BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2017--
Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE MKT: LEU) (the “Company”) announced
today the preliminary results in connection with its previously
announced private exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) to
exchange any and all of the Company’s 8.0% PIK toggle notes due
2019/2024 (the “Outstanding Notes”) for up to (i) $85 million
8.25% senior secured notes due 2027 (the “New Notes”), (ii) $120
million 7.5% cumulative redeemable preferred stock (the “Preferred
Stock”), and (iii) $30 million in cash. The New Notes will be
guaranteed on a subordinated and limited basis (the “Guarantee”)
by the Company’s subsidiary, United States Enrichment Corporation. The
terms and conditions of the New Notes will be substantially similar to
those of the Outstanding Notes after giving effect to the proposed
amendments pursuant to the Consent Solicitation discussed below, except
in terms of interest and maturity. In addition, the indenture governing
the New Notes will not include termination provisions with respect to
the Guarantee that exist in the indenture governing the Outstanding
Notes (the “Original Indenture”) and will include restrictions on
certain transfers of cash to acquire equity interests.
The Exchange Offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the confidential exchange offer memorandum dated
January 5, 2017 (the “Exchange Offer Memorandum”).
The following table sets forth the principal amount of Outstanding Notes
validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on January 19, 2017 (the “Early Tender Deadline”).
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Outstanding Notes to be Exchanged
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CUSIP
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Principal Amount Outstanding as of January
5, 2017
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Principal Amount Tendered
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8.0% PIK Toggle Notes due 2019/2024
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15643UAA2
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$234,574,504
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$161,800,473
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As previously announced, the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation
will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on February 2, 2017
unless extended (the “Expiration Date”). The right to withdraw
tenders of Outstanding Notes and related consents terminated at 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on January 19, 2017 (the “Withdrawal
Deadline”). Accordingly, Outstanding Notes and related consents
tendered before the Withdrawal Deadline remain tendered and may not be
withdrawn or revoked, except in certain limited circumstances where
additional withdrawal rights are required by law.
The Exchange Offer is conditioned upon the receipt of valid tenders of
Outstanding Notes, not withdrawn, of at least $211.12 million aggregate
principal amount of Outstanding Notes on or before the Expiration Date
(the “Minimum Participation Condition”) and certain other
conditions, including that the issuance of the Preferred Stock will not
result in an “ownership change” for purposes of Section 382 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As of the Early Tender
Deadline, the Minimum Participation Condition with respect to the
Outstanding Notes has not yet been met or waived. Pursuant to the “Support
Agreements,” described in the Offering Memorandum, any waiver of the
Minimum Participation Condition will be conditioned upon the waiver
thereof by noteholders party to the Support Agreements holding, in the
aggregate, no less than a majority of the Outstanding Notes held by
noteholders party to the Support Agreements.
Further, in connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company is also
soliciting consents (the “Consent Solicitation”) to implement
certain proposed amendments to the Original Indenture, as previously
disclosed (the “Proposed Amendments”). Holders may not consent to
the Proposed Amendments without tendering their Outstanding Notes and
they may not tender their Outstanding Notes without consenting to the
Proposed Amendments.
The Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation are subject to the receipt
of valid consents to the Proposed Amendments from the holders of a
majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Outstanding Notes
(the “Requisite Consents”). If the Company receives the Requisite
Consents and the other conditions to the Exchange Offer are satisfied or
waived, the Company will execute a supplemental indenture making the
Proposed Amendments to the Original Indenture on or soon after the
Expiration Date, but not later than the date the Exchange Offer is
consummated. The supplemental indenture, by its terms, will become
effective only upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer.
As of the Early Tender Deadline, the Company has obtained the Requisite
Consents.
The Company has the right to amend, terminate or withdraw the Exchange
Offer and Consent Solicitation, at any time and for any reason,
including if any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer and Consent
Solicitation are not satisfied.
* * *
The New Notes, the Guarantee and the Preferred Stock will not be
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”), and may not be transferred or sold in the United States
absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act. The Exchange Offer is being made
only to qualified institutional buyers, accredited investors and,
outside the United States, to persons other than U.S. persons. The
Exchange Offer is made only by, and pursuant to, the terms set forth in
the Exchange Offer Memorandum, and the information in this press release
is qualified by reference to the Exchange Offer Memorandum.
This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of consents, an
offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and
shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction
in which such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. No
recommendation is made as to whether holders of the Outstanding Notes
should tender their securities or give their consent.
D.F. King (the “Exchange Agent”) is acting as the Exchange Agent
for the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation. Requests for the
Exchange Offer Memorandum and any supplements thereto may be directed to
the Exchange Agent at (212) 269-5550 (for brokers and banks) or (800)
848-3409 (for all others).
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 - that is,
statements related to future events. In this context, forward-looking
statements may address our expected future business and financial
performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”,
“intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or
“may” and other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements by
their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain.
For Centrus Energy Corp., particular risks and uncertainties that could
cause our actual future results to differ materially from those
expressed in our forward-looking statements include, risks and
uncertainties related to the limited trading markets in our securities;
risks related to our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock
on the NYSE MKT LLC; the continued impact of the March 2011 earthquake
and tsunami in Japan on the nuclear industry and on our business,
results of operations and prospects; the impact and potential extended
duration of the current supply/demand imbalance in the market for
low-enriched uranium (“LEU”); risks related to actions that may be taken
by the U.S. government, the Russian government or other governments that
could affect our ability or the ability of our sources of supply to
perform under contract obligations, including the imposition of
sanctions, restrictions or other requirements; the impact of government
regulation including by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission; the outcome of legal proceedings and
other contingencies (including lawsuits and government investigations or
audits); risks relating to our sales order book, including uncertainty
concerning customer actions under current contracts and in future
contracting due to market conditions and lack of current production
capability; risks associated with our reliance on third-party suppliers
to provide essential products or services to us; pricing trends and
demand in the uranium and enrichment markets and their impact on our
profitability; uncertainty regarding our ability to commercially deploy
competitive enrichment technology; risks and uncertainties regarding
funding for the American Centrifuge project and our ability to perform
under our agreement with UT-Battelle, LLC, the management and operating
contractor for Oak Ridge National Laboratory, for continued research and
development of the American Centrifuge technology; the competitive
environment for our products and services; the potential for further
demobilization or termination of the American Centrifuge project; risks
related to the current demobilization of the portions of the American
Centrifuge project including risks that the schedule could be delayed
and costs could be higher than expected; the timing, savings and
execution of any potential restructurings; potential strategic
transactions, which could be difficult to implement, disrupt our
business or change our business profile significantly; changes in the
nuclear energy industry; the impact of financial market conditions on
our business, liquidity, prospects, pension assets and insurance
facilities; revenue and operating results can fluctuate significantly
from quarter to quarter, and in some cases, year to year; and other
risks and uncertainties discussed in this and our other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and subsequent
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on our website at www.centrusenergy.com.
We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements except as
required by law.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170120005663/en/
Source: Centrus Energy Corp.
Centrus Energy Corp.
Don Hatcher, 301-564-3460