Stock Exchange or, if our CD common stock is not listed on the New York
Stock Exchange, then as reported by the Nasdaq system.
In the event of any interest adjustment, we will disseminate a press release
through Dow Jones & Company, Inc. or Bloomberg Business News containing this
information or publish the information on our Web site or through such other
public medium as we may use at that time.
TAX EVENT
We have the option, under limited circumstances, to elect to pay cash
interest at 7% per annum on the debentures from and after the date a Tax Event
(as defined below) occurs instead of accruing interest pursuant to an upward
interest adjustment. If we elect this option, interest will be
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based on a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. Interest will accrue
from our option exercise date and will be payable semi-annually on November 4
and May 4.
The term "Tax Event" means the receipt by us of an opinion of a nationally
recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters to the effect
that as a result of:
- any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change
(which will not include a proposed change), provided that a tax event will
not occur more than 90 days before the effective date of any prospective
change) in the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States
or any political subdivision or taxing authority of the United States or
any political subdivision; or
- any judicial decision or official administrative pronouncement, ruling,
regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or
announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an
"Administrative Action"); or
- any amendment to or change in the administrative position or
interpretation of any Administrative Action or judicial decision that
differs from the theretofore generally accepted position, in each case, by
any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory body,
irrespective of the manner in which such amendment or change is made
known, which amendment or change is effective or such Administrative
Action or decision is announced, in each case, on or after the date of
original issuance of the debenture;
there is more than an insubstantial risk that interest, including original issue
discount, on the Debenture either:
(1) would not be deductible on a current accrual basis; or
(2) would not be deductible under any other method, in whole or in part, by
us for United States federal income tax purposes.
INTEREST
We will not pay cash interest on the debentures unless there is an upward
interest adjustment or we elect to do so following a Tax Event. Interest will be
based on a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, and will be payable
semi-annually on November 4 and May 4. Cash interest as a result of an upward
interest adjustment will be paid at the rate of 0.25% per annum (0.125% per
semi-annual period). Cash interest following a Tax Event and our election to pay
the interest in cash will be paid at a rate of 7% per annum on the debentures
during any period in which an upward interest adjustment is in effect. The
record date for the payment of cash interest to holders will be October 4 and
April 4 of each year. We will give notice to the holders of the debentures, no
later than 30 days prior to each record date, of the amount of cash interest to
be paid as of the next interest payment date. We will pay interest on the
debentures by check mailed to the address of the registered holders of the
debentures as of the record date relating to each interest payment date.
You should be aware that interest that accrues for the period you hold the
debentures must be included in your gross income for United States federal
income tax purposes in accordance with the Treasury regulations that govern debt
instruments providing for contingent payments. For more information, see the
discussion below in the section captioned "Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Consequences."
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REDEMPTION RIGHTS
We must repay the debentures at their stated maturity on May 4, 2021, unless
earlier redeemed. The circumstances in which we may, or we are required to,
redeem the debentures prior to their stated maturity are described below.
We have the right to redeem the debentures in whole or in part, at any time
or from time to time, on or after May 4, 2004 upon 15 to 60 days' notice by
mail, for a cash price equal to the Accreted Value plus accrued and unpaid cash
interest, if any, up to the redemption date.
If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding debentures, the
Trustee will select the debentures to be redeemed by lot, on a pro rata basis or
by another method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate.
If we have previously exercised our option to pay cash interest instead of
accruing interest on the debentures following a Tax Event, the redemption price
will be equal to the restated principal amount plus the accrued and unpaid
interest that accrued from the date we exercise our option through the
redemption date. See "--Tax Event."
If the Trustee selects a portion of your debenture for partial redemption
and you convert a portion of the same debenture, the converted portion will be
deemed to be from the portion selected for redemption. Each debenture will be
redeemed in whole.
In the event of any redemption in part, we will not be required to:
- issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debenture during a period
beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of
debentures for redemption and ending at the close of business on the
earliest date on which the relevant notice of redemption is deemed to have
been given to all holders of debentures to be so redeemed, and
- register the transfer of or exchange any debenture so selected for
redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any
debenture being redeemed in part.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
Subject to the conditions described below, holders may convert their
debentures into shares of our CD common stock at a conversion ratio of
39.0755 shares of CD common stock per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of
debentures (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $25.59 per share of CD
common stock). The conversion ratio and the equivalent conversion price in
effect at any given time are referred to in this prospectus as the applicable
conversion ratio and the applicable conversion price, respectively, and will be
subject to adjustment as described below. If a debenture has been called for
redemption, holders will be entitled to convert the debenture from the date of
notice of the redemption until the close of business on the business day
immediately preceding the date of redemption. A holder may convert fewer than
all of such holder's debentures so long as the debentures converted are an
integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount.
Holders may surrender their debentures for conversion into shares of our CD
common stock prior to stated maturity if any of the following conditions is
satisfied:
- during any conversion period (as defined below) if the closing sale price
of our CD common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 trading day
period ending on the first day of such conversion period is more than 110%
of the accreted conversion price per share of the CD common stock on the
first day of the conversion period;
- during the five business day period following any 20 consecutive
trading-day period in which the average of the trading prices (as defined
below) for a debenture was less than 95% of
16
the average closing sales price of CD common stock multiplied by the
number of shares into which such debenture is convertible for that period;
- if we have called the debentures for redemption;
- during such period, if any, that the credit rating assigned to the
debentures by both Moody's and Standard & Poor's is below a specified
level, or if neither rating agency is rating the debentures; and
- upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions.
CONVERSION UPON SATISFACTION OF MARKET PRICE CONDITION
A holder may surrender any of its debentures for conversion into shares of
our CD common stock during any conversion period if the closing sale prices of
shares of our CD common stock on the principal national securities exchange on
which our CD common stock is listed, for a period of at least 20 trading days in
the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the first day of such
conversion period, is more than 110% of the Accreted Conversion Price per share
of CD common stock on the first day of the conversion period. The Accreted
Conversion Price per share of CD common stock as of any day will equal the
Accreted Value of the debentures divided by the number of shares of CD common
stock issuable upon conversion of such debenture on that day. A conversion
period will be the period from and including the twelfth trading day in a fiscal
quarter to but not including the twelfth trading day in the immediately
following fiscal quarter.
The conversion agent, which is The Bank of New York, will, on our behalf,
determine daily if the debentures are convertible as a result of the market
price of our CD common stock and notify us and the Trustee.
CONVERSION UPON SATISFACTION OF TRADING PRICE CONDITION
A holder may surrender any of its debentures for conversion into shares of
our CD common stock during the five business day period following any
20 consecutive trading-day period in which the average of the trading prices for
a debenture was less than 95% of the average closing sales price of our CD
common stock multiplied by the number of shares into which such debenture is
convertible for that period. The "trading price" of the debentures on any date
of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations per
debenture obtained by The Bank of New York for $10,000,000 principal amount at
maturity of the debentures at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on
such determination date from three independent nationally recognized securities
dealers we select, provided that if at least three such bids cannot reasonably
be obtained by The Bank of New York, but two such bids are obtained, then the
average of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably
be obtained by The Bank of New York, this one bid shall be used. If The Bank of
New York cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $10,000,000 principal
amount at maturity of the debentures from a nationally recognized securities
dealer or in our reasonable judgment, the bid quotations are not indicative of
the secondary market value of the debentures, then the trading price of the
debentures will equal (a) the then-applicable conversion rate of the debentures
multiplied by (b) the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of our CD
common stock on such determination date. A conversion period will be the five
trading days following the 20th consecutive trading day on which the average of
the trading prices of a debenture was less than 95% of the average closing sales
price of CD common stock multiplied by the number of shares into which such
debenture is convertible for that period.
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CONVERSION UPON NOTICE OF REDEMPTION
A holder may surrender for conversion any of the debentures called for
redemption at any time prior to the close of business one business day prior to
the redemption date, even if it is not otherwise convertible at such time. If a
holder has already delivered a purchase notice or a change in control purchase
notice with respect to a debenture, however, the holder may not surrender that
debentures for conversion until the holder has withdrawn the notice in
accordance with the Indenture.
CONVERSION UPON CREDIT RATING EVENT
A holder may surrender any of its debentures for conversion during any
period in which the credit rating assigned to the debentures by both Moody's and
Standard & Poor's is below Baa3 or BBB-, respectively, if the credit rating
assigned to the debentures is suspended or withdrawn by both such rating
agencies or if neither rating agency is rating the debentures.
CONVERSION UPON SPECIFIED CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS
Even if the market price condition described above has not occurred, if we
elect to:
- distribute to all holders of our CD common stock certain rights
entitling them to purchase, for a period expiring within 60 days,
shares of our CD common stock at less than the quoted price at the
time, or
- distribute to all holders of our CD common stock our assets, debt
securities or certain rights to purchase our securities, which
distribution has a per share value exceeding 10% of the closing price
of our CD common stock on the day preceding the declaration date for
such distribution, except in relation to any distribution of assets,
debt securities or rights to purchase securities of Cendant Membership
Services, Inc. or successor to Cendant Membership Services, Inc.'s
business,
we must notify the holders of debentures at least 20 days prior to the
ex-dividend date for such distribution. Once we have given such notice, holders
may surrender their debentures for conversion at any time until the earlier of
close of business on the business day prior to the ex-dividend date or our
announcement that such distribution will not take place. No adjustment to the
ability of a holder to convert will be made if the holder will otherwise
participate in the distribution without conversion.
In addition, if we are party to a consolidation, merger or binding share
exchange pursuant to which our CD common stock would be converted into cash,
securities or other property, a holder may surrender debentures for conversion
at any time from and after the date which is 15 days prior to the anticipated
effective date of the transaction until 15 days after the actual date of such
transaction. If we are a party to a consolidation, merger or binding share
exchange pursuant to which our CD common stock are converted into cash,
securities or other property, then at the effective time of the transaction, the
right to convert a debenture into shares of our CD common stock will be changed
into a right to convert it into the kind and amount of cash, securities or other
property which the holder would have received if the holder had converted its
debentures immediately prior to the transaction. If the transaction also
constitutes a "change in control," as defined below, the holder can require us
to purchase all or a portion of its debentures as described under "--Change in
Control."
