The Offering
Guarantors
|
RELX PLC and RELX NV
|
Notes Offered
|
$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.500% Notes due 2023
|
Maturity Date
|
March 16, 2023
|
Issue Price
|
99.578% plus accrued interest, if any, from March 16, 2018
|
Denomination
|
The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
|
Coupon
|
The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 3.500% per annum from March 16, 2018.
|
Interest Payment Dates
|
March 16 and September 16 of each year
|
First Interest Payment Date
|
September 16, 2018
|
Record Dates
|
March 1 and September 1 of each year (whether or not a Business Day)
|
Guarantees
|
RELX PLC and RELX NV will unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the Notes on a joint and several basis. The Guarantees will rank equally with all of the existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of RELX PLC and RELX NV.
|
Ranking
|
The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of RELX Capital. The Notes will rank equally in right of payment with all of the existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of RELX Capital. The Guarantees will rank equally in right of
payment with all existing and future senior, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of each Guarantor.
|
Covenants
|
Under the indenture, we have agreed to certain restrictions on our ability to incur liens, our ability to enter into sale and leaseback transactions and RELX Capitals and the Guarantors ability to consolidate with or merge with or
into any other person or to sell substantially all of their respective assets to any person. These covenants are subject to important qualifications and limitations. See Description of the Debt Securities and Guarantees Covenants of
RELX Capital and the Guarantors in the accompanying prospectus.
|
Optional Redemption of Notes
|
Prior to February 16, 2023, RELX Capital may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the make-whole redemption price described under the heading Description of the Notes and Guarantees Optional
Redemption of the Notes.
|
|
On or after February 16, 2023, RELX Capital may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and
|
S-10
|
unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, as described under Description of the Notes and Guarantees Optional Redemption of the Notes.
|
Optional Redemption of Notes for Tax Reasons
|
RELX Capital may redeem all, but not part, of the Notes upon the occurrence of certain tax events at the redemption prices described under the heading Description of the Notes and Guarantees Optional Redemption for Tax
Reasons.
|
Change of Control Repurchase at the Option of the Holders
|
A Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to occur if a Change of Control and Rating Event (each as defined herein under Description of the Notes and Guarantees Change of Control Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of
Control Triggering Event) occurs, in which case, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the Notes as described under Description of the Notes and Guarantees Optional Redemption of the Notes, each holder will be
entitled to require us to purchase such holders Notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of purchase.
|
Additional Amounts
|
We will, subject to certain exceptions and limitations set forth in this prospectus supplement, pay additional amounts as may be necessary so that every net payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to a holder,
after deduction or withholding for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment, duty or other governmental charge imposed upon such holder by or on behalf of the jurisdiction under the laws of which RELX Capital, RELX PLC or RELX NV, as
the case may be, is organized or resident for tax purposes, or any jurisdiction from or through which any amount is paid by RELX Capital, RELX PLC or RELX NV, as the case may be, or in each case any taxing authority thereof or therein, will not be
less than the amount provided in such holders Notes to be then due and payable. See Description of the Notes and Guarantees Payment of Additional Amounts.
|
Use of Proceeds
|
The net proceeds of this offering are estimated to be approximately $693.1 million (after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated transaction expenses). We expect to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including
repaying certain outstanding indebtedness under our commercial paper program. As of March 2, 2018, the average yield on this commercial paper was approximately 2.0%. See Use of Proceeds.
|
Further Issuances
|
We may from time to time, without giving notice to or seeking the consent of the holders of the Notes, issue additional debt securities having the same
interest rate, maturity and other terms (except for the issue date, the public offering price and the first interest payment date) as, and ranking equally and ratably with, the Notes. Any additional debt securities having such similar terms,
together with the
|
S-11
|
Notes, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture, including for purposes of voting and redemptions, and any additional debt securities issued as part of the same series as
the Notes will be fungible with the Notes for United States federal income tax purposes or will be issued under a separate CUSIP number.
|
Governing Law
|
State of New York
|
Listing
|
We intend to apply to list the Notes on the New York Stock Exchange. We expect trading in the Notes on the New York Stock Exchange to begin within 30 days after the original issue date.
|
Trustee, Transfer Agent, Registrar and
Paying Agent
|
The Bank of New York Mellon
|
Book-Entry Form Only
|
The Notes will be issued in book-entry form and will be represented by one or more permanent global certificates deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (DTC) and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. The
Notes will be cleared through the facilities of DTC and its participants, including Clearstream Banking,
société anonyme
, and Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System.
|
Risk Factors
|
Investment in the Notes involves certain risks. You should carefully consider the information under Risk Factors, and other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus before investing in the Notes.
|
S-12
RISK FACTORS
Before making a decision to invest in the Notes, you should carefully consider the following risks, together with all other information
contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, including the risks described in our joint Annual Report on Form
20-F
filed
on February 22, 2018. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business.
Risks
Relating to the Notes
Rating agencies may lower the ratings of our long-term debt, including the Notes.
Credit rating agencies continually review their ratings for debt securities of companies that they follow, including us. If the ratings of our
long-term debt or the Notes are downgraded in the future, the price and liquidity of the Notes or your ability to resell the Notes could be adversely affected. In addition, any such downgrade could also adversely affect our borrowing costs and
reduce our access to capital. A rating is based upon information furnished by us or obtained by the relevant rating agency from its own sources and is subject to revision, suspension or withdrawal by the rating agency at any time. Rating agencies
may review the ratings assigned to the Notes due to developments that are beyond our control.
An active trading market for the
Notes may not develop.
The Notes will constitute a new issue of securities, for which there is no existing market. Although we
intend to apply for listing of the Notes for trading on the NYSE, no assurance can be given that the Notes will become or will remain listed. Even if the Notes are listed, an active trading market may not develop. In addition, the liquidity of any
trading market in the Notes, and the market price quoted for the Notes, may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for these Notes, prevailing interest rates and changes in our consolidated financial condition, results of operations
or prospects. A liquid trading market in the Notes may not develop, which could decrease the amounts you would otherwise receive upon a sale or disposition of the Notes and your ability to transfer the Notes may be limited.
Changes in the debt markets could adversely affect the market prices of the Notes.
The market price for the Notes will depend on many factors, including: RELX Capitals credit ratings with major credit rating agencies;
the prevailing interest rates being paid by other companies similar to RELX Capital; RELX Capitals results of operations, financial condition and future prospects; and the overall condition of the financial markets. The condition of the
financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. Fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the market prices of the Notes.
RELX Capital may redeem the Notes at its option, which may adversely affect your return.
