ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC false 0000049826 0000049826 2024-05-14 2024-05-14 0000049826 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2024-05-14 2024-05-14 0000049826 itw:A0.250EuroNotesdue2024Member 2024-05-14 2024-05-14 0000049826 itw:A0.625EuroNotesdue2027Member 2024-05-14 2024-05-14 0000049826 itw:A2.125EuroNotesdue2030Member 2024-05-14 2024-05-14 0000049826 itw:A1.00EuroNotesdue2031Member 2024-05-14 2024-05-14 0000049826 itw:A3.00EuroNotesdue2034Member 2024-05-14 2024-05-14

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 14, 2024

 

 

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-4797   36-1258310

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

155 Harlem Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, and Zip Code)

847-724-7500

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock   ITW   New York Stock Exchange
0.250% Euro Notes due 2024   ITW24A   New York Stock Exchange
0.625% Euro Notes due 2027   ITW27   New York Stock Exchange
2.125% Euro Notes due 2030   ITW30   New York Stock Exchange
1.00% Euro Notes due 2031   ITW31   New York Stock Exchange
3.00% Euro Notes due 2034   ITW34   New York Stock Exchange

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

 

Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 8.01.

Other Events.

On May 17, 2024, Illinois Tool Works Inc. (the “Company”) issued and sold (i) €650,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 3.250% notes due May 17, 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) and (ii) €850,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 3.375% notes due May 17, 2032 (the “2032 Notes” and together with the 2028 Notes, the “Notes”). The Notes were sold pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated May 14, 2024 (the “Underwriting Agreement”) among the Company and the several underwriters named therein (collectively, the “Underwriters”), for which Citigroup Global Markets Limited and J.P. Morgan Securities plc acted as representatives. A copy of the Underwriting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Notes were issued pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-273706) and the Prospectus included therein (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on August 4, 2023, and the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto dated May 14, 2024, and filed with the Commission on May 16, 2024. The Notes were issued under an Indenture dated as of November 1, 1986, as supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 1990, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (together, the “Indenture”), and an Officers’ Certificate containing the terms of the Notes. The Indenture, together with the Officers’ Certificate, sets forth the terms of the Notes and the obligations of the Company thereunder. A copy of the Officers’ Certificate is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

A copy of the opinion of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, counsel to the Company, relating to the legality of the Notes, is filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

 1.1    Underwriting Agreement dated as of May 14, 2024, with the several underwriters named therein, for which Citigroup Global Markets Limited and J.P. Morgan Securities plc acted as representatives.
 4.1    Officers’ Certificate dated May 17, 2024, establishing the terms, and setting forth the forms, of the 3.250% Notes due 2028 and the 3.375% Notes due 2032.
 5.1    Opinion of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.
23.1    Consent of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document).


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Date: May 17, 2024    
    By:  

/s/ Randall J. Scheuneman

    Name:   Randall J. Scheuneman
    Title:   Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer

Exhibit 1.1

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

€650,000,000 3.250% Notes due 2028

€850,000,000 3.375% Notes due 2032

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

May 14, 2024

 

 

Underwriting Agreement


May 14, 2024

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES PLC

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Limited

Citigroup Centre

Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London E14 5LB

United Kingdom

c/o J.P. Morgan Securities plc

25 Bank Street

Canary Wharf

London E14 5JP

United Kingdom

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Introductory. Illinois Tool Works Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule A (the “Underwriters”), acting severally and not jointly, the respective amounts set forth in such Schedule A of (i) €650,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.250% Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) and (ii) €850,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.375% Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes” and, together with the 2028 Notes, the “Notes”). Citigroup Global Markets Limited and J.P. Morgan Securities plc have agreed herein to act as representatives of the several Underwriters (in such capacity, the “Representatives”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes.

The Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of November 1, 1986, as amended by a First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 1990 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”). Certain terms of the Notes will be established by an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture (together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”). In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company will enter into a paying agency agreement (the “Paying Agency Agreement”), to be dated as of the Closing Date (as defined in Section 2 below), among the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as London Paying Agent.

The Notes will be issued in book-entry form and deposited with a common depositary or its nominee (the “Depositary”) on behalf of Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.


The Company has prepared and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-273706), which contains a base prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”), to be used in connection with the public offering and sale of debt securities, including the Notes, and other securities of the Company under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”), and the offering thereof from time to time in accordance with Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Such registration statement, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, in the form in which it became effective under the Securities Act, including any required information deemed to be a part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, is called the “Registration Statement.” The term “Prospectus” shall mean the final prospectus supplement relating to the Notes, together with the Base Prospectus, that is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) after the date and time that this Agreement is executed (the “Execution Time”) by the parties hereto. The term “Preliminary Prospectus” shall mean any preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Notes, together with the Base Prospectus, that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b). Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents that are or are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act prior to 3:18 p.m. London time on May 14, 2024 (the “Initial Sale Time”). All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, shall include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”).

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” (or other references of like import) in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Preliminary Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Preliminary Prospectus, as the case may be, prior to the Initial Sale Time; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Preliminary Prospectus shall be deemed to include the filing of any document under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”), which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Preliminary Prospectus, as the case may be, after the Initial Sale Time.

The Company hereby confirms its agreements with the Underwriters as follows:

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties of the Company.

The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Initial Sale Time and as of the Closing Date (in each case, a “Representation Date”), as follows:

(a) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act. The Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto filed prior to the Initial Sale Time, has become effective under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with.

 

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At the respective times the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto became effective and at each Representation Date, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (i) complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act (as defined below), and (ii) did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. At the date of the Prospectus and at the Closing Date, neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any of the Underwriters through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter through the Representatives consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

Each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, at the time each was filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Notes will, at the time of such delivery, be identical to any electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(b) Disclosure Package. The term “Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Preliminary Prospectus dated May 14, 2024, (ii) the issuer free writing prospectuses as defined in Rule 433 of the Securities Act (each, an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”), if any, identified in Annex I hereto and (iii) any other free writing prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package. As of the Initial Sale Time, the Disclosure Package did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter through the Representatives consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

 

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(c) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (i) at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, or as amended prior to the Initial Sale Time, complied or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and (ii) when read together with the other information in the Disclosure Package, at the Initial Sale Time, and when read together with the other information in the Prospectus, at the date of the Prospectus and at the Closing Date, did not or will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(d) Company is a Well-Known Seasoned Issuer. (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), (iii) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c) of the Securities Act) made any offer relating to the Notes in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163 of the Securities Act, and (iv) as of the Execution Time, the Company was and is a “well known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, that automatically became effective not more than three years prior to the Execution Time; the Company has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Securities Act objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration statement form and the Company has not otherwise ceased to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration form.

(e) Company is not an Ineligible Issuer. (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement and (ii) as of the Execution Time (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (ii)), the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 of the Securities Act that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.

(f) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the offering of Notes under this Agreement or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representatives as described in the next sentence, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, the Company has promptly notified or will promptly notify the Representatives and has promptly amended or supplemented or will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict. The foregoing two sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter through the Representatives consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

 

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(g) Distribution of Offering Material by the Company. The Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of the Closing Date and the completion of the Underwriters’ distribution of the Notes, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes other than the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus reviewed and consented to by the Representatives and included in Annex I hereto or any electronic road show or other written communications reviewed and consented to by the Representatives and listed on Annex II hereto (each a, “Company Additional Written Communication”). Each such Company Additional Written Communication, when taken together with the Disclosure Package, did not, and at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Company Additional Written Communications based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter through the Representatives consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(h) The Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(i) Authorization of the Indenture and the Paying Agency Agreement. The Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Trust Indenture Act”). Each of the Indenture and the Paying Agency Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except, in each case, as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(j) Authorization of the Notes. The Notes to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company are in the form contemplated by the Indenture, have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and the Indenture and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed by the Company and, when authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(k) Description of the Notes and the Indenture. The Notes and the Indenture conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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(l) Accuracy of Statements. The statements in each of the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the captions “Description of Notes” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” in each case insofar as such statements constitute a summary of the legal matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly present and summarize, in all material respects, the matters referred to therein.

(m) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (i) there has been no material adverse change in (A) the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business or (B) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under, and consummate the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement, the Indenture, the Paying Agency Agreement and the Notes (such matters described in clause (i), collectively, a “Material Adverse Change”), (ii) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, that are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, and (iii) except for the regular quarterly dividend declared on May 3, 2024 on the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company, there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

(n) Independent Accountants. Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have expressed their opinion with respect to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, are independent public accountants with respect to the Company as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and are an independent registered public accounting firm with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

(o) Financial Statements. The financial statements, together with the related schedules and notes, included and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the statement of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, comprehensive income and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements comply as to form with the requirements of the Securities Act and have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as otherwise stated therein or in the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus. No other financial statements are required to be included in the Registration Statement. The supporting schedules, if any, included and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus has been prepared in all material respects in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

 

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(p) Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(q) Subsidiaries. Each “significant subsidiary” of the Company (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) (each, a “Significant Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Significant Subsidiaries”) has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or other organization, has all requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of or other equity interests in each Significant Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity. None of the outstanding shares of capital stock of or other equity interests in any Significant Subsidiary were issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such Significant Subsidiary or any other entity. The only subsidiaries of the Company as of December 31, 2023 are the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the latest Form 10-K.

(r) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (except for (A) subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to reservations, agreements, employee benefit plans referred to in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities or options referred to in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (B) subsequent repurchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program referred to in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus). The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.

(s) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws, or similar organizational documents, or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject (collectively, “Agreements and Instruments”)

 

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except for such defaults that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Indenture, the Paying Agency Agreement, the Notes and any other agreement or instrument entered into or issued or to be entered into or issued by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or by the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Notes and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments, except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or Repayment Events or liens, charges or encumbrances that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, nor will such action result in any violation of (A) the provisions of the charter or by-laws, or similar organizational documents, of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (B) any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their assets, properties or operations, except with respect to clause (B), any such violation as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. As used herein, a “Repayment Event” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(t) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, or that might materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Indenture, the Paying Agency Agreement or the Notes or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder or thereunder.

(u) Absence of Manipulation. Neither the Company nor any controlled affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or any controlled affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action that is designed to or that has constituted or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Notes.

(v) Possession of Intellectual Property. The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary to carry on the business now operated by them, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with

 

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asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any of its subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(w) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Notes hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Indenture, the Paying Agency Agreement and the Notes, except (A) such registration obtained or made by the Company and in full force and effect under the Securities Act, (B) the registration or qualification under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the various states and (C) such as have already been obtained.

(x) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except where the failure so to possess would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(y) Environmental Laws. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, (A) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products, asbestos-containing materials or mold (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (B) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or Environmental Laws.

 

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(z) Investment Company Act. The Company has been advised of the rules and requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Investment Company Act”). The Company is not, and after receipt of payment for the Notes and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.

(aa) No Unlawful Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has directly or indirectly (i) used any funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made or taken an act in furtherance of an offer, promise or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or benefit to any foreign or domestic government or regulatory official or employee, including of any government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977), or any applicable law or regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or committed an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws; or (iv) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or other unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful or improper payment or benefit. The Company, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates, have conducted their business in all material respects in accordance with, and the Company and its subsidiaries have instituted, maintain and enforce, and will continue to maintain and enforce, policies and procedures designed to promote and ensure compliance with, all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.

(bb) Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of its subsidiaries conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental or regulatory agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental or regulatory agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

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(cc) No Conflict with Sanctions Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”), the U.S. Department of State or the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce (including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”), the European Union, the United Kingdom, HM Treasury, or other sanctions authority to which the Company and its subsidiaries are subject (collectively, “Sanctions” and any such authority, “Applicable Sanctions Authority”), nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or the target of comprehensive Sanctions, including, without limitation, such countries and territories such as the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic and any other Covered Region of Ukraine identified pursuant to Executive Order 14065, the Crimea region of Ukraine, the non-government controlled areas of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Regions of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria (each, a “Sanctioned Country”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Notes hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, in violation of applicable Sanctions, including (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or the target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is a person that is, or is 50% or more owned or otherwise controlled by a person that is: (i) the subject of any Sanctions; or (ii) located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country. The Company has disclosed to the Applicable Sanctions Authority all known Sanctions violations by the Company or any subsidiary within the past 5 years, and, other than fines or penalties previously disclosed to the Representatives and as publicly disclosed by OFAC, no fines or penalties have arisen as a result of such disclosures and the Company has no reason to believe that any such fines or penalties will arise. The representations and warranties in this clause shall not apply to, nor are they sought by or given to, any person if and to the extent that the express of, or compliance with, or receipt or acceptance of, such representations would breach any provision of (i) Council (EC) No. 2271/96, as amended from time to time (the “EU Blocking Regulation”), or any law or regulation implementing the EU Blocking Regulation in any member state of the European Union or any similar applicable anti-boycott law or regulation or (ii) Council Regulation (EC) 2271/96 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union Withdrawal Act 2018 and as amended from time to time (the “U.K. Blocking Regulation”) or any law or regulation implementing the U.K. Blocking Regulation or any similar applicable anti-boycott law or regulation.