The conversion agent, which is The Bank of New York, will on our behalf
determine at the end of each quarter if the debentures are convertible and
notify us and the Trustee.
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The initial conversion rate is 39.0755 shares of CD common stock for each
debenture. This is equivalent to an initial conversion price of $25.59 per share
of CD common stock based on the issue price of the debentures. You will not
receive any cash payment representing accrued interest upon conversion of a
debenture. Instead, upon conversion we will deliver to you a fixed number of
shares of our CD common stock and any cash payment to account for fractional
shares. The cash payment for fractional shares will be based on the closing
price of our CD common stock on the trading day immediately prior to the
conversion date. Delivery of shares of CD common stock will be deemed to satisfy
our obligation to pay the principal amount of the debentures, including accrued
interest. Accrued interest will be deemed paid in full rather than canceled,
extinguished or forfeited. We will not adjust the conversion ratio to account
for the accrued interest.
If you wish to exercise your conversion right, you must deliver an
irrevocable conversion notice, together, if the debentures are in certificated
form, with the certificated security, to the conversion agent who will, on your
behalf, convert the debentures into shares of our CD common stock. You may
obtain copies of the required form of the conversion notice from the conversion
agent.
Based on our treatment of the debentures for United States federal income
tax purposes, as discussed above, a holder would be required to recognize
ordinary income upon a conversion of a debenture into shares of our CD common
stock equal to the excess, if any, between the value of the stock received on
the conversion and the sum of the original purchase price of the holder's
debenture and accrued but unpaid interest. For a more detailed discussion, see
"Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences."
The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the following events:
- the payment of dividends and other distributions payable exclusively in
shares of our CD common stock on our CD common stock;
- the issuance to all holders of our CD common stock of rights or warrants
that allow the holders to purchase shares of our CD common stock at less
than the current market price; provided that no adjustment will be made if
holders of the debentures may participate in the transaction on a basis
and with notice that our board of directors determines to be fair and
appropriate or in some other cases;
- subdivisions or combinations of our CD common stock;
- the payment of dividends and other distributions to all holders of our CD
common stock consisting of our debt, securities or assets or certain
rights to purchase our securities, except for those rights or warrants
referred to in the second bullet clause above and dividend and other
distributions paid exclusively in cash, and excluding cash dividends or
other cash distributions from current or retained earnings unless the
annualized amount thereof per share exceeds 10% of the closing price of
the shares of CD common stock on the day preceding the date of the
declaration of such dividend or distribution, provided that no adjustment
will be made if all holders of the debenture may participate in the
transactions;
- the payment to holders of our CD common stock in respect of a tender or
exchange offer, other than an odd-lot offer, by us or any of our
subsidiaries for our CD common stock to the extent that the offer involves
aggregate consideration that, together with (1) any cash and the fair
market value of any other consideration payable in respect of any tender
offer by us or any of our subsidiaries for shares of our CD common stock
consummated within the preceding 12 months not triggering a conversion
price adjustment and (2) all-cash distributions to all or substantially
all stockholders made within the preceding 12 months not triggering a
conversion price adjustment, exceeds an amount equal to 10% of the market
capitalization of our CD common stock on the expiration date of the tender
offer; and
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- the distribution to all or substantially all stockholders of all-cash
distributions in an aggregate amount that, together with (1) any cash and
the fair market value of any other consideration payable in respect of any
tender offer by us or any of our subsidiaries for shares of our CD common
stock consummated within the preceding 12 months not triggering a
conversion price adjustment and (2) all other all-cash distributions to
all or substantially all stockholders made within the preceding 12 months
not triggering a conversion price adjustment, exceeds an amount equal to
10% of the market capitalization of our CD common stock on the business
day immediately preceding the day on which we declare the distribution.
In the event that we distribute shares of capital stock of a subsidiary of
ours, the conversion rate will be adjusted, if at all, based on the market value
of the subsidiary stock so distributed relative to the market value of our CD
common stock, in each case over a measurement period following the distribution.
In the event we elect to make a distribution described in the second or
fourth bullet above which, in the case of the fourth bullet, has a per share
value equal to more than 10% of the sale price of our shares of CD common stock
on the day preceding the declaration date for such distribution, except in
relation to any distribution of assets, debt securities or rights to purchase
securities of Cendant Membership Services, Inc. or successor to Cendant
Membership Services Inc.'s business, we will be required to give notice to the
holders of the debentures at least 20 days prior to the ex-dividend date for
such distribution and, upon the giving of such notice, the debentures may be
surrendered for conversion at any time until the close of business on the
business day prior to the ex-dividend date or until we announce that such
distribution will not take place. No adjustment to the conversion rate or the
ability of a holder of a debenture to convert will be made if the holder will
otherwise participate in the distribution without conversion or in certain other
cases.
If we were to adopt a stockholders rights plan under which we issue rights
providing that each share of shares of our CD common stock issued upon
conversion of the debenture at any time prior to the distribution of separate
certificates representing the rights will be entitled to receive the rights,
there shall not be any adjustment to the conversion rate as a result of:
- the issuance of the rights;
- the distribution of separate certificates representing the rights;
- the exercise or redemption of the rights in accordance with any rights
agreement; or
- the termination or invalidation of the rights.
The applicable conversion price will not be adjusted:
- upon the issuance of any shares of our CD common stock pursuant to any
present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or
interest payable on securities of Cendant and the investment of additional
optional amounts in shares of CD common stock under any plan;
- upon the issuance of any shares of our CD common stock or options or
rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future
employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of Cendant; or
- upon the issuance of any shares of our CD common stock pursuant to any
option, warrant, right, or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible
security outstanding as of the date the debentures were first issued.
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We may increase the conversion rate as permitted by law for at least
20 days, so long as the increase is irrevocable during the period. No adjustment
in the applicable conversion price will be required unless the adjustment would
require an increase or decrease of at least 1% of the applicable conversion
price. If the adjustment is not made because the adjustment does not change the
applicable conversion price by more than 1%, then the adjustment that is not
made will be carried forward and taken into account in any future adjustment.
Except as specifically described above, the applicable conversion price will not
be subject to adjustment in the case of the issuance of any of CD common stock,
or securities convertible into or exchangeable for CD common stock.
If a holder submits its debenture for conversion after we have elected to
exercise our option to pay cash interest instead of accruing interest following
a Tax Event or if we are required to make a cash payment pursuant to an upward
interest adjustment, between a record date and the opening of business on the
next interest payment date (except for debentures or portions of debentures
called for redemption on a redemption date occurring during the period from the
close of business on a record date and ending on the opening of business on the
first business day after the next interest payment date, or if this interest
payment date is not a business day, the second business day after the interest
payment date), such holder must pay funds equal to the interest payable on the
converted principal amount.
REPURCHASE RIGHTS
Holders have the right to require us to repurchase the debentures on May 4,
2002, May 4, 2004, May 4, 2006, May 4, 2008, May 4, 2011 and May 4, 2016. We
will be required to repurchase any outstanding debentures for which you deliver
a written repurchase notice to the paying agent. This notice must be delivered
during the period beginning at any time from the opening of business on the date
that is 20 business days prior to the relevant repurchase date until the close
of business on the last day prior to the repurchase date. If the repurchase
notice is given and withdrawn during the period, we will not be obligated to
repurchase the related debentures. Our repurchase obligation will be subject to
some additional conditions. Also, our ability to satisfy our repurchase
obligations may be affected by the factors described in "Risk Factors" under the
caption "We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance the
change in control purchase or the purchase at the option of the holder."
The repurchase price payable will be equal to the Accreted Value plus
accrued and unpaid cash interest, if any, on such repurchase date.
We may choose to pay the repurchase price in cash or shares of our CD common
stock or a combination of cash and shares of our CD common stock. For a
discussion of the tax treatment of a holder receiving cash, shares of our CD
common stock or any combination thereof, see "Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Consequences."
If we have previously exercised our option to pay cash interest instead of
accruing interest on the debentures following a Tax Event, the repurchase price
will be equal to the restated principal amount plus the accrued and unpaid
interest that accrued from the date we exercise our option through the
repurchase date. See "--Tax Event."
If we choose to pay the repurchase price in whole or in part in shares of
our CD common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our CD common stock,
we will be required to give notice on a date not less than 20 business days
prior to each repurchase date to all holders at their addresses shown in the
register of the registrar, and to beneficial owners as required by applicable
law (i.e. if no notice is given, we will pay the repurchase price with cash),
stating, among other things:
- whether we will pay the repurchase price of the debentures in cash, in
shares of our CD common stock, or any combination thereof, specifying the
percentages of each;
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- if we elect to pay with shares of our CD common stock, the method of
calculating the price of our CD common stock; and
- the procedures that holders must follow to require us to repurchase their
debentures.
If we pay with shares of our CD common stock, they will be valued at 100% of
the average closing sales price for the five trading days ending on the third
day prior to repurchase.
Simultaneously with such notice of repurchase, we will disseminate a press
release through Dow Jones & Company, Inc. or Bloomberg Business News containing
this information or publish the information on our Web site or through such
other public medium as we may use at that time.
A holder's notice electing to require us to repurchase such holder's
debentures must state:
- if certificated debentures have been issued, the debentures certificate
numbers, or if not certificated, your notice must comply with appropriate
DTC procedures;
- the portion of the principal amount of debentures to be repurchased, in
multiples of $1,000;
- that the debentures are to be repurchased by us pursuant to the applicable
provisions of the debentures; and
- in the event we elect, pursuant to the notice that we are required to
give, to pay the repurchase price in shares of our CD common stock, in
whole or in part, but the repurchase price is ultimately to be paid to the
holder entirely in cash because any of the conditions to payment of the
repurchase price or portion of the repurchase price in shares of our CD
common stock is not satisfied prior to the close of business on the last
day prior to the repurchase date, as described below, whether the holder
elects:
(1) to withdraw the repurchase notice as to some or all of the debentures
to which it relates, or
(2) to receive cash in respect of the entire repurchase price for all
debentures or portions of debentures subject to the repurchase
notice.
