S-3 1 d269623ds3.htm S-3 S-3
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2021

Registration No. 333-        

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

MP Materials Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   84-4465489

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

6720 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 450

Las Vegas, Nevada 89119

(702) 844-6111

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

James H. Litinsky

Chief Executive Officer

6720 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 450

Las Vegas, Nevada 89119

(702) 844-6111

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies of all communications to:

Elliot Hoops

MP Materials Corp.

6720 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 450

Las Vegas, Nevada 89119

(702) 844-6111

Daniel A. O’Shea

Michael P. Heinz

Sidley Austin LLP

787 7th Avenue

New York, New York 10019

(212) 839-5900

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐

 

 


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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
  Amount
to be
Registered
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit
  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
 

Amount of

Registration Fee (3)

Primary Offering:

          $2,000,000,000(3)   $185,400

Debt Securities

              (1)               (2)               (3)    

Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

              (1)               (2)               (3)    

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

              (1)               (2)               (3)    

Warrants (5)

              (1)               (2)               (3)    

Depositary Shares

              (1)               (2)               (3)    

Units (6)

              (1)               (2)               (3)    

Secondary Offering:

               

0.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “notes”)

  $690,000,000   100%   $690,000,000   $63,963

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, underlying the notes (7)

               

Total

          $2,690,000,000 (3)   $249,363 (4)

 

 

(1)

Not specified with respect to each class of securities to be registered pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). This registration statement covers such indeterminate number or amount of shares of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, depositary shares, or units as may be issued by the registrant at indeterminate prices, but with an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $2,000,000,000. The securities registered hereunder are to be issued or sold from time to time and at prices to be determined. The securities registered hereunder also include securities that may be purchased by underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this registration statement also includes such additional number of securities in exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that may become issuable as a result of any stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions relating to the securities issued hereunder.

(2)

As permitted pursuant to Note 2 of Notes to the “Calculation of Registration Fee” Table of Form S-3, this information is omitted because the filing fee is calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

(3)

Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

(4)

Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

(5)

Warrants will be exercisable for the purchase of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or units registered hereby. Because the warrants will provide a right only to purchase such securities offered hereunder, no additional registration fee is required.

(6)

Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement and will represent an interest in two or more securities registered hereby, which may or may not be separable.

(7)

Each $1,000 principal amount of a 0.25% Green Convertible Senior Note due 2026 may be converted into at an initial conversion rate of 22.5861 shares of common stock, subject to adjustments. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the registrant is also registering an indeterminate number of shares which may be issued with respect to such shares of common stock by way of a stock dividend, stock split or similar transaction. No additional registration fee is required pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities and the selling securityholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 30, 2021

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

LOGO

$2,000,000,000

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Warrants

Depositary Shares

Units

by MP Materials Corp.

and

$690,000,000 0.25% Green Convertible Notes due 2026

and

Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion of

0.25% Green Convertible Notes due 2026

 

 

We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings: debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, depositary shares or units that include two or more of these securities. We have not yet determined whether any of the other securities that may be offered by this prospectus will be listed on any exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market.

We may sell any combination of these securities in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the applicable offering. The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold by us will not exceed approximately $2,000,000,000.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. We will provide specific terms of these securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

Our securities may be offered directly, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of our securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials.

We are also registering the offer and sale of $690,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 0.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “notes”), which were initially issued to qualified institutional buyers in a private transaction pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “shares” and, together with the notes, the “resale securities”), issuable upon conversion of the notes. The holders of the resale securities (the “selling securityholders”) may use this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to resell from time to time some or all of the resale securities. Additional selling securityholders may be named in future post-effective amendments to the registration statement.

The registration of resale securities covered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements does not necessarily mean that any of the selling securityholders will convert their notes for shares of our common stock, that upon any conversion of the notes we will elect, in our sole and absolute discretion, to convert some or all of the notes for shares of our common stock rather than cash, or that any resale securities will be sold by the selling securityholders.

We are registering the resale securities to allow the selling securityholders to sell any or all of their resale securities using any of the methods described in this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the resale securities offered by the selling securityholders, but we have agreed to pay certain registration expenses relating to such resale securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or amendment carefully before you invest in our securities. Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MP.” On December 29, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The New York Stock Exchange was $44.56 per share.

We are an “emerging growth company” under federal securities laws and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                         .

 

 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

MARKET AND OTHER INDUSTRY DATA

     2  

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     3  

MP MATERIALS CORP.

     6  

RISK FACTORS

     7  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     9  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     12  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     16  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

     17  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

     18  

DESCRIPTION OF CONVERTIBLE NOTES

     19  

SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

     49  

CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     51  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     61  

LEGAL MATTERS

     64  

EXPERTS

     64  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     64  

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     65  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus from time to time and in one or more offerings and the selling securityholders may sell the resale securities from time to time in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we or the selling securityholders may offer. Each time we or the selling securityholders sell securities, we or the selling securityholders will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offered securities and the offering, including a detailed description of the securities to be offered, the specific amount or amounts of securities to be offered, the prices of such securities, the name of any agent, underwriter or dealer to or through which the securities may be sold and a description of any arrangement with such agent, underwriter or dealer, and information about any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the securities will be listed.

A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information included in this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in such prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified will be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus only as so modified, and any statement so superseded will be deemed not to constitute a part of this prospectus. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus together with the additional information to which we refer you to in the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”

Neither we nor the selling securityholders have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus we have prepared. We and the selling securityholders take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of those documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”

For investors outside the United States: We have not taken any actions that would permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering and distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

 

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This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement of which it forms a part. For further information, we refer you to the entire registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus about the provisions or contents of any contract, agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. For each of these contracts, agreements or documents filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the actual exhibit for a more complete description of the matters involved.

When used in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, the terms the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to MP Materials Corp. together with its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context suggests otherwise.

MARKET AND OTHER INDUSTRY DATA

Certain market and industry data included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the size of certain markets and our size or position within these markets, including our products, are based on estimates of our management and third-party reports. Management estimates have been derived from our management’s knowledge and experience in the markets in which we operate, as well as information obtained from surveys, reports by market research firms, our customers, distributors, suppliers, trade and business organizations and other contacts in the markets in which we operate, which, in each case, we believe are reliable.

We are responsible for all of the disclosure in this prospectus and while we believe the data from these sources to be accurate and complete, we have not independently verified data from these sources or obtained third-party verification of market share data and this information may not be reliable. In addition, these sources may use different definitions of the relevant markets. Data regarding our industry is intended to provide general guidance, but is inherently imprecise.

Assumptions and estimates of our future performance are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause our future performance to differ materially from our assumptions and estimates. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein may include statements that express our and our subsidiaries’ opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “seeks,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They may appear in a number of places throughout this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and these forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations regarding our future growth, results of operations, operational and financial performance and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements are based on available current market material and management’s expectations, beliefs and forecasts concerning future events impacting our business. Factors that may impact such forward-looking statements include:

 

   

changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions;

 

   

risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to the Company;

 

   

risks related to the rollout of our business strategy, including Stage III, and the timing of expected business milestones;

 

   

risks related to our long-term agreement with General Motors, including that this long-term agreement is subject to the Company and General Motors entering into a definitive Supply Agreement that includes all terms and conditions, which may or may not occur;

 

   

risks related to our ability to produce and supply NdFeB alloy and magnets to third parties, including General Motors, which is subject to a number of uncertainties and contingencies;

 

   

risks related to the construction of the Stage III facility, including timing for completion and costs;

 

   

the proposed location of the Stage III facility is subject to the Company closing on a purchase and sale agreement, which is subject to a number of closing conditions, which may or not be satisfied, including the Company obtaining certain incentives approved by the City of Fort Worth;

 

   

risks related to demand for NdFeB alloy and magnets which may decrease materially in the future;

 

   

risks related to political and macroeconomic uncertainty;

 

   

unanticipated costs or delays associated with our Stage II optimization project;

 

   

uncertainties relating to our commercial arrangements with Shenghe Resources (Singapore) International Trading Pte. Ltd., an affiliate of Shenghe Resources Holding Co., Ltd., a global rare earth company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange;

 

   

the ability to convert current commercial discussions with customers for the sale of rare earth oxide products into contracts;

 

   

potential changes in China’s political environment and policies;

 

   

fluctuations in demand for, and prices of, rare earth minerals and products;

 

   

the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, including the Delta variant, Omicron variant and other variants, on any of the foregoing risks;

 

   

the intense competition within the rare earths mining and processing industry;

 

   

uncertainties regarding the growth of existing and emerging uses for rare earth products;

 

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potential power shortages at the Mountain Pass facility;

 

   

increasing costs or limited access to raw materials that may adversely affect our profitability;

 

   

fluctuations in transportation costs or disruptions in transportation services;

 

   

inability to meet individual customer specifications;

 

   

diminished access to water;

 

   

uncertainty in our estimates of rare earth oxide reserves;

 

   

uncertainties regarding our ability to vertically integrate into further downstream processing and reach full revenue potential;

 

   

risks associated with work stoppages;

 

   

a shortage of skilled technicians and engineers;

 

   

loss of key personnel;

 

   

risks associated with the inherent dangers of mining activity;

 

   

risks associated with events outside of our control, such as natural disasters, climate change, wars or health epidemics or pandemics;

 

   

risks related to technology systems and security breaches;

 

   

risks associated with our intellectual property rights;

 

   

ability to compete with substitutions for rare earth minerals;

 

   

ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations;

 

   

ability to comply with various government regulations that are applicable to our business;

 

   

ability to maintain our governmental licenses, registrations, permits, and approvals necessary for us to operate our business;

 

   

risks relating to extensive and costly environmental regulatory requirements;

 

   

risks associated with the terms of our convertible notes; and

 

   

those factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement.

If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements.

These and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein are more fully described under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. The risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement describe additional factors that could adversely affect the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all such risk factors on the business of the Company or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

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In addition, statements of belief and similar statements reflect the beliefs and opinions of the Company on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to the Company, as applicable, as of the date of this prospectus, and while the Company believes such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and statements should not be read to indicate that the Company has conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

 

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MP MATERIALS CORP.

We own and operate the Mountain Pass facility, one of the world’s largest integrated rare earth mining and processing facilities and the only major rare earths resource in the Western Hemisphere. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, MP Mine Operations LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MPMO”), acquired the Mountain Pass mine and processing facilities in July 2017. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Secure Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SNR”), holds the mineral rights to the Mountain Pass mine and surrounding areas as well as intellectual property rights related to the processing and development of rare earth minerals. Since acquiring Mountain Pass, we have implemented a disciplined operating approach that has produced superior product output and performance compared to that of the prior ownership, while generating cash flows from the sale of our rare earth concentrate. We are now beginning to reinvest those cash flows into the further optimization of the facility to enable integrated separation operations, thereby ensuring upstream supply of rare earth oxides (“REO”) and setting a foundation for long-term growth and value creation for stakeholders.

Our mission is to maximize shareholder returns over the long-term by executing a disciplined business strategy to re-establish a secure and sustainable domestic supply chain for critical sectors of the modern global economy. We believe we can generate positive outcomes for U.S. national security and industry, the U.S. workforce, and the environment.

The Company was incorporated on January 24, 2020, as a Delaware corporation under the name “Fortress Value Acquisition Corp.” (“FVAC”) and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. On November 17, 2020, in connection with the consummation of the business combination involving FVAC, MPMO and SNR, we changed our name to “MP Materials Corp.”

.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31 2021, and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Incorporation by Reference.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include, without limitation:

 

   

working capital;

 

   

acquisitions of or investments in other businesses;

 

   

capital expenditures;

 

   

repayment of outstanding debt;

 

   

repurchases of shares of our common stock; and

 

   

advances to or investments in our subsidiaries.

Pending any specific application described in the applicable prospectus supplement, net proceeds may be initially invested in short-term interest-bearing accounts, securities or similar investments.

We are also filing the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part pursuant to our contractual obligation to certain of our selling securityholders named in the section entitled “Selling Securityholders.” We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the resale securities by the selling securityholders. We may, however, bear all or a portion of the expenses of the offering of the resale securities by the selling securityholders, except that the selling securityholders will pay any applicable underwriting fees, discounts or commissions and certain transfer taxes.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of debt securities sets forth certain of the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that are common to all series of debt securities that we may offer (unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series). We may offer secured or unsecured debt securities which may be senior or subordinated and which may be convertible. Other material specific terms of any particular series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, reference must be made to both the applicable prospectus supplement and to the following description. To the extent that any particular terms of the debt securities described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then such terms described herein shall be deemed to have been superseded by such prospectus supplement. When used in this description of debt securities, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, the terms the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us,” refer to MP Materials Corp. and not to any of its subsidiaries.

The debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures to be entered into between us and one or more trustees. References herein to the “indenture” and the “trustee” refer to the applicable indenture and the applicable trustee pursuant to which any particular series of debt securities is issued. The terms of any series of debt securities will be those specified in or pursuant to the applicable indenture and in the certificates evidencing that series of debt securities and those made part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). We may issue senior, subordinated and convertible debt securities under the same indenture.

The following summary of selected provisions of the indenture and the debt securities is not complete, and the summary of selected terms of a particular series of debt securities included in the applicable prospectus supplement also will not be complete. You should review the applicable form of indenture and the applicable form of certificate evidencing the debt securities, which forms have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as exhibits to documents which have been or will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. To obtain a copy of the indenture or the form of certificate for the debt securities, see “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus. The following summary and the summary in any applicable prospectus supplement are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the indenture and the certificates evidencing the debt securities (including any amendments or supplements we may enter into from time to time which are permitted under the debt securities or any indenture), which provisions, including defined terms, are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be direct unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and will be structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness incurred by our subsidiaries. Any debt securities designated as senior will rank equally with any of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. Any debt securities designated as subordinated will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any senior indebtedness. There may be subordinated debt securities that are senior or junior to other series of subordinated debt securities.