As described under Description of the Notes and Guarantees Optional Redemption of the Notes in this prospectus supplement,
RELX Capital has the right to redeem the Notes in whole or in part from time to time. RELX Capital may choose to exercise this redemption right when prevailing interest rates are relatively low. As a result, you may not be able to reinvest the
redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as that of the Notes.
The guarantors are the
holding companies of the Group.
The guarantors are the holding companies of the Group. Accordingly, substantially all of the
assets of the guarantors are comprised of its shareholdings in its subsidiaries. The ability of the guarantors to satisfy any payment obligations under the Guarantees will be dependent upon dividend payments and/or other payments received by the
guarantors from other members of the Group, and such payment obligations under the Guarantees will be structurally subordinated to any payment obligations owed to creditors of the guarantors subsidiaries.
S-13
The Notes do not contain any financial covenants.
RELX Capital will not be restricted from incurring additional unsecured debt or other liabilities, including senior debt. If RELX Capital
incurs additional debt or liabilities, RELX Capitals ability to pay interest on and the principal of the Notes could be adversely affected. In addition, under the Notes, neither RELX Capital nor the guarantors will be restricted from paying
dividends or issuing or repurchasing their other securities.
Noteholders will not be protected in the event of a significant increase in
our leverage, a reorganization, a default under RELX Capitals existing indebtedness, or a restructuring or similar transaction that may adversely affect noteholders, except to the extent described under Description of the Notes and
Guarantees.
The Notes and the Guarantees will be unsecured obligations.
The Notes will be senior, unsecured indebtedness of RELX Capital and will rank equally in right of payment with all current and future
unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of RELX Capital. The Guarantees will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future senior, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of each Guarantor. The Notes and the Guarantees will be
effectively subordinated to any future secured indebtedness of RELX Capital and each Guarantor, respectively, to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness. As of December 31, 2017, neither RELX Capital nor the Guarantors had any
secured indebtedness outstanding. For more information on the ranking of the Notes, see Description of the Notes and Guarantees.
RELX Capital may not be able to repurchase all of the Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event in accordance with the indenture,
which would result in a default under the Notes.
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event under the indenture
governing the Notes, RELX Capital will be required to offer to repurchase the Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount of the relevant series of the Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest. However, RELX Capital may not have
sufficient funds to repurchase the Notes. In addition, RELX Capitals ability to repurchase the Notes may be limited by law or the terms of other agreements relating to its indebtedness. The failure to make such repurchase in accordance with
the indenture would result in a default under the Notes. For more information, see Description of the Notes and Guarantees Change of Control Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event in this prospectus
supplement.
Investors in the Notes may be unable to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts against the guarantors.
Some of the directors and executive officers of the guarantors are
non-residents
of the United States,
and all or a substantial portion of the assets of the guarantors and these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon these non-resident
persons or to enforce against the guarantors or these
non-resident
persons in U.S. courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the
United States. See Enforceability of Civil Liabilities in the accompanying prospectus.
An event of default under other
series of debt securities issued by us may not constitute an event of default under the Notes.
As described under
Description of the Debt Securities and Guarantees Events of Default in the accompanying prospectus, acceleration or failure to pay certain indebtedness of RELX Capital or either Guarantor in an aggregate principal amount of at
least US$75,000,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) may constitute an event of default under the Notes. However, the threshold amount for such an event of default in certain of our outstanding series of debt securities is US$20,000,000 (or
the equivalent in another currency). Accordingly, it is possible that an event of default may occur under such other series of debt securities that would not constitute an event of default with respect to the Notes offered hereby.
S-14
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $693.1 million (after deducting the underwriting discount and
estimated transaction expenses).
We expect to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including repaying certain outstanding
indebtedness under our commercial paper program. As of March 2, 2018, the average yield on this commercial paper was approximately 2.0%.
S-15
ISSUER
RELX Capital is incorporated in the state of Delaware and is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of RELX Group plc, which is jointly owned by
RELX PLC and RELX NV. RELX Capital was incorporated in Delaware in April 1995. It has no assets, operations, revenues or cash flows other than those related to the issuance and repayment of securities guaranteed by RELX PLC and RELX NV. As at
December 31, 2017, RELX Capital had $2,220.3 million (£1,644.7 million translated at the noon buying rate on December 31, 2017 of $1.35 per £1.00) of long-term debt, all of which is guaranteed by RELX PLC and RELX NV.
RELX Capital has no other borrowings.
S-16
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth cash and cash equivalents, short term borrowings and the total capitalization of the Group, as at
December 31, 2017:
|
|
|
on an actual basis; and
|
|
|
|
on an as adjusted basis, after giving effect to the issuance and sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds therefrom. These adjustments have been determined as if the issuance and sale of the Notes occurred
on December 31, 2017.
|
The actual amounts in the table have been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of
the Group as of December 31, 2017. You should read this table together with Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Operating Results The Group and the consolidated financial statements of the Group in our joint
Annual Report on Form
20-F
filed on February 22, 2018 incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2017
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
As Adjusted
(1)
|
|
|
As Adjusted
(2)
|
|
|
(In millions)
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
£
|
111
|
|
|
£
|
111
|
|
|
$
|
150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current borrowings (including current portion of long term borrowings)
(3)
|
|
£
|
678
|
|
|
£
|
165
|
|
|
$
|
223
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
borrowings
(3)
|
|
£
|
4,208
|
|
|
£
|
4,721
|
|
|
$
|
6,373
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
|
|
224
|
|
|
|
224
|
|
|
|
302
|
|
Share premium
|
|
|
3,104
|
|
|
|
3,104
|
|
|
|
4,190
|
|
Shares held in treasury
|
|
|
(1,631
|
)
|
|
|
(1,631
|
)
|
|
|
(2,201
|
)
|
Translation reserve
|
|
|
169
|
|
|
|
169
|
|
|
|
228
|
|
Other reserves
|
|
|
487
|
|
|
|
487
|
|
|
|
658
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity
(4)
|
|
|
2,353
|
|
|
|
2,353
|
|
|
|
3,177
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
£
|
6,561
|
|
|
£
|
7,074
|
|
|
$
|
9,550
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The as adjusted column represents the December 31, 2017 balance adjusted for the effect of the issuance and sale of the Notes and application of the net proceeds therefrom. These adjustments have been determined as
if the issuance and sale of the Notes occurred on December 31, 2017. Net proceeds of approximately $693.1 million or £513.4 million (after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated transaction expenses of $3.9 million) are assumed to
be realized from the issuance and sale of the Notes.