If the holder fails to indicate the holder's choice with respect to the
election described in the final bullet point above, the holder will be deemed to
have elected to receive cash in respect of the entire repurchase price for all
debentures subject to the repurchase notice in these circumstances. For a
discussion of the tax treatment of a holder receiving cash instead of shares of
our CD common stock, see "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences."
You may withdraw any repurchase notice by a written notice of withdrawal
delivered to the paying agent prior to the close of business on the last day
prior to the repurchase date. The notice of withdrawal must state:
- the principal amount of the withdrawn debentures;
- if certificated debentures have been issued, the certificate numbers of
the withdrawn debentures, or if not certificated, your notice must comply
with appropriate DTC procedures; and
- the principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the repurchase
notice.
If we elect to pay the repurchase price, in whole or in part, in shares of
our CD common stock, the number of shares to be delivered by us will be equal to
the portion of the repurchase price to be paid in shares of our CD common stock
divided by the market price of one share of our CD common stock as determined by
us in our repurchase notice. We will pay cash based on the market price for all
fractional shares.
The "market price" means the average of the sale prices of our CD common
stock for the five trading day period ending on the third business day prior to
the applicable repurchase date (if the
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third business day prior to the applicable repurchase date is a trading day, or
if not, then on the last trading day prior to the third business day),
appropriately adjusted to take into account the occurrence, during the period
commencing on the first of the trading days during the five trading day period
and ending on the repurchase date, of some events that would result in an
adjustment of the conversion rate with respect to our CD common stock.
The "sale price" of our CD common stock on any date means the closing per
share sale price (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the
bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the
average bid and the average asked prices) on that date as reported in composite
transactions for the principal U.S. securities exchange on which our CD common
stock is traded or, if our CD common stock is not listed on a U.S. national or
regional securities exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq system.
Because the market price of our CD common stock is determined prior to the
applicable repurchase date, holders of debentures bear the market risk with
respect to the value of our CD common stock to be received from the date the
market price is determined to the repurchase date. We may pay the repurchase
price or any portion of the repurchase price in shares of our CD common stock
only if the information necessary to calculate the market price is published in
a daily newspaper of national circulation.
Upon determination of the actual number of shares of our CD common stock to
be paid upon redemption of the debentures, we will disseminate a press release
through Dow Jones & Company, Inc. or Bloomberg Business News containing this
information or publish the information on our Web site or through such other
public medium as we may use at that time.
A holder must either effect book-entry transfer or deliver the debentures,
together with necessary endorsements, to the office of the paying agent after
delivery of the repurchase notice to receive payment of the repurchase price.
You will receive payment on the repurchase date or the time of book-entry
transfer or the delivery of the debentures. If the paying agent holds money or
securities sufficient to pay the repurchase price of the debentures on the
business day following the repurchase date, then:
- the debentures will cease to be outstanding;
- interest, including any interest payable pursuant to an interest
adjustment (including any cash interest) will cease to accrue; and
- all other rights of the holder will terminate.
This will be the case whether or not book-entry transfer of the debentures
is made or whether or not the debenture is delivered to the paying agent.
We will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any other tender offer
rules under the Exchange Act which may be applicable at the time. We will file
Schedule TO or any other schedule required in connection with any offer by us to
repurchase the debentures at your option.
RANKING
The debentures constitute senior debt, rank equally with all of our existing
and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt, and will rank senior to any future
subordinated indebtedness.
We currently conduct substantially all our operations through our
subsidiaries, and our subsidiaries generate substantially all of our operating
income and cash flow. As a result, distributions or advances from our
subsidiaries are the principal source of funds necessary to meet our debt
service obligations. Contractual provisions or laws, as well as our
subsidiaries' financial condition and operating requirements, may limit our
ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries that we require to pay our debt
service obligations, including payments on the debentures. In addition,
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holders of the debentures will have a junior position to the claims of creditors
of our subsidiaries on their assets and earnings. At March 31, 2001, our
subsidiaries had $10.5 billion of indebtedness and $375 million of mandatorily
redeemable preferred securities outstanding, to which the debentures would have
been structurally subordinated.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
If a Change in Control as defined below occurs, a holder of debentures will
have the right, at its option, to require us to repurchase all of its debentures
not previously called for redemption, or any portion of the principal amount
thereof, that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. The price we
are required to pay is equal to the Accreted Value plus accrued and unpaid cash
interest, if any, on the repurchase date.
Within 30 days after the occurrence of a Change in Control, we are obligated
to give to the holders of the debentures notice of the Change in Control and of
the repurchase right arising as a result of the Change in Control. We must also
deliver a copy of this notice to the Trustee. To exercise the repurchase right,
a holder of the debentures must deliver on or before the 30th day after the date
of our notice irrevocable written notice to the Trustee of the holder's exercise
of its repurchase right, together with the debentures with respect to which the
right is being exercised. We are required to repurchase the debentures on the
date that is 45 days after the date of our notice.
A Change in Control will be deemed to have occurred at the time after the
debentures are originally issued that any of the following occurs:
(1) any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a "person"
under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, acquires beneficial ownership,
directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition
transaction or series of transactions, of shares of our capital stock
entitling the person to exercise 50% or more of the total voting power of
all shares of our capital stock that is entitled to vote generally in
elections of directors, other than an acquisition by us, any of our
subsidiaries or any of our employee benefit plans; or
(2) we merge or consolidate with or into any other person, any merger of
another person into us, or we convey, sell, transfer or lease all or
substantially all of our assets to another person, other than any
transaction:
- that does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or
cancellation of outstanding shares of our capital stock, or
- pursuant to which the holders of our CD common stock immediately prior to
the transaction have the entitlement to exercise, directly or indirectly,
50% or more of the total voting power of all shares of capital stock
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the continuing
or surviving corporation immediately after the transaction, or
- which is effected solely to change our jurisdiction of incorporation and
results in a reclassification, conversion or exchange of outstanding
shares of our CD common stock solely into shares of our CD common stock of
the surviving entity.
However, a Change in Control will not be deemed to have occurred if either
(A) the closing price per share of our CD common stock for any five
trading days within the period of 10 consecutive trading days ending
immediately after the later of the Change in Control or the public
announcement of the Change in Control, in the case of a Change in Control
relating to an acquisition of capital stock, or the period of 10 consecutive
trading days ending immediately before the Change in Control, in the case of
Change in Control relating to a merger, consolidation or asset sale, equals
or exceeds 105% of the conversion price of the debentures in effect on each
of those trading days or (B) all of the consideration (excluding
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cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made pursuant to
dissenters' appraisal rights) in a merger or consolidation otherwise
constituting a Change in Control under clause (1) and/or clause (2) above
consists of shares of common stock traded on a national securities exchange
or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market (or will be so traded or quoted
immediately following the merger or consolidation) and as a result of the
merger or consolidation the debentures become convertible into such CD
common stock.
For purposes of these provisions:
- the conversion price is equal to $1,000 divided by the conversion rate;
- whether a person is a "beneficial owner" will be determined in
accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; and
- "person" includes any syndicate or group that would be deemed to be a
"person" under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.
Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act requires the dissemination of prescribed
information to security holders in the event of an issuer tender offer and may
apply in the event that the repurchase option becomes available to the holders
of debentures. We will comply with this rule to the extent it applies at that
time.
The definition of Change in Control includes a phrase relating to the
conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or disposition of "all or substantially all"
of our assets. There is no precise, established definition of the phrase
"substantially all" under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder
of debentures to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of the
conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or other disposition of less than all of our
assets may be uncertain.
The foregoing provisions would not necessarily provide the holders of
debentures with protection if we are involved in a highly leveraged or other
transaction that may adversely affect the holders.
If a Change in Control were to occur, we may not have enough funds to pay
the Change in Control repurchase price. See "Risk Factors" under the caption "We
may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance the change in
control purchase or the purchase at the option of the holder." In addition, we
have, and may in the future incur, other indebtedness with similar change in
control provisions permitting its holders to accelerate or to require us to
repurchase our indebtedness upon the occurrence of similar events or on some
specified dates. If we fail to repurchase the debentures when required following
a Change in Control, we will be in default under the Indenture whether or not
repurchase is permitted by the related subordination provisions.
MERGER AND SALES OF ASSETS BY CENDANT
We may not (1) consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey,
transfer, sell or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to any person, (2) permit any person to consolidate with or merge into us or
(3) permit any person to convey, transfer, sell or lease that person's
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to us unless:
- in the case of (1) and (2) above, the person formed by the consolidation
or into which we are merged or the person to which our properties and
assets are so conveyed, transferred, sold or leased, shall be a
corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust organized and
existing under the laws of the United States, any State within the United
States or the District of Columbia and, if we are not the surviving
person, the surviving person assumes the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the debentures and the performance of our
other covenants under the Indenture, and
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- in all cases, immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event
of Default, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both,
would become an Event of Default, will have occurred and be continuing.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The following are Events of Default with respect to the debentures:
- default for 30 days in payment of any interest installment due and payable
on the debentures (after any interest adjustment or any election by us to
pay cash interest on the debentures following a Tax Event);
- default in payment of principal of the debentures (or, if we have elected
to pay cash interest on the debentures following a Tax Event, the restated
principal amount) and accrued interest (including any interest payable
pursuant to an interest adjustment) at maturity, upon redemption,
repurchase or following a Change in Control, when the same becomes due and
payable;
- default by us under any instrument or instruments under which there is or
may be secured or evidenced any of our indebtedness (other than the
debentures) having an outstanding principal amount of $50,000,000 (or its
equivalent in any other currency or currencies) or more, individually or
in the aggregate, that has caused the holders thereof to declare such
indebtedness to be due and payable prior to its stated maturity, unless
such declaration has been rescinded within 30 days;
- default in the payment of the principal or premium, if any, of any bond,
debenture, note or other evidence of our indebtedness, in each case for
money borrowed, or in the payment of principal or premium, if any, under
any mortgage, indenture, agreement or instrument under which there may be
issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness of
ours for money borrowed, which default for payment of principal or
premium, if any, is in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $50,000,000
(or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies) when such
indebtedness becomes due and payable (whether at maturity, upon redemption
or acceleration or otherwise), if such default shall continue unremedied
or unwaived for more than 30 business days after the expiration of any
grace period or extension of the time for payment applicable thereto;
- default in our performance of any other covenants or agreements in respect
of the debentures contained in the Indenture or the debentures for
60 days after written notice to us by the Trustee or to us and the Trustee
by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
debentures then outstanding; and
- certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization.