General

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the debt securities or any series thereof, including, if applicable:

 

   

the title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be issued as registered securities, bearer securities or both, and any restrictions on the exchange of one form of debt securities for another and on the offer, sale and delivery of the debt securities in either form;

 

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the date or dates on which the principal amount of the debt securities will mature;

 

   

if the debt securities bear interest, the rate or rates at which the debt securities bear interest, or the method for determining the interest rate, and the date or dates from which interest will accrue;

 

   

if the debt securities bear interest, the dates on which interest will be payable, or the method for determining such dates, and the regular record dates for interest payments;

 

   

the place or places where the payment of principal, any premium and interest will be made, where the debt securities may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon us may be served;

 

   

any optional redemption provisions, which would allow us to redeem the debt securities in whole or in part;

 

   

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem or purchase the debt securities;

 

   

if the currency in which the debt securities will be issuable is United States dollars, the denominations in which any registered securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any multiple in excess thereof;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be convertible and the terms of any conversion provisions;

 

   

if other than the entire principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities which will be payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities;

 

   

if other than United States dollars, the currency in which the debt securities will be paid or denominated;

 

   

if the debt securities are to be payable, at our election or the election of a holder of the debt securities, in a currency other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the terms and conditions upon which that election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the currency in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency in which the debt securities are to be so payable;

 

   

the designation of the original currency determination agent, if any;

 

   

if the debt securities are issuable as indexed securities, the manner in which the amount of payments of principal, any premium and interest will be determined;

 

   

the events of default and covenants with respect to the debt securities, including the inapplicability of any event of default or covenant set forth in the indenture relating to the debt securities, or the applicability of any other events of defaults or covenants in addition to the events of default or covenants set forth in the indenture relating to the debt securities;

 

   

if other than as set forth in an indenture, provisions for the satisfaction and discharge or defeasance or covenant defeasance of that indenture with respect to the debt securities issued under that indenture;

 

   

whether any of such debt securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants;

 

   

if there is more than one trustee or a trustee other than, the identity of the trustee and, if not the trustee, the identity of each security registrar, paying agent or authenticating agent with respect to such securities;

 

   

the extent and manner to which payment on or in respect of debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment of our other liabilities and obligations;

 

   

whether payment of any amount due under the debt securities will be guaranteed by one or more guarantors, including one or more of our subsidiaries;

 

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whether the debt securities will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities shall be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of the Company or any guarantor and may be released;

 

   

the name and location of the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee under the indenture for such series of notes;

 

   

if the debt securities do not bear interest, the dates on which we will furnish to the applicable trustee the names and addresses of the holders of the debt securities;

 

   

the date as of which any bearer securities and any global security will be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first debt security of a particular series to be issued;

 

   

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts to non-United States holders in respect of any tax assessment or government charge;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities and, in that case, any depositary and global exchange agent for the global security or securities, whether the global form shall be permanent or temporary and, if applicable, the exchange date;

 

   

if debt securities are to be issuable initially in the form of a temporary global security, the circumstances under which the temporary global security can be exchanged for definitive debt securities and whether the definitive debt securities will be registered securities, bearer securities or will be in global form and provisions relating to the payment of interest in respect of any portion of a global security payable in respect of an interest payment date prior to the exchange date;

 

   

whether the debt securities will provide for restrictions on the Company’s ability to declare dividends or require the Company to maintain any asset ratio or to create or maintain reserves;

 

   

any terms relating to the modification of the debt securities or the right of the debt security holders;

 

   

the forms of the debt securities; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities, which terms shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that provides that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series under one or more indentures, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable indenture.

We intend to disclose any restrictive covenants for any issuance or series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary of the material terms of our securities is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities and is qualified in its entirety by our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws. The full text of our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws are incorporated by reference herein. For a complete description of the rights and preferences of our securities, we urge you to read our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Bylaws and the applicable provisions of Delaware law.

Authorized Capital Stock

Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 500,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 450,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

As of December 21, 2021, there were 177,877,280 shares of our common stock outstanding. No shares of preferred stock are outstanding.

Common Stock

Voting Power

Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of preferred stock, under the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of common stock possess all voting power for the election of our directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action (other than matters that relate solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock) and are entitled or will be entitled, as applicable, to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by stockholders.

Dividends

Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, under the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, holders of the common stock are entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) in its discretion out of funds legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up

The Second Amended and Restated Charter provides that subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company, the holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders.

Preemptive or Other Rights

Under the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s stockholders have no preemptive, conversion or other subscription rights and there is no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the common stock.

 

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Number and Election of Directors

Under our Amended and Restated Bylaws, the number of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of the Board. Under the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, there is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, and directors of the Company are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders by holders of common stock.

Preferred Stock

Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our Board is authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our Board is able, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of the our Board to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preferred stock outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control the Company to first negotiate with the board of directors. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging certain takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms and enhance the ability of the Board to maximize stockholder value. However, these provisions may delay, deter or prevent a merger or acquisition of us that a stockholder might consider is in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price of our common stock.

Business Combinations

The Company has opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL; however the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that are substantially similar to Section 203 of the DGCL. These provisions prevent the Company, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with (i) a stockholder who owns fifteen percent (15%) or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”); (ii) an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or (iii) an associate of an interested stockholder, in each case, for three years following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder.

A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger with or caused by an interested stockholder or a sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above provisions do not apply if:

 

   

the Board approves the transaction that made the stockholder an “interested stockholder,” prior to the date of the transaction;

 

   

after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than certain excluded shares of common stock; or

 

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on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at a meeting of our stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.

In addition, our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provide for certain other provisions that may have an anti-takeover effect:

 

   

There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors.

 

   

Our Board is empowered to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death, or removal of a director in certain circumstances.

 

   

Directors may only be removed from the board of directors for cause.

 

   

A prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders.

 

   

A prohibition on stockholders calling a special meeting and the requirement that a meeting of the stockholders may only be called by members of our Board, by our Chief Executive Officer or by our Chairman, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors.

 

   

Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Classified Board

Under the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Board is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class serving a three-year term, except for those directors initially appointed to Class I and Class II. The term of office of the Class II directors will expire at the 2022 annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The term of office of the Class III directors will expire at the 2023 annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The term of office of the Class I directors will expire at the 2024 annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company. So long as the Company’s Board is classified, it would take at least two elections of directors for any individual or group to gain control of the Company’s Board. Accordingly, while the classified board is in effect, these provisions could discourage a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of the Company.

Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations

Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before the annual meeting of the stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will need to be received by the Company secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of the stockholders. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude the stockholders of the Company from bringing matters before our annual meeting of the stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of the stockholders.

 

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Exclusive Forum

The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless the Company consents to the selection of an alternative forum, any (1) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (2) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, stockholder or employee to the Company or its stockholders, (3) action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Amended and Restated Bylaws or (4) action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware. Additionally, the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the United States federal securities laws, including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; however, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such an exclusive forum provision with respect to claims under the Securities Act. Additionally, investors cannot waive the Company’s compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or units. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreements will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Copies of the form of warrant agreement and warrant will be filed as exhibits to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and may be obtained from us upon request. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants, including, where applicable, the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which warrants will be issued;

 

   

the designation, terms and number of securities purchasable upon exercise of warrants;

 

   

the designation and terms of the securities, if any, with which warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

   

the price at which each security purchasable upon exercise of warrants may be purchased;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which that right shall expire;

 

   

the minimum and/or maximum amount of warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and

 

   

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue securities in units, each consisting of two or more types of securities. For example, we might issue units consisting of a combination of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock. If we issue units, the prospectus supplement relating to the units will contain information with regard to each of the securities that is a component of the units. In addition, the prospectus supplement relating to the units will describe the terms of any units we issue, including as applicable:

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which the units may be transferable separately;

 

   

whether we will apply to have the units traded on a securities exchange or securities quotation system;

 

   

a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

 

   

how, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the purchase price paid for the units is to be allocated among the component securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

We may elect to offer depositary shares, each representing a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of shares of preferred stock) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. In the event the Company elects to do so, depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares will be issued to the public.

The shares of any class or series of shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement among the Company, a depositary selected by the Company and the holders of the depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a preferred share represented by such depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the shares of preferred stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights).

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of the related class or series of shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering described in the related prospectus supplement. Copies of the forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be filed as exhibits to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and may be obtained from us upon request. The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CONVERTIBLE NOTES

We initially issued the notes under an indenture, dated as of March 26, 2021 (the “indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “trustee”). A copy of the indenture was filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K on March 26, 2021. See “Incorporation by Reference.”

The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture and does not purport to be complete. This summary is subject to and is qualified by reference to all the provisions of the notes and the indenture, including the definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. We urge you to read these documents because they, and not this description, define the rights of the holders of the notes.

For purposes of this description, references to “we,” “our” and “us” refer only to MP Materials Corp. and not to its subsidiaries.

General

The notes:

 

   

are our general unsecured, senior obligations;

 

   

bear cash interest from March 26, 2021 at an annual rate of 0.25% payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year;

 

   

are subject to redemption at our option, in whole or in part, on or after April 5, 2024 if the last reported sale price of our common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date;

 

   

are subject to repurchase by us at the option of the holders following a fundamental change (as defined below under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”), at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date;

 

   

mature on April 1, 2026, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased;

 

   

were issued in denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000; and

 

   

are represented by one or more registered notes in global form, but in certain limited circumstances may be represented by notes in definitive form. See “—Book-Entry, Settlement and Clearance.”

Subject to satisfaction of certain conditions and during the periods described below, the notes may be converted at an initial conversion rate of 22.5861 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $44.28 per share of common stock). The conversion rate is subject to adjustment if certain events occur.

We will settle conversions of notes by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, as described under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion.” Holders of the notes will not receive any separate cash payment for interest, if any, accrued and unpaid to the conversion date except under the limited circumstances described below.

 

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The indenture does not limit the amount of debt that may be issued by us or our subsidiaries under the indenture or otherwise. The indenture will not contain any financial covenants and will not restrict us from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing our other securities. Other than restrictions described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” and “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” below and except for the provisions set forth under “—Conversion Rights—Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption,” the indenture will not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving us or in the event of a decline in our credit rating as the result of a takeover, recapitalization, highly leveraged transaction or similar restructuring involving us that could adversely affect such holders.

We may, without the consent of the holders, reopen the indenture for the notes and issue additional notes under the indenture with the same terms as the notes offered hereby (other than differences in the issue date, the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of such additional notes) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if any such additional notes are not fungible with the notes initially offered hereby for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number.

The notes are not listed on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system.

Except to the extent the context otherwise requires, we use the term “notes” in this prospectus to refer to each $1,000 principal amount of notes. We use the term “common stock” in this prospectus to refer to our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. References in this prospectus to a “holder” or “holders” of notes that are held through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) are references to owners of beneficial interests in such notes, unless the context otherwise requires. However, we and the trustee will treat the person in whose name the notes are registered (Cede & Co., in the case of notes held through DTC) as the owner of such notes for all purposes. References herein to the “close of business” refer to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, and to the “open of business” refer to 9:00 a.m., New York City time.

Purchase and Cancellation

We will cause all notes surrendered for payment, repurchase (including as described below), redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion, if surrendered to any person other than the trustee (including any of our agents, subsidiaries or affiliates), to be delivered to the trustee for cancellation. All notes delivered to the trustee shall be cancelled promptly by the trustee. Except for notes surrendered for transfer or exchange, no notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any notes cancelled as provided in the indenture.

We may, to the extent permitted by law, and directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such notes are surrendered to us), repurchase notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by us or our subsidiaries or through a private or public tender or exchange offer or through counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives. We will cause any notes so repurchased (other than notes repurchased pursuant to cash-settled swaps or other derivatives) to be surrendered to the trustee for cancellation, and they will no longer be considered “outstanding” under the indenture upon their repurchase.

Payments on the Notes; Paying Agent and Registrar; Transfer and Exchange

We will pay the principal of, and interest on, notes in global form registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global note.

We will pay the principal of any certificated notes at the office or agency designated by us for that purpose. We have initially designated the trustee as our paying agent and registrar and its agency in New York, New York as a place where notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer. We may, however, change

 

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the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the notes, and we may act as paying agent or registrar. Interest on certificated notes will be payable (i) to holders having an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or less, by check mailed to the holders of these notes and (ii) to holders having an aggregate principal amount of more than $5,000,000, either by check mailed to each holder or, upon application by such a holder to the registrar not later than the relevant regular record date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that holder’s account within the United States, which application shall remain in effect until the holder notifies, in writing, the registrar to the contrary.

A holder of notes may transfer or exchange notes at the office of the registrar in accordance with the indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents. No service charge will be imposed by us, the trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but we may require a holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required by law or permitted by the indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption or surrendered for conversion or required repurchase.

The registered holder of a note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.

Interest

The notes will bear cash interest at a rate of 0.25% per year until maturity. Interest on the notes will accrue from March 26, 2021 or from the most recent date on which interest has been paid or duly provided for. Interest is payable semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year.

Interest will be paid to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on March 15 or September 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date (each, a “regular record date”). Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month.

If any interest payment date, the maturity date, any redemption date or any earlier required repurchase date upon a fundamental change of a note falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment will be made on the next succeeding business day and no interest on such payment will accrue in respect of the delay. The term “business day” means, with respect to any note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to interest herein include additional interest, if any, payable pursuant to the registration rights agreement and at our election as the sole remedy relating to the failure to comply with our reporting obligations as described under “—Events of Default.”

Ranking

The notes are our general unsecured obligations that rank senior in right of payment to all of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The notes rank equal in right of payment with all of our liabilities that are not so subordinated. The notes effectively rank junior to any of our senior, secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure secured debt will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after all indebtedness under such secured debt has been repaid in full from such assets. The notes rank structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries (including trade payables but excluding intercompany obligations and liabilities of a type not required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)). There may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all the notes then outstanding.

 

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The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other payments to us is restricted by, among other things, applicable corporate and other laws and regulations as well as agreements to which our subsidiaries may become a party. We may not be able to pay the cash portions of any settlement amount upon conversion of the notes, or to pay cash for the fundamental change repurchase price upon a fundamental change if a holder requires us to repurchase notes as described below.

