8-K: Current report filing
Published on June 4, 2019
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 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 the earliest event reported): June 4, 2019
BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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New Jersey
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001-4802
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22-0760120
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
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1 Becton Drive
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
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07417-1880
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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(201) 847-6800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240. 14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class
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Trading Symbol
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Name of Each Exchange
on Which Registered
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Common stock, par value $1.00
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BDX
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New York Stock Exchange
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Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of 6.125% Cumulative Preferred Stock Series A
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BDXA
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New York Stock Exchange
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0.368% Notes due June 6, 2019
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BDX19D
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New York Stock Exchange
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1.000% Notes due December 15, 2022
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BDX22A
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New York Stock Exchange
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1.900% Notes due December 15, 2026
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BDX26
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New York Stock Exchange
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1.401% Notes due May 24, 2023
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BDX23A
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New York Stock Exchange
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3.020% Notes due May 24, 2025
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BDX25
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New York Stock Exchange
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or
Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
Notes Offering
On June 4, 2019, Becton Dickinson Euro Finance S.à r.l., a private limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée)
incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (“Becton Finance”) and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson and Company (“BD”), issued €600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021
(the “2021 Notes), €800,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”) and €600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026 (the “2026 Notes” and, together with the 2021 Notes
and the 2023 Notes, the “Notes”) in an underwritten public offering.
The Indenture and Supplemental Indenture
The Notes were issued pursuant to the indenture, dated May 17, 2019, among Becton Finance, as issuer, BD, as guarantor, and The Bank of New
York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Base Indenture”), as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of June 4, 2019 (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the
“Indenture”).
The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by BD.
Becton Finance may, at its option, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, (A) at any time prior to (i) June 4, 2021 (the maturity date)
with respect to the 2021 notes, (ii) May 4, 2023 (one month prior to the maturity date) with respect to the 2023 notes and (iii) March 4, 2026 (three months prior to the maturity date) with respect to the 2026 notes, at a redemption price equal to
the greater of 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed and a “make-whole” amount described in the First Supplemental Indenture, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption, and (B) at any time
on or after (i) May 4, 2023 (one month prior to the maturity date) with respect to the 2023 notes and (ii) March 4, 2026 (three months prior to the maturity date) with respect to the 2026 notes, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
amount of Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption on the principal balance of the Notes being redeemed.
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Becton Finance will, subject to certain exceptions and limitations set forth in the First Supplemental Indenture, pay as additional
interest on the Notes such additional amounts as are necessary in order that the net payment by Becton Finance of the principal of and interest on each of the Notes to a holder after withholding or deduction solely with respect to any present or
future tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by Luxembourg, the United States, or any other jurisdiction in which Becton Finance or BD or, in each case, any successor thereof, may be organized, as applicable, or any political
subdivision thereof or therein having the power to tax (a “Taxing Jurisdiction”), will not be less than the amount provided in the Notes to be then due and payable. If, as a result of any change in,
or amendment to, the tax laws of a Taxing Jurisdiction, or an official interpretation thereof, Becton Finance becomes or, based upon a written opinion of independent counsel selected by Becton Finance, will become obligated to pay additional
amounts with respect to the Notes, Becton Finance may at any time at its option redeem, in whole, but not in part, the Notes at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the First Supplemental Indenture) with respect to any series of
the Notes, each holder of the applicable series of Notes will have the right to require Becton Finance to repurchase all or a portion of that holder’s Notes (in integral multiples of €1,000) at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase, subject to the rights of holders of such Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, unless Becton
Finance has earlier exercised its right to redeem the Notes as described above.
Each of the following constitutes an event of default under the Indenture with respect to the Notes: (1) failure to pay any installment of
interest on the Notes when due and payable, continued for 30 days; (2) failure to pay the principal when due of the Notes, whether at stated maturity or otherwise; (3) failure to observe or perform any other covenants, conditions or agreements of
Becton Finance or BD with respect to the Notes for 60 days after Becton Finance receives notice of such failure; (4) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Becton Finance or BD; or (5) BD’s guarantee ceases to be in full
force and effect. If an event of default occurs, the principal amount of the Notes may be accelerated pursuant to the Indenture.
The Indenture includes requirements that must be met if Becton Finance or BD consolidates or merges with, or sells all or substantially all
of their respective assets to, another entity. The Indenture also contains certain restrictive covenants with respect to Becton Finance and BD, including a limitation on liens, a restriction on sale and leasebacks and a restriction on Becton
Finance’s activities that are inconsistent with its designation as a finance subsidiary.