 

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(dd) Maintenance of Controls and Procedures. The Company has established and maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Exchange Act) that (i) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, particularly during the periods in which the filings made by the Company with the Commission which it may make under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are being prepared, (ii) have been evaluated for effectiveness as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing of the Company’s most recent annual report filed with the Commission and (iii) are effective to perform the functions for which they were established.

(ee) Internal Controls and Procedures. The Company maintains a system of internal accounting control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences, and (v) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been prepared in all material respects in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness or significant deficiencies in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(ff) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no franchises, contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been so described and filed as required.

(gg) Cybersecurity. The Company and its subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) are adequate for the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted. To the knowledge of the Company, the IT Systems are free and clear of all malware and other corruptants. The Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, operation and security of all IT Systems and data (including all personal, personally identifiable, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Personal Data”)) used in connection with their businesses, and to the knowledge of the Company, there have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability. The Company and its subsidiaries are presently in material

 

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compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification.

Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters set forth therein.

SECTION 2. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Notes.

(a) The Notes. The Company agrees to issue and sell to the several Underwriters, severally and not jointly, all of the Notes upon the terms herein set forth. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth opposite their names on Schedule A, at a purchase price of 99.275% of the principal amount thereof in the case of the 2028 Notes and 98.672% of the principal amount thereof in the case of the 2032 Notes, in each case, payable on the Closing Date.

(b) The Closing Date. Delivery of certificates for the Notes in global form to be purchased by the Underwriters and payment therefor shall be made at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, at 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, 10017 (or such other place as may be agreed to by the Company and the Representatives), at 9:00 a.m. London time on May 17, 2024, or such other time and date as the Underwriters and the Company shall mutually agree (the time and date of such closing are called the “Closing Date”).

(c) Public Offering of the Notes. The Representatives hereby advise the Company that the Underwriters intend to offer for sale to the public, as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, their respective portions of the Notes as soon after the Execution Time as the Representatives, in their sole judgment, have determined is advisable and practicable.

(d) Payment for the Notes. Payment for the Notes shall be made at the Closing Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the order of the Company.

It is understood that the Representatives have been authorized, for their own accounts and for the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Notes that the Underwriters have agreed to purchase. The Representatives may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment for any Notes to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds shall not have been received by the Representatives by the Closing Date for the account of such Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

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(e) Delivery of the Notes. The Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters certificates for the Notes at the Closing Date, against the irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor. The Notes shall be delivered in definitive book-entry form through a common depositary or its nominee on behalf of Clearstream Banking, société anonyme and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. unless the Representatives otherwise instruct. The certificates for the Notes shall be in such denominations and registered in such names and denominations as the Representatives shall have requested at least two full business days prior to the Closing Date and shall be made available for inspection on the business day preceding the Closing Date at a location in London, as the Representatives may designate. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in this Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of the Underwriters.

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company.

The Company covenants and agrees with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests. The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430B of the Securities Act, and will promptly notify the Representatives, and confirm the notice in writing, of (i) the effectiveness during the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below) of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or the filing of any supplement or amendment to the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, (ii) the receipt of any comments from the Commission during the Prospectus Delivery Period, (iii) any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or for additional information, and (iv) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Notes for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes. The Company will promptly effect the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 424 and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether each of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424 was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such document. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(b) Filing of Amendments. During such period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the later of the Closing Date or such date as, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus is no longer required by law to be delivered in connection with sales of the Notes by an Underwriter or dealer, including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172 of the Securities Act (the “Prospectus Delivery Period”), the Company will give the Representatives notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement, or any amendment, supplement or revision to the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object.

 

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(c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Company has furnished or will deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Representatives, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to any electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Company will deliver to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of the Preliminary Prospectus as such Underwriter may reasonably request, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the Securities Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, such number of copies of the Prospectus as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to any electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Company will comply with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Notes as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If at any time during the Prospectus Delivery Period, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to amend the Registration Statement in order that the Registration Statement will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or to amend or supplement the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order that the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at the Initial Sale Time or at the time it is delivered or conveyed to a purchaser, not misleading, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of either such counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of any law, the Company will (1) notify the Representatives of any such event, development or condition and (2) promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus comply with such law, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters, without charge, such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request.

 

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(f) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company shall cooperate with the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters to qualify or register the Notes for sale under (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the state securities or blue sky laws of those jurisdictions designated by the Representatives, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Notes. The Company shall not be required to qualify to transact business or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a foreign business. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Notes for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(g) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes sold by it in the manner described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(h) Depositary. The Company will cooperate with the Underwriters and use its best efforts to permit the Notes to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of the Depositary.

(i) Periodic Reporting Obligations. During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company shall file, on a timely basis, with the Commission and the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) all reports and documents required to be filed under the Exchange Act.

(j) Agreement Not to Offer or Sell Additional Securities. During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the Closing Date, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Representatives), directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell, pledge, transfer or establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, or announce the offering of, or file any registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any debt securities of the Company similar to the Notes or securities exchangeable for or convertible into debt securities similar to the Notes (other than as contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Notes).

(k) Final Term Sheet. The Company will prepare a final term sheet containing only a description of the Notes, in a form approved by the Underwriters and attached as Exhibit B hereto, and will file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act within the time required by such rule (such term sheet, the “Final Term Sheet”). Any such Final Term Sheet is an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus for purposes of this Agreement.

(l) Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company represents that it has not made, and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representatives, it will not make, any offer relating to the Notes that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433 of the Securities Act; provided that the prior written consent of the Representatives shall be deemed to have been given in respect of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses included in Annex I to this Agreement. Any such free writing prospectus consented

 

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to or deemed to be consented to by the Representatives is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company agrees that (i) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and (ii) has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 of the Securities Act applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping. The Company consents to the use by any Underwriter of a free writing prospectus that (a) is not an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433, and (b) contains only (i) information describing the preliminary terms of the Notes or their offering, (ii) information permitted by Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (iii) information that describes the final terms of the Notes or their offering and that is included in the Final Term Sheet of the Company contemplated in Section 3(k).

(m) Registration Statement Renewal Deadline. If immediately prior to the third anniversary (the “Renewal Deadline”) of the initial effective date of the Registration Statement, any of the Notes remain unsold by the Underwriters, the Company will prior to the Renewal Deadline file, if it has not already done so and is eligible to do so, a new automatic shelf registration statement relating to the Notes, in a form satisfactory to the Representatives. If the Company is no longer eligible to file an automatic shelf registration statement, the Company will prior to the Renewal Deadline, if it has not already done so, file a new shelf registration statement relating to the Notes, in a form satisfactory to the Representatives, and will use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective within 60 days after the Renewal Deadline. The Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Notes to continue as contemplated in the expired registration statement relating to the Notes. References herein to the Registration Statement shall include such new automatic shelf registration statement or such new shelf registration statement, as the case may be.

(n) Notice of Inability to Use Automatic Shelf Registration Statement Form. If at any time during the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company receives from the Commission a notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or otherwise ceases to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration statement form, the Company will (i) promptly notify the Representatives, (ii) promptly file a new registration statement or post-effective amendment on the proper form relating to the Notes, in a form satisfactory to the Representatives, (iii) use its best efforts to cause such registration statement or post-effective amendment to be declared effective and (iv) promptly notify the Representatives of such effectiveness. The Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Notes to continue as contemplated in the registration statement that was the subject of the Rule 401(g)(2) notice or for which the Company has otherwise become ineligible. References herein to the Registration Statement shall include such new registration statement or post-effective amendment, as the case may be.

(o) Filing Fees. The Company agrees to pay the required Commission filing fees relating to the Notes within the time required by and in accordance with Rule 456(b)(1) and 457(r) of the Securities Act.

 

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(p) Compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company will comply with all applicable securities and other laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), and use its best efforts to cause the Company’s directors and officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with such laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(q) No Manipulation of Price. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or that has constituted or might reasonably be expected to constitute, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Notes.

(r) Listing. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to list the Notes on the NYSE.

The Representatives, on behalf of the several Underwriters, may, in their sole discretion, waive in writing the performance by the Company of any one or more of the foregoing covenants or extend the time for their performance.

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses. (a) The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Notes (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, (iii) all fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors to the Company, (iv) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts), each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement, the Indenture, the Paying Agency Agreement and the Notes, (v) all filing fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Underwriters in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Notes for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws, and, if requested by the Representatives, preparing a “Blue Sky Survey” or memorandum, and any supplements thereto, advising the Underwriters of such qualifications, registrations and exemptions, (vi) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review, if any, by the U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) of the terms of the sale of the Notes, (vii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any paying agent, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee and paying agent in connection with the Indenture and the Notes, (viii) any fees payable in connection with the rating of the Notes with the ratings agencies, (ix) all fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the Company in connection with approval of the Notes by the Depositary for “book-entry” transfer, (x) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 14 of Part II of the Registration Statement; (xi) all fees and expenses related to listing of the Notes on the NYSE; (xii) costs and expenses of NetRoadshow for hosting an electronic road show; and (xiii) all other fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. Except as provided in this Section 4 and Sections 6, 8 and 9 hereof, the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel.

 

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(b) Each Underwriter agrees to pay the portion of the Underwriters’ collective expenses related to the offering of the Notes represented by such Underwriter’s pro rata share (based on the proportion that the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth opposite each Underwriter’s name in Schedule A bears to the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth opposite the names of all Underwriters in Schedule A) of the Notes (with respect to each Underwriters, the “Pro Rata Expenses”). Notwithstanding anything contained in the International Capital Market Association Primary Market Handbook, each Underwriter hereby agrees that J.P. Morgan Securities plc may allocate the Pro Rata Expenses to the account of such Underwriter for settlement of accounts (including payment of such Underwriter’s fees by J.P. Morgan Securities plc) as soon as practicable but in any case no later than 90 days following the Closing Date.

SECTION 5. Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Notes as provided herein on the Closing Date shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof, as of the Initial Sale Time, and as of the Closing Date as though then made and to the timely performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:

(a) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) (or any required post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A); the Final Term Sheet, and any other material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings under such Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, shall have been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending or threatened by the Commission, any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters; and the Company shall not have received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Securities Act objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration statement form.

(b) Accountants Comfort Letter. On the date hereof, the Representatives shall have received from Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accountants for the Company, a letter dated the date hereof addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives with respect to the audited and unaudited financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Such letter shall reflect that Deloitte & Touche LLP carried out certain specified procedures (but not an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) which would not necessarily reveal matters of significance with respect to the comments set forth in such letter. Such procedures shall be performed as of a date no more than three business days prior to the date hereof; and include reading the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders, Board of Directors and Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board of Directors of the Company, to the extent prepared; and making inquiries to certain officials of the Company who have responsibility for financial and accounting matters of the Company with respect to transactions and events subsequent to March

 

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31, 2024, as to whether there is, (i) any change in the capital stock, increase in long-term debt, or any decreases in consolidated net current assets or stockholders’ equity as compared with amounts shown on the March 31, 2024 unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial position or (ii) any decreases, in consolidated operating revenues, operating income, or in the total or per share amounts of net income as compared with the corresponding period in the preceding year, except in all instances for changes, increases or decreases that the Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as applicable, discloses have occurred or may occur.

(c) Bring-down Comfort Letter. On the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received from Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accountants for the Company, a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished by them pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 5, except that the specified date referred to therein for the carrying out of procedures shall be no more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(d) No Objection. If the Registration Statement and/or the offering of the Notes has been filed with FINRA for review, FINRA shall not have raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

(e) No Material Adverse Change or Ratings Agency Change. For the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date:

(i) in the judgment of the Representatives there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change;

(ii) there shall not have been any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (c) of this Section 5 which is, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Notes as contemplated by the Prospectus; and

(iii) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act.