Optional Redemption

No “sinking fund” is provided for the notes, which means that we are not required to redeem or retire the notes periodically. Prior to April 5, 2024, the notes will not be redeemable. On or after April 5, 2024, we may redeem for cash all or any portion of the notes, at our option, if the last reported sale price of our common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption. In the case of any optional redemption, we will provide not less than 35 nor more than 55 scheduled trading days’ notice before the redemption date to the trustee, the paying agent and each holder of notes, and the redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (unless the redemption date falls after a regular record date but on or prior to the immediately succeeding interest payment date, in which case we will pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to the holder of record as of the close of business on such regular record date, and the redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed). The redemption date must be a business day, and we may not specify a redemption date that falls on or after the 26th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. We will not, and will not be permitted to, send a notice of redemption so long as, as of the date of the notice of redemption, a registration default under the registration rights agreement exists and is continuing and we have failed to file all reports and other materials required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that we were required to file such reports and materials), after giving effect to all applicable grace periods thereunder and other than reports on Form 8-K.

If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding notes, the trustee will select the notes to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $1,000 or multiples thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the trustee considers to be fair and appropriate.

If the trustee selects a portion of the notes for partial redemption and the holder of the notes convert a portion of the same note, the converted portion will be deemed to be from the portion selected for redemption.

In the event of any redemption in part, we will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any note so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any note being redeemed in part.

No notes may be redeemed if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the redemption date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by us in the payment of the redemption price with respect to such notes).

Conversion Rights

General

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, the notes will be convertible only upon satisfaction of one or more of the conditions described under the headings “—Conversion upon Satisfaction of Sale Price Condition,” “—Conversion upon Notice of Redemption,” “—Conversion upon Satisfaction of Trading Price Condition,” and “—Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events.” On or after

 

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January 1, 2026 until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert all or any portion of their notes at the conversion rate at any time irrespective of the foregoing conditions.

The conversion rate will initially be 22.5861 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $44.28 per share of common stock). Upon conversion of a note, we will satisfy our conversion obligation by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, all as set forth below under “—Settlement upon Conversion.” If we satisfy our conversion obligation solely in cash or through payment and delivery, as the case may be, of a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, the amount of cash and shares of common stock, if any, due upon conversion will be based on a daily conversion value (as defined below) calculated on a proportionate basis for each trading day in a 25 trading day observation period (as defined below under “—Settlement upon Conversion”). The trustee will initially act as the conversion agent.

A holder may convert fewer than all of such holder’s notes so long as the notes converted are a multiple of $1,000 principal amount.

If we call notes for redemption, a holder of notes may convert all or any portion of its notes only until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date unless we fail to pay the redemption price (in which case a holder of notes may convert such notes until the redemption price has been paid or duly provided for).

Upon conversion, the holders of the notes will not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest, if any, except as described below. We will not issue fractional shares of our common stock upon conversion of notes. Instead, we will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share as described under “—Settlement upon Conversion.” Our payment and delivery, as the case may be, to the holders of the notes of the cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof, as the case may be, into which a note is convertible will be deemed to satisfy in full our obligation to pay:

 

   

the principal amount of the note; and

 

   

accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant conversion date.

As a result, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant conversion date will be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Upon a conversion of notes into a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, accrued and unpaid interest will be deemed to be paid first out of the cash paid upon such conversion.

Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, if notes are converted after the close of business on a regular record date for the payment of interest, holders of such notes at the close of business on such regular record date will receive the full amount of interest payable on such notes on the corresponding interest payment date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any regular record date to the open of business on the immediately following interest payment date must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the notes so converted; provided that no such payment need be made:

 

   

for conversions following the regular record date immediately preceding the maturity date;

 

   

if we have specified a redemption date that is after a regular record date and on or prior to the business day immediately following the corresponding interest payment date;

 

   

if we have specified a fundamental change repurchase date that is after a regular record date and on or prior to the business day immediately following the corresponding interest payment date; or

 

   

to the extent of any overdue interest, if any overdue interest exists at the time of conversion with respect to such note.

 

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Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, all record holders on the regular record date immediately preceding the maturity date will receive the full interest payment due on the maturity date in cash regardless of whether their notes have been converted following such regular record date.

If a holder converts notes, we will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on any issuance of any shares of our common stock upon the conversion, unless the tax is due because the holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the holder’s name, in which case the holder will pay that tax.

Holders may surrender their notes for conversion under the following circumstances:

Conversion upon Satisfaction of Sale Price Condition

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, a holder may surrender all or any portion of its notes for conversion at any time during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2021 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day. If the sale price condition has been met, we will so notify the holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee).

The “last reported sale price” of our common stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (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 ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is traded. If our common stock is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the “last reported sale price” will be the last quoted bid price for our common stock in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If our common stock is not so quoted, the “last reported sale price” will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for our common stock on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by us for this purpose.

“Trading day” means a day on which (i) trading in our common stock (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) generally occurs on The New York Stock Exchange or, if our common stock (or such other security) is not then listed on The New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock (or such other security) is then listed or, if our common stock (or such other security) is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock (or such other security) is then traded, and (ii) a last reported sale price for our common stock (or closing sale price for such other security) is available on such securities exchange or market. If our common stock (or such other security) is not so listed or traded, “trading day” means a “business day.”

Conversion upon Satisfaction of Trading Price Condition

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, a holder of notes may surrender all or any portion of its notes for conversion at any time during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the “trading price” per $1,000 principal amount of notes, as determined following a request by a holder of notes in accordance with the procedures described below, for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day.

 

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The “trading price” of the notes on any date of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations obtained by the bid solicitation agent for $5,000,000 principal amount of notes at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date from three independent nationally recognized securities dealers we select for this purpose; provided that if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the bid solicitation agent 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 bid solicitation agent, that one bid shall be used. If the bid solicitation agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $5,000,000 principal amount of notes from a nationally recognized securities dealer, then the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate. If (x) we are not acting as bid solicitation agent, and we do not, when we are required to, instruct the bid solicitation agent to obtain bids, or if we give such instruction to the bid solicitation agent, and the bid solicitation agent fails to make such determination, or (y) we are acting as bid solicitation agent and we fail to make such determination, then, in either case, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each trading day of such failure.

The bid solicitation agent (if other than us) shall have no obligation to determine the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes unless we have requested such determination; and we shall have no obligation to make such request (or, if we are acting as bid solicitation agent, we shall have no obligation to determine the trading price) unless a holder of a note provides us with reasonable evidence that the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes would be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate. At such time, we shall instruct the bid solicitation agent (if other than us) to determine, or if we are acting as bid solicitation agent, we shall determine, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes beginning on the next trading day and on each successive trading day until the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate. If the trading price condition has been met, we will so notify the holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee). If, at any time after the trading price condition has been met, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate for such date, we will so notify the holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee).

Conversion upon Notice of Redemption

If we call any or all of the notes for redemption prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, holders may convert all or any portion of their notes at any time prior to the close of business on the scheduled trading day prior to the redemption date, even if the notes are not otherwise convertible at such time. After that time, the right to convert such notes on account of our delivery of such notice of redemption will expire, unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, in which case a holder of notes may convert all or any portion of its notes until the redemption price has been paid or duly provided for.

Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events

Certain Distributions

If, prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, we elect to:

 

   

issue to all or substantially all holders of our common stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance; or

 

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distribute to all or substantially all holders of our common stock our assets, securities or rights to purchase our securities, which distribution has a per share value, as reasonably determined by our board of directors or a committee thereof, exceeding 10% of the last reported sale price of our common stock on the trading day preceding the date of announcement for such distribution,

then, in either case, we must notify the holders of the notes at least 35 scheduled trading days prior to the ex-dividend date for such issuance or distribution. Once we have given such notice, holders may surrender all or any portion of their notes for conversion at any time until the earlier of the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such issuance or distribution and our announcement that such issuance or distribution will not take place, even if the notes are not otherwise convertible at such time.

Certain Corporate Events

If a transaction or event that constitutes a “fundamental change” (as defined under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”) or a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined under “—Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption”) occurs prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, regardless of whether a holder has the right to require us to repurchase the notes as described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes,” or if we are a party to a consolidation, merger, binding share exchange, or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our assets that occurs prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026, in each case, pursuant to which our common stock would be converted into cash, securities or other assets, all or any portion of a holder’s notes may be surrendered for conversion at any time from or after the date that is 35 scheduled trading days prior to the anticipated effective date of the transaction (or, if later, the earlier of (x) the business day after we give notice of such transaction and (y) the actual effective date of such transaction) until 35 trading days after the actual effective date of such transaction or, if such transaction also constitutes a fundamental change, until the related fundamental change repurchase date. We will notify holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) (i) as promptly as practicable following the date we publicly announce such transaction but in no event less than 35 scheduled trading days prior to the anticipated effective date of such transaction; or (ii) if we do not have knowledge of such transaction at least 35 scheduled trading days prior to the anticipated effective date of such transaction, within one business day of the date upon which we receive notice, or otherwise become aware, of such transaction, but in no event later than the actual effective date of such transaction.

Conversions on or After January 1, 2026

On or after January 1, 2026, a holder may convert all or any portion of its notes at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date regardless of the foregoing conditions.

Conversion Procedures

If you hold a beneficial interest in a global note, to convert you must comply with DTC’s procedures for converting a beneficial interest in a global note and, if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next interest payment date to which you are not entitled. As such, if you are a beneficial owner of the notes, you must allow for sufficient time to comply with DTC’s procedures if you wish to exercise your conversion rights.

If you hold a certificated note, to convert you must:

 

   

complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of the note, or a facsimile of the conversion notice;

 

   

deliver the conversion notice, which is irrevocable, and the note to the conversion agent;

 

   

if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and

 

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if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next interest payment date to which you are not entitled.

We will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax on the issuance of any shares of our common stock upon conversion of the notes, unless the tax is due because the holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the holder’s name, in which case the holder will pay the tax.

We refer to the date you comply with the relevant procedures for conversion described above as the “conversion date.”

If a holder has already delivered a repurchase notice as described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” with respect to a note, the holder may not surrender that note for conversion until the holder has withdrawn the repurchase notice in accordance with the relevant provisions of the indenture. If a holder submits its notes for required repurchase, the holder’s right to withdraw the repurchase notice and convert the notes that are subject to repurchase will terminate at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the relevant fundamental change repurchase date.

Settlement upon Conversion

Upon conversion, we may choose to pay or deliver, as the case may be, either cash (“cash settlement”), shares of our common stock (“physical settlement”) or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock (“combination settlement”), as described below. We refer to each of these settlement methods as a “settlement method.”

All conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs after our issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to the notes and prior to the related redemption date, and all conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs on or after January 1, 2026 will be settled using the same settlement method. Except for any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs after our issuance of a notice of redemption but prior to the related redemption date, and any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs on or after January 1, 2026, we will use the same settlement method for all conversions with the same conversion date, but we will not have any obligation to use the same settlement method with respect to conversions with different conversion dates. That is, we may choose for notes converted on one conversion date to settle conversions in physical settlement, and choose for notes converted on another conversion date cash settlement or combination settlement.

If we elect a settlement method, we will inform holders so converting through the trustee of the settlement method we have selected no later than the close of business on the trading day immediately following the related conversion date (or in the case of any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs (i) after the date of issuance of a notice of redemption as described under “—Optional Redemption” and prior to the related redemption date, in such notice of redemption or (ii) on or after January 1, 2026, no later than January 1, 2026). If we do not timely elect a settlement method, we will no longer have the right to elect cash settlement or physical settlement and we will be deemed to have elected combination settlement in respect of our conversion obligation, as described below, and the specified dollar amount (as defined below) per $1,000 principal amount of notes will be equal to $1,000. If we elect combination settlement, but we do not timely notify converting holders of the specified dollar amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes, such specified dollar amount will be deemed to be $1,000.

Settlement amounts will be computed as follows:

 

   

if we elect physical settlement, we will deliver to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate;

 

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if we elect cash settlement, we will pay to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted cash in an amount equal to the sum of the daily conversion values for each of the 25 consecutive trading days during the related observation period; and

 

   

if we elect (or are deemed to have elected) combination settlement, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted a “settlement amount” equal to the sum of the daily settlement amounts for each of the 25 consecutive trading days during the related observation period.

The “daily settlement amount,” for each of the 25 consecutive trading days during the observation period, shall consist of:

 

   

cash equal to the lesser of (i) the maximum cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes to be received upon conversion as specified in the notice specifying our chosen settlement method (the “specified dollar amount”), if any, divided by 25 (such quotient, the “daily measurement value”) and (ii) the daily conversion value; and

 

   

if the daily conversion value exceeds the daily measurement value, a number of shares equal to (i) the difference between the daily conversion value and the daily measurement value, divided by (ii) the daily VWAP for such trading day.

The “daily conversion value” means, for each of the 25 consecutive trading days during the observation period, 4.0% of the product of (1) the conversion rate on such trading day and (2) the daily VWAP for such trading day.

The “daily VWAP” means, for each of the 25 consecutive trading days during the relevant observation period, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “MP <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such trading day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of our common stock on such trading day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by us). The “daily VWAP” will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.

The “observation period” with respect to any note surrendered for conversion means:

 

   

subject to the immediately succeeding bullet, if the relevant conversion date occurs prior to January 1, 2026, the 25 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the second trading day immediately succeeding such conversion date;

 

   

if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after the date of our issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to the notes as described under “—Optional Redemption” and prior to the relevant redemption date, the 25 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 26th scheduled trading day immediately preceding such redemption date; and

 

   

if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after January 1, 2026, the 25 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 26th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date.

For the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion only, “trading day” means a day on which (i) there is no “market disruption event” (as defined below) and (ii) trading in our common stock generally occurs on The New York Stock Exchange or, if our common stock is not then listed on The New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is then listed or, if our common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock is then listed or admitted for trading. If our common stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “trading day” means a “business day.”