|
(2)
|
For the convenience of the reader, pounds sterling amount as at December 31, 2017 have been translated into US dollars using the noon buying rate on December 31, 2017 of $1.35 per £1.00.
|
(3)
|
All of our borrowings are unsecured and the substantial majority of our borrowings are guaranteed by RELX PLC and RELX NV. As at December 31, 2017, the
non-guaranteed
indebtedness totaled $390 million (£289 million using the noon buying rate as at December 31, 2017 of $1.35 per £1.00).
|
(4)
|
Subsequent to December 31, 2017, dividends of 27.7p per share and 0.316 per share have been proposed by the board of directors of RELX PLC and RELX NV, respectively, which totals approximately
£294 million and 298 million based on the number of shares outstanding (excluding shares held in treasury) of RELX PLC and RELX NV, respectively, as of December 31, 2017. We expect to make these dividend payments in May 2018.
|
S-17
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data for the Group should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to,
the consolidated financial statements for the Group which are set forth on pages 117 to 164 of the Groups Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2017 and the related notes thereto included in our joint Annual Report on Form
20-F
filed on February 22, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
The consolidated financial
statements are prepared in accordance with accounting policies that are in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and as adopted by
the European Union (EU). The selected financial data for the Group (in £) as at December 31, 2017, and 2016 and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 set out below has been extracted or derived from the
audited consolidated financial statements, set forth on pages 117 to 164 of the Groups Annual Reports and Financial Statements 2017 and incorporated herein by reference. The selected financial data for the Group as at December 31, 2015,
2014 and 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 set out below has been extracted or derived from our audited financial statements, which are not included herein.
Consolidated Income Statement Data
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
Amounts in accordance with IFRS:
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
£
|
7,355
|
|
|
£
|
6,895
|
|
|
£
|
5,971
|
|
|
£
|
5,773
|
|
|
£
|
6,035
|
|
Operating profit
(2)
|
|
|
1,905
|
|
|
|
1,708
|
|
|
|
1,497
|
|
|
|
1,402
|
|
|
|
1,376
|
|
Net finance costs
|
|
|
(182
|
)
|
|
|
(195
|
)
|
|
|
(174
|
)
|
|
|
(162
|
)
|
|
|
(196
|
)
|
Disposals and other
non-operating
items
(3)
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
16
|
|
Profit before tax
|
|
|
1,734
|
|
|
|
1,473
|
|
|
|
1,312
|
|
|
|
1,229
|
|
|
|
1,196
|
|
Tax expense
(4)
|
|
|
(67
|
)
|
|
|
(304
|
)
|
|
|
(298
|
)
|
|
|
(269
|
)
|
|
|
(81
|
)
|
Net profit for the year
|
|
|
1,667
|
|
|
|
1,169
|
|
|
|
1,014
|
|
|
|
960
|
|
|
|
1,115
|
|
Net profit for the year attributable to
non-controlling
interests
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
Net profit attributable to RELX PLC and RELX NV shareholders
|
|
|
1,659
|
|
|
|
1,161
|
|
|
|
1,008
|
|
|
|
955
|
|
|
|
1,110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Data
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
Amounts in accordance with IFRS:
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
£
|
12,283
|
|
|
£
|
13,323
|
|
|
£
|
11,185
|
|
|
£
|
11,087
|
|
|
£
|
10,495
|
|
Non-current
borrowings
|
|
|
(4,208
|
)
|
|
|
(3,684
|
)
|
|
|
(3,278
|
)
|
|
|
(3,149
|
)
|
|
|
(2,633
|
)
|
Net assets
|
|
|
2,374
|
|
|
|
2,358
|
|
|
|
2,178
|
|
|
|
2,137
|
|
|
|
2,423
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
|
(38
|
)
|
|
|
(34
|
)
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
|
|
(33
|
)
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
2,353
|
|
|
|
2,320
|
|
|
|
2,144
|
|
|
|
2,106
|
|
|
|
2,390
|
|
(1)
|
The consolidated financial data is prepared in accordance with accounting policies that are in conformity with IFRS as issued by the IASB and as adopted by the EU.
|
(2)
|
Operating profit is stated after charging £314 million in respect of amortisation of acquired
intangible assets (2016: £346 million; 2015: £296 million; 2014: £286 million; 2013: £318 million); £56 million in respect of acquisition related costs (2016: £51 million; 2015:
£35 million; 2014: £30 million; 2013: £43 million); £10 million expense in respect of taxation in joint ventures (2016: £10 million expense; 2015: £6 million
|
S-18
|
credit; 2014: £21 million expense; 2013: £12 million expense); and includes finance income from joint ventures and associates of £1 million (2016:
£1 million income; 2015: nil; 2014: nil; 2013: nil).
|
(3)
|
Disposals and other
non-operating
items comprise a £6 million gain on disposal of businesses and assets held for sale (2016: £27 million loss; 2015:
£8 million loss; 2014: £19 million loss; 2013: £11 million gain), no charge in respect of property provisions on disposed businesses (2016: nil; 2015: £11 million; 2014: nil; 2013: nil), and a
£5 million gain relating to the revaluation of held for trading investments (2016: £13 million loss; 2015: £8 million gain; 2014: £8 million gain; 2013: £5 million gain).
|
(4)
|
Tax expense in 2017 includes a deferred tax credit on the alignment of business assets with their global management structure of nil (2016: nil; 2015: nil; 2014: nil; 2013: £221 million). It also includes an
exceptional tax credit of £346 million (2016: nil; 2015: nil; 2014: nil; 2013: nil) from a deferred tax balance sheet adjustment arising from the US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
|
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(1)
(unaudited)
The following
table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of the Group for the periods indicated. You should read this table together with Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Operating Results The Group and
the consolidated financial statements of the Group in our joint Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on February 22, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference. The following table replaces in its entirety and supersedes the discussion contained under
the caption Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges in the accompanying prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
The Group (continuing operations) in accordance with IFRS
|
|
|
9.8x
|
|
|
|
8.1x
|
|
|
|
8.2x
|
|
|
|
8.0x
|
|
|
|
6.5x
|
|
(1)
|
For the purpose of computing these ratios of earnings to fixed charges, the term earnings means profit before tax from continuing operations before adjustment for income from equity investees plus dividends
received from equity investees and fixed charges. The term fixed charges means interest on all indebtedness, including capital leases and amortization of capitalized debt expense, plus the estimated interest element of rental expense.