The Indenture requires that we file annually with the Trustee a certificate
describing any Default by us in the performance of any conditions or covenants
that has occurred under the Indenture and its status. We must give the Trustee
written notice within 30 days of any Default under the Indenture that could
mature into an Event of Default described in the fourth or fifth clause above.
The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing
with respect to the debentures, either the Trustee or the registered holders of
at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debentures may declare the
Accreted Value plus accrued and unpaid cash interest, if any, on the debentures
to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to some
events or bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs, the issue price plus
accrued interest on the debentures will become immediately due and payable
without any action on the part of the Trustee or any holder. At any time after a
declaration of acceleration, but before a judgment or decree for payment of
money has been obtained, if all Events of Default with respect to the
26
debentures have been cured (other than the nonpayment of principal of the
debentures which has become due solely by reason of the declaration of
acceleration) then the declaration of acceleration shall be automatically
annulled and rescinded.
A holder of debentures may pursue any remedy under the Indenture only if:
- the holder gives the Trustee written notice of a continuing event of
default for the debentures;
- the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
debentures make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
- the holder offers to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee;
- the Trustee fails to act for a period of 60 days after receipt of notice
and offer of indemnity; and
- during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount
of the debentures do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with
the request.
This provision does not, however, affect the right of a holder of debentures
to sue for enforcement of payment of the principal of or interest, including
liquidated damages, on the holder's debenture on or after the respective due
dates expressed in its debenture or the holder's right to convert its debenture
in accordance with the Indenture.
The Trustee is entitled under the Indenture, subject to the duty of the
Trustee during a Default to act with the required standard of care, to be
indemnified before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indenture
at the direction of the registered holders of the debentures or which requires
the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
liability. The Indenture also provides that the registered holders of a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding debentures (or of all debt securities
affected, voting as one class) may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to that series of debt
securities. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any such direction that
conflicts with law or the Indenture, is unduly prejudicial to the rights of
other registered holders of that series of debt securities, or would involve the
Trustee in personal liability.
The Indenture provides that while the Trustee generally must mail notice of
a Default or Event of Default to the registered holders of the debt securities
of any series issued under the Indenture within 90 days of occurrence, the
Trustee may withhold notice of any Default or Event of Default (except in
payment on the debt securities) if the Trustee in good faith determines that the
withholding of such notice is in the interest of the registered holders of that
series of debt securities.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
We may amend or supplement the Indenture if the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the debentures consent to it. Without the consent of the
holder of each debenture, however, no modification may:
- reduce the amount of debentures whose holders must consent to an
amendment, supplement or waiver;
- reduce the rate or accrual of interest or change the time for payment of
interest on the debentures;
- reduce the value of our CD common stock to which reference is made in
determining whether an interest adjustment will be made on the debentures,
or change the method by which this value is calculated;
27
- reduce the issue price, the principal or the principal amount of the
debentures or change its stated maturity;
- reduce the redemption or repurchase price of the debentures or change the
time at which the debentures may or must be redeemed or repurchased;
- make payments on the debentures payable in currency other than as
originally stated in the debentures;
- impair the holder's right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on the debentures;
- make any change in the percentage of principal amount of debentures
necessary to waive compliance with some provisions of the Indenture or to
make any change in this provision for modification;
- waive a continuing default or event of default regarding any payment on
the debentures; or
- adversely affect the conversion or repurchase provisions of the
debentures.
We may amend or supplement the Indenture or waive any provision of it
without the consent of any holders of debentures in some circumstances,
including:
- to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
- to provide for the assumption of our obligations under the Indenture by a
successor upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer permitted under
the Indenture;
- to provide for uncertificated debentures in addition to or in place of
certificated debentures or to provide for bearer debentures;
- to provide any security for or guarantees of the debentures;
- to comply with any requirement to effect or maintain the qualification of
the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;
- to add covenants that would benefit the holders of debentures or to
surrender any rights we have under the Indenture;
- to add events of default with respect to the debentures; or
- to make any change that does not adversely affect any outstanding
debentures of any series in any material respect.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debentures
may waive any existing or past default or Event of Default. Those holders may
not, however, waive any default or event of default in any payment on any
debenture or compliance with a provision that cannot be amended or supplemented
without the consent of each holder affected.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
We entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchaser
of the debentures. If you sell the debentures or shares of CD common stock
issued upon conversion of the debentures under this registration statement, you
generally will be required to be named as a selling securityholder in this
prospectus, deliver this prospectus to purchasers and be bound by applicable
provisions of the registration rights agreement, including some indemnification
provisions.
In the registration rights agreement we agreed to file a registration
statement that includes this prospectus with the Commission by August 2, 2001.
We agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to cause this registration
statement to become effective as promptly as practicable, but before
October 31, 2001. We agreed to keep this registration statement effective until
the earliest of (i) two years after the filing date, (ii) the date when all of
the securities registered under this registration
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statement are sold or (iii) the period applicable to the debentures and
underlying shares of CD common stock held by non-affiliates under Rule 144(k)
under the Securities Act expires. We may suspend the use of this prospectus
under limited circumstances, including pending corporate developments or public
filings with the Commission, for a period not to exceed 45 days in any 90-day
period and 90 days in any 360-day period. We also agreed to pay liquidated
damages to holders of the debentures and shares of CD common stock issued upon
conversion of the debentures if the registration statement is not timely filed
or made effective or if the prospectus is not available for periods in excess of
those permitted above. You should refer to the registration rights agreement for
a description of those liquidated damages.
CALCULATIONS IN RESPECT OF DEBENTURES
We are responsible for making all calculations called for under the
debentures. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations
of the market prices of the debentures and of shares of our CD common stock,
accrued interest payable on the debentures, the Accreted Value of the debentures
and the Accreted Conversion Price of the debentures. We will make all these
calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, our calculations will be
final and binding on holders of debentures. We will provide a schedule of our
calculations to the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely upon the
accuracy of our calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will
forward our calculations to any holder of debentures upon the request of that
holder.
LIMITATIONS OF CLAIMS IN BANKRUPTCY
If a bankruptcy proceeding is commenced in respect of Cendant Corporation,
the claim of a holder of debentures is, under Title 11 of the United States
Code, limited to the issue price of the debentures plus accrued interest from
the date of issue to the commencement of the proceeding.
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and the debentures are governed by, and will be construed in
accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
TRUSTEE
The Bank of New York is the Trustee, registrar, conversion agent and paying
agent.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be
required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent man in the conduct of
his own affairs. The Trustee will become obligated to exercise any of its powers
under the Indenture at the request of any of the holders of any debentures only
after those holders have offered the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory
to it.
If the Trustee becomes one of our creditors, it will be subject to
limitations in the Indenture on its rights to obtain payment of claims or to
realize on some property received for any such claim, as security or otherwise.
The Trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us. If, however,
it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate that conflict or resign.
FORM, EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
The debentures were originally issued in registered form, without interest
coupons. We will not charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or
exchange of the debentures. We may, however, require the payment of any tax or
other governmental charge payable for that registration.
debentures will be exchangeable for other debentures, for the same total
principal amount and for the same terms but in different authorized
denominations in accordance with the Indenture.
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Holders may present debentures for registration of transfer at the office of the
security registrar or any transfer agent we designate. The security registrar or
transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange when it is satisfied with
the documents of title and identity of the person making the request.
We have appointed the Trustee as security registrar for the debentures. We
may at any time rescind that designation or approve a change in the location
through which any registrar acts. We are required to maintain an office or
agency for transfers and exchanges in each place of payment. We may at any time
designate additional registrars for the debentures.
In the case of any redemption, the security registrar will not be required
to register the transfer or exchange of any debentures either:
- during a period beginning 15 business days prior to the mailing of the
relevant notice of redemption and ending on the close of business on the
day of mailing of the notice, or
- if the debentures have been called for redemption in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed portion of any debentures being redeemed in part.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Payments on the debentures will be made in U.S. dollars at the office of the
Trustee. At our option, however, we may make payments by check mailed to the
holder's registered address or, with respect to global debentures, by wire
transfer. We will make interest payments to the person in whose name the
debentures is registered at the close of business on the record date for the
interest payment.
The Trustee will be designated as our paying agent for payments on
debentures. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the
designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which
any paying agent acts.
Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the
Trustee and paying agent shall pay to us upon written request any money held by
them for payments on the debentures that remain unclaimed for two years after
the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders
entitled to the money must look to us for payment. In that case, all liability
of the Trustee or paying agent with respect to that money will cease.
NOTICES
Except as otherwise described herein, notice to registered holders of the
debentures will be given by mail to the addresses as they appear in the security
register. Notices will be deemed to have been given on the date of such mailing.
REPLACEMENT OF DEBENTURES
We will replace any debentures that become mutilated, destroyed, stolen or
lost at the expense of the holder upon delivery to the Trustee of the mutilated
debentures or evidence of the loss, theft or destruction satisfactory to us and
the Trustee. In the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed debentures, indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee and us may be required at the expense of the holder
of the debentures before a replacement note will be issued.
PAYMENT OF STAMP AND OTHER TAXES
We will pay all stamp and other duties, if any, which may be imposed by the
United States or any political subdivision thereof or taxing authority thereof
or therein with respect to the issuance of the debentures. We will not be
required to make any payment with respect to any other tax,
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assessment or governmental charge imposed by any government or any political
subdivision thereof or taxing authority thereof or therein.