 

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“Scheduled trading day” means a day that is scheduled to be a trading day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which our common stock is listed or admitted for trading. If our common stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “scheduled trading day” means a “business day.”

For the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion, “market disruption event” means (i) a failure by the primary U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which our common stock is listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any scheduled trading day for our common stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in our common stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to our common stock.

Except as described under “—Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption” and “—Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of our Common Stock,” we will deliver the consideration due in respect of conversion on the second business day immediately following the relevant conversion date, if we elect physical settlement, or on the second business day immediately following the last trading day of the relevant observation period, in the case of any other settlement method.

We will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share of common stock issuable upon conversion based on the daily VWAP for the relevant conversion date (in the case of physical settlement) or based on the daily VWAP for the last trading day of the relevant observation period (in the case of combination settlement).

Each conversion will be deemed to have been effected as to any notes surrendered for conversion on the conversion date; provided, however, that the person in whose name any shares of our common stock shall be issuable upon such conversion will become the holder of record of such shares as of the close of business on the conversion date (in the case of physical settlement) or the last trading day of the relevant observation period (in the case of combination settlement).

Irrevocable Election of Net Share Settlement at Our Option

By notice to holders of the notes, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee), we may, prior to January 1, 2026, at our option, irrevocably elect to satisfy our conversion obligation with respect to the notes through any settlement method that we are then permitted to elect for all conversion dates occurring subsequent to delivery of such notice. Concurrently with providing notice to all holders of notes, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) of an election to irrevocably fix the settlement method, we will promptly issue a report on Form 8-K or press release announcing that we have elected to irrevocably fix the settlement method. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such irrevocable election will affect any settlement method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any note pursuant to the provisions described above under “—Settlement upon Conversion” section. For the avoidance of doubt, such an irrevocable election, if made, will be effective without the need to amend the indenture or the notes, including pursuant to the provisions described in clause (7) of the second paragraph under the caption “— Modification and Amendment” below. However, we may nonetheless choose to execute such an amendment at our option.

Conversion Rate Adjustments

The conversion rate will be adjusted as described below, except that we will not make any adjustments to the conversion rate if holders of the notes participate (other than in the case of (x) a share split or share combination or (y) a tender or exchange offer), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of our common stock and solely as a result of holding the notes, in any of the transactions described below without having to convert their notes as if they held a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of notes held by such holder.

 

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(1)

If we exclusively issue shares of our common stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of our common stock, or if we effect a share split or share combination, the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

  CR1 = CR0 ×  

OS1

  
    OS0   

where,

 

CR0   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the effective date of such share split or share combination, as applicable;
CR1   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date;
OS0   =   the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date (before giving effect to any such dividend, distribution, split or combination); and
OS1   =   the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination.

Any adjustment made under this clause (1) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the effective date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this clause (1) is declared but not so paid or made, the conversion rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date our board of directors or a committee thereof determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

 

(2)

If we issue to all or substantially all holders of our common stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

  CR1 = CR0 ×  

OS0 + X

  
    OS0 + Y   

where,

 

CR0   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such issuance;
CR1   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date;
OS0   =   the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such ex-dividend date;
X   =   the total number of shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and
Y   =   the number of shares of our common stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants.

 

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Any increase made under this clause (2) will be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of common stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the conversion rate shall be decreased to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of common stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the conversion rate shall be decreased to the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such ex-dividend date for such issuance had not occurred.

For the purpose of this clause (2), and for the purpose of the first bullet point under “—Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events—Certain Distributions,” in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of the common stock at less than such average of the last reported sale prices for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of common stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by us for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by our board of directors or a committee thereof.

 

(3)

If we distribute shares of our capital stock, evidences of our indebtedness, other assets or property of ours or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, excluding:

 

   

dividends, distributions or issuances as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above;

 

   

dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which the provisions set forth in clause (4) below shall apply;

 

   

payments in respect of tender or exchange offers as to which adjustment was effected pursuant to clause (5) below;

 

   

distributions of reference property upon conversion of, or in exchange for, our common stock in a transaction described in “—Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of Our Common Stock;” and

 

   

spin-offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this clause (3) shall apply;

then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

  CR1 = CR0 ×  

SP0

  
    SP0 – FMV   

where,

 

CR0   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution;
CR1   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date;
SP0   =   the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such distribution; and
FMV   =   the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors or a committee thereof) of the shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants distributed with respect to each outstanding share of our common stock on the ex-dividend date for such distribution.

 

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Any increase made under the portion of this clause (3) above will become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the conversion rate shall be decreased to be the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each holder of a note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of our common stock, the amount and kind of our capital stock, evidences of our indebtedness, other assets or property of ours or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities that such holder would have received if such holder owned a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on the ex-dividend date for the distribution.

With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this clause (3) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on our common stock of shares of capital stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a subsidiary or other business unit, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange, which we refer to as a “spin-off,” the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

  CR1 = CR0 ×  

FMV0 + MP0

  
    MP0   

where,

 

CR0   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the end of the valuation period (as defined below);
CR1   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately after the end of the valuation period;
FMV0   =   the average of the last reported sale prices of the capital stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of our common stock applicable to one share of our common stock (determined by reference to the definition of last reported sale price set forth under “—Conversion upon Satisfaction of Sale Price Condition” as if references therein to our common stock were to such capital stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive trading day period after, and including, the ex-dividend date of the spin-off (the “valuation period”); and
MP0   =   the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the valuation period.

The increase to the conversion rate under the preceding paragraph will occur at the close of business on the last trading day of the valuation period; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of notes for which physical settlement is applicable, if the relevant conversion date occurs during the valuation period, the reference to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off to, and including, such conversion date in determining the conversion rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of notes for which cash settlement or combination settlement is applicable, for any trading day that falls within the relevant observation period for such conversion and within the valuation period, the reference to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off to, and including, such trading day in determining the conversion rate as of such trading day.

 

(4)

If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

  CR1 = CR0 ×  

SP0

  
    SP0 – C   

 

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where,

 

CR0   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution;
CR1   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution;
SP0   =   the last reported sale price of our common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution; and
C   =   the amount in cash per share we distribute to all or substantially all holders of our common stock.

Any increase made under this clause (4) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the conversion rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date our board of directors or a committee thereof determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to be the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each holder of a note shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of notes, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of shares of our common stock, the amount of cash that such holder would have received if such holder owned a number of shares of our common stock equal to the conversion rate on the ex-dividend date for such cash dividend or distribution.

 

(5)

If we or any of our subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for our common stock, to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of common stock exceeds the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period commencing on, and including, the trading day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

  CR1 = CR0 x  

AC + (SP1 x OS1)

  
    OS0 x SP1   

where,

 

CR0   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires;
CR1   =   the conversion rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires;
AC   =   the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by our board of directors or a committee thereof) paid or payable for shares purchased in such tender or exchange offer;
OS0   =   the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer);
OS1   =   the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and
SP1   =   the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period commencing on, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires.

 

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The increase to the conversion rate under the preceding paragraph will occur at the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of notes for which physical settlement is applicable, if the relevant conversion date occurs during the 10 trading days immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such conversion date in determining the conversion rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of notes for which cash settlement or combination settlement is applicable, for any trading day that falls within the relevant observation period for such conversion and within the 10 trading days immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such trading day in determining the conversion rate as of such trading day.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a conversion rate adjustment becomes effective on any ex-dividend date as described above, and a holder that has converted its notes on or after such ex-dividend date and on or prior to the related record date would be treated as the record holder of shares of our common stock as of the related conversion date as described under “—Settlement upon Conversion” based on an adjusted conversion rate for such ex-dividend date, then, notwithstanding the foregoing conversion rate adjustment provisions, the conversion rate adjustment relating to such ex-dividend date will not be made for such converting holder. Instead, such holder will be treated as if such holder were the record owner of the shares of our common stock on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.

Except as stated herein, we will not adjust the conversion rate for the issuance of shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock or the right to purchase shares of our common stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.

As used in this section, “ex-dividend date” means the first date on which the shares of our common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from us or, if applicable, from the seller of our common stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market, and “effective date” means the first date on which the shares of our common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.

As used in this section, “record date” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of our common stock (or other applicable security) have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which our common stock (or such other security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of our common stock (or such other security) entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, statute, contract or otherwise).

We are permitted to increase the conversion rate of the notes by any amount for a period of at least 20 business days if our board of directors or a committee thereof determines that such increase would be in our best interest. We may also (but are not required to) increase the conversion rate to avoid or diminish income tax to holders of our common stock or rights to purchase shares of our common stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares (or rights to acquire shares) or similar event.

A holder may, in some circumstances, including a distribution of cash dividends to holders of our shares of common stock, be deemed to have received a distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a result of an adjustment or the nonoccurrence of an adjustment to the conversion rate. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an adjustment to the conversion rate, see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

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If we have a rights plan in effect upon conversion of the notes into common stock, you will receive, in addition to any shares of common stock received in connection with such conversion, the rights under the rights plan. However, if, prior to any conversion, the rights have separated from the shares of common stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable rights plan, the conversion rate will be adjusted at the time of separation as if we distributed to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, shares of our capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants as described in clause (3) above, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the conversion rate will not be adjusted:

 

   

upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on our securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of our common stock under any plan;

 

   

upon the issuance of any shares of our 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 or assumed by us or any of our subsidiaries;

 

   

upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in the preceding bullet and outstanding as of the date the notes were first issued;

 

   

solely for a change in the par value of the common stock; or

 

   

for accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

Adjustments to the conversion rate will be calculated to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share.

Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of our Common Stock

In the case of:

 

   

any recapitalization, reclassification or change of our common stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination),

 

   

any consolidation, merger or combination involving us,

 

   

any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of ours and our subsidiaries substantially as an entirety, or

 

   

any statutory share exchange,

in each case, as a result of which our common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof), then, at and after the effective time of the transaction, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes will be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate immediately prior to such transaction would have owned or been entitled to receive (the “reference property”) upon such transaction. However, at and after the effective time of the transaction, (i) we will continue to have the right to determine the form of consideration to be paid or delivered, as the case may be, upon conversion of notes, as set forth under “—Settlement upon Conversion” and (ii)(x) any amount payable in cash upon conversion of the notes as set forth under “—Settlement upon Conversion” will continue to be payable in cash, (y) any shares of our common stock that we would have been required to deliver upon conversion of the notes as set forth under “—Settlement upon Conversion” will instead be deliverable in the amount and type of reference property that a holder of that number of shares of our common stock would have received in such transaction and (z) the daily VWAP will be calculated based on the value of a unit of reference property that a holder of one share of our common stock would have received in such transaction. If the

 

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transaction causes our common stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), the reference property into which the notes will be convertible will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of our common stock. If the holders of our common stock receive only cash in such transaction, then for all conversions that occur after the effective date of such transaction (i) the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the conversion rate in effect on the conversion date (as may be increased as described under “—Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption”), multiplied by the price paid per share of common stock in such transaction and (ii) we will satisfy our conversion obligation by paying cash to converting holders on the second business day immediately following the conversion date. We will notify holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) of the weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made.

The supplemental indenture providing that the notes will be convertible into reference property will also provide for anti-dilution and other adjustments that are as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments described under “—Conversion Rate Adjustments” above. If the reference property in respect of any such transaction includes shares of stock, securities or other property or assets of a company other than us or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such transaction, such other company will also execute such supplemental indenture, and such supplemental indenture will contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the holders, including the right of holders to require us to repurchase their notes upon a fundamental change as described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” below, as the board of directors reasonably considers necessary by reason of the foregoing. We will agree in the indenture not to become a party to any such transaction unless its terms are consistent with the foregoing.

Adjustments of Prices

Whenever any provision of the indenture requires us to calculate the last reported sale prices, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values or the daily settlement amounts over a span of multiple days (including, without limitation, an observation period and the period, if any, for determining “stock price” for purposes of a make-whole fundamental change or notice of redemption), we will make appropriate adjustments to each to account for any adjustment to the conversion rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the conversion rate where the ex-dividend date, effective date or expiration date of the event occurs, at any time during the period when the last reported sale prices, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values or the daily settlement amounts are to be calculated.

Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption

If (i) the “effective date” (as defined below) of a “fundamental change” (as defined below and determined after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition, but without regard to the proviso in clause (2) of the definition thereof, a “make-whole fundamental change”) occurs prior to the maturity date of the notes or (ii) we give a notice of redemption with respect to any or all of the notes as provided for under —Optional Redemption and, in each case, a holder elects to convert its notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change or notice of redemption, as the case may be, we will, under certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for the notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of common stock (the “additional shares”), as described below. A conversion of notes will be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” such make-whole fundamental change if the relevant notice of conversion of the notes is received by the conversion agent from, and including, the effective date of the make-whole fundamental change up to, and including, the business day immediately prior to the related fundamental change repurchase date (or, in the case of a make-whole fundamental change that would have been a fundamental change but for the proviso in clause (2) of the definition thereof, the 35th trading day immediately following the effective date of such make-whole fundamental change) (such period, the “make-whole fundamental change period”). A conversion of notes

 

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will be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” a notice of redemption if the notice of conversion of the notes is received by the conversion agent from, and including, the date of the notice of redemption until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date.

Upon surrender of notes for conversion in connection with a make-whole fundamental change or notice of redemption, we will, at our option, satisfy our conversion obligation by physical settlement, cash settlement or combination settlement, as described under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion.” However, if the consideration for our common stock in any make-whole fundamental change described in clause (2) of the definition of fundamental change is composed entirely of cash, for any conversion of notes following the effective date of such make-whole fundamental change, the conversion obligation will be calculated based solely on the “stock price” (as defined below) for the transaction and will be deemed to be an amount of cash per $1,000 principal amount of converted notes equal to the conversion rate (including any increase to reflect the additional shares as described in this section), multiplied by such stock price. In such event, the conversion obligation will be determined and paid to holders in cash on the second business day following the conversion date. We will notify holders of the effective date of any make-whole fundamental change and issue a press release announcing such effective date no later than five business days after such effective date.