The ratios for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 have been restated to reflect changes to the methodology used to calculate the income from equity investees in the calculation of the ratio.
|
S-19
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES AND GUARANTEES
The following description of the terms and conditions of the Notes and Guarantees supplements and, to the extent inconsistent, replaces the
more general terms and conditions of our debt securities and guarantees contained in the accompanying prospectus.
General
The Notes will constitute senior unsecured debt obligations of RELX Capital and will rank equally with all of the existing and future senior,
unsecured and unsubordinated debt of RELX Capital. The Notes will be issued as separate series of debt securities in registered form under the indenture, dated as of May 9, 1995, as amended, in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000 in excess thereof. The Bank of New York Mellon will serve as trustee, transfer agent, registrar and paying agent with respect to the Notes.
The Notes initially will be limited to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount. RELX Capital may, without giving notice to or seeking the
consent of any of the holders of the Notes, create and issue additional debt securities having the same interest rate, maturity and other terms (except for the issue date, the public offering price and the first interest payment date) as, and
ranking equally and ratably with the, the Notes. Any additional debt securities having such similar terms, together with the Notes, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture, including for purposes of voting and redemptions,
and any additional debt securities issued as part of the same series as the Notes will be fungible with the Notes for United States federal income tax purposes or will be issued under a separate CUSIP number.
RELX Capital intends to file an application to list the Notes on the NYSE. The listing application will be subject to approval by the NYSE. If
the application is approved, trading of the Notes on the NYSE is expected to begin within 30 days after the original issue date of the Notes. If the application is approved, RELX Capital will have no obligation to maintain such listing, and may
delist the Notes at any time.
RELX Capital may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time at the redemption prices described under
Optional Redemption of the Notes.
RELX Capital may also redeem all, but not part, of the Notes upon the occurrence of
certain tax events at the redemption prices described under Optional Redemption for Tax Reasons.
The Notes do not
provide for any sinking fund.
Maturity and Interest
The Notes will mature on March 16, 2023 and will bear interest at a rate of 3.500% per annum from March 16, 2018.
Interest payments on the Notes will be paid semi-annually on March 16 and September 16 of each year, beginning on
September 16, 2018, to holders of record at the close of business on the March 1 and September 1 immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date (whether or not such record date is a Business Day) and on the maturity date.
We will calculate the amount of interest payable on the Notes on the basis of a
360-day
year of twelve
30-day
months. If the date on which a payment of interest or
principal on the Notes is scheduled to be paid is not a Business Day, then that interest or principal will be paid on the next succeeding Business Day but no further interest will be paid in respect of the delay in such payment.
Business Day
for purposes of the Notes means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions
in New York City or London are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
S-20
Guarantees
RELX PLC and RELX NV have agreed to fully, unconditionally and irrevocably to jointly and severally guarantee the due and punctual payment of
the principal of, and premium, if any, interest and additional amounts, if any, on the Notes as and when the same shall respectively become due and payable, whether at the stated maturity, upon redemption or when accelerated in accordance with the
provisions of the Notes and the indenture, and the punctual performance of all other obligations of RELX Capital thereunder. The Guarantees will be direct, unconditional, unsubordinated and unsecured, joint and several obligations of each of RELX
PLC and RELX NV, without preference among themselves, and will rank at least equally with all other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of RELX PLC and RELX NV, subject, in the case of insolvency, to laws of general
applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights.
The Guarantees may be enforced against each of RELX PLC and RELX NV, in
the event of a default in payment under the indenture or with respect to the Notes issued by RELX Capital, without making prior demand upon, or seeking to enforce remedies against, RELX Capital, the other guarantor or other persons. The Guarantees
of RELX PLC and RELX NV will be endorsed on each of the Notes issued by RELX Capital.
Subsequent to the completion of the transfer of all
assets and liabilities from RELX NV to RELX PLC in connection with the merger of RELX NV into RELX PLC, with RELX PLC as the surviving entity, the Notes will be solely guaranteed by RELX PLC. See Summary Recent Developments.
Optional Redemption of the Notes
Prior
to February 16, 2023, the Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of RELX Capital, at any time or from time to time, on notice given not more than 60 days nor less than 15 days, prior to the date of redemption at a
redemption price equal to the greater of:
|
|
|
100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed; and
|
|
|
|
the present value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments (as defined below) on the Notes being redeemed on the redemption date, discounted to the date of redemption, on a semiannual basis, at the Treasury Rate plus 15
basis points.
|
On or after February 16, 2023, the Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of
RELX Capital, at any time or from time to time, on notice given not more than 60 days nor less than 15 days, prior to the date of redemption, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed.
If RELX Capital elects to redeem any Notes pursuant to the above paragraphs, it will also pay accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but
excluding, the date of redemption, subject to the rights of holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. In determining the redemption price and accrued interest, interest will be
calculated on the basis of a
360-day
year consisting of twelve
30-day
months.
Comparable Treasury Issue
means the United States Treasury security or securities selected by the Quotation Agent as having
an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities
of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Notes.
Comparable Treasury Price
means, with respect to any
redemption date, (1) the average of all Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, or (2) if only one Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation is received, such quotation.
S-21
Primary Treasury Dealer
means a primary United States government securities
dealer in the United States.
Quotation Agent
means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by us.
Reference Treasury Dealer
means (i) Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (or their affiliates that are Primary Treasury Dealers) and their successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, we will substitute therefor
another Primary Treasury Dealer, and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealers we select.
Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations
means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by us, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its
principal amount) quoted in writing to us by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.
Remaining Scheduled Payments
means, with respect to the Notes, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof to
be redeemed 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 Note, the amount of the next
succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such redemption date.
Treasury Rate
means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to
actual or interpolated maturity (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such
redemption date.
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, Notes for redemption will be selected in accordance with
the procedures of DTC or on a pro rata basis. No Notes with a principal balance of $1,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the
principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued in the name of the holder of Notes upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for
redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption unless we default in the payment of the redemption price.
We may at any time, and from time to time, purchase Notes at any price or prices in the open market or otherwise.
Optional Redemption for Tax Reasons
The
Notes may be redeemed, at the option of RELX Capital in whole, but not in part, at 100% of the principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date if, as a result of any change in, or amendment
to, the laws, regulations, rulings or treaties of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (as defined below), or any change in official position regarding application or interpretation of those laws, regulations, rulings or treaties (including a holding by a
court of competent jurisdiction), which change, amendment, application or interpretation becomes effective on or after the original issue date with respect to the Notes (or if a jurisdiction becomes a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction after the original
issue date, the date on which such jurisdiction became a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction under the indenture), RELX Capital, RELX PLC or RELX NV, as the case may be, would, on the occasion of the next payment of principal or interest in respect of the
Notes, be obligated, in making that payment, to pay additional amounts as described under the heading Payment of Additional Amounts below and that obligation cannot be avoided by RELX Capital, RELX PLC or RELX NV, individually or
together, taking reasonable measures available to them.