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
The debentures are represented by one or more global securities. Each global
security was deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of
a nominee of DTC. Except under circumstances described below, the debentures
will not be issued in definitive form.
Upon the issuance of a global security, DTC will credit on its book-entry
registration and transfer system the accounts of persons designated by the
initial purchaser with the respective principal amounts of the debentures
represented by the global security. Ownership of beneficial interests in a
global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with DTC or its
nominee ("participants") or persons that may hold interests through
participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be
shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through,
records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to interests of persons
other than participants). The laws of some states require that some purchasers
of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. Such
limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in
a global security.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security,
DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or
holder of the debentures represented by that global security for all purposes
under the Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in
a global security will not be entitled to have debentures represented by that
global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of debentures in definitive form and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture. Principal and
interest payments, if any, on debentures registered in the name of DTC or its
nominee will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner of the relevant global security. Neither Cendant, the Trustee,
any paying agent or the registrar for the debentures will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to nor
payments made on account of beneficial interests in a global security or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.
We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal
or interest, if any, will credit immediately participants' accounts with
payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
the principal amount of the relevant global security as shown on the records of
DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of
beneficial interests in a global security held through these participants will
be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered
in "street name," and will be the responsibility of the participants.
If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary and a
successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue
debentures in definitive form in exchange for the entire global security for the
debentures. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine
not to have the debentures represented by a global security and, in such event,
will issue debentures in definitive form in exchange for the entire global
security relating to the debentures. In any such instance, an owner of a
beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to physical delivery
in definitive form of debentures represented by the global security equal in
principal amount to the beneficial interest and to have the debentures
registered in its name. debentures so issued in definitive form will be issued
as registered debentures in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
thereof, unless otherwise specified by us.
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DESCRIPTION OF CD COMMON STOCK
The following description of Cendant's CD common stock does not purport to
be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to,
the more complete descriptions thereof set forth in our Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate") and Amended and Restated
By-laws (the "By-laws").
We are authorized to issue up to 2,000,000,000 shares of CD common stock,
par value $.01 per share. As of June 30, 2001, there were 857,074,916 shares of
CD common stock outstanding.
GENERAL
In March 2000, our outstanding common stock was reclassified as CD common
stock, and we created a series of common stock designated as Move.com common
stock. The Move.com common stock was designed to track the value of our Move.com
Group, and the CD common stock represents our interests in the remainder of our
business and our interest in Move.com Group. No shares of Move.com common stock
are outstanding. For a description of the terms of our CD common stock, see
"Summary Comparison of Terms of Existing Common Stock with Terms of CD Common
Stock and Move.com Common Stock" in the Proxy Statement dated February 10, 2000,
which is incorporated by reference herein.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock
which may at the time be outstanding, holders of CD common stock are entitled to
such dividends as the Board of Directors may declare out of funds legally
available therefor. The holders of CD common stock will possess exclusive voting
rights in us, except to the extent the Board of Directors specifies voting power
with respect to any preferred stock issued. Except as hereinafter described,
holders of CD common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of CD common
stock, but will not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of
directors. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Cendant,
the holders of CD common stock are entitled to receive, after payment of all of
our debts and liabilities and of all sums to which holders of any preferred
stock may be entitled, the distribution of any remaining assets of Cendant.
Holders of the CD common stock will not be entitled to preemptive rights with
respect to any shares which may be issued. Any shares of CD common stock sold
hereunder will be fully paid and non-assessable upon issuance against full
payment of the purchase price therefor. The CD common stock is listed on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CD."
CERTAIN PROVISIONS
The provisions of the Certificate and By-Laws which are summarized below may
be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a
tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in such
stockholder's best interest, including those attempts that might result in a
premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.
CLASSIFIED BOARD
The Board of Directors is divided into three classes that are elected for
staggered three-year terms. A director may be removed by the stockholders
without cause only by the affirmative vote of the holders, voting as a single
class, of 80% or more of the total number of votes entitled to be cast by all
holders of the voting stock, which shall include all capital stock of Cendant
which by its terms may vote on all matters submitted to stockholders of Cendant
generally.
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COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pursuant to the Certificate, the Board of Directors' authority to designate
committees shall be subject to the provisions of the By-Laws. The Board of
Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any
committee to fill any vacancy on the committee and to fill a vacant chairmanship
of a committee occurring as a result of a member or chairman leaving the
committee, whether through death, resignation, removal or otherwise. Pursuant to
the By-Laws, the Board of Directors shall have the following committees:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. An Executive Committee that shall consist of not less
than three directors elected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. A Compensation Committee consisting of not less than
three directors elected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
AUDIT COMMITTEE. An Audit Committee consisting of not less than four
directors elected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
NEWLY CREATED DIRECTORSHIPS AND VACANCIES
Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of
directors and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death,
resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled solely by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office,
even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. Any directors elected
in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of
the full term of the class of directors in which the new directorship was
created or the vacancy occurred and until such director's successor shall have
been elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors constituting
the Board of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
A special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, the President or the Board of Directors pursuant to a
resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
QUORUM AT STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS
The holders of one-third of the shares entitled to vote at any meeting of
the stockholders, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at
all stockholder meetings.
STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
Stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting is prohibited
under the Certificate. As a result, stockholder action can be taken only at an
annual or special meeting of stockholders. This prevents the holders of a
majority of the outstanding voting stock of Cendant from using the written
consent procedure to take stockholder action without giving all the stockholders
of Cendant entitled to vote on a proposed action the opportunity to participate
in determining the proposed action.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER--PROPOSED BUSINESS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS
The By-Laws provide that for business to be properly brought before an
annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice
thereof in writing to the Secretary of Cendant. To be timely, a stockholder's
notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive
offices of Cendant not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the
meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than 70 days' notice or
prior public
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disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice
by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of
business on the tenth day following the date on which such notice of the date of
the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. A
stockholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter the
stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description
of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, (ii) the name
and address, as they appear on Cendant's books, of the stockholder proposing
such business, (iii) the class and number of shares of Cendant which are
beneficially owned by the stockholder, and (iv) any material interest of the
stockholder in such business.
In addition, the By-Laws provide that for a stockholder to properly nominate
a director at a meeting of stockholders, the stockholder must have given timely
notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of Cendant. To be timely, a
stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the
principal executive offices of Cendant (i) in the case of an annual meeting, at
least 90 days prior to the date of the last annual meeting of Cendant
stockholders and (ii) with respect to a special meeting of stockholders, the
close of business on the 10th day following the date on which notice of such
meeting is first given to stockholders. Such stockholder's notice to the
Secretary must set forth: (i) the name and address of the stockholder who
intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated,
(ii) a representation that the stockholder is holder of record of common stock
and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate each such
nominee, (iii) a description of all arrangements between such stockholder and
each nominee, (iv) such other information with respect to each nominee as would
be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy
rules of the Commission, and (v) the consent of each nominee to serve as
director of the Company if so elected.
FAIR PRICE PROVISIONS
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Certificate, an agreement
of merger, sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of Cendant's
assets must be approved by the Board of Directors and adopted by the holders of
a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon. However,
the Certificate includes what generally is referred to as a "fair price
provision," which requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80%
of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the
election of Cendant's directors, voting together as a single class, to approve
certain business combination transactions (including certain mergers,
recapitalization and the issuance or transfer of securities of Cendant or a
subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $10 million or more)
involving Cendant or a subsidiary and an owner or any affiliate of an owner of
5% or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote, unless
either (i) such business combination is approved by a majority of disinterested
directors, or (ii) the shareholders receive a "fair price" for their securities
and certain other procedural requirements are met. The Certificate provides that
this provision may not be repealed or amended in any respect except by the
affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the outstanding shares
of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
This discussion describes the material United States federal income tax
consequences to holders of debentures. It applies to you only if you hold your
debentures as capital assets for United States federal income tax purposes. This
section does not apply to you if you are a member of a class of holders subject
to special rules, such as:
- a dealer in securities or currencies,
- a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of
accounting for your securities holdings,
- a bank,
- a life insurance company,
- a tax-exempt organization,
- a person treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax
purposes,
- a person that owns debentures that are a hedge or that are hedged against
interest rate risks,
- a person that owns debentures as part of a straddle or conversion
transaction for United States federal income tax purposes, or
- a person whose functional currency for United States federal income tax
purposes is not the U.S. dollar.
The summary below does not address all of the tax consequences that may be
relevant to a holder of the debentures. In particular, it does not address:
- the U. S. federal estate, gift or alternative minimum tax consequences of
the purchase, ownership or disposition of the debentures,
- state, local or foreign tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or
disposition of the debentures, or
- federal (except in respect of Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below)), state,
local or foreign tax consequences of owning or disposing of our CD common
stock.
Accordingly, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax
consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of the debentures and our CD
common stock in light of your own circumstances.
If a partnership holds the debentures, the tax treatment of a partner will
generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the
partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding the debentures, you
should consult your tax advisors.
This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Internal
Revenue Code, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect.
These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addresses the
treatment of the debentures or instruments similar to the debentures for United
States federal income tax purposes. No rulings have been sought or are expected
to be sought from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") with respect to any
of the United States federal income tax consequences discussed below, and no
assurance can be given that the IRS will not take contrary positions. As a
result, no assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with the tax
characterizations and the tax consequences described below.
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We urge prospective investors to consult their tax advisors with respect to
the tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the
debentures and shares of our CD common stock in light of their own particular
circumstances, including the tax consequences under state, local, foreign and
other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in United States federal or
other tax laws.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE DEBENTURES
Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, each holder of the debentures agreed
for United States federal income tax purposes, to treat the debentures as
indebtedness for United States federal income tax purposes subject to the
regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments and to be bound by our
application of those regulations to the debentures, including our determination
of the rate at which interest will be deemed to accrue on the debentures for
United States federal income tax purposes. The remainder of this discussion
assumes that the debentures will be treated in accordance with that agreement
and our determinations. However, the proper application of the regulations
governing contingent payment debt instruments to a holder of debentures is
uncertain in a number of respects, and no assurance can be given that the IRS
will not assert that the debentures should be treated differently or that such
an assertion would not prevail. Such treatment could affect the amount, timing
and character of income, gain or loss in respect of an investment in the
debentures. In particular, it might be determined that a holder should have
accrued interest income at a lower rate, should not have recognized income or
gain upon the conversion, and should have recognized capital gain upon a taxable
disposition of its debentures.