The number of additional shares, if any, by which the conversion rate will be increased will be determined by reference to the table below, based on the date on which the make-whole fundamental change occurs or becomes effective or the date of the notice of redemption, as the case may be (in each case, the “effective date”) and the price (the “stock price”) paid (or deemed to be paid) per share of our common stock in the make-whole fundamental change or with respect to the redemption, as the case may be. If the holders of our common stock receive in exchange for their common stock only cash in a make-whole fundamental change described in clause (2) of the definition of fundamental change, the stock price will be the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise, the stock price will be the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the five trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the effective date of the make-whole fundamental change or the date of the notice of redemption, as the case may be.

The stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table below will be adjusted as of any date on which the conversion rate of the notes is otherwise adjusted. The adjusted stock prices will equal the stock prices immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the conversion rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to the stock price adjustment and the denominator of which is the conversion rate as so adjusted. The number of additional shares as set forth in the table below will be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the conversion rate as set forth under “—Conversion Rate Adjustments.”

The following table sets forth the number of additional shares by which the conversion rate will be increased per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each stock price and effective date set forth below:

 

    Stock Price  

Effective Date

  $ 35.00     $ 40.00     $ 44.28     $ 45.00     $ 50.00     $ 55.00     $ 57.56     $ 60.00     $ 70.00     $ 80.00     $ 90.00     $ 100.00     $ 110.00     $ 125.00  

March 26, 2021

    5.9853       4.2688       3.2258       3.0791       2.2356       1.6269       1.3820       1.1817       0.6089       0.2919       0.1198       0.0341       0.0022       0.0000  

April 1, 2022

    5.9853       4.2345       3.1500       2.9987       2.1346       1.5207       1.2769       1.0795       0.5267       0.2339       0.0841       0.0170       0.0000       0.0000  

April 1, 2023

    5.9853       4.1175       2.9880       2.8320       1.9528       1.3438       1.1070       0.9180       0.4076       0.1568       0.0421       0.0024       0.0000       0.0000  

April 1, 2024

    5.9853       3.9025       2.7118       2.5504       1.6608       1.0722       0.8523       0.6815       0.2514       0.0698       0.0067       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000  

April 1, 2025

    5.9853       3.4905       2.1953       2.0271       1.1492       0.6336       0.4602       0.3350       0.0714       0.0030       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000  

April 1, 2026

    5.9853       2.4140       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000       0.0000  

The exact stock prices and effective dates may not be set forth in the table above, in which case

 

   

If the stock price is between two stock prices in the table or the effective date is between two effective dates in the table, the number of additional shares by which the conversion rate will be increased will be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of additional shares set forth for the higher and lower stock prices and the earlier and later effective dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year.

 

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If the stock price is greater than $125.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate.

 

   

If the stock price is less than $35.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the conversion rate per $1,000 principal amount of notes exceed 28.5714 shares of common stock, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the conversion rate as set forth under “—Conversion Rate Adjustments.”

Our obligation to increase the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with a make-whole fundamental change or a notice of redemption, as the case may be, could be considered a penalty, in which case the enforceability thereof would be subject to general principles of reasonableness and equitable remedies.

Exchange in Lieu of Conversion

When a holder surrenders its notes for conversion, we may, at our election (an “exchange election”), direct the conversion agent to deliver, on or prior to the trading day immediately following the conversion date, such notes to one or more financial institutions designated by us for exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any notes surrendered for conversion, the designated financial institution(s) must agree to timely pay or deliver, as the case may be, in exchange for such notes, cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, that would otherwise be due upon conversion as described above under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion” (the “conversion consideration”). If we make an exchange election, we will, by the close of business on the trading day immediately following the relevant conversion date, notify in writing the trustee, the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) and the holder surrendering its notes for conversion that we have made the exchange election, and we will notify the designated financial institution(s) of the relevant deadline for delivery of the consideration due upon conversion and the type of conversion consideration to be paid and/or delivered, as the case may be.

Any notes delivered to the designated financial institution(s) will remain outstanding, subject to applicable DTC procedures. If the financial institution(s) agree(s) to accept any notes for exchange but does not timely pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the related conversion consideration, or if such designated financial institution does not accept the notes for exchange, we will pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the relevant conversion consideration, as, and at the time, required pursuant to the indenture as if we had not made the exchange election.

Our designation of any financial institution(s) to which the notes may be submitted for exchange does not require such financial institution(s) to accept any notes.

Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes

If a “fundamental change” (as defined below in this section) occurs at any time, holders will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash all of their notes, or any portion of the principal thereof that is equal to $1,000 or a multiple of $1,000. The fundamental change repurchase date will be a date specified by us that is not less than 20 or more than 35 calendar days following the date of our fundamental change notice as described below.

The fundamental change repurchase price we are required to pay will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date (unless the fundamental change repurchase date falls after a regular record date but on or prior to the interest payment date to which such regular record date relates, in which case we will instead pay the

 

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full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to the holder of record on such regular record date, and the fundamental change repurchase price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased).

A “fundamental change” will be deemed to have occurred at the time after the notes are originally issued if any of the following occurs:

(1) a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than us, our wholly owned subsidiaries and our and their employee benefit plans, has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of our common stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of our common stock;

(2) the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of our common stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which our common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of us pursuant to which our common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person other than one of our wholly owned subsidiaries; provided, however, that a transaction described in clause (B) in which the holders of all classes of our common equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of common equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction shall not be a fundamental change pursuant to this clause (2);

(3) our stockholders approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of us; or

(4) our common stock (or other common stock underlying the notes) ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors).

A transaction or transactions described in clause (1) or clause (2) above will not constitute a fundamental change, however, if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by our common stockholders, excluding cash payments for fractional shares, in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of shares of common stock that are listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and as a result of such transaction or transactions the notes become convertible into such consideration, excluding cash payments for fractional shares (subject to the provisions set forth above under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion”).

If any transaction in which our common stock is replaced by the securities of another entity occurs, following completion of any related make-whole fundamental change period (or, in the case of a transaction that would have been a fundamental change or a make-whole fundamental change but for the immediately preceding paragraph, following the effective date of such transaction), references to us in the definition of “fundamental change” above shall instead be references to such other entity.

For purposes of the definition of “fundamental change” above, any transaction or event described in both clause (1) and in clause (2) above (without regard to the proviso in clause (2)) will be deemed to occur solely pursuant to clause (2) above (subject to such proviso).

On or before the 20th day after the occurrence of a fundamental change, we will provide to all holders of the notes and the trustee and paying agent a notice of the occurrence of the fundamental change and of the resulting repurchase right. Such notice shall state, among other things:

 

   

the events causing a fundamental change;

 

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the date of the fundamental change;

 

   

the last date on which a holder may exercise the repurchase right;

 

   

the fundamental change repurchase price;

 

   

the fundamental change repurchase date;

 

   

the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent, if applicable;

 

   

if applicable, the conversion rate and any adjustments to the conversion rate;

 

   

that the notes with respect to which a fundamental change repurchase notice has been delivered by a holder may be converted only if the holder withdraws the fundamental change repurchase notice in accordance with the terms of the indenture; and

 

   

the procedures that holders must follow to require us to repurchase their notes.

Simultaneously with providing such notice, we will publish a notice containing this information in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York or publish the information on our website or through such other public medium as we may use at that time.

To exercise the fundamental change repurchase right, you must deliver, on or before the business day immediately preceding the fundamental change repurchase date, the notes to be repurchased, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written repurchase notice, to the paying agent. Each repurchase notice must state:

 

   

if certificated, the certificate numbers of your notes to be delivered for repurchase;

 

   

the portion of the principal amount of notes to be repurchased, which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; and

 

   

that the notes are to be repurchased by us pursuant to the applicable provisions of the notes and the indenture.

If the notes are not in certificated form, such repurchase notice must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.

Holders may withdraw any repurchase notice (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the paying agent prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the fundamental change repurchase date. The notice of withdrawal shall state:

 

   

the principal amount of the withdrawn notes;

 

   

if certificated notes have been issued, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn notes; and

 

   

the principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the repurchase notice, which must be in minimum denominations of $1,000 or a multiple in excess thereof.

If the notes are not in certificated form, such notice of withdrawal must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.

We will be required to repurchase the notes on the fundamental change repurchase date. Holders who have exercised the repurchase right will receive payment of the fundamental change repurchase price on the later of (i) the fundamental change repurchase date and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of the notes. If the paying agent holds money sufficient to pay the fundamental change repurchase price of the notes on the fundamental change repurchase date, then, with respect to the notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase and have not been validly withdrawn:

 

   

the notes will cease to be outstanding and interest will cease to accrue (whether or not book-entry transfer of the notes is made or whether or not the notes are delivered to the paying agent); and

 

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all other rights of the holder will terminate (other than the right to receive the fundamental change repurchase price).

In connection with any repurchase offer pursuant to a fundamental change repurchase notice, we will, if required:

 

   

comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable;

 

   

file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act; and

 

   

otherwise comply with all federal and state securities laws in connection with any offer by us to repurchase the notes;

in each case, so as to permit the rights and obligations under this “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in the indenture.

No notes may be repurchased on any date at the option of holders upon a fundamental change if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by us in the payment of the fundamental change repurchase price with respect to such notes).

The repurchase rights of the holders could discourage a potential acquirer of us. The fundamental change repurchase feature, however, is not the result of management’s knowledge of any specific effort to obtain control of us by any means or part of a plan by management to adopt a series of anti-takeover provisions.

The term fundamental change is limited to specified transactions and may not include other events that might adversely affect our financial condition. In addition, the requirement that we offer to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change may not protect holders in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, merger or similar transaction involving us.

The definition of fundamental change includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease or other transfer of “all or substantially all” of our consolidated assets. There is no precise, established definition of the phrase “substantially all” under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of the notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of the sale, lease or other transfer of less than all of our assets may be uncertain.

If a fundamental change were to occur, we may not have enough funds to pay the fundamental change repurchase price. Our ability to repurchase the notes for cash may be limited by restrictions on our ability to obtain funds for such repurchase through dividends from our subsidiaries, the terms of our then existing borrowing arrangements or otherwise. If we fail to repurchase the notes when required following a fundamental change, we will be in default under the indenture. In addition, we have, and may in the future incur, other indebtedness with similar change in control provisions permitting our holders to accelerate or to require us to repurchase our indebtedness upon the occurrence of similar events or on some specific dates.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

The indenture provides that we shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, another person, unless (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not us) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such corporation (if not us) expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the notes, the indenture and the registration rights agreement; and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture. Upon any such consolidation, merger or sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the

 

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resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not us) shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, ours under the indenture and the registration rights agreement, and we shall be discharged from our obligations under the notes, the indenture and the registration rights agreement except in the case of any such lease.

Although these types of transactions will be permitted under the indenture, certain of the foregoing transactions could constitute a fundamental change permitting each holder to require us to repurchase the notes of such holder as described above.

Events of Default

Each of the following is an event of default with respect to the notes:

 

  (1)

default in any payment of interest on any note when due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

  (2)

default in the payment of principal of any note when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

 

  (3)

our failure to comply with our obligation to convert the notes in accordance with the indenture upon exercise of a holder’s conversion right;

 

  (4)

our failure to give a fundamental change notice as described under “—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes,” notice of a make-whole fundamental change as described under “—Increase in Conversion Rate upon Conversion upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption,” or notice of a specified corporate transaction as described under “—Conversion Rights—Conversion upon Specified Corporate Events,” in each case when due;

 

  (5)

our failure to comply with our obligations under “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

  (6)

our failure for 60 days after written notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the notes then outstanding has been received to comply with any of our other agreements contained in the notes or indenture;

 

  (7)

default by us or any of our subsidiaries with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $50 million (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of us and/or any such subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal or interest of any such debt when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

 

  (8)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of us or any of our significant subsidiaries, as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X; or

 

  (9)

a final judgment or judgments for the payment of $50 million (or its foreign currency equivalent) or more (excluding any amounts covered by insurance) in the aggregate rendered against us or any of our subsidiaries, which judgment is not discharged, bonded, paid, waived or stayed within 60 days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal thereof has expired if no such appeal has commenced, or (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee by notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes by notice to us and the trustee, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the notes to be due and payable. In case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, involving us or a significant subsidiary, 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the notes will automatically become due and payable. Upon such a declaration of acceleration, such principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be due and payable immediately.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indenture provides that, to the extent we elect, the sole remedy for an event of default under the indenture relating to our failure to comply with our obligations as set forth under “—Reports” below, will, for the first 270 days after the occurrence of such an event of default, consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the notes at a rate equal to 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the notes outstanding for each day during the first 90 days after the occurrence of such an event of default during which such event of default is continuing and 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the notes outstanding from the 91st day to, and including, the 270th day following the occurrence of such an event of default during which such event of default is continuing (in addition to any additional interest that may accrue with respect to the notes as a result of a registration default as described below under the caption “—Registration Rights; Additional Interest”).

If we so elect, such additional interest will be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the notes. On the 271st day after such event of default (if the event of default relating to the reporting obligations is not cured or waived prior to such 271st day), the notes will be subject to acceleration as provided above. The provisions of the indenture described in this paragraph will not affect the rights of holders of notes in the event of the occurrence of any other event of default under the indenture. In the event we do not elect to pay the additional interest following an event of default in accordance with this paragraph or we elected to make such payment but do not pay the additional interest when due, the notes will be immediately subject to acceleration as provided above.

In order to elect to pay the additional interest as the sole remedy during the first 270 days after the occurrence of an event of default relating to the failure to comply with the reporting obligations in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, we must notify all holders of notes, the trustee and the paying agent of such election prior to the beginning of such 270-day period. Upon our failure to timely give such notice, the notes will be immediately subject to acceleration as provided above.