(f) Opinion and 10b-5 Letter of Counsel for the Company. On the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion of (i) Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, counsel for the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A-1 and (ii) Irene Song, Chief Governance Counsel & Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A-2.

(g) Opinion and 10b-5 Letter of Counsel for the Underwriters. On the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated as of such Closing Date, with respect to such matters as may be reasonably requested by the Underwriters.

 

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(h) Officers’ Certificate. On the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a written certificate executed by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or a Senior Vice President or Vice Chairman of the Company and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, to the effect that:

(i) the Company has received no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or threatened by the Commission;

(ii) the Company has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Securities Act objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration statement form;

(iii) the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company set forth in Section 1 of this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made on and as of such Closing Date; and

(iv) the Company has complied with all the agreements hereunder and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Closing Date.

(i) Paying Agency Agreement. The Underwriters shall have received an executed copy of the Paying Agency Agreement.

(j) NYSE Listing. Application shall have been made to list the Notes on the NYSE for the trading on such exchange and, in connection therewith, the Company shall have caused to be prepared and submitted to the NYSE a listing application with respect to the Notes.

(k) Additional Documents. On or before the Closing Date, the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters shall have received such information, documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Notes as contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.

If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that Sections 4, 6, 8, 9, 17 and 18 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

SECTION 6. Reimbursement of Underwriters Expenses. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives pursuant to Section 5, 11(i)(only with respect to the Company’s securities) or 11(iv), or if the sale to the Underwriters of the Notes on the Closing Date is not consummated because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to comply with any provision hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Representatives and the other Underwriters (or such Underwriters as have

 

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terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves), severally, upon demand for all reasonably documented out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been reasonably incurred by the Representatives and the Underwriters in connection with the proposed purchase and the offering and sale of the Notes, including but not limited to fees and disbursements of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone charges.

SECTION 7. Effectiveness of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not become effective until the execution of this Agreement by the parties hereto.

SECTION 8. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its directors, officers, employees and affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Underwriter or such director, officer, employee, affiliate or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based (i) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Company Additional Written Communication, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and to reimburse each Underwriter and each such director, officer, employee, affiliate and controlling person for any and all expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representatives) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Underwriter or such director, officer, employee, affiliate or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any Company Additional Written Communication, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.

 

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(b) Indemnification of the Company, its Directors and Officers. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Underwriter), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based (i) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Company Additional Written Communication, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, any Company Additional Written Communication, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company, or any such director, officer or controlling person for any legal and other expense reasonably incurred by the Company, or any such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The Company hereby acknowledges that the only information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any Company Additional Written Communication, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth (i) the last paragraph on the cover page regarding delivery of the Notes and (ii) under the heading “Underwriting” (A) the sentences related to concessions and reallowances and (B) the paragraph related to stabilization, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Underwriter may otherwise have.

(c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 or to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, such indemnified party shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and

 

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expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party, unless: (i) the employment of such counsel has been specifically authorized in writing by the indemnifying party; (ii) the indemnifying party has failed promptly to assume the defense and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both such indemnified party and the indemnifying party or any affiliate of the indemnifying party, and such indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that either (x) there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or such affiliate of the indemnifying party or (y) a conflict may exist between such indemnified party and the indemnifying party or such affiliate of the indemnifying party (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to a single firm of local counsel) for all such indemnified parties, which firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives and that all such reasonable fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred). Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence, in which case the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

(d) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section 8(c) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

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SECTION 9. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the front cover page of the Prospectus bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Notes as set forth on such cover. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Underwriters, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(c), any reasonable legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.

The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 9.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting commissions received by such Underwriter in connection with the Notes underwritten by it and distributed to the public. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments as set forth opposite their names in Schedule A. For purposes of this Section 9, each director, officer, employee, affiliate and agent of an Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company with the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

 

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SECTION 10. Default of One or More of the Several Underwriters. If, on the Closing Date, any one or more of the several Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Notes that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate principal amount of Notes, which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in the proportion to the aggregate principal amounts of such Notes set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A bears to the aggregate principal amount of such Notes set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Representatives with the consent of the non-defaulting Underwriters, to purchase such Notes which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date. If, on the Closing Date, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase such Notes and the aggregate principal amount of such Notes with respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such Notes are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 4, 6, 8, 9, 17 and 18 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination. In any such case, either the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the required changes, if any, to the Registration Statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.

As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” shall be deemed to include any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter under this Section 10. Any action taken under this Section 10 shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

SECTION 11. Termination of this Agreement. Prior to the Closing Date, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice given to the Company if at any time (i) trading or quotation in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or the NYSE, or trading in securities generally on the NYSE shall have been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or FINRA; (ii) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal or New York authorities; (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or calamity involving the United States, or any change in the United States or international financial markets, or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial change in United States’ or international political, financial or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the Representatives is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to market the Notes in the manner and on the terms described in the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of securities; (iv) in the judgment of the Representatives there shall have occurred any Material Adverse Change; or (v) there shall have occurred a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services. Any termination pursuant to this Section 11 shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Sections 4 and 6 hereof, and provided further that Sections 4, 6, 8, 9, 17 and 18 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

 

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SECTION 12. No Fiduciary Duty. The Company acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the purchase and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Notes and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) in connection with each transaction contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary of the Company or its affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other party; (iii) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement; (iv) the several Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that the several Underwriters have no obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (v) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the several Underwriters with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the several Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty.

SECTION 13. Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, of its officers and of the several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement (i) will remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any (A) investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the officers or employees of any Underwriter, or any person controlling the Underwriter, the Company, the officers or employees of the Company, or any person controlling the Company, as the case may be or (B) acceptance of the Notes and payment for them hereunder and (ii) will survive delivery of and payment for the Notes sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 14. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:

If to the Underwriters:

Citigroup Global Markets Limited

Citigroup Centre

Canada Square

Canary Wharf

 

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London E14 5LB

United Kingdom

Facsimile: +44-20-7986-1927

Attention: Syndicate Desk

J.P. Morgan Securities plc

25 Bank Street

Canary Wharf

London E14 5JP

United Kingdom

Email: emea_syndicate@jpmorgan.com

Attention: Head of Debt Syndicate and Head of EMEA Debt Capital Markets Group, Legal

If to the Company:

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

155 Harlem Avenue

Glenview, IL 60025

Facsimile: 847-657-4800

Attention: David Livingston, Vice President Business Development & Treasury

with a copy to the Corporate Secretary

with a copy to:

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

320 South Canal Street, Ste. 3300

Chicago, IL 60606

Email: adam.weinstock@faegredrinker.com

Attention: Adam S. Weinstock

Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others.

SECTION 15. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Underwriters pursuant to Section 10 hereof, and to the benefit of the directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents and controlling persons referred to in Sections 8 and 9, and in each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term “successors” shall not include any purchaser of the Notes as such from any of the Underwriters merely by reason of such purchase.

SECTION 16. Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

 

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SECTION 17. Governing Law Provision. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THAT STATE

SECTION 18. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Related Proceedings”) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan, or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a “Related Judgment”), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 19. Judgment Currency. The Company agrees to indemnify each Underwriter against any loss incurred by such Underwriter as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due hereunder and such judgment or order being expressed and paid in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than United States dollars and as a result of any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is converted into Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order, and (ii) the rate of exchange at which such Underwriter is able to purchase United States dollars on the business day following actual receipt by such Underwriter of any sum adjudged or ordered to be so due in the Judgment Currency with the amount of the Judgment Currency actually received by such Underwriter. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate and independent obligation of the Company and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term “rate of exchange” shall include any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with purchase or, or conversion into, the relevant currency.

SECTION 20. Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters’ research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’ research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company, its subsidiaries and/or the offering of the Notes that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent

 

30


with the views or advice communicated to the Company by such Underwriters’ investment banking divisions. The Company acknowledges that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

SECTION 21. General Provisions. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. The Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

SECTION 22. Representatives. Any action by the Underwriters hereunder may be taken by Citigroup Global Markets Limited and J.P. Morgan Securities plc on behalf of the Underwriters, and any such action taken by Citigroup Global Markets Limited and J.P. Morgan Securities plc shall be binding upon the Underwriters. The execution of this Agreement by each Underwriter constitutes agreement to, and acceptance of, this Section 22.

SECTION 23. Agreement Among Underwriters. The execution of this Agreement by each Underwriter constitutes the acceptance of each Underwriter of the ICMA Agreement Among Managers Version 1/New York Law Schedule. References to the “Managers” shall be deemed to refer to the Underwriters. References to the “Lead Manager” shall be deemed to refer to each of the Representatives and references to “Settlement Lead Manager” shall be deemed to refer to J.P. Morgan Securities plc. As applicable to the Underwriters, Clause 3 of the ICMA Agreement Among Managers Version 1/New York Law Schedule shall be deemed to be deleted in its entirety and replaced with Section 10 of this Agreement.

SECTION 24. Patriot Act Acknowledgment. In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

 

31


SECTION 25. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.

(a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).

Covered Entity” means any of the following:

 

  (i)

a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

 

  (ii)

a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

 

  (iii)

a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

SECTION 26. Contractual Recognition of Bail-In. Notwithstanding and to the exclusion of any other term of this Agreement or any other agreements, arrangements or understanding among any Underwriter, the Company acknowledges and accepts that a BRRD Liability arising under this Agreement may be subject to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority, and acknowledges, accepts, and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the effect of the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority in relation to any BRRD Liability of an Underwriter to the Company under this Agreement, that (without limitation) may include and result in any of the following, or some combination thereof:

(i) the reduction of all, or a portion, of the BRRD Liability or outstanding amounts due thereon;

 

32


(ii) the conversion of all, or a portion, of the BRRD Liability into shares, other securities or other obligations of such Underwriter or another person, and the issue to or conferral on the Company of such shares, securities or obligations;

(iii) the cancellation of the BRRD Liability; and

(iv) the amendment or alteration of any interest, if applicable, thereon, the maturity or the dates on which any payments are due, including by suspending payment for a temporary period; and

(b) the variation of the terms of this Agreement, as deemed necessary by the Relevant Resolution Authority, to give effect to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority.

The Company acknowledges and accepts that this provision is exhaustive on the matters described herein to the exclusion of any other term of this Agreement or any other agreements, arrangements, or understanding among any Underwriter and the Company relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

The terms which follow, when used in this Section 26, shall have the meanings indicated.

Bail-in Legislation” means in relation to a member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented, or which at any time implements, the BRRD, the relevant implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement as described in the EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule from time to time or, in the case of the United Kingdom, U.K. Bail-in Legislation; “Bail-in Powers” means any Write-down and Conversion Powers as defined in relation to the relevant Bail-in Legislation; “BRRD” means Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms; “EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule” means the document described as such, then in effect, and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time at https://www.lma.eu.com/pages.aspx?p=499; “U.K. Bail-in Legislation” means any laws, regulations, rules or requirements in effect in the United Kingdom, relating to the transposition of the BRRD as amended from time to time, including but not limited to the Banking Act 2009 as amended from time to time, and the instruments, rules and standards created thereunder; “BRRD Liability” has the same meaning as in such laws, regulations, rules or requirements implementing the BRRD under the applicable Bail-in Legislation; and “Relevant Resolution Authority” means the resolution authority with the ability to exercise any Bail-in Powers in relation to the relevant Underwriter.