S-22
The Notes may also be redeemed, at the option of RELX Capital, in whole, but not in part, at a
make-whole redemption price (to be calculated in a manner consistent with the first paragraph under the heading Optional Redemption of the Notes), together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but
excluding, the redemption date, if, as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the Code (as defined below) or any of its regulations, rulings or official interpretations, which change or amendment is enacted or adopted and becomes effective on
or after the original issue date with respect to the Notes, the deductibility of interest payments on the Notes or the timing thereof would be affected in any manner which is then adverse to RELX Capital and that effect cannot be avoided by RELX
Capital, RELX PLC or RELX NV, individually or together, taking reasonable measures available to them.
Redemption Procedures
Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail in respect of certificated,
non-global
notes
or delivered electronically if a global note held by DTC in accordance with DTCs customary procedures at least 15 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed, except that redemption notices may
be mailed (or delivered electronically) more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the indenture. We may provide in such notice that payment of
the redemption price and performance of our obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another person.
Payment of Additional
Amounts
All payments of principal, premium (if any) and interest in respect of the Notes or the Guarantees will be made free and clear
of, and without withholding or deduction for, any taxes, assessments, duties or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed, levied or collected by or within a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, unless that withholding or deduction is required by
law.
The indenture provides that if withholding or deduction is required by law, then RELX Capital, RELX PLC or RELX NV, as the case may
be, will pay to the holder of any Note additional amounts as may be necessary in order that every net payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on that Note after deduction or other withholding for or on account of any
present or future tax, assessment, duty or other governmental charge of any nature whatsoever imposed, levied or collected by or on behalf of the jurisdiction under the laws of which RELX Capital, RELX PLC or RELX NV, as the case may be, is
organized or resident for tax purposes (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in that jurisdiction having power to tax), or any jurisdiction from or through which any amount is paid by RELX Capital, RELX PLC or RELX NV, as the case
may be (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in that jurisdiction having power to tax) (each a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction), will not be less than the amount provided for in any Note to be then due and payable;
provided, however, that RELX Capital, RELX PLC or RELX NV, as the case may be, will not be required to make any payment of additional amounts for or on account of:
|
|
|
any tax, assessment, duty or other governmental charge which would not have been imposed but for:
|
|
|
|
the existence of any present or former connection (other than the mere acquisition, ownership or holding of, or the receipt of payment or the exercise or enforcement of rights in respect of, the Notes) between that
holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member of, shareholder of, or possessor of a power over that holder, if that holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation or any person other than the holder to which that Note or any
amount payable on that Note is attributable for the purpose of that tax, assessment or charge) and a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, including without limitation, that holder (or fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member, shareholder or possessor or
person other than the holder) being or having been a citizen or resident of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or being or having been present or engaged in a trade or business in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent
establishment in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction; or
|
S-23
|
|
|
the presentation of a Note (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 was duly provided for, whichever
occurred later except to the extent that the holder would have been entitled to additional amounts on presenting that Note for payment on or before the thirtieth day;
|
|
|
|
any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer or personal property tax, assessment or other governmental charge of a similar nature;
|
|
|
|
any tax, assessment, duty or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by that holder or any other person mentioned in the first bullet above to comply, after reasonable notice (at
least 30 days before any such withholding would be payable), with a request of RELX Capital, RELX PLC or RELX NV, as the case may be, addressed to that holder or that other person to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or
identity of that holder or that other person, or to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any reporting requirement, which is in either case required by a statute, treaty or regulation of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, as a
precondition to exemption from or reduction of that tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
|
|
|
|
any tax, assessment, duty or other governmental charge imposed by reason of that holders past or present status as a passive foreign investment company, a controlled foreign corporation or personal holding company
with respect to the United States, or as a corporation which accumulates earnings to avoid United States federal income tax;
|
|
|
|
any tax, assessment, duty or other governmental charge imposed on interest received by:
|
|
|
|
a 10% shareholder (as defined in Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and the regulations that may be promulgated thereunder) of RELX Capital;
|
|
|
|
a controlled foreign corporation related to RELX Capital within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code; or
|
|
|
|
a bank receiving interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code;
|
|
|
|
any Note that is presented for payment by or on behalf of a resident of a member state of the European Union who would have been able to avoid any withholding or deduction by presenting the relevant Note to another
paying agent in a member state of the European Union;
|
|
|
|
any tax, assessment, duty or other governmental charge required to be withheld or deducted under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended or successor version of such Sections) (FATCA), any
regulations or other guidance thereunder, any agreement (including any intergovernmental agreement) entered into in connection therewith, or any law, regulation or other official guidance enacted in any jurisdiction implementing FATCA or an
intergovernmental agreement in respect of FATCA; or
|
|
|
|
any combination of the seven above items;
|
nor will additional amounts be paid with respect to:
|
|
|
any tax, assessment, duty or other governmental charge that is payable other than by deduction or withholding from payments on the Notes; or
|
|
|
|
any payment to any holder which is a fiduciary or a partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of that Note to the extent a beneficiary or settlor with respect to that fiduciary or a member of that partnership
or the beneficial owner would not have been entitled to those additional amounts had it been the holder of that Note.
|
RELX
Capital and the guarantors will pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise, property or similar taxes, assessments or other charges that arise in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction
S-24
from the execution, delivery, registration or enforcement of any Notes, Guarantees or the indenture, or any other document or instrument in relation thereto (other than a transfer of the Notes
other than the initial resale of the Notes), and RELX Capital and the guarantors agree to indemnify the trustee and the holders for any such amounts paid by the trustee and such holders. The foregoing obligations of this paragraph will survive any
termination, defeasance or discharge of the indenture and will apply
mutatis mutandis
to any jurisdiction in which any successor to RELX Capital or the guarantors is organized or any political subdivision or taxing authority or agency thereof
or therein.
Change of Control Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event
If a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined below) occurs, unless we have delivered notice of redemption in respect of the Notes as
described above, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all, or, at the holders option, any part (equal to $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), of each holders Notes pursuant to the offer described
below (the Change of Control Offer), on the terms set forth in the Notes. In the Change of Control Offer, we will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of any Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, on such Notes repurchased, to, but excluding, the date of purchase, referred to as the Change of Control Payment.
Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event or, at our option, prior to any Change of Control, but after public
announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control, we will deliver written notice to the holders of the Notes, with a copy to the trustee for the Notes, describing the transaction or transactions that
constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Notes on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is given, referred to as the
Change of Control Payment Date, pursuant to the procedures required by the Notes and described in such notice.
The notice will, if given
prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.
On the Business Day immediately preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, we will be required, to the extent lawful, to deposit with the
paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered.
On the
Change of Control Payment Date, we will be required to the extent lawful to:
|
|
|
accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer on the Change of Control Payment Date; and
|
|
|
|
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by us.
|
We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes
such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.
If 80% or more in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding have been redeemed or purchased hereunder pursuant to a Change of Control
Offer, RELX Capital may, at its option, on not less than 30 or more than 60 days notice to the holders of Notes given within 30 days after the Change of Control Payment Date, redeem or purchase (or procure the purchase of) the remaining
outstanding Notes in their entirety at 101% of their principal amount plus interest accrued to, but excluding, the date of such redemption or purchase.
S-25
For purposes of the repurchase provisions of the Notes, the following terms will be applicable:
Change of Control
means:
(i) prior to the Simplification, the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the consummation of any transaction (including, without
limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than a Guarantor) acquires shares in each Guarantor to which attach more than 50%
of the voting rights attaching to the entire issued share capital of that Guarantor; provided that a Change of Control shall be deemed not to have occurred if one or more new holding companies acquires the entire issued share capital of each of the
Guarantors and (A) such holding company (or companies) has (or have, as the case may be) substantially the same shareholders as each of the Guarantors and those shareholders acquired the shares or economic interests in the holding company (or
companies) in substantially the same proportion (taking into account the equalization arrangements between the Guarantors as in effect at such time) as they hold shares or economic interests in the relevant Guarantor(s) prior to the holding company
(or companies) so acquiring the share capital of each of the Guarantors and (B) each of the Guarantors is a wholly owned (directly or indirectly) subsidiary of such holding company (or companies); or (2) the direct or indirect sale,
transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or more series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the subsidiaries and joint ventures of the Guarantors, taken as a
whole, to any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than an affiliate of either of the Guarantors); and
(ii) subsequent to the Simplification, the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the consummation of any transaction (including,
without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) acquires shares in the Surviving Guarantor to which attach more than 50% of the
voting rights attaching to the issued share capital of the Surviving Guarantor; provided that a Change of Control shall be deemed not to have occurred if a new holding company acquires the entire issued share capital of the Surviving Guarantor and
(A) such holding company has substantially the same shareholders as the Surviving Guarantor and those shareholders acquired the shares or economic interests in the holding company in substantially the same proportion as they hold shares or
economic interests in the Surviving Guarantor prior to the holding company so acquiring the share capital of the Surviving Guarantor and (B) the Surviving Guarantor is a wholly owned (directly or indirectly) subsidiary of such holding company;
or (2) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or more series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the subsidiaries and joint
ventures of the Surviving Guarantor, taken as a whole, to any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than an affiliate of the Surviving Guarantor).
Change of Control Triggering Event
means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event.
Fitch
means Fitch Ratings Ltd. and its successors.
Investment Grade Rating
means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moodys,
BBB-
(or the equivalent) by S&P,
BBB-
(or the equivalent) by Fitch, and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any Substitute Rating Agency or Rating Agencies
selected by us.
Moodys
means Moodys Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moodys Corporation, and
its successors.
Rating Agencies
means (a) each of Moodys, S&P and Fitch; and (b) if any of the
Rating Agencies ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a Substitute Rating Agency.
S-26
Rating Event
means the rating on the Notes is lowered by each of the Rating
Agencies and the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any day during the period commencing 60 days prior to the first public announcement of any Change of Control and ending 60 days following the
consummation of such Change of Control (which
60-day
period will be extended following consummation of a Change of Control for so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a
possible downgrade by any Rating Agencies); provided, however, that a Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be
deemed a Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if such Rating Agency making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply does not announce or publicly confirm that the reduction
was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Rating
Event).
S&P
means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and its successors.
Simplification
means the completion of the transfer of all assets and liabilities from RELX NV to RELX PLC in connection
with the merger of RELX NV into RELX PLC, with RELX PLC as the surviving entity.
Substitute Rating Agency
means
nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by us (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Guarantor) as a replacement for
Moodys, S&P or Fitch, or some or all of them, as the case may be, in accordance with the definition of Rating Agencies.
Surviving Guarantor
means RELX PLC following the Simplification.
Governing Law
The Notes, the Guarantees
and the indenture will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form
Global Notes
We
will issue the Notes in the form of one or more global notes (the global notes) in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form. The global notes will be deposited with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company, which we refer to as
DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC.
DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear
Beneficial interests in the global notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of
beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may hold interests in the global notes through either DTC (in the United States), Clearstream Banking,
société anonyme
, Luxembourg, which we refer to as
Clearstream, or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as Euroclear, (outside the United States) either directly if they are participants in such systems or indirectly through
organizations that are participants in such systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers securities accounts in Clearstreams and Euroclears names on the books of their
United States depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers securities accounts in the United States depositaries names on the books of DTC.
S-27
We have obtained the information in this section concerning DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear and
the book-entry system and procedures from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
We understand that:
|
|
|
DTC, the worlds largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a banking organization within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a clearing agency registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
|
|
|
|
DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and
non-U.S.
equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from
over 100 countries) that DTCs participants, which we refer to as direct participants, deposit with DTC.
|
|
|
|
DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between
direct participants accounts, which eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates.
|
|
|
|
Direct participants include both U.S. and
non-U.S.
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations.
|
|
|
|
DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, which we refer to as DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed
Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries.
|
|
|
|
Access to the DTC system is also available to others, such as both U.S. and
non-U.S.
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly, which we refer to as indirect participants.
|
|
|
|
The DTC rules applicable to direct and indirect participants are on file with the SEC.
|
We
understand that Clearstream is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants
through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to its participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration,
clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the
Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector. Clearstream participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream
participant either directly or indirectly.
We understand that Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of
Euroclear and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of
simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., which
we refer to as the Euroclear Operator, under contract with Euroclear plc, a
S-28
U.K. corporation. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not
the Euroclear plc. Euroclear plc establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers, and other professional financial intermediaries
and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.
We understand that the Euroclear Operator is licensed by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission to carry out banking activities on a
global basis. As a Belgian bank, it is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission.