If any portion of the amount payable on the notes upon acceleration is considered by a court to be unearned interest (through the allocation of the value of the instrument to the embedded warrant or otherwise), the court could disallow recovery of any such portion.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes may waive all past defaults (except with respect to nonpayment of principal or interest or with respect to the failure to deliver the consideration due upon conversion) and rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences if (i) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (ii) all existing events of default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and interest on the notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

Each holder shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of:

 

   

the principal (including the redemption price and the fundamental change repurchase price, if applicable) of;

 

   

accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on; and

 

   

the consideration due upon conversion of,

its notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the indenture, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be.

Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of

 

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principal or interest when due, or the right to receive payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes unless:

 

  (1)

such holder has previously given the trustee notice that an event of default is continuing;

 

  (2)

holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes have requested the trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

  (3)

such holders have offered the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;

 

  (4)

the trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of such security or indemnity; and

 

  (5)

the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes have not given the trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

The indenture provides that in the event an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use in the conduct of its own affairs. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the trustee will be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense caused by taking or not taking such action.

The indenture provides that if a default occurs and is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee must deliver to each holder notice of the default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of or interest on any note or a default in the payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of trust officers of the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders. In addition, we are required to deliver to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any default that occurred during the previous year. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any events which would constitute certain defaults, their status and what action we are taking or proposing to take in respect thereof.    

Payments of the redemption price, the fundamental change repurchase price, principal and interest that are not made when due will accrue interest per annum at the then-applicable interest rate plus one percent from the required payment date.

Modification and Amendment

Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture or the notes may be amended with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, notes) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, notes). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding note affected, no amendment may, among other things:

 

  (1)

reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment;

 

  (2)

reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any note;

 

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  (3)

reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of any note;

 

  (4)

make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any notes;

 

  (5)

reduce the redemption price or the fundamental change repurchase price of any note or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the holders of notes our obligation to make such payments, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise;

 

  (6)

make any note payable in money, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the note;

 

  (7)

change the ranking of the notes; or

 

  (8)

make any change in the amendment provisions that require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions.

Without the consent of any holder, we and the trustee may amend the indenture to:

 

  (1)

cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

  (2)

provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations under the indenture;

 

  (3)

add guarantees with respect to the notes;

 

  (4)

secure the notes;

 

  (5)

add to our covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon us;

 

  (6)

make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder;

 

  (7)

irrevocably elect a settlement method and/or a specified dollar amount, or eliminate our right to elect a settlement method;

 

  (8)

in connection with any transaction described under “—Conversion Rights—Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of our Common Stock” above, provide that the notes are convertible into reference property, subject to the provisions described under “—Conversion Rights—Settlement upon Conversion” above, and make certain related changes to the terms of the notes to the extent expressly required by the indenture; or

 

  (9)

conform the provisions of the indenture to the “Description of Notes” section in the preliminary offering memorandum dated as of March 23, 2021, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet.

Holders do not need to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It will be sufficient if such holders approve the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, we are required to deliver to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all the holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

Discharge

We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the securities registrar for cancellation all outstanding notes or by depositing with the trustee or delivering to the holders, as applicable, after the notes have become due and payable, whether at maturity, at any redemption date, at any fundamental change repurchase date, upon conversion or otherwise, cash or cash and/or shares of common stock, solely to satisfy outstanding conversions, as applicable, sufficient to pay all of the outstanding notes and paying all other sums payable under the indenture by us. Such discharge is subject to terms contained in the indenture.

 

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Calculations in Respect of Notes

Except as otherwise provided above, we will be responsible for making all calculations called for under the notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the stock price, the last reported sale prices of our common stock, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values, the daily settlement amounts, accrued interest payable on the notes and the conversion rate of the notes. We will make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, our calculations will be final and binding on holders of notes. We will provide a schedule of our calculations to each of the trustee and the conversion agent, and each of the trustee and the conversion agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of our calculations without independent verification. The trustee will forward our calculations to any holder of notes upon the request of that holder.

Reports

The indenture provides that any documents or reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any such information, documents or reports, or portions thereof, subject to confidential treatment and any correspondence with the SEC) must be filed by us with the trustee within 15 days after the same are required to be filed with the SEC (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act). Documents filed by us with the SEC via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be filed with the trustee as of the time such documents are filed via EDGAR.

Rule 144A Information

At any time we are not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, we will, so long as any of the notes or any shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion thereof will, at such time, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the trustee and will, upon written request, provide to any holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of such notes or any shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of such notes the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such notes or shares of our common stock pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

Trustee

U.S. Bank National Association is the trustee, security registrar, paying agent, bid solicitation agent and conversion agent. U.S. Bank National Association, in each of its capacities, including without limitation as trustee, security registrar, paying agent, bid solicitation agent and conversion agent, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information concerning us or our affiliates or any other party contained in this document or the related documents or for any failure by us or any other party to disclose events that may have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of such information.

We maintain banking relationships in the ordinary course of business with the trustee and its affiliates.    

Governing Law

The indenture provides that it and the notes, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the indenture or the notes, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed wholly within such State.

Book-Entry, Settlement and Clearance

The Global Notes

The notes were initially issued in the form of one or more registered notes in global form, without interest coupons (the “global notes”). Upon issuance, each of the global notes was deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.

 

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Ownership of beneficial interests in a global note is limited to persons who have accounts with DTC (“DTC participants”) or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. We expect that under procedures established by DTC:

 

   

upon deposit of a global note with DTC’s custodian, DTC will credit portions of the principal amount of the global note to the accounts of the DTC participants designated by the initial purchasers; and

 

   

ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be shown on, and transfer of ownership of those interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the global note).

Beneficial interests in global notes may not be exchanged for notes in physical, certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below.

Book-Entry Procedures for the Global Notes

All interests in the global notes are subject to the operations and procedures of DTC. We provide the following summary of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors. The operations and procedures of DTC are controlled by that settlement system and may be changed at any time. We are not responsible for those operations or procedures.

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

   

a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York;

 

   

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York State Banking Law;

 

   

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

   

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, including the initial purchasers; banks and trust companies; clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC’s system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in DTC.

So long as DTC’s nominee is the registered owner of a global note, that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note:

 

   

are not be entitled to have notes represented by the global note registered in their names;

 

   

are not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated notes; and

 

   

are not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee under the indenture.

As a result, each investor who owns a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights of a holder of notes under the indenture (and, if the investor is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the investor owns its interest).

 

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Payments of principal and interest with respect to the notes represented by a global note will be made by the trustee to DTC’s nominee as the registered holder of the global note. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a global note, for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of those interests by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to those interests.

Payments by participants and indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a global note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of those participants or indirect participants and DTC.

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected under DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds.

Certificated Notes

Notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related notes only if:

 

   

DTC notifies us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;

 

   

DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; or

 

   

an event of default with respect to the notes has occurred and is continuing and such beneficial owner requests that its notes be issued in physical, certificated form.

 

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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

The 0.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 were originally issued by us to BofA Securities, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and were immediately resold by the initial purchasers to persons reasonably believed by the initial purchasers to be “qualified institutional buyers” as defined by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. See “Description of Convertible Notes.” The selling securityholders may from time to time offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus any or all of the notes listed below and the shares of common stock issued upon conversion of such notes. 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. There are currently no selling securityholders identified in the table. Information concerning the selling securityholders will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus.

The following table sets forth information as of December 29, 2021, with respect to the selling securityholders and the principal amounts of notes beneficially owned by each selling securityholder that may be offered under this prospectus. This information is based on information provided by or on behalf of the selling securityholders. The selling securityholders may offer all, some or none of the notes or common stock into which the notes are convertible. Accordingly, no estimate can be given as to the amount of the notes or common stock that will be held by the selling securityholder upon termination of these sales. In addition, the selling securityholders identified below may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of their notes since the date on which they provided us the information regarding their notes in transactions 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 when and if necessary. In addition, the conversion rate and, therefore, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.

 

     Principal Amount of
Notes Beneficially
Owned and Offered
     Number of Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned (1)
     Number of Shares of Common Stock
Offered(2)
 

Name of Selling Securityholder

                    
        
        
        
        

 

(1)

Assumes for each $1,000 in principal amount of notes an initial conversion rate of 22.5861 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes. However, this conversion rate will be subject to adjustment as described under “Description of Convertible Notes.” As a result, the amount of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes may increase or decrease in the future.

(2)

Represents the maximum number of shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of all of the selling securityholder’s notes, based on the initial conversion rate of 22.5861 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of the notes. However, this conversion rate will be subject to adjustment as described under “Description of Convertible Notes.” As a result, the amount of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes may increase or decrease in the future.

Based upon information provided by the selling securityholders, none of the selling securityholders nor any of their affiliates, officers, directors or principal equityholders has held any position or office or has had any material relationship with us within the past three years. Assuming that at the end of the offering all notes listed above are sold, none of the selling securityholders listed above will own 1% or more of our outstanding common stock after this offering.

 

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Selling securityholders who are registered broker-dealers or affiliates of registered broker-dealers may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act. To our knowledge, no selling securityholder who is a registered broker-dealer or an affiliate of a registered broker-dealer received any securities as underwriting compensation.

 

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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

This section is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes and the common stock into which the notes may be converted. This summary does not provide a complete analysis of all potential tax considerations and does not address any estate or gift tax consequences or any tax consequences arising under any state, local or foreign tax laws, or any other U.S. federal tax laws. The discussion is based upon the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), United States Treasury Regulations issued thereunder, United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) rulings and pronouncements, and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change at any time. There can be no assurances that the IRS will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning or disposing of the notes or common stock. The summary generally applies only to investors that hold the notes and common stock as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally property held for investment). Moreover, this discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular investor in light of the investor’s circumstances (for example, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax or Medicare contribution tax provisions of the Code, or a U.S. holder (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar). Also, this summary is not intended to be wholly applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules, including brokers or dealers in securities or commodities; traders in securities or commodities; banks, thrifts, and other financial institutions; regulated investment companies; real estate investment trusts; insurance companies; controlled foreign corporations; tax-exempt entities or governmental entities; tax-deferred or other retirement accounts; certain former citizens or residents of the United States; persons holding notes or common stock as part of an integrated, straddle, conversion or similar transaction; persons who have elected to mark securities to market for U.S. federal income tax purposes; “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds; corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; persons required for U.S. federal income tax purposes to conform the timing of the income accruals with respect to the notes or common stock; entities treated as partnerships, S corporations or other pass-through entities; or persons deemed to sell notes or common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS, FOREIGN, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS, AND TAX TREATIES.

U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a U.S. holder. As used herein, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of notes or the common stock into which notes may be converted that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (1) an individual citizen or resident of the United States; (2) a corporation, or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States, or the District of Columbia; (3) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (4) a trust if (x) a court within the United States can exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons has the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of that trust, or (y) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

A “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of notes or the common stock into which the notes may be converted that is not a U.S. holder or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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If a partnership (including for this purpose an entity or arrangement, domestic or foreign, treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds a note or common stock acquired upon conversion of a note, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Holders of notes or the common stock into which the notes may be converted that are partnerships, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of the notes and the common stock into which the notes may be converted.

Taxation of Interest

General. U.S. holders are required to recognize as ordinary income any stated interest paid or accrued on the notes in accordance with their regular method of tax accounting.

Additional Interest. We may be required to make payments of additional interest to holders of the notes under the circumstances described under the indenture governing the notes. We believe that there is only a remote possibility that we would be required to pay additional interest, and that if such additional interest were required to be paid, it would be an incidental amount, and therefore we intend to take the position that this possible payment of additional interest will not subject the notes to the special rules governing certain contingent payment debt instruments (which, if applicable, would affect the timing, amount and character of income with respect to the notes). Our determination in this regard, while not binding on the IRS, is binding on U.S. holders unless they disclose their contrary position in the proper manner to the IRS. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes are not treated as contingent payment debt instruments subject to such rules. If, contrary to our expectations, we pay additional interest, although it is not free from doubt, such additional interest should be taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary interest income at the time it accrues or is paid in accordance with the U.S. holder’s regular method of tax accounting. In the event we pay additional interest on the notes, U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the treatment of such amounts.

Market Discount. If a U.S. holder acquires a note other than in the initial offering at a cost less than the stated redemption price at maturity of the note, the amount of such difference is treated as market discount, unless such difference is less than 0.25% of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years from the date of acquisition to maturity of the note. A U.S. holder of a note acquired at a market discount may elect to include the market discount in income as the discount on the note accrues, either on a straight line basis, or, if elected, on a constant yield rate basis. The current inclusion election, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired by the U.S. holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. If a U.S. holder of a note elects to include market discount in income in accordance with the preceding sentence, the foregoing rules with respect to the recognition of ordinary income on a sale or particular other dispositions of such note and the deferral of interest deductions on indebtedness related to such note would not apply.

Amortizable Bond Premium. If a U.S. holder acquires a note other than in the initial offering at a cost greater than the sum of all amounts payable on the note after the acquisition date, other than payments of qualified stated interest, such U.S. holder generally will be considered to have acquired the note with amortizable bond premium, except to the extent such excess is attributable to the note’s conversion feature. The amount attributable to the conversion feature of a note may be determined under any reasonable method, including by comparing the note’s purchase price to the market price of a similar note without a conversion feature.

A U.S. holder generally may elect to amortize bond premium from the acquisition date to the note’s maturity date under a constant yield method. Once made, this election applies to all debt obligations held or subsequently acquired by such U.S. holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. The amount amortized in any taxable year generally is treated as an offset to interest income on the note and not as a separate deduction. U.S. holders should consult with their tax advisors regarding the potential applicability of these rules to their particular situation.