SECTION 27. UK and E.U. Product Governance Rules. (1) Solely for the purposes of the requirements of 3.2.7R of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the “U.K. MiFIR Product Governance Rules”) regarding the mutual responsibilities of manufacturers under the U.K. MiFIR Product Governance Rules: each of the applicable Representatives (each, a “Manufacturer” and together, the “Manufacturers”) understands the responsibilities conferred upon it under the U.K. MiFIR Product Governance Rules relating to each of the product approval process, the target market and the proposed distribution channels as applying to the Notes and the related information set out in the Disclosure Package and the

 

33


Prospectus in connection with the Notes, and each of the Company and the other Underwriters notes the application of the U.K. MiFIR Product Governance Rules and acknowledge the target market and distribution channels identified as applying to the Notes by the Manufacturers and the related information set out in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus in connection with the Notes; and (2) Solely for the purposes of the requirements of Article 9(8) of the MiFID Product Governance rules under EU Delegated Directive 2017/593 (the “Product Governance Rules”) regarding the mutual responsibilities of manufacturers under the Product Governance Rules: each of the applicable Manufacturers acknowledges to each other Manufacturer that it understands the responsibilities conferred upon it under the Product Governance Rules relating to each of the product approval process, the target market and the proposed distribution channels as applying to the Notes and the related information set out in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus in connection with the Notes, and each of the Company and the other Underwriters note the application of the Product Governance Rules and acknowledge the target market and distribution channels identified as applying to the Notes by the Manufacturers and the related information set out in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus in connection with the Notes.

SECTION 28. Stabilization. The Company hereby authorizes J.P. Morgan Securities plc as the “Stabilizing Manager” to make adequate public disclosure regarding stabilization of the information required in relation to such stabilization by the Market Abuse Regulation (Regulation 596/2014) of the Commission of the European Communities. The Stabilizing Manager for its own account may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and directives, over-allot and effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the Notes at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail, but in doing so the Stabilizing Manager shall act as principal and not as agent of the Company and any loss resulting from overallotment and stabilization shall be borne, and any profit arising therefrom shall be beneficially retained, by the Stabilizing Manager. However, there is no assurance that the Stabilizing Manager (or persons acting on behalf of the Stabilizing Manager) will undertake any stabilization action. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed so as to require the Company to issue in excess of the aggregate principal amount of Notes specified in Schedule I hereto. Such stabilization, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time and shall be conducted by the Stabilizing Manager in accordance with all applicable laws and directives. The Company confirms the appointment of the Stabilizing Manager as of the central point responsible for adequate public disclosure of information, and handling any request from a competent authority, in accordance with Article 6(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016 with regard to regulatory technical standards for the conditions applicable to buy-back programmes and stabilization measures.

SECTION 29. Contractual Recognition of European Union Blocking Statute. Each Underwriter agrees and confirms that it is not entitled to the benefit of the representation and warranty contained in Section 1(cc) hereof, insofar as it would result in a breach and/or violation of, or conflict with, Council Regulation (EC) No. 2271/96.

SECTION 30. Commissionaire Account. The Settlement Lead Manager or such other Representative as the Underwriters may agree to settle the Notes (the “Settlement Bank”) acknowledges that the Notes will initially be credited to an account (the “Commissionaire Account”) for the benefit of the Settlement Bank the terms of which include a third-party beneficiary clause (‘stipulation pour autrui’) with the Company as the third-party beneficiary

 

34


and provide that such Notes are to be delivered to others only against payment of the purchase prices set forth in Schedule I hereto into the Commissionaire Account on a delivery against payment basis. The Settlement Bank acknowledges that (i) the Notes shall be held to the order of the Company as set out above and (ii) the purchase prices set forth in Schedule I hereto for the Notes received in the Commissionaire Account will be held on behalf of the Company until such time as they are transferred to the Company’s order. The Settlement Bank undertakes that the purchase prices set forth in Schedule I hereto will be transferred to the Company’s order promptly following receipt of such monies in the Commissionaire Account. The Company acknowledges and accepts the benefit of the third-party beneficiary clause (‘stipulation pour autrui’) pursuant to the Belgian or Luxembourg Civil Code, as applicable, in respect of the Commissionaire Account.

Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it is a sophisticated business person who was adequately represented by counsel during negotiations regarding the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the indemnification provisions of Section 8 and the contribution provisions of Section 9, and is fully informed regarding said provisions. Each of the parties hereto further acknowledges that the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereto fairly allocate the risks in light of the ability of the parties to investigate the Company, its affairs and its business in order to assure that adequate disclosure has been made in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (and any amendments and supplements thereto), as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

[Signature Pages As Follows]

 

35


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,

 

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

By:  

/s/ Michael M. Larsen

Name:Michael M. Larsen
Title:Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
By:  

/s/ Randall J. Scheuneman

Name:Randall J. Scheuneman
Title:Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer

 

36


The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Underwriters as of the date first above written.

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES PLC

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

ING BANK N.V.

COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

MIZUHO INTERNATIONAL PLC

ANZ SECURITIES, INC.

SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE

LOOP CAPITAL MARKETS LLC

BANK OF MONTREAL, LONDON BRANCH

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

DANSKE BANK A/S

HSBC BANK PLC

INTESA SANPAOLO IMI SECURITIES CORP.

PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC

U.S. BANCORP INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

By:   CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Simi Alabi

Name: Simi Alabi
Title: Delegated Signatory

By:

 

By:

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES PLC

 

/s/ Marc Lewell

Name: Marc Lewell
Title: Managing Director

By:

 

By:

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

 

/s/ Lynda Fleming

Name: Lynda Fleming
Title: Authorised Signatory

By:

 

By:

 

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

 

/s/ Jonathan Zwart

Name: Jonathan Zwart
Title: Managing Partner


By:

 

By:

 

ING BANK N.V.

 

/s/ William de Vreede

Name: William de Vreede
Title: Global Head Legal Wholesale Banking
By:  

/s/ Romke van der Weerdt

Name: Romke van der Weerdt
Title: Manager Director
By:   COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
By:  

/s/ Volker Happel

Name: Volker Happel
Title: Vice President
By:  

/s/ Heike S. Hauser

Name: Heike S. Hauser
Title: Senior Counsel

By:

 

By:

 

MIZUHO INTERNATIONAL PLC

 

/s/ Manabu Shibuya

Name: Manabu Shibuya
Title: Authorised Signatory

By:

 

By:

 

ANZ SECURITIES, INC.

 

/s/ Robyn Bedil

Name: Robyn Bedil
Title: Director, Debt Capital Markets

By:

 

By:

 

SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE

 

/s/ Michael Shapiro

Name: Michael Shapiro
Title: Head of Debt Capital Markets

By:

 

By:

 

LOOP CAPITAL MARKETS LLC

 

/s/ Emmit Horne

Name: Emmit Horne
Title: Managing Director


By:   BANK OF MONTREAL, LONDON BRANCH
By:  

/s/ Richard Couzens

Name: Richard Couzens
Title: Managing Director, Head of Global Markets,
   EMEA
By:  

/s/ Michael McCormick

Name: Michael McCormick
Title: Managing Director, Debt Products
By:   BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.
By:  

/s/ Adrien Ferrando

Name: Adrien Ferrando
Title: DCM Bond Origination
By:  

/s/ Marco Dillmann

Name: Marco Dillmann
Title: DCM Bond Origination

By:

 

By:

 

DANSKE BANK A/S.

 

/s/ Kasper Resen Steenstrup

Name: Kasper Resen Steenstrup
Title: Senior Legal Director
By:  

/s/ Patrick Bernth

Name: Patrick Bernth
Title: Senior Legal Counsel

By:

 

By:

 

HSBC BANK PLC

 

/s/ A. Kraemer

Name: A. Kraemer
Title: Senior Legal Counsel


By:   INTESA SANPAOLO IMI SECURITIES CORP.
By:  

/s/ Jon Basagoiti

Name: Jon Basagoiti
Title: Managing Director

By:

 

By:

 

PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC

 

/s/ Rachel Chalich

Name: Rachel Chalich
Title: Managing Director

By:

 

By:

 

U.S. BANCORP INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

/s/ Mike Dullaghan

Name: Mike Dullaghan
Title: Managing Directors


SCHEDULE A

 

Underwriters

   Principal Amount of
2028 Notes
     Principal Amount of
2032 Notes
 

Citigroup Global Markets Limited

   133,250,000      174,250,000  

J.P. Morgan Securities plc

     133,250,000        174,250,000  

Barclays Bank PLC

     65,000,000        85,000,000  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

     65,000,000        85,000,000  

ING Bank N.V.

     65,000,000        85,000,000  

Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft

     39,000,000        51,000,000  

Mizuho International plc

     39,000,000        51,000,000  

ANZ Securities, Inc.

     26,000,000        34,000,000  

Société Générale

     26,000,000        34,000,000  

Loop Capital Markets LLC

     13,000,000        17,000,000  

Bank of Montreal, London Branch

     6,500,000        8,500,000  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.

     6,500,000        8,500,000  

Danske Bank A/S

     6,500,000        8,500,000  

HSBC Bank plc

     6,500,000        8,500,000  

Intesa Sanpaolo IMI Securities Corp.

     6,500,000        8,500,000  

PNC Capital Markets LLC

     6,500,000        8,500,000  

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

     6,500,000        8,500,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   650,000,000      850,000,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Sch. A - 1


ANNEX I

Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses

Final Term Sheet dated May 14, 2024

 

Annex I - 1


ANNEX II

Company Additional Written Communications

Company presentation on NetRoadshow dated May 10, 2024

 

Annex II - 1


EXHIBIT A-1

Form of Opinion of Faegre Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP

 

 

Exhibit A-1 - 1


EXHIBIT A-2

Form of Opinion of Issuer’s In-House Counsel

 

Exhibit A-2 - 1


EXHIBIT B

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

Pricing Term Sheet

May 14, 2024

 

Issuer:    Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Format:    SEC Registered
Ranking:    Senior Unsecured Notes
Size:    €650,000,000    €850,000,000
Price to Public:    99.525%    99.072%
Maturity Date:    May 17, 2028    May 17, 2032
Interest Rate:    3.250%    3.375%
Yield to Maturity:    3.379%    3.510%
Spread to Benchmark Security:    +74.6 basis points    +103.4 basis points
Benchmark Security:    OBL 2.200% due April 13, 2028    DBR 0.000% due February 15, 2032
Benchmark Security Price:    98.410    82.730
Spread to Mid-Swap:    +40 basis points    +70 basis points
Mid-Swap Yield:    2.979%    2.810%
Net Proceeds to Issuer (after underwriting discount but before expenses):    €645,287,500    €838,712,000
Use of Proceeds:    To repay a portion of the indebtedness incurred under the Company’s commercial paper program and Euro Credit Agreement. Any remaining proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes.
Interest Payment Date:   

May 17 of each year,

commencing May 17, 2025

  

May 17 of each year,

commencing May 17, 2025

Day Count Convention:    ACTUAL / ACTUAL (ICMA)

 

Exhibit B - 1


Optional Redemption:      
Make-whole Call:    Prior to March 17, 2028, at any time at a make-whole call of Bunds plus 15 basis points.    Prior to February 17, 2032, at any time at a make-whole call of Bunds plus 20 basis points.
Par Call:    On or after March 17, 2028, at any time at par.    On or after February 17, 2032, at any time at par.
Tax Redemption:    At any time at par if certain events occur involving changes in United States taxation.
Trade Date:    May 14, 2024
Expected Ratings*:    [intentionally omitted]
Expected Listing:    Application will be made to list the Notes on the New York Stock Exchange.
Settlement Date (T+3**):    May 17, 2024 (T+3)
Denominations:    €100,000 x €1,000
ISIN; Common Code:    XS2823909143; 282390914    XS2823909903; 282390990
CUSIP:    452308 BB4    452308 BC2
Joint Book-Running Managers:   

Citigroup Global Markets Limited

J.P. Morgan Securities plc

Barclays Bank PLC

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

ING Bank N.V.

Co-Managers:   

Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft

Mizuho International plc

ANZ Securities, Inc.

Société Générale

Loop Capital Markets LLC

Bank of Montreal, London Branch

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.

Danske Bank A/S

HSBC Bank plc

Intesa Sanpaolo IMI Securities Corp.

PNC Capital Markets LLC

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

 

Exhibit B - 2


Target Market:    MiFID II and UK MiFIR – professionals/ECPs-only / No PRIIPs or UK PRIIPs KID – Manufacturer target market (MiFID II and UK MiFIR product governance) is eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No PRIIPs or UK PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as not available to retail in EEA or UK.

 

*

Note: A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time.

**

Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes prior to the second business day before the delivery of the notes will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+3, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the notes who wish to trade the notes prior to the second business day before the delivery of the notes should consult their own advisors.