U.S. HOLDERS
This discussion applies to U.S. Holders.
You are a U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of a debenture and you
are, for United States federal income tax purposes:
- a citizen or resident of the United States,
- a domestic corporation,
- an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax
regardless of its source, or
- a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the
trust's administration and one or more United States persons are
authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
You are a Non-U.S. Holder, and should see "Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders"
below, if you are a beneficial owner of a debenture and you are, for United
States federal income tax purposes:
- a nonresident alien individual,
- a foreign corporation, or
- a foreign estate or trust that is not subject to United States federal
income taxation on its worldwide income.
Under the rules governing contingent payment debt obligations, a U.S. Holder
generally will be required to accrue interest income on the debentures, in the
amounts described below, regardless of whether the U.S. Holder uses the cash or
accrual method of tax accounting. Accordingly, U.S. Holders would likely be
required to include interest in taxable income in each year in excess of the
accruals on the debentures for non-tax purposes and in excess of any contingent
interest payments actually received in that year.
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A U.S. Holder must accrue an amount of original issue discount as ordinary
income for United States federal income tax purposes, for each accrual period
prior to and including the maturity date of the debentures that equals:
- the product of (i) the adjusted issue price (as defined below) of the
debentures as of the beginning of the accrual period; and (ii) the
comparable yield to maturity (as defined below) of the debentures,
adjusted for the length of the accrual period;
- divided by the number of days in the accrual period; and
- multiplied by the number of days during the accrual period that the U.S.
Holder held the debentures.
The issue price of a debenture is the first price at which a substantial
amount of the debentures is sold to the public, excluding bond houses, brokers
or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters,
placement agents or wholesalers. The adjusted issue price of a debenture is its
issue price increased by any interest income previously accrued, determined
without regard to any adjustments to interest accruals described below and
decreased by the projected amounts of any payments with respect to the
debentures.
Under the rules governing contingent payment debt obligations, we are
required to establish the "comparable yield" for the debentures. We have
determined that the comparable yield for the debentures is the annual yield we
would incur, as of the initial issue date, on a fixed rate nonconvertible debt
security with no contingent payments, but with terms and conditions otherwise
comparable to those of the debentures including the level of subordination,
term, timing of payments and general market conditions, but excluding any
adjustments for liquidity or the riskiness of the contingencies with respect to
the debentures. Accordingly, we have determined the comparable yield to be 9.2%
compounded semi-annually.
We are required to provide to U.S. Holders, solely for United States federal
income tax purposes, a schedule of the projected amounts of payments on the
debentures. This schedule must produce the comparable yield. Our determination
of the projected payment schedule for the debentures includes estimates for
payments of contingent interest and an estimate for a payment at maturity taking
into account the conversion feature. U.S. Holders may obtain the projected
payment schedule by submitting a written request for it to: Cendant at the
address set forth in "Incorporation of Documents by Reference."
THE COMPARABLE YIELD AND THE SCHEDULE OF PROJECTED PAYMENTS ARE NOT
DETERMINED FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN FOR THE DETERMINATION OF A
U.S. HOLDER'S INTEREST ACCRUALS AND ADJUSTMENTS THEREOF IN RESPECT
OF THE DEBENTURES FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES AND
DO NOT CONSTITUTE A PROJECTION OR REPRESENTATION REGARDING THE
ACTUAL AMOUNTS PAYABLE TO U.S. HOLDERS OF THE DEBENTURES.
ADJUSTMENTS TO INTEREST ACCRUALS ON THE DEBENTURES
If a U.S. Holder receives actual payments with respect to the debentures in
a taxable year that in the aggregate exceed the total amount of projected
payments for that taxable year, the U.S. Holder would incur a "net positive
adjustment" equal to the amount of such excess. The U.S. Holder would treat the
"net positive adjustment" as additional interest income for the taxable year.
For this purpose, the payments in a taxable year include the fair market value
of property received in that year.
If a U.S. Holder receives actual payments with respect to the debentures in
a taxable year that in the aggregate are less than the amount of the projected
payments for that taxable year, the U.S.
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Holder would incur a "net negative adjustment" equal to the amount of such
deficit. This adjustment will (a) reduce the U.S. Holder's interest income on
the debentures for that taxable year, and (b) to the extent of any excess after
the application of (a), give rise to an ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S.
Holder's interest income on the debentures during prior taxable years, reduced
to the extent such interest was offset by prior net negative adjustments.
SALE, EXCHANGE, CONVERSION OR REDEMPTION
Generally, the sale or exchange of a debenture, or the redemption of a
debenture for cash, will result in taxable gain or loss to a U.S. Holder. In
addition, as described above, our calculation of the comparable yield and the
schedule of projected payments for the debentures includes the receipt of stock
upon conversion of a debenture into our CD common stock as a contingent payment
with respect to the debentures. Accordingly, we intend to treat the receipt of
our CD common stock by a U.S. Holder upon the conversion of a debenture, or upon
the redemption of a debenture where we elect to pay in our CD common stock, as a
contingent payment. As described above, holders are generally bound by our
determination of the comparable yield and the schedule of projected payments.
Under this treatment, a sale or exchange, or such a conversion or redemption,
also will result in taxable gain or loss to the U.S. Holder. The amount of gain
or loss on a taxable sale, exchange, conversion or redemption will equal the
difference between (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any
other property received by the U.S. Holder, including the fair market value of
any shares of our CD common stock received, and (b) the U.S. Holder's adjusted
tax basis in the debentures. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in a debenture
generally will equal the U.S. Holder's original purchase price for the
debentures, increased by any original issue discount previously accrued by the
U.S. Holder (determined without regard to any positive or negative adjustments
to interest accruals described above), and decreased by the amount of any
projected payments on the debentures. Gain recognized upon a sale, exchange,
conversion or redemption of a debenture generally will be treated as ordinary
interest income; any loss will be ordinary loss to the extent of interest
previously included in income, and thereafter, capital loss (which will be
long-term if the debenture is held for more than one year). The deductibility of
net capital losses is subject to limitations.
A U.S. Holder's tax basis in our CD common stock received upon a conversion
of a debenture or upon a holder's exercise of a put right that we elect to pay
in CD common stock will equal the then current fair market value of such CD
common stock. The U.S. Holder's holding period for the CD common stock received
will commence on the day after the date of conversion or redemption.
PURCHASERS OF DEBENTURES AT A PRICE OTHER THAN THE ADJUSTED ISSUE PRICE
A U.S. Holder that purchases debentures in the secondary market for an
amount that differs from the adjusted issue price of the debentures at the time
of purchase will be required to accrue interest income on the debentures in the
same manner as a U.S. Holder that purchased debentures in the initial offering.
A U.S. Holder must also reasonably determine whether the difference between the
purchase price of the debentures and the adjusted issue price of the debentures
is attributable to a change in interest rates since the debentures were issued,
a change in expecta tions as to the contingent amounts potentially payable in
respect of the debentures, or both, and allocate the difference accordingly. To
the extent that the difference is attributable to a change in interest rates, it
must be allocated to the daily portions of interest over the remaining term of
the debentures. To the extent that the difference is attributable to a change in
expectations as to the contingent amounts potentially payable in respect of the
debentures, it must be reasonably allocated to the remaining projected
contingent payments under the debentures. The amount of the difference allocated
to a daily portion of interest or to a projected payment is treated as an
adjustment on the day the daily portion accrues or the payment is made,
respectively. If the purchase price of the debentures was greater than the
adjusted issue price, an adjustment will be a "negative adjustment," and if the
38
purchase price was less than the adjusted issue price, an adjustment will be a
"positive adjustment." Any such negative or positive adjustment will decrease or
increase, respectively, the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the debentures.
Certain U.S. Holders will receive Forms 1099-OID that report interest
accruals on their debentures. Those forms will not reflect the effect of any
positive or negative adjustments resulting from the U.S. Holder's purchase of
debentures in the secondary market at a price different from adjusted issue
price of the debentures on the date of purchase. U.S. Holders are urged to
consult their tax advisors as to whether, and how, such adjustments should be
taken into account in determining their interest accruals with regard to the
debentures.
CONSTRUCTIVE DIVIDENDS
If at any time we make a distribution of property to our stockholders that
would be taxable to the stockholders as a dividend for United States federal
income tax purposes and, in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of the
debentures, the exchange rate of the debentures is increased, such increase may
be deemed to be the payment of a taxable dividend to holders of the debentures.
For example, an increase in the exchange rate in the event of distribution
of our evidence of indebtedness or our assets or an increase in the event of an
extraordinary cash dividend will generally result in deemed dividend treatment
to holders of the debentures, but generally an increase in the event of stock
dividends or the distribution of rights to subscribe for our CD common stock
will not.
TREATMENT OF NON-U.S. HOLDERS
The rules governing United States federal income taxation of Non-U.S.
Holders are complex and no attempt will be made in this prospectus to provide
more than a summary of such rules. Non-U.S. Holders should consult with their
tax advisors to determine the effect of United States federal, state, local and
foreign income tax laws, as well as treaties, with regard to an investment in
the debentures and shares of our CD common stock, including any reporting
requirements.
PAYMENTS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE DEBENTURES
The 30% United States federal withholding tax will not apply to any payment
to a Non-U.S. Holder of principal or interest (including amounts taken into
income as interest under the accrual rules described above under "--U.S.
Holders" and amounts attributable to our CD common stock received upon a
conversion of the debentures) on debentures, provided that: (i) the Non-U.S.