 

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Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes

A U.S. holder generally will recognize gain or loss if it disposes of a note in a sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition (other than conversion of a note into shares of our common stock or a combination of shares of our common stock and cash, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of which are described under “—U.S. Holders—Conversion of Notes” below). The U.S. holder’s gain or loss will equal the difference between the proceeds received by it (other than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest) and its adjusted tax basis in the note. The U.S. holder’s tax basis in the note generally will equal the amount it paid for the note, plus the amount, if any, included in income on an adjustment to the conversion rate of the notes, as described under “—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock,” reduced by the amount of any bond premium previously amortized by the U.S. holder with respect to the note or increased by any market discount previously included in the U.S. holder’s income. The proceeds received by the U.S. holder will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received for the note. The portion of any proceeds that is attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will be recognized as ordinary interest income to the extent that the U.S. holder has not previously included the accrued interest in income. Subject to the market discount rules discussed above, gain or loss recognized by the U.S. holder on the disposition of the note generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if it has held the note for more than one year, or short-term capital gain or loss if it has held the note for one year or less, at the time of the disposition. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers currently are taxed at reduced rates. Short-term capital gains are taxed at ordinary income rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Conversion of Notes

Conversion into common stock. If a U.S. holder’s note is converted solely into our common stock (and cash in lieu of a fractional share), the U.S. holder generally will not recognize any income, gain or loss, except for any gain or loss attributable to the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share and except for the fair market value of any portion of our common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest on the notes not yet included in income (subject to the discussion under “U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that an adjustment to the conversion ratio of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend). The U.S. holder’s aggregate adjusted tax basis in the common stock (not including any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, but including any basis allocable to a fractional share) will equal its adjusted basis in the note, and the U.S. holder’s holding period for such stock (not including any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) will include the period during which the U.S. holder held the note.

A U.S. holder’s tax basis in a fractional share will be determined by allocating its tax basis in the common stock between the common stock received upon conversion and the fractional share, in accordance with their respective fair market values. The receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock generally will result in capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the cash received for the fractional share and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis allocable to such fractional share. The value of the portion of our common stock that is received for accrued and unpaid interest on the notes generally will be taxed as ordinary interest income to the extent that the U.S. holder has not previously included the accrued interest in income. The basis in any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will equal the fair market value of such shares when received. The holding period in any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will begin on the day after the date of receipt.

Conversion into common stock and cash. The tax consequences of the conversion of a note into cash and shares of our common stock are not entirely clear. If the note constitutes a “security” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. holder may be treated as exchanging the note for our common stock and cash in a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We intend to take the position for U.S. federal income tax purposes that the notes are “securities” and that the conversion of a note into a combination of cash and shares of our common stock is treated as a recapitalization, although there can be no assurances in this regard.

 

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If the note is a “security” and the conversion is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the U.S. holder will not be permitted to recognize loss, but will be required to recognize capital gain. The amount of gain recognized by a U.S. holder in the case of a recapitalization would generally equal the lesser of (i) the excess (if any) of (A) the amount of cash received (excluding any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock and any cash received attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) plus the fair market value of our common stock received (treating a fractional share of our common stock as issued and received for this purpose and excluding any such common stock that is attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) upon conversion over (B) the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the converted note, and (ii) the amount of cash received upon conversion (other than any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock and any cash received attributable to accrued and unpaid interest).

Subject to the discussion under “—U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that an adjustment to the conversion ratio of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend and subject to the market discount rules discussed above, the gain recognized by a U.S. holder upon conversion of a note will be long-term capital gain if it held the note for more than one year, or short-term capital gain if it held the note for one year or less, at the time of the conversion. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers currently are taxed at reduced rates. Short-term capital gains are taxed at ordinary income rates. The U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock received (including any fractional share for which cash is paid, but excluding shares attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) generally would equal the adjusted tax basis of the converted note, decreased by the amount of cash received (other than cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock and any cash attributable to accrued and unpaid interest), and increased by the amount of gain (if any) recognized upon conversion (other than any gain recognized as a result of cash received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock). The U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock (other than shares attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) would include the holding period in the converted note.

Alternatively, the conversion of a note into a combination of cash and shares of our common stock may be treated as in part a payment in redemption for cash of a portion of the note and in part a conversion of a portion of the note into common stock. In such case, a U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the note would be allocated between the portion of the note treated as redeemed and the portion of the note treated as converted into common stock on a pro rata basis (based on relative fair market value). The U.S. holder generally would recognize capital gain or loss with respect to the portion of the note treated as redeemed equal to the difference between the amount of cash received by the U.S. holder (other than amounts attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the portion of the note treated as redeemed (subject to the discussion under “—U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that an adjustment to the conversion ratio of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend). See “—U.S. Holders—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes” above. With respect to the portion of the note treated as converted, a U.S. holder generally would not recognize any gain or loss (except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock and common stock received attributable to accrued and unpaid interest), subject to the discussion under “—U.S. Holders— Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that the adjustment to the conversion rate of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend. The tax basis allocated to the portion of the note treated as converted into common stock would be the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock (including any fractional share for which cash is paid, but excluding shares attributable to accrued and unpaid interest). The U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock (other than shares attributable to accrued interest) would include the holding period in the converted note.

The receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock generally will result in capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the cash received for the fractional share and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis allocable to such fractional share. The portion of our common stock which is received for accrued and unpaid interest on the notes will generally be taxed as ordinary interest income to the extent that the U.S. holder

 

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has not previously included the accrued interest in income. The basis in any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will equal the fair market value of such shares when received. The holding period in any shares of common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest will begin on the day after the date of receipt.

Conversion into Cash. A U.S. holder who converts a note solely into cash will be treated in the same manner as if the U.S. holder had sold the note in a taxable disposition, as described above under “U.S. Holders—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes,” subject to the discussion under “U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that an adjustment to the conversion ratio of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend. In such case, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received will equal the fair market value of such shares when received, and the U.S. holder’s holding period in the shares of common stock received will begin the day after the date of receipt.

Conversion Between Interest Payment Dates. A U.S. holder that converts a note between a record date for an interest payment and the next interest payment date and consequently receives a payment of cash interest should consult its own tax advisor concerning the appropriate treatment of such payment.

Possible Effect of a Consolidation or Merger or Change in Reference Property. In certain situations, we may consolidate or merge into another entity (as described above under “Description of Notes— Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”). Depending on the facts and circumstances at the time of such business change, a change in the obligor of the notes as a result of the consolidation or merger or a change in the reference property on conversion may result in a deemed exchange of the outstanding notes, which may be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Furthermore, depending on the circumstances, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the exchange or conversion of the notes as well as the ownership of the notes and the shares of our common stock may be different from the U.S. federal income tax consequences addressed in this discussion.

U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of such an event or change described under the indenture governing the notes.

Exchange in Lieu of Conversion. If a U.S. holder surrenders notes for conversion, we direct the notes to be offered to a financial institution for exchange in lieu of conversion, and the designated financial institution accepts the notes and delivers the conversion consideration for the notes, the U.S. holder will be treated in the same manner as if the U.S. holder had sold the notes in a taxable disposition, as described above under “U.S. Holders—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes,” subject to the discussion under “U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” below regarding the possibility that an adjustment to the conversion ratio of a note converted in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a taxable stock dividend. In such case, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received will equal the fair market value of such shares when received, and the U.S. holder’s holding period in the shares of common stock received will begin the day after the date of receipt.

Distributions

If, after a U.S. holder acquires our common stock upon a conversion of a note, we make a distribution in respect of such common stock from our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), the distribution will be treated as a dividend and will be includible in a U.S. holder’s income at the time such holder is treated as receiving such distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of the U.S. holder’s investment, up to the U.S. holder’s tax basis in its common stock, and any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of the common stock. If the U.S. holder is a U.S. corporation, it will generally be able to claim a dividends-received deduction on a portion of any distribution taxed as a dividend, provided that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

 

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Subject to certain exceptions, dividends received by non-corporate U.S. holders currently are taxed at long-term capital gains rates, provided that certain holding period requirements are met.

Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock

The terms of the notes allow for changes in the conversion rate of the notes under certain circumstances. A change in conversion rate that allows holders of notes to receive more shares of common stock on conversion may increase the U.S. holders’ proportionate interests in our earnings and profits or assets. In that case, the U.S. holders of notes may be treated as though they received a taxable distribution in the form of our common stock. A taxable constructive stock distribution will result, for example, if the conversion rate is adjusted to compensate holders of notes for taxable distributions of cash or property to our stockholders. In addition, any other increase in the conversion rate of the notes (including an adjustment to the conversion rate in connection with a fundamental change) may, depending on the circumstances, be deemed to be a taxable distribution to U.S. holders. However, the increase in the conversion rate in the event of certain pro rata stock dividends or distributions of rights to subscribe for our common stock generally will not result in deemed dividend treatment. Adjustments to the conversion rate made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula which has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of our stock will generally not be considered to result in a deemed distribution.

If an event occurs that dilutes the interests of stockholders or increases the interests of U.S. holders and the conversion rate of the notes is not adjusted (or not adequately adjusted), the resulting increase in the proportionate interests of U.S. holders of our notes also could be treated as a taxable constructive stock distribution to holders of the notes. Any taxable constructive stock distribution resulting from a change to, or failure to change, the conversion rate that is treated as a distribution of common stock would be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the same manner as a distribution on our common stock paid in cash or other property, as described under “—U.S. Holders—Distributions,” with the U.S. holder’s tax basis in its notes being increased by the amount of such constructive stock distribution. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding whether any taxable constructive stock dividend on notes would be eligible for taxation at long-term capital gains rates or the dividends received deduction described above under “—U.S. Holders— Distributions” as the requisite applicable holding period requirements might not be considered to be satisfied.

It is possible that any U.S. federal backup withholding attributable to a constructive dividend would be withheld from interest or disposition proceeds subsequently paid or credited to a U.S. holder. We are currently required to report the amount of any deemed distributions on our website or to the IRS and to holders of notes not exempt from reporting.

The IRS has released proposed regulations addressing the amount and timing of constructive distributions, as well as obligations of withholding agents and filing and notice obligations of issuers in respect of such constructive distributions. If adopted as proposed, the regulations would generally provide that (i) the amount of a constructive distribution is the excess of the fair market value of the right to acquire stock immediately after the conversion rate adjustment over the fair market value of the right to acquire stock without the adjustment, (ii) the constructive distribution occurs at the earlier of the date the adjustment occurs under the terms of the note and the date of the actual distribution of cash or property that results in the constructive distribution, (iii) subject to certain limited exceptions, a withholding agent is required to impose any applicable withholding on constructive distributions and, if there is no associated cash payment, may set off its withholding obligations against payments on the notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on our common stock) or sales proceeds received by or other funds or assets of an investor, and (iv) we are required to report the amount of any constructive distributions on our website or to the IRS and all holders of notes (including holders of notes that would otherwise be exempt from information reporting). The final regulations will be effective for constructive distributions occurring on or after the date of adoption, but beneficial owners of notes and withholding agents may rely on them prior to that date under certain circumstances.

 

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Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock

A U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on a sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of common stock. The U.S. holder’s gain or loss will equal the difference between the proceeds received by the U.S. holder and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the stock. The proceeds received by the U.S. holder will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received for the stock. The gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder on a sale or exchange of common stock will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock is more than one year, or short-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock is one year or less, at the time of the sale or exchange. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are currently taxed at reduced rates. Short-term capital gains are taxed at ordinary income rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a non-U.S. holder (as defined above).

Taxation of Interest

Subject to the discussion under“—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business,” “—Backup Withholding and Information Report” and “—FATCA” below, payments of interest on the notes should generally qualify as “portfolio interest,” and thus should be exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including withholding of such tax, if the non-U.S. holders certify their nonresident status as described below.

The portfolio interest exemption will not apply to payments of interest to a non-U.S. holder that:

 

   

owns, actually or constructively, shares of our stock representing at least 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote or is a “controlled foreign corporation” that is related, directly or indirectly, to us through sufficient actual or constructive stock ownership (in which case such interest will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified in an applicable income tax treaty); or

 

   

is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, if such interest payments are effectively connected with such trade or business, and, generally, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, such interest payments also are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder (see the discussion under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business” below).

The portfolio interest exemption, reduction of the withholding rate pursuant to the terms of applicable income tax treaty and the exemption from backup withholding for non-U.S. holders (described below) apply only if the non-U.S. holder certifies its nonresident status. A non-U.S. holder can meet this certification requirement by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or appropriate substitute form to the withholding agent prior to the payment. A non-U.S. holder that is seeking a reduction in the withholding rate pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty will also need to certify its entitlement to benefits under such treaty.

Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Conversion or Other Disposition of Notes or Common Stock

Subject to the discussion under “—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business,” “—FATCA” and —Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” below, non-U.S. holders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other disposition of notes or common stock (other than with respect to payments attributable to accrued and unpaid interest or market discount that accrued while the non-U.S. holder held the note, which will be taxed as described under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Taxation of Interest” above), unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a U.S. trade or business (and, generally, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain is attributable to a U.S.

 

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permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder), in which case the gain would be subject to tax as described below under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business”;

 

   

the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the year of disposition and certain other conditions apply, in which case, except as otherwise provided by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain, which may be offset by U.S.-source capital losses, would be subject to a flat 30% tax, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States; or

 

   

the rules of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (or “FIRPTA”) (described below) treat the gain as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.

FIRPTA Rules. With respect to the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other disposition of either the notes or common stock, the FIRPTA rules will apply if (i) we are or have been a United States real property holding corporation (a “USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion, or other disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held the notes or common stock and (ii) either (A) shares of our common stock are not regularly traded on an established securities market or (B) the non-U.S. holder holds or held, actually or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock or notes with a fair market value greater than 5% of our common stock into which the notes are convertible as of the latest date such notes were acquired. A corporation generally is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we currently are a USRPHC, and we expect to remain a USRPHC.

Conversion of the Notes. To the extent the holders of the notes recognize any gain as a result of the receipt of cash in a conversion (including the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares upon conversion), such gain would be subject to the rules with respect to the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of notes or common stock, including the FIRPTA rules.

Conversion Rate Adjustments. As discussed above, an adjustment to the conversion rate of the notes could possibly give rise to a constructive distribution to holders of notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “—U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions with Respect to the Notes or Common Stock” above for more information. With respect to non-U.S. holders, any such deemed distributions generally would be subject to the rules described under the heading “—Dividends” below, in respect of the withholding of U.S. federal income tax on such deemed distributions. Because a constructive dividend does not result in cash paid to the non-U.S. holder from which the person who otherwise would be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax can withhold, it is expected that U.S. federal withholding tax attributable to constructive dividends will be withheld from cash otherwise payable to such non-U.S. holder after the occurrence of such constructive dividend, including interest payments made on the notes or, if appropriate, the proceeds of sale, retirement or conversion of the notes.