We have provided the
descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear in this prospectus supplement solely as a matter of convenience, and we make no representation or warranty of any kind with respect to these operations and procedures.
These operations and procedures are solely within the control of those organizations and are subject to change by them from time to time. None of us, the underwriters, the trustee or each of our or their respective agents takes any responsibility
for these operations or procedures, and you are urged to contact DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their participants directly to discuss these matters.
We expect that under procedures established by DTC:
|
|
|
upon deposit of the global notes with DTC or its custodian, DTC will credit on its internal system the accounts of direct participants designated by the underwriters with portions of the principal amounts of the global
notes; and
|
|
|
|
ownership of the Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee, with respect to interests of direct participants, and the records
of direct and indirect participants, with respect to interests of persons other than participants.
|
The laws of some
jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of those securities in definitive form. Accordingly, the ability to transfer interests in the Notes represented by a global note to those persons may be limited. In
addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in Notes represented by a global note to pledge or transfer
those interests to persons or entities that do not participate in DTCs system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of such interest.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the
Notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the indenture and under the Notes. Except as provided below under Book-Entry, Delivery and Form Certificated Notes, owners of beneficial interests in a global note will
not be entitled to have Notes represented by that global note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture
or under the Notes for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee. Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that
holder is not a direct or indirect participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of Notes under the indenture or a global note.
None of us, the trustee or each of our or its respective agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records
relating to or payments made on account of Notes by DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of those organizations relating to the Notes.
S-29
Payments on the Notes represented by the global notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the
case may be, as the registered owner thereof. We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment on the Notes represented by a global note, will credit participants accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the global note as shown in the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global note held through such participants will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. The participants will be solely responsible for those payments.
Distributions on the Notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of its customers in accordance with its
rules and procedures, to the extent received by the United States depositary for Clearstream.
Securities clearance accounts and cash
accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the Terms and Conditions).
The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a
fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with
persons holding through Euroclear participants.
Distributions on the Notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the
cash accounts of its participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the United States depositary for Euroclear.
Clearance and Settlement Procedures
Initial settlement for the Notes will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in
the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between Clearstream and/or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and
operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear, as applicable, and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional Eurobonds in immediately available funds.
Cross-market transfers between participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Clearstream or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected
through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by the United States depositary. Such cross-market transactions, however, will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European
international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its
settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the United States depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving the Notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures
for
same-day
funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to their United States depositaries.
Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Clearstream or Euroclear participant purchasing an interest in a Note from a
participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Clearstream or Euroclear)
immediately following the settlement date of DTC. We understand that cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of interests in a Note by or through a Clearstream or Euroclear participant to a participant in DTC will be received
with value on the
S-30
settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day for Clearstream or Euroclear following DTCs settlement date.
Although we understand that DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests
in the Notes among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time. None of us, the trustee or each of our
or its respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations.
Certificated Notes
We will issue certificated notes to, and register in the name of, each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of the Notes
represented by a global note upon surrender by DTC of the global note if:
|
|
|
DTC notifies us that it is no longer willing or able to act as a depositary for such global note or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and we have not appointed a successor depositary
within 90 days of that notice or becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered or willing or able to act as a depositary;
|
|
|
|
an event of default has occurred and is continuing, and DTC requests the issuance of certificated notes; or
|
|
|
|
we determine not to have the Notes represented by a global note.
|
None of us, the trustee or
each of our or its respective agents will be liable for any delay by DTC, its nominee or any direct or indirect participant in identifying the beneficial owners of the Notes. We, the trustee and each of our and its respective agents may conclusively
rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes, including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the certificated notes to be issued.
Taxation
For a discussion of material
tax consequences to you of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes, please see Taxation in the accompanying prospectus, as amended and supplemented by Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations and
Certain Material
Non-U.S.
Tax Considerations in this prospectus supplement.
Trustee
In connection with the exercise of its duties the trustee will be responsible for the interests of the holders of the Notes as a class and will
not be responsible for the consequences of the exercise of its duties for individual noteholders.
Additional Information
See Description of the Debt Securities and Guarantees in the accompanying prospectus for additional important information about,
and applicable to, the Notes. Such information includes a description of certain events of default under the indenture.
S-31
CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This summary amends and supplements the discussion contained under the caption Taxation in the accompanying prospectus and
should be read in conjunction therewith. Potential holders of the Notes are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the Notes.
The first paragraph under the section of the Prospectus captioned Taxation United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations is replaced in its entirety by the following:
The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax
consequences to you of the purchase, ownership and disposition of debt securities as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with debt securities that are held as capital assets and does not represent a detailed description
of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including if you are:
|
|
|
a dealer in securities or currencies;
|
|
|
|
a regulated investment company;
|
|
|
|
a real estate investment trust;
|
|
|
|
a financial institution;
|
|
|
|
a person required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to the debt securities as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement;
|
|
|
|
a
tax-exempt
organization;
|
|
|
|
a person holding debt securities as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, constructive sale or straddle;
|
|
|
|
a partnership or other pass-through entity (or an investor therein);
|
|
|
|
a trader in securities that has elected the
mark-to-market
method of accounting for your securities;
|
|
|
|
a person liable for alternative minimum tax; or
|
|
|
|
a U.S. Holder (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the US dollar.
|
The paragraph under the section of the Prospectus captioned Taxation United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
Foreign Currency Debt Securities Additional Withholding Requirements is replaced in its entirety by the following:
Under
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as FATCA), a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax may apply to any interest income paid on the debt securities and, for a disposition of a debt security occurring
after December 31, 2018, the gross proceeds from such disposition, in each case paid to (i) a foreign financial institution (as specifically defined in the Code) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS
Form
W-8BEN-E,
evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) its compliance (or deemed compliance) with FATCA (which may alternatively be in the form
of compliance with an intergovernmental agreement with the United States) in a manner which avoids withholding, or (ii) a
non-financial
foreign entity (as specifically defined in the Code)
which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form
W-8BEN-E,
evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) adequate information
regarding certain substantial United States beneficial owners of such entity (if any). If an interest payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to the withholding tax discussed above under Consequences to
Non-U.S.
Holders U.S. Federal Withholding Tax, the withholding under FATCA may be credited against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding
these rules and whether they may be relevant to your ownership and disposition of debt securities.
S-32
CERTAIN MATERIAL
NON-U.S.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This summary amends and supplements the discussion contained
under the caption Taxation in the accompanying prospectus and should be read in conjunction therewith. Potential holders of the Notes are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the
non-U.S.
tax considerations applicable to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the Notes.