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Base Indenture, a copy of which is incorporated by
reference herein from Exhibit 4.7 to BD’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to BD’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on May 17, 2019, the First Supplemental Indenture, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1, the Form of 0.174% Note
due June 4, 2021, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.2, the Form of 0.632% Note due June 4, 2023, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.3, and the Form of 1.208% Note due June 4, 2026, a copy of which is filed herewith as
Exhibit 4.4.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under an Off-balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information included in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
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Item 8.01. Other Events
On June 3, 2019, the Company announced the early tender results for its tender offers (collectively, the “Tender Offers”)
to purchase for cash up to the applicable tender subcap, if any, of each of the Company’s 5.000% Notes due 2040 (the “5.000% Notes”), 4.875% Notes due 2044 (the “4.875% Notes”), 4.685% Notes due 2044 (the “4.685% Notes”), 3.700%
Notes due 2027 (the “3.700% Notes”), 3.734% Notes due 2024 (the “3.734% Notes”), 4.669% Notes due 2047 (the “4.669% Notes”) and 2.894% Notes due 2022 (the
“2.894% Notes” and, together with the 5.000% Notes, 4.875% Notes, 4.685% Notes, 3.700% Notes, 3.734% Notes and 4.669% Notes, the “Securities”), subject to an
aggregate tender cap of $1,100,000,000 for all tendered series of Securities. On June 4, 2019, the Company announced the upsizing and pricing for the Tender Offers, pursuant to which the Company increased the tender subcaps in respect of the
5.000% Notes, 4.685% Notes and 3.700% Notes to $175,016,000, $175,002,000 and $675,000,000, respectively (increased from $75,000,000, 175,000,000 and $600,000,000, respectively). The Tender Offers were made pursuant to an offer to purchase dated
May 20, 2019 (the “Offer to Purchase”), which sets forth the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers.
In order to receive the Early Tender Payment (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) for tendering early, holders of
Securities must have validly tendered and not validly withdrawn their Securities by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 3, 2019 (the “Early Tender Date”). At the Early Tender Date, holders had tendered and not validly withdrawn approximately
$175,016,000 of the $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 5.000% Notes, $150,373,000 of the $299,877,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 4.875% Notes, $802,754,000 of the $1,200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
outstanding 4.685% Notes, $1,941,877,000 of the $2,400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 3.700% Notes, $869,242,000 of the $1,375,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 3.734% Notes, $977,019,000 of the $1,500,000,000
aggregate principal amount of outstanding 4.669% Notes and $1,525,173,000 of the $1,800,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 2.894% Notes. As of the Early Tender Date, the offers for the 4.875% Notes, 4.685% Notes and 3.700% Notes
have been fully subscribed insofar as the aggregate principal amount of each such series that has been tendered and not withdrawn exceeds the applicable tender subcap (as amended on June 4, 2019). As a result, the Company will not accept for
purchase all such Securities that have been tendered. Rather, the Company will accept Securities of each applicable series for purchase on a prorated basis, using a proration rate of approximately 49.92% for the 4.875% Notes, approximately 21.84%
for the 4.685% Notes and approximately 34.80% for the 3.700% Notes. The Company will accept for purchase the aggregate principal amount of such Securities tendered by a holder multiplied by the applicable proration rate and then rounded down to
the nearest $1,000 increment. The Company will accept all of the 5.000% Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date. The Company will not accept for purchase any of the tendered 3.734% Notes, 4.669% Notes or
2.894% Notes.
Furnished as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference are copies of the June 3, 2019 press release
announcing the early tender results and the June 4, 0219 press release announcing the upsizing and pricing of the Tender Offers, respectively.
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Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits.
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4.1
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First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2019, among Becton Finance,
as issuer, BD, as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.
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4.2
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Form of 0.174% Note due June 4, 2021.
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4.3
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Form of 0.632% Note due June 4, 2023.
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4.4
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Form of 1.208% Note due June 4, 2026.
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5.1
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Opinion of Gary DeFazio, Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Becton, Dickinson and Company.
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5.2
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Opinion of Loyens & Loeff Luxembourg S.à r.l.
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5.3
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Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
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23.1
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Consent of Gary DeFazio, Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Becton, Dickinson and Company (included as part
of Exhibit 5.1.
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23.2
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Consent of Loyens & Loeff Luxembourg S.à r.l. (included as part of Exhibit 5.2).
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23.3
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Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.3).
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| 99.1 |
Press Release, dated June 3, 2019. |
| 99.2 |
Press Release, dated June 4, 2019. |
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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Exhibit
Number
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Description
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First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2019, among Becton Finance,
as issuer, BD, as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.
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Form of 0.174% Note due June 4, 2021.
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Form of 0.632% Note due June 4, 2023.
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Form of 1.208% Note due June 4, 2026.
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Opinion of Gary DeFazio, Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Becton, Dickinson and Company.
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Opinion of Loyens & Loeff Luxembourg S.à r.l.
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Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
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Consent of Gary DeFazio, Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Becton, Dickinson and Company (included as part
of Exhibit 5.1.
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Consent of Loyens & Loeff Luxembourg S.à r.l. (included as part of Exhibit 5.2).
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Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.3).
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| 99.1 | Press Release, dated June 3, 2019. |
| 99.2 | Press Release, dated June 4, 2019. |
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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.
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BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY (Registrant)
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By:
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/s/ Gary DeFazio
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Gary DeFazio
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Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel
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Date: June 4, 2019