Dividends

Subject to the discussion under “—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business,” “—FATCA” and “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” below, dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder on common stock received on conversion of a note, including any taxable constructive stock dividends resulting from certain adjustments (or failures to make adjustments) to the number of shares of common stock to be issued on conversion (as described under “—U.S. Holders— Constructive Distributions with respect to the Notes or Common Stock” above) generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate. Withholding tax (including backup withholding) applicable to any taxable constructive stock dividends received by a non-U.S. holder may be withheld from interest on the notes, distributions on the common stock, shares of common stock or proceeds subsequently paid or credited to or other funds or assets of the non-U.S. holder. The withholding tax on dividends (including any taxable constructive stock dividends), however, may be eligible for

 

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reduction under the terms of an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and the non-U.S. holder’s country of residence. A non-U.S. holder may demonstrate its eligibility for a reduced rate of withholding under an applicable income tax treaty by timely delivering a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or appropriate substitute form. A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding under the terms of an applicable income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Dividends on the common stock that are effectively connected with a non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business are discussed below under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business.” As discussed under “Dividend Policy,” we have never declared or paid—and currently have no intention to declare or pay—cash dividends on our common stock.

Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business

The preceding discussion of the U.S. federal income and withholding tax considerations of the purchase, ownership or disposition of notes or common stock by a non-U.S. holder assumes that the non-U.S. holder is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any interest on the notes, dividends on common stock, or gain from the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other disposition of the notes or common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder, then the income or gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates and in the same manner applicable to U.S. holders. If the non-U.S. holder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty between the United States and the non-U.S. holder’s country of residence, any “effectively connected” income or gain generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States. Payments of interest or dividends that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base), and therefore included in the gross income of a non-U.S. holder, will not be subject to 30% withholding, provided that the non-U.S. holder claims exemption from withholding by timely filing a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI or appropriate substitute form. If the non-U.S. holder is a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes), any “effectively connected” income or gain may in certain circumstances be subject to an additional “branch profits tax.” The branch profits tax rate is generally 30%, although an applicable income tax treaty might provide for a lower rate.

FATCA

Legislation incorporating provisions referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments made to a “foreign financial institution” (as specially defined under these rules) and one of certain other foreign entities unless such entity enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding certain U.S. account holders of such entity (which includes certain equity and indebtedness holders of such entity, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) or an exemption applies. FATCA also generally will impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments made to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specifically defined under these rules) unless such entity provides the withholding agent a certification identifying certain direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity (or that it has no such relevant owners) or an exemption applies. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. FATCA currently applies to interest and dividends paid (including constructive dividends) on our notes and common stock.

Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA to their investment in our notes and common stock.

 

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BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING

The Code and the Treasury regulations require those who make specified payments to report the payments to the IRS. Among the specified payments are interest, distributions, and proceeds paid by brokers to their customers. This reporting regime is reinforced by “backup withholding” rules, which require the payor to withhold from payments subject to information reporting if the recipient has failed to provide a taxpayer identification number to the payor, furnished an incorrect identification number, or repeatedly failed to report interest or dividends on tax returns. The backup withholding rate is currently 24%.

Payments of interest or dividends (including constructive dividends) to U.S. holders of notes or common stock will be subject to information reporting unless the U.S. holder (1) is an exempt recipient, such as a corporation, or (2) provides the payor with a correct taxpayer identification number and complies with applicable certification requirements. Payments made to U.S. holders by a broker upon a sale of notes or common stock generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, unless the conditions set forth in the preceding sentence are satisfied.

Payors must report annually to the IRS the interest and/or distributions (including constructive dividends) paid to each non-U.S. holder and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to such interest and/or distributions, including any tax withheld pursuant to the rules described under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Taxation of Interest” and “—Non-U.S. Holders—Dividends” above. Copies of these reports may be made available to tax authorities in the country where the non-U.S. holder resides. Payments to a non-U.S. holder of dividends on our common stock or interest on the notes may be subject to backup withholding unless the non-U.S. holder certifies its non-U.S. status on a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or appropriate substitute form or otherwise establishes an exemption. Payments made to a non-U.S. holder by a broker upon a sale of the notes or our common stock will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding as long as the non-U.S. holder certifies its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from a payment to a U.S. holder or non-U.S. holder of notes or common stock under the backup withholding rules generally can be credited against its U.S. federal income tax liability, or may be eligible for refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or the selling securityholders may sell the securities offered under this prospectus in one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:

 

   

to or through underwriters;

 

   

through agents;

 

   

through brokers or dealers;

 

   

directly to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process or in privately negotiated transactions;

 

   

through a combination of such methods; or

 

   

through any other method permitted by applicable law.

A supplement to this prospectus will describe the particular terms of any offering of securities, including the following:

 

   

the names of any underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers or any selling securityholders;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to be received from the sale;

 

   

any discounts or commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

If underwriters are used in the sale, such underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

The securities may be offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if any of the securities are purchased.

We or the selling securityholders may sell the securities through agents or dealers designated by us or them. Any agent or dealer involved in the offer or sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable to that agent or dealer by us or the selling securityholders will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless indicated in the prospectus supplement, the agents will agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment and any dealer will purchase the securities from us or the selling securityholders as principal and may resell those securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

Underwriters, dealers or agents may facilitate the marketing of an offering online directly or through one of their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms and a prospectus online and, depending upon the particular underwriter, dealer or agent, place orders online or through their financial advisors.

We or the selling securityholders also may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.

 

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Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any discounts, concessions, commissions or fees received by them from us or the selling securityholders and any profit on the resale of the securities sold by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.

We or the selling securityholders may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make, and to reimburse them for certain expenses.

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the aggregate maximum discount, commission, fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of the gross proceeds of any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

If at the time of any offering made under this prospectus a member of FINRA participating in the offering has a “conflict of interest” as defined in FINRA Rule 5121 (“Rule 5121”), that offering will be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Rule 5121.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters or agents, as the case may be, involved in the offering of such securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our securities. Specifically, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in our securities for their own account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of our securities, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may bid for, and purchase, such securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allotted to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing such securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters or agents, as the case may be, are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

We or the selling securityholders may solicit offers to purchase the securities directly from, and we or it may sell such securities directly to, institutional investors or others. The terms of any of those sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in our securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of our securities, including our common stock, which is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “MP.”

We or the selling securityholders may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase our securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we or the selling securityholders pay for solicitation of these contracts.

We or the selling securityholders may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus

 

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supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or the selling securityholders or borrowed from us, the selling securityholders or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us or the selling securityholders in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us or the selling securityholders, or perform services for us or the selling securityholders, in the ordinary course of business.

The selling securityholders may transfer the resale securities in ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including directly by gift, distribution or other transfer. The selling securityholders may also sell any shares of common stock that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered under this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Sidley Austin LLP. Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the securities offered under this prospectus will be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of MP Materials Corp. as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The information incorporated by reference herein concerning estimates of our proven and probable REO reserves for the Mountain Pass facility was derived from the report of SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., an independent mining consultant. The report prepared by SRK has an effective date of July 1, 2020, and the reserves outlined in the SRK report met the disclosure requirements for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as outlined in Industry Guide 7. Industry Guide 7 contained the SEC guidance that was in force at the time SRK’s report was prepared. Our REO reserve disclosure as of December 31, 2021 will be presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, expected to be filed in March 2022, in accordance with the Regulation S-K (Subpart 1300) requirements of the SEC. Requirements under Industry Guide 7 may differ from the requirements of Regulation S-K (Subpart 1300).

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and its securities, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits and any schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance, if such contract or document is filed as an exhibit, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access the registration statement, including the exhibits and any schedules thereto and which contains the periodic reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file electronically with the SEC.

We also maintain an Internet website at www.mpmaterials.com. Through our website, we make available, free of charge, the following documents of MP Materials Corp. as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC: Annual Reports on Form 10-K; proxy statements for our annual and special shareholder meetings; Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; Current Reports on Form 8-K; Forms 3, 4 and 5 Schedules 13G and Schedules 13D; and amendments to those documents. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate information into this prospectus by reference. This means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring to other documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and all documents that we subsequently file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of the offering of securities by means of this prospectus, from their respective filing dates (other than any portions thereof, which under the Exchange Act, and applicable SEC rules, are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2021;

 

   

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 30, 2021 (only those parts incorporated in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020);

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on May  13, 2021; our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2021; and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2021; and

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2021, March  24, 2021, March  26, 2021, May  4, 2021, June  22, 2021, September  16, 2021, November  19, 2021 and December 9, 2021.

The information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is an important part of this prospectus. Neither we nor any underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with information other than that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus.

You should not rely on or assume the accuracy of any representation or warranty in any agreement that we have filed as an exhibit to any document that we have publicly filed or that we may otherwise publicly file in the future because such representation or warranty may be subject to exceptions and qualifications contained in separate disclosure schedules, may have been included in such agreement for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties to the particular transaction, and may no longer continue to be true as of any given date.

If we have incorporated by reference any statement or information in this prospectus and we subsequently modify that statement or information with information contained in this prospectus, the statement or information previously incorporated in this prospectus is also modified or superseded in the same manner.

 

 

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LOGO

$2,000,000,000

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Warrants

Depositary Shares

Units

by MP Materials Corp.

and

$690,000,000 0.25% Green Convertible Notes due 2026

and

Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion of

0.25% Green Convertible Notes due 2026

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

 


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the estimated fees and expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the offering and sale of our common stock and other securities:

 

SEC registration fee

   $              

Printing and engraving expenses

         

Legal fees and expenses

         

Accounting fees and expenses

         

Miscellaneous

         
  

 

 

 

Total

   $              
  

 

 

 

 

*

Estimated expenses are not presently known. The applicable prospectus supplement or one or more Current Reports on Form 8-K, which will be incorporated by reference, will set forth the estimated amount of such expenses payable in respect of any offering of the securities.

We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the securities, including with regard to compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws. The selling securityholders, however, will bear any applicable underwriting fees, discounts or commissions and certain transfer taxes, if any, attributable to the sale of the securities by them. All amounts are estimates except the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 145 of the DGCL provides, generally, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may similarly indemnify such person for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of any action or suit by or in the right of the corporation, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in the case of claims, issues and matters as to which such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, provided that a court shall have determined, upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a director will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision became effective. Accordingly, these provisions will have no effect on the availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission based on a director’s breach of his or her duty of care.

 

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The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that we will indemnify its present and former directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL and that such indemnification will not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw provision, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 15, 2020, by and among Fortress Value Acquisition Corp., FVAC Merger Corp. I, FVAC Merger LLC II, FVAC Merger LLC III, FVAC Merger LLC IV, MP Mine Operations LLC and Secure Natural Resources LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2020).
  2.2    Amendment No.  1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 26, 2020, by and among Fortress Value Acquisition Corp., FVAC Merger Corp. I, FVAC Merger LLC II, FVAC Merger LLC III, FVAC Merger LLC IV, MP Mine Operations LLC and Secure Natural Resources LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 27, 2020).
  4.1    Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MP Materials Corp. (f/k/a Fortress Value Acquisition Corp.) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 17, 2020).
  4.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of MP Materials Corp. (f/k/a Fortress Value Acquisition Corp.) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 17, 2020).
  4.3    Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated November  17, 2020, by and between MP Materials Corp. (f/k/a Fortress Value Acquisition Corp.) and the restricted stockholders (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 17, 2020).
  4.4    Indenture, dated as of March  26, 2021, by and between MP Materials Corp. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March  26, 2021), under which the 0.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 were issued.
  4.5    Form of 0.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.4) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 26, 2021).
  4.6    Form of Indenture (relating to the debt securities registered hereby).
  4.7*    Form of Debt Security.
  4.8*    Form of Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation.
  4.9*    Form of Certificate for Shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock.
  4.10*    Form of Warrant Agreement.
  4.11*    Form of Warrant Certificate.
  4.12*    Form of Depositary Agreement.
  4.13*    Form of Depositary Receipt.
  4.14*    Form of Unit Agreement.
  5.1    Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP.
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2    Consent of SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc.

 

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Exhibit
No.

  

Description

23.3    Consent of Sidley Austin LLP (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
24.1    Power of Attorney (see Signature page).
25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of U.S. Bank National Association with respect to the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.4.
25.2**    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

*

To be filed, if necessary, by an amendment to this registration statement or incorporated by reference pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with the offering of securities registered hereunder.

**

To be incorporated herein by reference to a subsequent filing in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  A.

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

  (ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.

 

  (iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (A)(i), (A)(ii) and (A)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

  B.

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  C.

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

  D.

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus

 

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  that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

  E.

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  (ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

  (iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

  (iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

  F.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  G.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

II-4


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Las Vegas, State of Nevada, on December 30, 2021.

 

MP MATERIALS CORP.
By:  

/s/ James H. Litinsky

  James H. Litinsky
  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer


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POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James H. Litinsky, Ryan Corbett and Elliot D. Hoops, and each of them, individually, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead in any and all capacities, in connection with this registration statement, including to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, this registration statement and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ James H. Litinsky

    
James H. Litinsky    Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   December 30, 2021

/s/ Ryan Corbett

    
Ryan Corbett    Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   December 30, 2021

/s/ Richard B. Myers

    
Gen. Richard B. Myers    Director   December 30, 2021

/s/ Andrew A. McKnight

    
Andrew A. McKnight    Director   December 30, 2021

/s/ Daniel Gold

    
Daniel Gold    Director   December 30, 2021

/s/ Randall Weisenburger

    
Randall Weisenburger    Director   December 30, 2021

/s/ Maryanne R. Lavan

    
Maryanne R. Lavan    Director   December 30, 2021

/s/ Connie K. Duckworth

    
Connie K. Duckworth    Director   December 30, 2021