The notes will be represented by beneficial interests in fully registered permanent global notes (the “international global notes”) without interest coupons attached, which will be registered in the name of, and shall be deposited on or about May 17, 2024 with a common depositary for, and in respect of interests held through, Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”), and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream”). Any notes represented by global notes held by a nominee of Euroclear or Clearstream will be subject to the then applicable procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, as applicable. Euroclear and Clearstream’s current practice is to make payments in respect of global notes to participants of record that hold an interest in the relevant global notes at the close of business on the date that is the clearing system business day (for these purposes, Monday to Friday inclusive except December 25th and January 1st) immediately preceding each applicable interest payment date.

This term sheet is not a prospectus for the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, including the same as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020.

The communication of this term sheet and any other document or materials relating to the issue of the notes is not being made, and such documents or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of Section 21 of the United Kingdom’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the “FSMA”). Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. This document and such other documents and/or materials are for distribution only to persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”)), (ii) fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside the United Kingdom, or (iv) are other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this term sheet and any other document or materials relates will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this term sheet or any of its contents.

 

Exhibit B - 3


Relevant stabilization regulations including FCA/ICMA will apply.

The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus and preliminary prospectus supplement) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) for the offering to which this pricing term sheet relates. This offering will be made only by means of a prospectus and preliminary prospectus supplement. The information in this pricing term sheet supersedes the information contained in the prospectus and preliminary prospectus supplement to the extent that it is inconsistent therewith. Terms used but not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the prospectus and preliminary prospectus supplement.

Before you invest, you should read the prospectus and preliminary prospectus supplement in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the Commission for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the prospectus and preliminary prospectus supplement may be obtained by contacting Citigroup Global Markets Limited by telephone toll-free at +1-800-831-9146 or J.P. Morgan Securities plc by telephone collect at +44-207-134-2468.

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

 

Exhibit B - 4

Exhibit 4.1

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

Officers’ Certificate Pursuant to

Sections 2.01 and 2.04 of the Indenture

Michael M. Larsen, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, and Randall J. Scheuneman, Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer, of Illinois Tool Works Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), each certify, pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.04 of the Indenture dated as of November 1, 1986, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 1990 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor Trustee, that, pursuant to authority granted by the Board of Directors of the Company to the undersigned and certain other officers of the Company in resolutions duly adopted on August 4, 2023, the terms and form of the Company’s (i) 3.250% Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) and (ii) 3.375% Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes” and, together with the 2028 Notes, the “Notes”) shall be as set forth below. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture.

1. The 2028 Notes shall be designated as “3.250% Notes due 2028.” The 2032 Notes shall be designated as “3.375% Notes due 2032.”

2. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture pursuant to this Officers’ Certificate (not including Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Notes pursuant to Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 3.02 or 10.04 of the Indenture) initially shall be not more than €650,000,000 in the case of the 2028 Notes and €850,000,000 in the case of the 2032 Notes. The Company shall have the right from time to time, without the consent of the existing Holders of Notes of the applicable series, to create and issue additional notes of such series with the same terms and conditions as the 2028 Notes or the 2032 Notes, as applicable, except, in each case, for the issue date, issue price and the first payment of interest thereon (“Additional Notes”), provided that, with respect to such applicable series of Notes, if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the previously outstanding Notes of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have a separate ISIN and Common Code. Additional Notes of any series will be consolidated with and will form a single series with the previously outstanding Notes of such series.

3. Each Note shall bear interest from and including the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest on such Note (or any predecessor Note) has been paid or provided for, or if no interest has been paid, from and including May 17, 2024, at the rate of 3.250% per annum for the 2028 Notes and 3.375% per annum for the 2032 Notes, in each case until the principal thereof is paid or made available for payment. Interest shall be payable on each Interest Payment Date and at Stated Maturity. Interest payments shall be in the amount of interest accrued to, but excluding, the relevant Interest Payment Date or Stated Maturity, as applicable. If any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or any redemption date is not a Business Day, then the related payment for such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or redemption date shall be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and no further interest shall accrue as a result of such delay. Interest shall be payable to the person in whose name a Note (or any predecessor Note) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date next preceding each Interest Payment Date; provided, however, that interest payable at Stated Maturity shall be payable to the person to whom principal shall be payable.

 

1


The Interest Payment Dates for the Notes shall be May 17 of each year, beginning on May 17, 2025. The Record Date for interest payable on the Notes, in each case, shall be the close of business (in the relevant clearing system) on the Clearing System Business Day (as defined below) immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (or, if the Notes are held in definitive form, the 15th calendar day preceding each Interest Payment Date, whether or not a Business Day). For these purposes, a “Clearing System Business Day” means a day on which each clearing system for which any Global Security is being held is open for business. Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of (i) the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and (ii) the actual number of days from (and including) the last date on which interest was paid on such Notes (or May 17, 2024, if no interest has been paid on such Notes), to (but excluding) the next scheduled Interest Payment Date. This payment convention is referred to as ACTUAL/ACTUAL (ICMA) as defined in the rulebook of the International Capital Market Association.

4. The Stated Maturity of the Notes shall be May 17, 2028 in the case of the 2028 Notes and May 17, 2032 for the 2032 Notes.

5. The 2028 Notes and 2032 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached to this Certificate as Exhibit A and Exhibit B, respectively.

6. The 2028 Notes and the 2032 Notes may be redeemed (i) in whole or in part from time to time at the option of the Company before the applicable date of Stated Maturity and (ii) in whole, but not in part, at the option of the Company upon certain changes with respect to taxation, in each case at the prices and on the terms set forth in the forms of Note attached to this Certificate as Exhibit A and Exhibit B, respectively.

7. The Notes shall be sold by the Company to Citigroup Global Markets Limited and J.P. Morgan Securities plc, acting as representatives of the several underwriters (collectively, the “Underwriters”), pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated May 14, 2024 with the Company, at a price equal to 99.275% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Notes and 98.672% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2032 Notes. The initial public offering price of the Notes shall be 99.525% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Notes and 99.072% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2032 Notes, plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of original issue.

8. The Notes shall not be entitled to any sinking, purchase or analogous fund, and the Company shall not be obligated to redeem or purchase the Notes at the option of any Holder thereof.

9. The Notes shall be issued in minimum denominations of €100,000 and integral multiples of €1,000 in excess thereof.

10. The Paying Agent for the Notes shall initially be The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar for the Notes shall initially be The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Registrar”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may change the Paying Agent or Registrar, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

11. Payments of principal of and any premium or interest on the Notes, when payable, shall be made in immediately available funds at the office of the Paying Agent or any other location the Company may designate from time to time. On the date of this Certificate, the office of the Paying Agent is located at 160 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4LA, United Kingdom, Attention: Corporate Trust. Payments of interest on each Note (other than interest payable at Stated Maturity) shall be made by wire

 

2


transfer in immediately available funds, provided that the Company may elect that the payment of interest may be made by wire transfer or check mailed to the registered address of the person entitled thereto as it appears on the security register. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the registered owner of the Notes is a common depositary of Euroclear and Clearstream (as defined below) or their nominee, payments of principal and interest shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Euroclear and Clearstream.

12. On the date of this certificate, the office of the Registrar, where the Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Notes or the Indenture may be served, is located at 311 S Wacker Drive, Suite 6200B, Chicago, IL 60606, United States of America.

13. Section 12.02 of the Indenture shall be fully applicable to the Notes, except that, with respect to the Notes, the term “Holder,” as used in Sections 12.02(a)(4) and 12.02(b)(5) of the Indenture, shall be understood to refer to “beneficial owners” of the Notes.

14. Each series of the Notes shall be issued as fully registered Global Securities. Each such Global Security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a common depositary, and registered in the name of the nominee of the common depositary for the accounts of Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream”), and Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”). So long as the Notes are represented by such Global Securities in accordance with the Indenture, beneficial owners of interests in such Global Securities may not exchange such interests for Definitive Securities (as defined in Paragraph 18 of this Certificate) except as otherwise expressly provided in the Indenture.

15. The aggregate principal amount of each Global Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Note Custodian (as defined in Paragraph 18 of this Certificate), as provided herein and in the Indenture.

16. All payments of interest and principal, including payments made upon any redemption of the Notes, will be payable in euros. If, on or after the date hereof, the euro is unavailable to the Company due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the Company’s control or if the euro is no longer being used by the then-member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then all payments in respect of the Notes will be made in U.S. dollars until the euro is again available to the Company or so used. In such circumstances, the amount payable on any date in euros will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for euros. Any payment in respect of the Notes so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an event of default under the Notes or the Indenture. Neither the Trustee nor the Paying Agent shall have any responsibility for effecting such currency conversions.

17. The Company will pay additional amounts on the 2028 Notes and the 2032 Notes as provided for, and subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth, in the forms of Note attached to this Certificate as Exhibit A and Exhibit B, respectively.

18. Definitions. Certain capitalized terms used in this Certificate and not defined in the Indenture have the following meanings:

Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, (1) which is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York or London are authorized or required by law or executive order to close and (2) on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer system (the “T2 system”), or any successor thereto, operates.

 

3


Definitive Securities” means any Security issued in fully-registered certificated form pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Indenture (other than a Global Security), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit B, as applicable, with appropriate legends as specified therein.

Federal Republic of Germany obligations” means direct noncallable obligations of the Federal Republic of Germany, noncallable obligations the payment of the principal of and interest on which is fully guaranteed by the Federal Republic of Germany, and noncallable obligations on which the full faith and credit of the Federal Republic of Germany is pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and interest thereon.

Note Custodian” means the custodian with respect to any Global Note appointed by the common depositary, or any successor Person thereto, and shall initially be the The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

United States” means the United States of America, the states of the United States, and the District of Columbia.

United States person” means any individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, or any estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and the control of one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of section 7701(a)(30) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)), or (2) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Each of the undersigned certifies that there is no Event of Default existing on the date hereof, and no event which with notice or lapse of time or both could become an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date hereof.

Each of the undersigned states that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to delivery of the executed Notes to the Trustee for authentication and delivery have been complied with.

Each of the undersigned further states that he has read the provisions of the Indenture relating to the issuance of the Notes and the definitions relating thereto; that the statements made in this Certificate are based upon an examination of the provisions of the Indenture and upon the relevant books and records of the Company; that he has, in his opinion, made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not the conditions included in such provisions have been complied with; and that, in his opinion, such conditions have been complied with.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate as of this 17th day of May, 2024.

 

By:  

/s/ Michael M. Larsen

Name:   Michael M. Larsen
Title:   Senior Vice President &
  Chief Financial Officer
By:  

/s/ Randall J. Scheuneman

Name:   Randall J. Scheuneman
Title:   Vice President &
  Chief Accounting Officer

 

(Signature Page to Officers’ Certificate Pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.04 of the Indenture)


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF 2028 NOTE


THIS IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREINAFTER.

UNLESS THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR BANK, S.A./N.V., AS OPERATOR OF THE EUROCLEAR SYSTEM (“EUROCLEAR”) AND CLEARSTREAM BANKING, SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME, LUXEMBOURG (“CLEARSTREAM, LUXEMBOURG” AND, TOGETHER WITH EUROCLEAR, “EUROCLEAR/CLEARSTREAM”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR, OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE BANK OF NEW YORK DEPOSITORY (NOMINEES) LIMITED OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR/CLEARSTREAM (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK DEPOSITORY (NOMINEES) LIMITED OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR/CLEARSTREAM), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, THE BANK OF NEW YORK DEPOSITORY (NOMINEES) LIMITED, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE COMMON DEPOSITARY OF EUROCLEAR/CLEARSTREAM OR TO A SUCCESSOR COMMON DEPOSITARY OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO IN THE ADDITIONAL TERMS ATTACHED HERETO.

