DEBT

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2024

DEBT

DEBT

NOTE 10 — DEBT

Revolving Credit Agreements

On June 20, 2024, the Company terminated its existing $500,000 revolving credit facility and entered into a new $1 billion revolving credit facility, which may be increased, subject to certain conditions including the consent of its lenders, by an additional amount up to $300,000.  The new revolving credit facility matures on June 20, 2029. The new revolving credit facility will initially bear interest on outstanding borrowings at a per annum rate equal to secured overnight finance rate (“SOFR”) plus 1.10% and could fluctuate based on the Company’s total net leverage ratio at a spread ranging from SOFR plus 1.10% to SOFR plus 1.60%. The financial covenants consist of a maximum net leverage ratio of 3.5x EBITDA and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.5x EBITDA.  The new revolving credit facility contains customary representations and warranties, as well as customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants for credit facilities of this type (subject to negotiated baskets and exceptions), including limitations on the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to liens, investments, distributions, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions of assets and transactions with affiliates.  As of June 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had no outstanding borrowings under the new revolving credit facility.

The Company has other lines of credit and debt agreements totaling $37,412. As of June 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and had outstanding debt under short-term lines of credit of $6,254.

Senior Unsecured Notes

On June 20, 2024, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “NPA”) pursuant to which it agreed to issue new senior unsecured notes (“2024 Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $550,000, at par. Pursuant to the NPA, the Company issued one series of the 2024 Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $400,000 on June 20, 2024, and will issue two series of the 2024 Notes each in the aggregate principal amount of $75,000 on August 22, 2024.

The maturity and interest rates of the 2024 Notes are as follows:

2024 Notes	Amount		Maturity Date	Interest Rate
Series A	$	75,000	August 22, 2029	5.55	%
Series B		75,000	August 22, 2031	5.62	%
Series C		400,000	June 20, 2034	5.74	%

On April 1, 2015 and October 20, 2016, the Company entered into separate Note Purchase Agreements pursuant to which it issued senior unsecured notes (the "Notes") through a private placement. The 2015 Notes and 2016 Notes each have an aggregate principal amount of $350,000, comprised of four different series ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, with maturity dates ranging from August 20, 2025 through April 1, 2045, and interest rates ranging from 2.75% to 4.02%. Interest on the Notes is paid semi-annually.

The Company’s total weighted average effective interest rate and remaining weighted average tenure of the senior unsecured notes is 4.08%, including the impact from terminated swap agreements as discussed in Note 12, and 9.5 years, respectively. The senior unsecured notes contain certain affirmative and negative covenants. As of June 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants relating to the senior unsecured notes.

Term Loan

On November 29, 2022, the Company entered into a term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $400,000 (the “Term Loan”), which was borrowed in full. On June 20, 2024, the Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of the initial series of 2024 Notes to repay the Term Loan in full.

In June 2024, the Company terminated the interest rate swaps that were associated with the Term Loan and realized a gain of $2,428, which is recorded in Other income (expense).

Fair Value of Debt

At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was approximately $1,017,606 and $1,013,795, respectively, which was determined using available market information and methodologies requiring judgment. The carrying value of this debt at such dates was $1,098,434 and $1,102,771, respectively. Since judgment is required in interpreting market information, the fair value of the debt is not necessarily the amount which could be realized in a current market exchange.