Holder does not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of our CD common stock, (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder is not a
controlled foreign corporation related, directly or indirectly, to us through
stock ownership; (iii) the Non-U.S. Holder is not a bank which acquired the
debentures in consideration for an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan
agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business; (iv) our CD common
stock is actively traded within the meaning of Section 871(h)(4)(C)(v)(I) of the
Internal Revenue Code; and (v) either (a) the beneficial owner of debentures
certifies to us or our paying agent on IRS Form W-8BEN, under penalties or
perjury, that it is not a United States person and provides its name, address
and certain other information or (B) the beneficial owner holds its debentures
through certain foreign intermediaries or certain foreign partnerships and such
holder satisfies certain certification requirements.
If the Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements described above,
payments of interest (including amounts taken into income under the accrual
rules described above under "--U.S. Holder" and amounts attributable to our CD
common stock received upon a conversion of the debentures) will be subject to
the 30% United States federal withholding tax unless the Non-U.S.
39
Holder provides us with a properly executed (1) IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor
form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under an applicable
tax treaty or (2) IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form) stating that interest paid
on the debentures is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively
connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business in the
United States.
If a Non-U.S. Holder of the debentures is engaged in a trade or business in
the United States, and if interest on the debentures is effectively connected
with the conduct of such trade or business, the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt
from the withholding tax discussed in the preceding paragraphs, will generally
be subject to regular United States federal income tax on interest and on any
gain realized on the sale or exchange of the debentures in the same manner as if
it were a U.S. Holder. Such a Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide to the
withholding agent a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form) in
order to claim an exemption from withholding tax. In addition, if such a
Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, such Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to
a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower tax rate provided by an
applicable treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the
taxable year, subject to certain adjustments.
SALE OR EXCHANGE OF DEBENTURES OR COMMON STOCK
A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal
income or withholding tax with respect to gain upon the sale, exchange or other
disposition (other than a conversion or a redemption) of the debentures or
shares of our CD common stock, unless: (1) the income or gain is "U.S. trade or
business income," which means income or gain that is effectively connected with
the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business, or, in the case of a
treaty resident, attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed base, in
the United States; (2) such Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in
the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and
certain other conditions are met; (3) such Non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax
pursuant to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to certain
United States expatriates; or (4) in the case of an amount which is attributable
to original issue discount, the Non-U.S. Holder does not meet the conditions for
exemption from United States federal withholding tax described above.
U.S. trade or business income of a Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject
to regular United States federal income tax in the same manner as if it were
realized by a U.S. Holder. Non-U.S. Holders that realize U.S. trade or business
income with respect of the debentures or CD common stock should consult their
tax advisors as to the treatment of such income or gain. In addition, U.S. trade
or business income of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may be subject to
a branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or such lower rate provided by an
applicable income tax treaty.
BACK-UP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
U.S. HOLDERS
Payments of interest or dividends made by us on, or the proceeds of the sale
or other disposition of, the debentures or shares of our CD common stock may be
subject to information reporting and United States federal backup withholding
tax at the rate then in effect if the recipient of such payment fails to supply
an accurate taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with
applicable United States information reporting or certification requirements.
Any amount withheld from a payment to a U.S. Holder under the backup withholding
rules is allowable as a credit against the holder's United States federal income
tax, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
40
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
A Non-U.S. Holder may be required to comply with certification procedures to
establish that the holder is not a U.S. person in order to avoid backup
withholding tax requirements with respect to our payments of principal and
interest, including cash payments in respect of original issue discount on the
debentures, or the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of the debentures.
In addition, we must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the
amount of any dividends paid to, and the tax withheld with respect to, such
holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these
information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a
specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the
Non-U.S. Holder resides.
TAX EVENT
The modification of the terms of the debentures by us upon a Tax Event could
possibly alter the timing of income recognition by the holders with respect to
the payments of interest due after the option exercise date.
THE PROPER TAX TREATMENT OF A HOLDER OF DEBENTURES IS HIGHLY UNCERTAIN IN A
NUMBER OF RESPECTS. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE
UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN
INVESTMENT IN THE DEBENTURES AND WHETHER AN INVESTMENT IN THE DEBENTURES IS
ADVISABLE IN LIGHT OF THE AGREED UPON TAX TREATMENT AND THE HOLDER'S PARTICULAR
TAX SITUATION.
41
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
The debentures were originally issued by us and sold by Goldman, Sachs & Co.
(the "Initial Purchaser") in transactions exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act to persons reasonably believed by the Initial
Purchaser to be "qualified institutional buyers" as defined by Rule 144A under
the Securities Act. The selling securityholders may from time to time offer and
sell pursuant to this prospectus any or all of the debentures listed below and
the shares of CD common stock issued upon purchase by us, or conversion, of such
debentures. When we refer to the "selling securityholders" in this prospectus,
we mean those persons listed in the table below, as well as the pledgees,
donees, assignees, transferees, successors and others who later hold any of the
selling securityholders' interests.
The table below sets forth the name of each selling securityholder, the
principal amount at maturity of debentures that each selling securityholder may
offer pursuant to this prospectus and the number of shares of CD common stock
into which such debentures are convertible. Unless set forth below, to our
knowledge, none of the selling securityholders has, or within the past three
years has had, any material relationship with us or our predecessors or
affiliates or beneficially arms in excess of 1% of the outstanding CD common
stock.
The principal amounts of the debentures provided in the table below is based
on information provided to us by each of the selling securityholders as of
August 27, 2001, and the percentages are based on $1,000,000,000 aggregate
principal amount at maturity of debentures outstanding. The number of shares of
CD common stock that may be sold is based on the current conversion rate of
39.0755 shares of CD common stock per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of
debentures.
Since the date on which the selling securityholders provided this
information, each selling securityholder identified below may have sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of their debentures in a
transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
Information concerning the selling securityholders may change from time to time
and any changed information will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus
to the extent required. In addition, the conversion ratio, and therefore the
number of shares of our CD common stock issuable upon conversion of the
debentures, is subject to adjustment. Accordingly, the number of shares of CD
common stock issuable upon conversion of the debentures may increase or
decrease.
The selling securityholders may from time to time offer and sell any or all
of the securities under this prospectus. Because the selling securityholders are
not obligated to sell the debentures or shares of CD common stock issuable upon
conversion of the debentures, we cannot estimate the amount of debentures or how
many shares of CD common stock that the selling securityholders will hold upon
consummation of any such sales.
NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE OF
AGGREGATE SHARES OF CD SHARES
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT PERCENTAGE OF COMMON STOCK OF CD
MATURITY OF DEBENTURES DEBENTURES BE THAT MAY COMMON STOCK
NAME THAT MAY BE SOLD OUTSTANDING SOLD(1) OUTSTANDING(2)
---- ---------------------- ------------- ------------ --------------
Allstate Life Insurance
Company..................... $ 4,000,000 * 156,302 *
Allstate Insurance Company.... $ 2,000,000 * 78,151 *
Amerus Life Insurance Co. .... $ 180,000 * 7,034 *
Banc of America Securities
LLC......................... $ 3,100,000 * 121,134 *
Bankers Life Insurance Co. of
New York.................... $ 45,000 * 1,758 *
CA State Automobile Assn
Inter-Insurance............. $ 500,000 * 19,538 *
Citi SAM Fund Ltd............. $ 2,300,000 * 89,874 *
Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation................. $ 39,300,000 3.900% 1,535,667 *
Deep Rock & Co................ $ 2,500,000 * 97,689 *
DE Shaw Investments, L.P...... $ 7,200,000 * 281,344 *
42
NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE OF
AGGREGATE SHARES OF CD SHARES
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT PERCENTAGE OF COMMON STOCK OF CD
MATURITY OF DEBENTURES DEBENTURES BE THAT MAY COMMON STOCK
NAME THAT MAY BE SOLD OUTSTANDING SOLD(1) OUTSTANDING(2)
---- ---------------------- ------------- ------------ --------------
DE Shaw Valence, L.P.......... $ 28,800,000 2.880% 1,125,374 *
Deutsche Banc Alex Brown
Inc......................... $ 84,610,000 8.461% 3,306,178 *
First Union International
Capital Market.............. $ 6,250,000 * 244,222 *
First Union National Bank
Inc......................... $ 70,000,000 7.000% 2,735,285 *
Goldman Sachs and Company..... $ 14,300,000 1.430% 558,780 *
Granville Capital
Corporation................. $ 10,000,000 1.000% 390,755 *
Highbridge International
LLC......................... $ 40,000,000 4.000% 1,563,020 *
IL Annuity & Insurance Co. ... $ 5,775,000 * 225,661 *
IMF Convertible Fund.......... $ 600,000 * 23,445 *
Investcorp, SAM Fund Ltd...... $ 2,600,000 * 101,596 *
Jersey (IMA) Ltd.............. $ 5,000,000 * 195,378 *
JMG Capital Partners, LP...... $ 15,000,000 1.500% 586,133 *
JMG Triton Offshore, Ltd...... $ 10,000,000 1.000% 390,755 *
KBC Financial Products (Cayman
Islands).................... $ 61,000,000 6.100% 2,383,606 *
Lehman Brothers Inc. ......... $ 60,000,000 6.000% 2,344,530 *
Leonardo L.P.................. $ 47,500,000 4.750% 1,856,086 *
Libertyview Funds, L.P........ $ 10,000,000 1.000% 390,755 *
Libertyview Fund LLC.......... $ 2,500,000 * 97,689 *
Libertyview Global Volatility
Fund, L.P................... $ 7,500,000 * 293,066 *
McMahan Securities Co. L.P.... $ 3,000 * 117 *
NMS Services (Cayman) Inc..... $ 90,000,000 9.000% 3,516,795 *
Nomura Securities
International Inc........... $ 81,500,000 8.150% 3,184,653 *
Peoples Benefit Life Insurance
Company TEAMSTERS........... $ 2,500,000 * 97,689 *
PIMCO Convertible Fund........ $ 800,000 * 31,260 *
R(2) Investments, LDC......... $ 30,000,000 3.000% 1,172,265 *
Ret Pension Plan of the CA
State Automobile............ $ 200,000 * 7,815 *
Rhapsody Fund, LP............. $ 3,500,000 * 136,764 *
Salomon Smith Barney Inc...... $ 18,550,000 1.855% 724,851 *
St. Albans Partners Ltd....... $ 8,000,000 * 312,604 *
TD Securities (USA) Inc....... $ 47,500,000 4.750% 1,856,086 *
UBS AG London Branch.......... $ 25,000,000 2.500% 976,888 *
Vermogensverwalzung Des Kanton
ZH.......................... $ 1,000,000 * 39,076 *
Wilminton Trust Company as
owner trustee for the
Forrestal Funding Master
Trust....................... $ 66,000,000 6.600% 2,578,983 *
Zola Partners, LP............. $ 1,000,000 * 39,076 *
Zurich Institutional
Benchmarks Master Fund
Ltd......................... $ 1,000,000 * 39,076 *
All other holders of
debentures or future
transferees, pledgees,
donees, assignees or
successors of any such
holders (3)(4).............. $ 87,067,000 8.707% 3,402,187 *
-------------- ------- ----------- -----
Total......................... $1,000,000,000 100.000% 39,075,500 4.559%
============== ======= =========== =====
------------------------
* Less than one percent (1%).