 


FORM OF

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

3.250% NOTE DUE 2028

Principal Amount €650,000,000

as revised by the Schedule of Increases and

Decreases in Global Security attached hereto

 

No. 001    May 17, 2024

ISIN NO. XS2823909143

Common Code: 282390914

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “Company”), for value received, hereby promises to pay to The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, a common depositary for Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of SIX HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION EUROS (€650,000,000) subject to adjustment from time to time as reflected on the Schedule of Increases and Decreases in Global Security attached hereto on May 17, 2028 (“Stated Maturity”) at the office or agency of the Company in London, United Kingdom or such other location or locations as may be provided for pursuant to the Indenture referred to herein, in such unified coin or currency of the European Monetary Union as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest on said principal sum, in arrears, from and including the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or if no interest has been paid, from and including May 17, 2024), to, but excluding, May 17 of each year (the “Interest Payment Date”), beginning on May 17, 2025, at the rate of 3.250% per annum, at said offices or agencies, in like coin or currency, to, but excluding, the date on which said principal sum is paid in full. The Record Date with respect to each Interest Payment Date shall be the close of business (in the relevant clearing system) on the Clearing System Business Day (as defined below) immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (or, if this Security is held in definitive form, the 15th calendar day preceding each Interest Payment Date, whether or not a Business Day). For these purposes, a “Clearing System Business Day” means a day on which each clearing system for which any Global Security is being held is open for business. Interest payable at Stated Maturity shall be payable to the person to whom principal shall be payable. If any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or any redemption date is not a Business Day, then the related payment for such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or redemption date shall be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and no further interest shall accrue as a result of such delay. The interest payable on any Interest Payment Date (other than interest payable at Stated Maturity) will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds, provided that the Company may elect that the payment of interest may be made by wire transfer or by check mailed to the registered address of the person entitled thereto as it appears on the security register. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the registered owner of the Securities is a common depositary of Euroclear/Clearstream or its nominee, payments of principal and interest shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Euroclear/Clearstream.

If, on or after the date hereof, the euro is unavailable to the Company due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the Company’s control or if the euro is no longer being used by the then-member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then all payments will be made in U.S. dollars until the euro is again available to the Company

 

A-1


or so used. In such circumstances, the amount payable on any date in euros will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for euros. Any such payment so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an event of default under this Security or the Indenture. Neither the Trustee nor the Paying Agent shall have any responsibility for effecting such currency conversions.

The further provisions of this Security are continued in an attachment hereto and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Security shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to herein.

[signature page follows]

 

A-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. has caused this Security to be manually signed by its duly authorized officers and its corporate seal to be affixed hereto.

 

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Michael M. Larsen
Title:   Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

[SEAL]

 

By:  

 

Name:   Randall J. Scheuneman
Title:   Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer
By:  

 

Name:   Irene Song
Title:   Chief Governance Counsel & Assistant Secretary

 

A-3


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

    THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
Dated: May 17, 2024     By:  

 

      Authorized Signature

THE ADDITIONAL TERMS ATTACHED HERETO ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN AND DEEMED TO BE A PART HEREOF.

 

A-4


ADDITIONAL TERMS OF

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

3.250% NOTE DUE 2028

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of the Securities of Illinois Tool Works Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), designated as its 3.250% Notes due 2028 (individually, a “Security” and collectively, the “Securities”), issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of November 1, 1986 and supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 1990 (the “Indenture”), duly executed and delivered by the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”). The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and in the Officers’ Certificate dated May 17, 2024 (the “Officers’ Certificate”) establishing certain terms of the Securities pursuant to the Indenture, those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), and those set forth in this Security. This Security is subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture, the Officers’ Certificate and the TIA for a statement of all such terms. All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture or in the Officers’ Certificate shall have the meanings assigned to them therein. The Securities are unsecured general obligations of the Company.

The Securities are initially limited to the aggregate principal amount of Six Hundred Fifty Million Euros (€650,000,000), as specified in the Officers’ Certificate. The Company may from time to time, without the consent of the existing Holders of Securities, create and issue additional Securities with the same terms and conditions as the Securities, except for the issue date, issue price and the first payment of interest thereon, provided that if such additional Securities are not fungible with the Securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Securities will have a separate ISIN and Common Code. Additional Securities so issued will be consolidated with and will form a single series with the Securities.

Payment of Additional Amounts

All payments of principal and interest on the Securities by the Company will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein having power to tax) (a “Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction”), unless the withholding of such taxes, assessments or other governmental charge is required by law or the official interpretation or administration thereof. The Company will, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth below, pay as additional interest on the Securities such additional amounts (the “additional amounts”) as are necessary in order that the net payment by the Company of the principal of and interest on such Securities to a Holder who is not a United States person (as defined below), after withholding or deduction for any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, will not be less than the amount provided in such Securities to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the foregoing obligation to pay additional amounts shall not apply:

 

  1.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed by reason of the Holder (or the beneficial owner for whose benefit such Holder holds such Security), or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of the Holder if the Holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation, or a person holding a power over an estate or trust administered by a fiduciary holder, being considered as:

 

  a.

being or having been engaged in a trade or business in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or having or having had a permanent establishment in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction;

 

A-5


  b.

having a current or former connection with the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (other than a connection arising solely as a result of the ownership of such Securities, the receipt of any payment or the enforcement of any rights hereunder), including being or having been a citizen or resident of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or treated as having been a resident thereof;

 

  c.

being or having been a personal holding company, a passive foreign investment company or a controlled foreign corporation for United States income tax purposes or a corporation that has accumulated earnings to avoid United States federal income tax;

 

  d.

being or having been a “10-percent shareholder” of the Company as defined in section 871(h)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any successor provision, of the Company; or

 

  e.

being or having been a bank receiving payments on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business, as described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code or any successor provision;

 

  2.

to any Holder that is not the sole beneficial owner of such Securities, or a portion of such Securities, or that is a fiduciary, partnership or limited liability company, but only to the extent that a beneficial owner with respect to the Holder, a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, or a beneficial owner or member of the partnership or limited liability company would not have been entitled to the payment of an additional amount had the beneficiary, settlor, beneficial owner or member received directly its beneficial or distributive share of the payment;

 

  3.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the failure of the Holder, beneficial owner or any other person to (a) submit an applicable United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8 (with any required attachments) to establish the status as a non-United States person as required for purposes of the portfolio interest exemption or IRS Form W-9 to establish the status as a United States person, or comply with other certification, identification or information reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction of the Holder or beneficial owner of such Securities, if compliance is required by statute, by regulation of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or by an applicable income tax treaty to which the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction is a party as a precondition to exemption from such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or (b) comply with any information gathering and reporting requirements or take any similar action (including entering into any agreement with the IRS), in each case, that is required to obtain the maximum available exemption from withholding by a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction that is available to payments received by or on behalf of the Holder or beneficial owner;

 

  4.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed otherwise than by withholding or deduction by the Company or a paying agent from the payment;

 

  5.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed or withheld but for a change in law, regulation, or administrative or judicial interpretation that becomes effective more than 15 days after the payment becomes due or is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;

 

A-6


  6.

to any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, excise, transfer, wealth, capital gains or personal property tax or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

 

  7.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be withheld by any paying agent from any payment of principal of or interest on any Security, if such payment can be made without such withholding by at least one other paying agent;

 

  8.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed or levied but for the presentation by the Holder of any Security, where presentation is required, for payment on a date more than 30 days after the date on which payment became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;

 

  9.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed under sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended or successor provisions), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to section 1471(b) of the Code or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such sections of the Code; or

 

  10.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed (a) by reason of the failure of the beneficial owner to fulfill the statement requirements of Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code or any amended or successor provisions, or (b) pursuant to Section 871(h)(6) or 881(c)(6) of the Code or any amended or successor provisions; or

 

  11.

in the case of any combination of items (1) through (10) above.

The Securities are subject in all cases to any tax, fiscal or other law or regulation or administrative or judicial interpretation applicable to the Securities. Except as specifically provided hereunder, the Company will not be required to make any payment for any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by any government or a political subdivision or taxing authority of or in any government or political subdivision.

Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company may consolidate or merge with another corporation or sell, convey or lease all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to another corporation or entity, in accordance with Article 11 thereof. Pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of the Indenture, the successor or acquiring corporation or entity must expressly assume all of the Company’s responsibilities and liabilities under the Indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the Securities and performance of all the covenants. For the purpose of the Securities, it shall be understood that any obligation to pay Additional Amounts shall be determined mutatis mutandis, by treating the jurisdiction under the laws of which such successor or acquiring corporation or entity is organized and any political subdivision or taxing authority as therein having the power to tax, as a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction.

In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, relating to the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the provisions contained in the Indenture. The Indenture provides that, prior to the declaration of maturity of the Securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the Securities, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Securities at the time outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities waive any past default under the Indenture relating to the Securities and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security or such other Securities.

 

A-7


If, on or after the date hereof, the euro is unavailable to the Company due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the Company’s control or if the euro is no longer being used by the then-member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then all payments will be made in U.S. dollars until the euro is again available to the Company or so used. In such circumstances, the amount payable on any date in euros will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for euros. Any such payment so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under the Securities or the Indenture.

This Security may be redeemed at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, on any date that is prior to March 17, 2028 at a redemption price (calculated by the Company) equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed on the date of redemption or (ii) the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments (as defined below) of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on an annual basis (ACTUAL/ACTUAL (ICMA)) at the applicable Comparable Government Bond Rate (as defined below) plus 15 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding the redemption date.

At any time on or after March 17, 2028, the Company may also redeem some or all of the Securities, at the Company’s option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities being redeemed on the date of redemption, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date.

“Comparable Government Bond Rate” means the yield to maturity, expressed as a percentage (rounded to three decimal places, 0.0005 being rounded upwards), on the third Business Day prior to the date fixed for redemption, of the applicable Comparable Government Bond (as defined below) on the basis of the middle market price of such Comparable Government Bond prevailing at 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Business Day as determined by an independent investment bank selected by the Company.

“Comparable Government Bond” means, in relation to any Comparable Government Bond Rate calculation, at the discretion of an independent investment bank selected by the Company, a German government bond whose maturity is closest to the maturity of the Securities to be redeemed, or if such independent investment bank in its discretion determines that such similar bond is not in issue, such other German government bond as such independent investment bank may, with the advice of three brokers of, and/or market makers in, German government bonds selected by the Company, determine to be appropriate for determining the Comparable Government Bond Rate.

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each Security to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related redemption date but for such redemption; provided, however, that, if such redemption date is not an Interest Payment Date with respect to such Security, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be deemed to be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such redemption date.

 

A-8


Redemption for Tax Reasons

If, (a) as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated under the laws) of any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, or any change in, or amendments to, an official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings (including by virtue of a holding, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in published administrative practice), which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after the date hereof, the Company becomes or, based on a written opinion of independent counsel selected by the Company, is likely to become obligated to pay additional amounts as described herein under the heading “Payment of Additional Amounts” with respect to the Securities, or (b) any act is taken by a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction on or after the date hereof whether or not such act is taken with respect to the Company or any affiliate, that results in the Company being required or, based upon a written opinion of independent counsel selected by the Company, being likely to be required to pay such additional amounts, then the Company may at any time at the Company’s option redeem, in whole, but not in part, the Securities on not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities being redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Notice of redemption will be mailed to Holders of Securities to be redeemed by first-class mail (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the applicable procedures of Euroclear/Clearstream) at least 10 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or portions thereof called for redemption. On or before the redemption date, the Company will deposit with the paying agent or set aside, segregate and hold in trust (if the Company is acting as paying agent), funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Securities to be redeemed on that redemption date. If fewer than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select, not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, the particular Securities or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding Securities not previously called by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate and in accordance with the applicable procedures of the common depositary; provided, however, that no Securities of a principal amount of €100,000 or less shall be redeemed in part.

Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Securities may not be redeemed before the Stated Maturity and shall not be entitled to any sinking, purchase or analogous fund, nor shall the Company be obligated to redeem or purchase the Securities at the option of any Holder thereof.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding, evidenced as provided in the Indenture, to execute supplemental indentures which, if they pertain specifically to the Securities, may add any provisions to or change in any manner or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture relating to the Securities or of any supplemental indenture relating to the Securities or modify in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the Stated Maturity of any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change the currency in which any Security is payable, without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture relating to the Securities, without the consent of the Holders of all Securities then outstanding.

 

A-9


The Company may terminate all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture as it relates to the Securities, with certain limited exceptions described in the Indenture, by (i) irrevocably depositing in trust with the Trustee money or Federal Republic of Germany obligations (as defined below) (or a combination thereof) sufficient to pay principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities at Stated Maturity or upon the Securities’ earlier redemption, as the case may be, and (ii) complying with certain other conditions specified in the Indenture. Alternatively, the Company may, upon the making of such deposit and the satisfaction of certain conditions specified in the Indenture, omit to comply with its covenants in the Indenture relating to creation of secured indebtedness (Section 4.05 of the Indenture), sale and lease-back transactions (Section 4.06 of the Indenture), and transactions involving a merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation or a sale, conveyance or lease of the property of the Company substantially as an entirety to any other corporation or entity (Article Eleven), and such omission shall not be an Event of Default with respect to the Securities.

