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Debt
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Debt [Abstract]  
Debt 14. Debt

Debt Exchange - On April 6, 2021, we exchanged approximately $1.7 billion of various outstanding notes and debentures due between 2028 and 2065 (Existing Notes) for $701 million of 2.891% notes due April 6, 2036 (New 2036 Notes) and $1.0 billion of 3.799% notes due April 6, 2071 (New 2071 Notes), plus cash consideration of approximately $257 million in addition to $14 million for accrued and unpaid interest on the Existing Notes. In accordance with ASC 470-50-40, Debt-Modifications and Extinguishments-Derecognition, this transaction was accounted for as a debt exchange, as the exchanged debt instruments are not considered to be substantially different. The cash consideration was recorded as an adjustment to the carrying value of debt, and the balance of the unamortized discount and issue costs from the Existing Notes is being amortized as an adjustment of interest expense over the terms of the new notes. No gain or loss was recognized as a result of the exchange. Costs related to the debt exchange that were payable to parties other than the debt holders totaled approximately $12 million and were included in interest expense during the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Credit Facilities – At September 30, 2021, we had $2.0 billion of credit available under our revolving credit facility (the Facility), which is designated for general corporate purposes and can be used to support the issuance of commercial paper. Credit facility withdrawals totaled $0 during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Commitment fees and interest rates payable under the Facility are similar to fees and rates available to comparably rated, investment-grade borrowers. The Facility allows for borrowings at floating rates based on LIBOR, plus a spread, depending upon credit ratings for our senior unsecured debt.

The 5 year facility, set to expire on June 8, 2023, requires UPC to maintain a debt-to-EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) coverage ratio.

The definition of debt used for purposes of calculating the debt-to-EBITDA coverage ratio includes, among other things, certain credit arrangements, finance leases, guarantees, unfunded and vested pension benefits under Title IV of ERISA, and unamortized debt discount and deferred debt issuance costs. At September 30, 2021, the Company was in compliance with the debt-to-EBITDA coverage ratio, which allows us to carry up to $40.4 billion of debt (as defined in the Facility), and we had $31.2 billion of debt (as defined in the Facility) outstanding at that date. The Facility does not include any other financial restrictions, credit rating triggers (other than rating-dependent pricing), or any other provision that could require us to post collateral. The Facility also includes a $150 million cross-default provision and a change-of-control provision.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we issued $1,545 million and repaid $1,420 million of commercial paper with maturities ranging from 7 to 48 days, and at September 30, 2021, we had $200 million of commercial paper outstanding. Our revolving credit facility can be used to support our outstanding commercial paper balances, and, unless we change the terms of our commercial paper program, our aggregate outstanding issuance of commercial paper will not exceed the amount of borrowings available under the Facility.

In May 2020, we entered into three bilateral revolving credit lines, totaling $600 million of available credit. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we drew $0 and repaid $0. All three bilateral revolving credit lines matured by May 18, 2021.

Shelf Registration Statement and Significant New Borrowings – We filed an automatic shelf registration statement with the SEC that became effective on February 10, 2021. The Board of Directors authorized the issuance of up to $6 billion of debt securities, replacing the prior Board authorization in November 2019, which had $2.25 billion of authority remaining. Under our shelf registration, we may issue, from time to time, any combination of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, or warrants for debt securities or preferred stock in one or more offerings.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we issued the following unsecured, fixed-rate debt securities under our current shelf registration.

Date

Description of Securities

May 20, 2021

$850 million of 2.375% Notes due May 20, 2031

$1.0 billion of 3.200% Notes due May 20, 2041

$650 million of 3.550% Notes due May 20, 2061

September 10, 2021

$150 million of 2.375% Notes due May 20, 2031

$850 million of 2.950% Notes due March 10, 2052

We used the net proceeds from these offerings for general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of common stock pursuant to our share repurchase programs. These debt securities include change-of- control provisions. At September 30, 2021, we had remaining authority from the Board of Directors to issue up to $2.5 billion of debt securities under our shelf registration.

Receivables Securitization Facility – As of both September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, we recorded $0 of borrowings under our Receivables Facility as secured debt. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we drew $400 million and repaid $400 million. (See further discussion of our receivables securitization facility in Note 10).