(1) Assumes conversion of all of the holder's debentures at a conversion rate of
39.0755 shares of CD common stock per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of
the debentures. This conversion
43
rate is subject to adjustment, however, as described under "Description of
Debentures--Conversion Rights". As a result, the number of shares of CD
common stock issuable upon conversion of the debentures may increase or
decrease in the future. Does not include shares of CD common stock that may
be issued by us upon purchase of the debentures by us at the option of the
holder.
(2) Calculated based on Rule 13d-3(d)(i) of the Exchange Act, using 857,074,916
shares of CD common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2001. In calculating
this amount for each holder, we treated as outstanding the number of shares
of CD common stock issuable upon conversion of all that holder's debentures,
but we did not assume conversion of any other holder's debentures. Does not
include shares of CD common stock that may be issued by us upon purchase of
the debentures by us at the option of the holder.
(3) Information about other selling securityholders will be set forth in
prospectus supplements, if required.
(4) Assumes that any other holders of the debentures, or any future pledgees,
donees, assignees, transferees or successors of or from any other such
holders of the debentures, do not beneficially own any shares of CD common
stock other than the CD common stock issuable upon conversion of the
debentures at the initial conversion rate.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling securityholders will be offering and selling all of the
securities offered and sold under this prospectus. We will not receive any of
the proceeds from the offering of the debentures or the shares of CD common
stock by the selling securityholders. In connection with the initial offering of
the debentures, we entered into a registration rights agreement dated May 4,
2001 with the initial purchaser of the debentures. Securities may only be
offered or sold under this prospectus pursuant to the terms of the registration
rights agreement. However, selling securityholders may resell all of a portion
of the securities in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 or
Rule 144A under the Securities Act, provided they meet the criteria and conform
to the requirements of one of these rules. We are registering the debentures and
shares of CD common stock covered by this prospectus to permit holders to
conduct public secondary trading of these securities from time to time after the
date of this prospectus. We have agreed, among other things, to bear all
expenses, other than underwriting discounts and selling commissions, in
connection with the registration and sale of the debentures and the shares of CD
common stock covered by this prospectus.
We have been advised by the selling securityholders that the selling
securityholders may sell all or a portion of the debentures and shares of CD
common stock beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time:
- directly; or
- through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, commissions or concessions from the
selling securityholders and/or from the purchasers of the debentures and
shares of CD common stock for whom they may act as agent.
The debentures and the shares of CD common stock may be sold from time to
time in one or more transactions at:
- fixed prices, which may be changed;
- prevailing market prices at the time of sale;
- varying prices determined at the time of sale; or
- negotiated prices.
44
These prices will be determined by the holders of the securities or by agreement
between these holders and underwriters or dealers who may receive fees or
commissions in connection with the sale. The aggregate proceeds to the selling
securityholders from the sale of the debentures or shares of CD common stock
offered by them hereby will be the purchase price of the debentures or shares of
CD common stock less discounts and commissions, if any.
The sales described in the preceding paragraph may be effected in
transactions:
- on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the
debentures or shares of CD common stock may be listed or quoted at the
time of sale, including the New York Stock Exchange in the case of the
shares of CD common stock;
- in the over-the counter market;
- in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the
over-the-counter market; or
- through the writing of options.
These transactions may include block transactions or crosses. Crosses are
transactions in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the
trade.
In connection with sales of the debentures and shares of CD common stock or
otherwise, the selling securityholders may enter into hedging transactions with
broker-dealers. These broker-dealers may in turn engage in short sales of the
debentures and shares of CD common stock in the course of hedging their
positions. The selling securityholders may also sell the debentures and shares
of CD common stock short and deliver the debentures and shares of CD common
stock to close out short positions, or loan or pledge the debentures and shares
of CD common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell the debentures and
shares of CD common stock.
To our knowledge, there are currently no plans, arrangements or
understandings between any selling securityholders and any underwriter,
broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the debentures and the shares of CD
common stock by the selling securityholders. Selling securityholders may not
sell any, or may not sell all, of the debentures and the shares of CD common
stock offered by them pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, we cannot assure
you that a selling securityholder will not transfer, devise or gift the
debentures and the shares of CD common stock by other means not described in
this prospectus. In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus which
qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A of the Securities Act may be
sold under Rule 144 or Rule 144A rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
The outstanding shares of CD common stock are listed for trading on the New
York Stock Exchange.
The selling securityholders and any broker and any broker-dealers, agents or
underwriters that participate with the selling securityholders in the
distribution of the debentures or the shares of CD common stock may be deemed to
be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act. In this case, any
commissions received by these broker-dealers, agents or underwriters and any
profit on the resale of the debentures or the shares of CD common stock
purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts
under the Securities Act. In addition, any profits realized by the selling
securityholders may be deemed to be underwriting commissions under the
Securities Act. To the extent the selling securityholders may be deemed to be
underwriters, the selling securityholders may be subject to statutory
liabilities, including, but not limited to, liability under Sections 11, 12 and
17 of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act.
45
Because the selling securityholders may be deemed to be underwriters within
the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. At any time a particular
offer of the securities is made, a revised prospectus or prospectus supplement,
if required, will be distributed which will disclose:
- the name of the selling securityholders and any participating
underwriters, broker-dealers or agents;
- the aggregate amount and type of securities being offered;
- the price at which the securities were sold and other material terms of
the offering;
- any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting
compensation from the selling securityholders and any discounts,
commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
- that the participating broker-dealers did not conduct any investigation to
verify the information in this prospectus or incorporated in this
prospectus by reference.
The prospectus supplement or a post-effective amendment will be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission to reflect the disclosure of additional
information with respect to the distribution of the securities. In addition, if
we receive notice from a selling securityholder that a donee or pledgee intends
to sell more than 500 shares of our CD common stock, a supplement to this
prospectus will be filed.
The debentures were issued and sold in May 2001 in transactions exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act to persons reasonably
believed by the Initial Purchaser to be "qualified institutional buyers," as
defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the registration
rights agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the Initial Purchaser and each
selling securityholder, and each selling securityholder has agreed to indemnify
us, our directors, our officers who sign the registration statement to which
this prospectus relates and each person, if any, who controls Cendant within the
meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act, against specified liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
The selling securityholders and any other person participating in such
distribution will be subject to the Exchange Act. The Exchange Act rules
include, without limitation, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of
purchases and sales of any of the debentures and the underlying shares of CD
common stock by the selling securityholders and any such other person. In
addition, Regulation M of the Exchange Act may restrict the ability of any
person engaged in the distribution of the debentures and the underlying shares
of CD common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the
particular debentures and the underlying shares of CD common stock being
distributed for a period of up to five business days prior to the commencement
of distribution. This may affect the marketability of the debentures and the
underlying shares of CD common stock and the ability of any person or entity to
engage in market-making activities with respect to the debentures and the
underlying shares of CD common stock.
Under the registration rights agreement, we are obligated to use our
reasonable efforts to keep the registration statement of which this prospectus
is a part effective until the earlier of:
- two years after the last date of original issuance of any of the
debentures;
- the date when the holders of the debentures and the shares of CD common
stock issuable upon conversion of the debentures are able to sell all such
securities immediately without restriction pursuant to the volume
limitation provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act; and
46
- the date when all of the debentures and the shares of CD common stock
issuable upon conversion of the debentures registered under this
registration statement are sold.
Our obligation to keep the registration statement to which this prospectus
relates effective is subject to specified, permitted exceptions set forth in the
registration rights agreement. In these cases, we may prohibit offers and sales
of the debentures and shares of CD common stock pursuant to the registration
statement to which this prospectus relates.
We may suspend the use of this prospectus if we learn of any event that
causes this prospectus to include an untrue statement of a material fact
required to be stated in the prospectus or necessary to make the statements in
the prospectus not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing. If
this type of event occurs, a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment,
if required, will be distributed to each selling securityholder. Each selling
securityholder has agreed not to trade securities from the time the selling
securityholder receives notice from us of this type of event until the selling
securityholder receives a prospectus supplement or amendment. This time period
will not exceed 45 days in any 90-day period or 90 days in a 360-day period.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the debentures will be passed upon for
us by Eric J. Bock, Esq., Senior Vice President, Law and Secretary of Cendant.
Mr. Bock holds shares of CD common stock and options to acquire shares of CD
common stock. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York has
advised us as to certain tax matters relating to the debentures.
EXPERTS
Our financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from
our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2000 have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
report (which expresses an unqualified opinion and includes explanatory
paragraphs relating to the change in certain revenue recognition policies
regarding the recognition of non-refundable one-time fees and pro rata
refundable subscription revenue and the restatement of the financial statements
to reflect the individual membership business as part of continuing operations
as discussed in Note 1), which is incorporated herein by reference, and have
been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Cendant is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy and information statements and other information
with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be
inspected and copied at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission:
Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL
60661 and 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. The
Commission also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the public reference rooms. The website address is In
addition, such material can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
47