The Securities are issuable as registered Securities without coupons in denominations of €100,000 and any integral multiple of €1,000 in excess thereof. At the office or agency to be maintained by the Company in Chicago, Illinois, United States or at such other location or locations as may be provided for in the Indenture, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, Securities may be exchanged by the Holder thereof without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in respect thereof, for a like aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of Securities of other authorized denominations.

Subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, the Officers’ Certificate and herein, this Security is transferable and the registration of the transfer hereof may be effected by the registered Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing upon due presentment for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in Chicago, Illinois, United States or at such other location or locations as may be provided for in the Indenture, but only in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, the Officers’ Certificate and herein, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in relation thereto. Upon any such registration of transfer, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity will be issued to the transferee in exchange therefor.

Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Security, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and the Security Registrar may deem and treat the registered Holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by any person), for the purpose of receiving payment as herein provided and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or the interest on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of and part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.

The Indenture and this Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

 

A-10


[FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.  
                    
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee  

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing ________________ attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Date:              

 

    NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within-mentioned instrument in every particular, without alteration or any change whatsoever.

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee.

 

A-11


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of decrease in

Principal Amount of

this Global Note

  

Amount of increase in

Principal Amount of

this Global Note

  

Principal Amount of

this Global Note

following such

decrease or increase

  

Signature of

authorized signatory

of Trustee or Note

Custodian

 

A-12


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF 2032 NOTE


THIS IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREINAFTER.

UNLESS THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR BANK, S.A./N.V., AS OPERATOR OF THE EUROCLEAR SYSTEM (“EUROCLEAR”) AND CLEARSTREAM BANKING, SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME, LUXEMBOURG (“CLEARSTREAM, LUXEMBOURG” AND, TOGETHER WITH EUROCLEAR, “EUROCLEAR/CLEARSTREAM”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR, OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE BANK OF NEW YORK DEPOSITORY (NOMINEES) LIMITED OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR/CLEARSTREAM (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK DEPOSITORY (NOMINEES) LIMITED OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR/CLEARSTREAM), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, THE BANK OF NEW YORK DEPOSITORY (NOMINEES) LIMITED, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE COMMON DEPOSITARY OF EUROCLEAR/CLEARSTREAM OR TO A SUCCESSOR COMMON DEPOSITARY OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO IN THE ADDITIONAL TERMS ATTACHED HERETO.

 


FORM OF

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

3.375% NOTE DUE 2032

Principal Amount €850,000,000

as revised by the Schedule of Increases and

Decreases in Global Security attached hereto

 

No. 001    May 17, 2024
   ISIN NO. XS2823909903
   Common Code: 282390990

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “Company”), for value received, hereby promises to pay to The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, a common depositary for Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION EUROS (€850,000,000) subject to adjustment from time to time as reflected on the Schedule of Increases and Decreases in Global Security attached hereto on May 17, 2032 (“Stated Maturity”) at the office or agency of the Company in London, United Kingdom or such other location or locations as may be provided for pursuant to the Indenture referred to herein, in such unified coin or currency of the European Monetary Union as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest on said principal sum, in arrears, from and including the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or if no interest has been paid, from and including May 17, 2024), to, but excluding, May 17 of each year (the “Interest Payment Date”), beginning on May 17, 2025, at the rate of 3.375% per annum, at said offices or agencies, in like coin or currency, to, but excluding, the date on which said principal sum is paid in full. The Record Date with respect to each Interest Payment Date shall be the close of business (in the relevant clearing system) on the Clearing System Business Day (as defined below) immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (or, if this Security is held in definitive form, the 15th calendar day preceding each Interest Payment Date, whether or not a Business Day). For these purposes, a “Clearing System Business Day” means a day on which each clearing system for which any Global Security is being held is open for business. Interest payable at Stated Maturity shall be payable to the person to whom principal shall be payable. If any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or any redemption date is not a Business Day, then the related payment for such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or redemption date shall be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and no further interest shall accrue as a result of such delay. The interest payable on any Interest Payment Date (other than interest payable at Stated Maturity) will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds, provided that the Company may elect that the payment of interest may be made by wire transfer or by check mailed to the registered address of the person entitled thereto as it appears on the security register. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the registered owner of the Securities is a common depositary of Euroclear/Clearstream or its nominee, payments of principal and interest shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Euroclear/Clearstream.

If, on or after the date hereof, the euro is unavailable to the Company due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the Company’s control or if the euro is no longer being used by the then-member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking

 

B-1


community, then all payments will be made in U.S. dollars until the euro is again available to the Company or so used. In such circumstances, the amount payable on any date in euros will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for euros. Any such payment so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an event of default under this Security or the Indenture. Neither the Trustee nor the Paying Agent shall have any responsibility for effecting such currency conversions.

The further provisions of this Security are continued in an attachment hereto and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Security shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to herein.

[signature page follows]

 

B-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. has caused this Security to be manually signed by its duly authorized officers and its corporate seal to be affixed hereto.

 

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Michael M. Larsen
Title:   Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

[SEAL]

 

By:  

 

Name:   Randall J. Scheuneman
Title:   Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer
By:  

 

Name:   Irene Song
Title:   Chief Governance Counsel & Assistant Secretary

 

B-3


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

   

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee

Dated: May 17, 2024     By:  

 

     

Authorized Signature

THE ADDITIONAL TERMS ATTACHED HERETO ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN AND DEEMED TO BE A PART HEREOF.

 

B-4


ADDITIONAL TERMS OF

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

3.375% NOTE DUE 2032

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of the Securities of Illinois Tool Works Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), designated as its 3.375% Notes due 2032 (individually, a “Security” and collectively, the “Securities”), issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of November 1, 1986 and supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 1990 (the “Indenture”), duly executed and delivered by the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”). The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and in the Officers’ Certificate dated May 17, 2024 (the “Officers’ Certificate”) establishing certain terms of the Securities pursuant to the Indenture, those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), and those set forth in this Security. This Security is subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture, the Officers’ Certificate and the TIA for a statement of all such terms. All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture or in the Officers’ Certificate shall have the meanings assigned to them therein. The Securities are unsecured general obligations of the Company.

The Securities are initially limited to the aggregate principal amount of Eight Hundred Fifty Million Euros (€850,000,000), as specified in the Officers’ Certificate. The Company may from time to time, without the consent of the existing Holders of Securities, create and issue additional Securities with the same terms and conditions as the Securities, except for the issue date, issue price and the first payment of interest thereon, provided that if such additional Securities are not fungible with the Securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Securities will have a separate ISIN and Common Code. Additional Securities so issued will be consolidated with and will form a single series with the Securities.

Payment of Additional Amounts

All payments of principal and interest on the Securities by the Company will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein having power to tax) (a “Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction”), unless the withholding of such taxes, assessments or other governmental charge is required by law or the official interpretation or administration thereof. The Company will, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth below, pay as additional interest on the Securities such additional amounts (the “additional amounts”) as are necessary in order that the net payment by the Company of the principal of and interest on such Securities to a Holder who is not a United States person (as defined below), after withholding or deduction for any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, will not be less than the amount provided in such Securities to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the foregoing obligation to pay additional amounts shall not apply:

 

  1.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed by reason of the Holder (or the beneficial owner for whose benefit such Holder holds such Security), or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of the Holder if the Holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation, or a person holding a power over an estate or trust administered by a fiduciary holder, being considered as:

 

B-5


  a.

being or having been engaged in a trade or business in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or having or having had a permanent establishment in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction;

 

  b.

having a current or former connection with the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (other than a connection arising solely as a result of the ownership of such Securities, the receipt of any payment or the enforcement of any rights hereunder), including being or having been a citizen or resident of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or treated as having been a resident thereof;

 

  c.

being or having been a personal holding company, a passive foreign investment company or a controlled foreign corporation for United States income tax purposes or a corporation that has accumulated earnings to avoid United States federal income tax;

 

  d.

being or having been a “10-percent shareholder” of the Company as defined in section 871(h)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any successor provision, of the Company; or

 

  e.

being or having been a bank receiving payments on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business, as described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code or any successor provision;

 

  2.

to any Holder that is not the sole beneficial owner of such Securities, or a portion of such Securities, or that is a fiduciary, partnership or limited liability company, but only to the extent that a beneficial owner with respect to the Holder, a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, or a beneficial owner or member of the partnership or limited liability company would not have been entitled to the payment of an additional amount had the beneficiary, settlor, beneficial owner or member received directly its beneficial or distributive share of the payment;

 

  3.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the failure of the Holder, beneficial owner or any other person to (a) submit an applicable United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8 (with any required attachments) to establish the status as a non-United States person as required for purposes of the portfolio interest exemption or IRS Form W-9 to establish the status as a United States person, or comply with other certification, identification or information reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction of the Holder or beneficial owner of such Securities, if compliance is required by statute, by regulation of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or by an applicable income tax treaty to which the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction is a party as a precondition to exemption from such tax, assessment or other governmental charge; or (b) comply with any information gathering and reporting requirements or take any similar action (including entering into any agreement with the IRS), in each case, that is required to obtain the maximum available exemption from withholding by a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction that is available to payments received by or on behalf of the Holder or beneficial owner;

 

  4.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed otherwise than by withholding or deduction by the Company or a paying agent from the payment;

 

  5.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed or withheld but for a change in law, regulation, or administrative or judicial interpretation that becomes effective more than 15 days after the payment becomes due or is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;

 

B-6


  6.

to any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, excise, transfer, wealth, capital gains or personal property tax or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

 

  7.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be withheld by any paying agent from any payment of principal of or interest on any Security, if such payment can be made without such withholding by at least one other paying agent;

 

  8.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed or levied but for the presentation by the Holder of any Security, where presentation is required, for payment on a date more than 30 days after the date on which payment became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;

 

  9.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed under sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended or successor provisions), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to section 1471(b) of the Code or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such sections of the Code; or

 

  10.

to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed (a) by reason of the failure of the beneficial owner to fulfill the statement requirements of Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code or any amended or successor provisions, or (b) pursuant to Section 871(h)(6) or 881(c)(6) of the Code or any amended or successor provisions; or

 

  11.

in the case of any combination of items (1) through (10) above.

The Securities are subject in all cases to any tax, fiscal or other law or regulation or administrative or judicial interpretation applicable to the Securities. Except as specifically provided hereunder, the Company will not be required to make any payment for any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by any government or a political subdivision or taxing authority of or in any government or political subdivision.

Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company may consolidate or merge with another corporation or sell, convey or lease all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to another corporation or entity, in accordance with Article 11 thereof. Pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of the Indenture, the successor or acquiring corporation or entity must expressly assume all of the Company’s responsibilities and liabilities under the Indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the Securities and performance of all the covenants. For the purpose of the Securities, it shall be understood that any obligation to pay Additional Amounts shall be determined mutatis mutandis, by treating the jurisdiction under the laws of which such successor or acquiring corporation or entity is organized and any political subdivision or taxing authority as therein having the power to tax, as a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction.

In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, relating to the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the provisions contained in the Indenture. The Indenture provides that, prior to the declaration of maturity of the Securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the Securities, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Securities at the time outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities waive any past default under the Indenture relating to the Securities and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security or such other Securities.

 

B-7


If, on or after the date hereof, the euro is unavailable to the Company due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the Company’s control or if the euro is no longer being used by the then-member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then all payments will be made in U.S. dollars until the euro is again available to the Company or so used. In such circumstances, the amount payable on any date in euros will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for euros. Any such payment so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under the Securities or the Indenture.

This Security may be redeemed at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, on any date that is prior to February 17, 2032 at a redemption price (calculated by the Company) equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed on the date of redemption or (ii) the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments (as defined below) of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on an annual basis (ACTUAL/ACTUAL (ICMA)) at the applicable Comparable Government Bond Rate (as defined below) plus 20 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding the redemption date.

At any time on or after February 17, 2032, the Company may also redeem some or all of the Securities, at the Company’s option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities being redeemed on the date of redemption, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date.

“Comparable Government Bond Rate” means the yield to maturity, expressed as a percentage (rounded to three decimal places, 0.0005 being rounded upwards), on the third Business Day prior to the date fixed for redemption, of the applicable Comparable Government Bond (as defined below) on the basis of the middle market price of such Comparable Government Bond prevailing at 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Business Day as determined by an independent investment bank selected by the Company.

“Comparable Government Bond” means, in relation to any Comparable Government Bond Rate calculation, at the discretion of an independent investment bank selected by the Company, a German government bond whose maturity is closest to the maturity of the Securities to be redeemed, or if such independent investment bank in its discretion determines that such similar bond is not in issue, such other German government bond as such independent investment bank may, with the advice of three brokers of, and/or market makers in, German government bonds selected by the Company, determine to be appropriate for determining the Comparable Government Bond Rate.

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each Security to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related redemption date but for such redemption; provided, however, that, if such redemption date is not an Interest Payment Date with respect to such Security, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be deemed to be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such redemption date.

 

B-8


Redemption for Tax Reasons

If, (a) as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated under the laws) of any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, or any change in, or amendments to, an official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings (including by virtue of a holding, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in published administrative practice), which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after the date hereof, the Company becomes or, based on a written opinion of independent counsel selected by the Company, is likely to become obligated to pay additional amounts as described herein under the heading “Payment of Additional Amounts” with respect to the Securities, or (b) any act is taken by a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction on or after the date hereof whether or not such act is taken with respect to the Company or any affiliate, that results in the Company being required or, based upon a written opinion of independent counsel selected by the Company, being likely to be required to pay such additional amounts, then the Company may at any time at the Company’s option redeem, in whole, but not in part, the Securities on not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities being redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Notice of redemption will be mailed to Holders of Securities to be redeemed by first-class mail (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the applicable procedures of Euroclear/Clearstream) at least 10 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or portions thereof called for redemption. On or before the redemption date, the Company will deposit with the paying agent or set aside, segregate and hold in trust (if the Company is acting as paying agent), funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Securities to be redeemed on that redemption date. If fewer than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select, not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, the particular Securities or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding Securities not previously called by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate and in accordance with the applicable procedures of the common depositary; provided, however, that no Securities of a principal amount of €100,000 or less shall be redeemed in part.

Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Securities may not be redeemed before the Stated Maturity and shall not be entitled to any sinking, purchase or analogous fund, nor shall the Company be obligated to redeem or purchase the Securities at the option of any Holder thereof.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding, evidenced as provided in the Indenture, to execute supplemental indentures which, if they pertain specifically to the Securities, may add any provisions to or change in any manner or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture relating to the Securities or of any supplemental indenture relating to the Securities or modify in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the Stated Maturity of any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change the currency in which any Security is payable, without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture relating to the Securities, without the consent of the Holders of all Securities then outstanding.

 

B-9


The Company may terminate all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture as it relates to the Securities, with certain limited exceptions described in the Indenture, by (i) irrevocably depositing in trust with the Trustee money or Federal Republic of Germany obligations (as defined below) (or a combination thereof) sufficient to pay principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities at Stated Maturity or upon the Securities’ earlier redemption, as the case may be, and (ii) complying with certain other conditions specified in the Indenture. Alternatively, the Company may, upon the making of such deposit and the satisfaction of certain conditions specified in the Indenture, omit to comply with its covenants in the Indenture relating to creation of secured indebtedness (Section 4.05 of the Indenture), sale and lease-back transactions (Section 4.06 of the Indenture), and transactions involving a merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation or a sale, conveyance or lease of the property of the Company substantially as an entirety to any other corporation or entity (Article Eleven), and such omission shall not be an Event of Default with respect to the Securities.

The Securities are issuable as registered Securities without coupons in denominations of €100,000 and any integral multiple of €1,000 in excess thereof. At the office or agency to be maintained by the Company in Chicago, Illinois, United States or at such other location or locations as may be provided for in the Indenture, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, Securities may be exchanged by the Holder thereof without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in respect thereof, for a like aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of Securities of other authorized denominations.

Subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, the Officers’ Certificate and herein, this Security is transferable and the registration of the transfer hereof may be effected by the registered Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing upon due presentment for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in Chicago, Illinois, United States or at such other location or locations as may be provided for in the Indenture, but only in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, the Officers’ Certificate and herein, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in relation thereto. Upon any such registration of transfer, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity will be issued to the transferee in exchange therefor.

Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Security, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and the Security Registrar may deem and treat the registered Holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by any person), for the purpose of receiving payment as herein provided and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or the interest on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of and part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.

The Indenture and this Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

 

B-10


[FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.  
                   
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee  

 

                 

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing ________________ attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Date:              

 

    NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within-mentioned instrument in every particular, without alteration or any change whatsoever.

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee.

 

B-11


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of decrease in

Principal Amount of

this Global Note

  

Amount of increase in

Principal Amount of

this Global Note

  

Principal Amount of

this Global Note

following such

decrease or increase

  

Signature of

authorized signatory

of Trustee or Note

Custodian

 

B-12

Exhibit 5.1

LOGO

 

  LOGO          

 

         May 17, 2024

 

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

320 South Canal Street, Suite 3300

Chicago, Illinois 60606

+1 312 569 1000 main

+1 312 569 3000 fax

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

155 Harlem Avenue

Glenview, Illinois 60025

 

Re:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. 3.250% Notes due 2028

Illinois Tool Works Inc. 3.375% Notes due 2032

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Illinois Tool Works Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the offer and sale by the Company of (i) €650,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 3.250% notes due May 17, 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) and (ii) €850,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 3.375% notes due May 17, 2032 (the “2032 Notes” and together with the 2028 Notes, the “Notes”), pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement dated May 14, 2024 (the “Underwriting Agreement”) by and among the Company and each of Citigroup Global Markets Limited and J.P. Morgan Securities plc, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein. The Notes will be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the “Base Indenture”) dated November 1, 1986, as supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture dated May 1, 1990 (together, the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”). The Notes have been offered for sale pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated May 14, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on May 16, 2024 to the prospectus (as amended and supplemented by the prospectus supplement, the “Prospectus”) that constitutes a part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-273706) filed by the Company with the Commission on August 4, 2023 (the “Registration Statement”).

In this capacity, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Indenture, the global certificate evidencing the Notes, the Underwriting Agreement, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s By-Laws, resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors and such other documents and corporate records relating to the Company and the issuance and sale of the Notes as we have deemed appropriate.

On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth in Annex I attached hereto, we are of the opinion that:

When the Notes shall have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and issued and paid for as contemplated in the Underwriting Agreement, the Notes will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the same may be limited by the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, voidable transactions, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer,


Illinois Tool Works Inc.    -2-    May 17, 2024

 

reorganization, moratorium, receivership, assignment for the benefit of creditors and other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by equitable principles of general applicability (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 17, 2024 and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we come within the categories of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or under the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP


ANNEX I

In rendering the accompanying opinion letter, we wish to advise you of the following additional qualifications, limitations and assumptions to which such opinion letter is subject:

(a)  As to certain relevant facts, we have relied upon representations made by the Company in the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”), the assumptions set forth herein, and upon certificates of, and information provided by, officers and employees of the Company, reasonably believed by us to be appropriate sources of information, as to the accuracy of such factual matters, in each case without independent verification thereof or other investigation.

(b)  Our opinion letter is limited to the laws of the State of Illinois and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Covered Laws”), and we express no opinion as to the effect on the matters covered by our opinions of any other law. Furthermore, in rendering opinions as to the Covered Laws, we have only considered the applicability of statutes, rules, regulations and judicial decisions that a lawyer practicing in such jurisdiction (the “Opining Jurisdictions”) exercising customary professional diligence would reasonably recognize as being directly applicable to the Company or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

(c)  We express no opinion as to the enforceability or effect on the Notes to the extent they contain (i) any provision that purports to constitute or provide for the waiver and release of any rights, claims, defenses, counterclaims or remedies of the Company, including waivers by the Company of any statutory or constitutional rights or remedies; (ii) cumulative remedies to the extent such cumulative remedies purport to compensate, or would have the effect of compensating, the party entitled to the benefits thereof in an amount in excess of the actual loss suffered by such party; (iii) any remedial provisions that are not effected in a commercially reasonable manner, not taken in good faith or do not constitute fair dealing; (iv) provisions intended to permit modification thereof only by means of any agreement in writing by the parties thereto; (v) provisions that purport to establish evidentiary standards; (vi) provisions relating to the non-waiver of any party’s rights, including terms providing that any failure to exercise or any delay in exercising rights or remedies will not operate as a waiver of any such rights or remedies; (vii) provisions that would provide for interest in excess of the “legal rate” permitted under applicable law or are deemed to be unenforceable penalties; (viii) grants of powers of attorney; or (ix) indemnification and contribution provisions, to the extent their enforceability may be limited by federal or state securities laws or principles of public policy.

(d)  We have relied, without investigation, upon the following assumptions: (i) natural persons who are involved on behalf of the Company have sufficient legal capacity to enter into and perform, on behalf of the Company, the transaction in question and to carry out their role in the transaction; (ii) each party to each Transaction Document (other than the Company) has satisfied those legal requirements that are applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such Transaction Document enforceable against it; (iii) each party to a Transaction Document (other than the Company) has complied with all legal requirements pertaining to its status (such as legal investment laws, foreign qualification statutes and business activity reporting requirements) as such status relates to its rights to


enforce such Transaction Document against the Company; (iv) each document submitted to us for review is accurate and complete, each such document that is an original is authentic, each such document that is a copy conforms to an authentic original, and all signatures on each such document are genuine (and, without limiting the foregoing, (A) each signature on any such document that is not a manual signature has been attached to or logically associated with such document by electronic symbol or process, is the act of the identified signor and has been executed or adopted by the identified signor with the present intent to adopt or accept, and to sign, such document, and (B) the parties to such document have agreed to conduct transactions by electronic means); (v) all statutes, judicial and administrative decisions, and rules and regulations of governmental agencies, constituting the Covered Laws are publicly available to lawyers practicing in the Opining Jurisdictions; (vi) all relevant statutes, rules, regulations or agency actions are constitutional and valid unless a reported decision in the Opining Jurisdictions has specifically addressed but not resolved, or has established, its unconstitutionality or invalidity; (vii) there has not been any mutual mistake of fact or misunderstanding, fraud, duress or undue influence; (viii) the conduct of the parties to the Transaction Documents has complied with any requirement of good faith, fair dealing and conscionability; and (ix) there are no agreements or understandings among the parties, written or oral, and there is no usage of trade or course of prior dealing among the parties that would, in either case, define, supplement or qualify the terms of any of the Transaction Documents.

(e)  We express no opinion as to whether a court would award a judgment in a currency other than U.S. dollars or as to the enforceability of any provision specifying rates of exchange for, or requiring indemnity against loss in, converting into a specified currency the proceeds or amount of a court judgment in another currency.

v3.24.1.1.u2
Document and Entity Information
May 14, 2024
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]  
Entity Registrant Name ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0000049826
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date May 14, 2024
Entity Incorporation State Country Code DE
Entity File Number 1-4797
Entity Tax Identification Number 36-1258310
Entity Address, Address Line One 155 Harlem Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town Glenview
Entity Address, State or Province IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 60025
City Area Code 847
Local Phone Number 724-7500
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Entity Emerging Growth Company false
Common Stock [Member]  
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]  
Security 12b Title Common Stock
Trading Symbol ITW
Security Exchange Name NYSE
A 0.250 Euro Notesdue 2024 [Member]  
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]  
Security 12b Title 0.250% Euro Notes due 2024
Trading Symbol ITW24A
Security Exchange Name NYSE
A 0.625 Euro Notesdue 2027 [Member]  
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]  
Security 12b Title 0.625% Euro Notes due 2027
Trading Symbol ITW27
Security Exchange Name NYSE
A 2.125 Euro Notesdue 2030 [Member]  
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]  
Security 12b Title 2.125% Euro Notes due 2030
Trading Symbol ITW30
Security Exchange Name NYSE
A 1.00 Euro Notesdue 2031 [Member]  
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]  
Security 12b Title 1.00% Euro Notes due 2031
Trading Symbol ITW31
Security Exchange Name NYSE
A 3.00 Euro Notesdue 2034 [Member]  
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]  
Security 12b Title 3.00% Euro Notes due 2034
Trading Symbol ITW34
Security Exchange Name NYSE

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