The single paragraph under the section of the Prospectus captioned Taxation United Kingdom and Netherlands Tax Considerations
Netherlands Tax Considerations is replaced in its entirety by the following:
Any payments made under the Notes will not
be subject to withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any taxes of whatever nature levied by or on behalf of the Netherlands (being the part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands located in Europe) or any of its subdivisions or taxing
authorities.
The section of the Prospectus captioned Taxation European Union Tax Considerations is replaced in its
entirety by the following:
The Proposed Financial Transaction Tax (FTT)
On 14 February 2013, the European Commission published a proposal (the
Commissions Proposal
) for a
Directive for a common FTT in Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia (each, other than Estonia, a
participating Member State
). However, Estonia has ceased to
participate.
The Commissions Proposal has very broad scope and could, if introduced, apply to certain dealings in the Notes
(including secondary market transactions) in certain circumstances.
Under the Commissions Proposal the FTT could apply in certain
circumstances to persons both within and outside of the participating Member States. Generally, it would apply to certain dealings in the Notes where at least one party is a financial institution, and at least one party is established in a
participating Member State. A financial institution may be, or be deemed to be, established in a participating Member State in a broad range of circumstances, including (a) by transacting with a person established in a participating
Member State or (b) where the financial instrument which is subject to the dealings is issued in a participating Member State.
However, the FTT proposal remains subject to negotiation between participating Member States. It may therefore be altered prior to any
implementation, the timing of which remains unclear. Additional EU Member States may decide to participate.
Prospective holders of the
Notes are advised to seek their own professional advice in relation to the FTT.
S-33
CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase of the Notes by (i) employee benefit plans that are
subject to Title I of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), (ii) plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the
Code, (iii) plans that are subject to provisions under any federal, state, local,
non-U.S.
or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of the Code or ERISA (collectively,
Similar Laws), and (iv) entities whose underlying assets are considered to include plan assets of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a Plan).
General Fiduciary Matters
Title I of ERISA imposes certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA and Title I of ERISA and
Section 4975 of the Code prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of a Plan subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (each a Covered Plan) and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code,
any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such an Covered Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of such an Covered Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation
to such a Covered Plan, is considered to be a fiduciary of the Covered Plan.
In considering an investment in the Notes of a portion of
the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to a fiduciarys
duties to the Plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.
Prohibited Transaction Issues
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Covered Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan
assets with persons or entities who are parties in interest, within the meaning of ERISA, or disqualified persons, within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or
disqualified person who engages in a
non-exempt
prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the Covered
Plan that engaged in such a
non-exempt
prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. The acquisition and/or holding of Notes by a Covered Plan with respect to
which the Group or any underwriter, or any of their respective affiliates (each, a Transaction Party) is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction
under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption. In this regard, the U.S. Department
of Labor (the DOL) has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or PTCEs, that may apply to the acquisition and holding of the Notes. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE
84-14
respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE
90-1
respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE
91-38
respecting bank collective investment funds, PTCE
95-60
respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE
96-23
respecting transactions determined by
in-house
asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide relief from the prohibited transaction provisions
of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for certain transactions, provided that neither the issuer of the securities nor any of its affiliates (directly or indirectly) have or exercise any discretionary authority or control or render any
investment advice with respect to the assets of any Covered Plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the Covered Plan pays no more than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. Each of the above-noted exemptions
contains conditions and limitations on its application. Fiduciaries of Covered Plans considering acquiring and/or holdings the Notes in reliance on these or any other exemption should carefully review the
S-34
exemption to assure it is applicable. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.
Because of the foregoing, the Notes should not be purchased or held by any person involving plan assets of any Plan, unless such
acquisition and holding will not constitute a
non-exempt
prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code or similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.
Representation
Accordingly, by acceptance of a Note, each purchaser and subsequent transferee of a Note will be deemed to have represented and warranted that
either (i) no portion of the assets used by such purchaser or transferee to acquire and hold the Notes constitutes assets of any Plan or (ii) the acquisition and holding of the Notes by such purchaser or transferee will not constitute a
non-exempt
prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws.
In addition, each purchaser that is, or that is using the assets of, a Covered Plan to acquire or hold the Notes, by acceptance of a Note,
will be deemed to have represented and warranted that a fiduciary acting on behalf of the Covered Plan is causing the Covered Plan to purchase or hold the Notes and that such fiduciary (a) is a bank, an insurance carrier, a registered
investment adviser, a registered broker-dealer or an independent fiduciary with at least $50 million of assets under management or control as specified in 29 CFR
Section 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)
(excluding
an IRA owner or a relative of an IRA owner if the purchaser is an IRA); (b) is independent (for purposes of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 29 CFR
Section 2510.3-21(c)(1))
of the Transaction
Parties; (c) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies, including the Covered Plans transactions with the Transaction Parties hereunder;
(d) has been advised that none of the Transaction Parties has undertaken or will undertake to provide impartial investment advice, or has given or will give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the Covered Plans transactions
with the Transaction Parties contemplated hereby; (e) is a fiduciary under Section 3(21)(A) of ERISA or Section 4975(e)(3) of the Code, or both, as applicable, with respect to, and is responsible for exercising independent
judgment in evaluating, the Covered Plans transactions with the Transaction Parties contemplated hereby; and (f) (i) understands and acknowledges the existence and nature of the underwriting discounts, commissions and fees, and any other
related fees, compensation arrangements or financial interests of the Transaction Parties described herein and (ii) understands, acknowledges and agrees that no such fee or other compensation is a fee or other compensation for the provision of
investment advice, and that none of the Transaction Parties, nor any of their respective directors, officers, members, partners, employees, principals or agents has received or will receive a fee or other compensation from the Covered Plan or such
fiduciary for the provision of investment advice (rather than other services) in connection with the Covered Plans transactions with the Transaction Parties contemplated hereby.
The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be
all-inclusive.
Due to the
complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in
non-exempt
prohibited transaction, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering
purchasing the Notes on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be
applicable to the acquisition and holding of the Notes.
S-35
UNDERWRITING
Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and SMBC Nikko
Securities America, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering and representatives of the underwriters.
Subject to
the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement, among us, RELX PLC, RELX NV and the underwriters, dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has, severally and not jointly, agreed to purchase, and we
have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the principal amount of Notes set forth opposite the underwriters name.
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriter
|
|
Aggregate
Principal
Amount of Notes
|
|
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
|
|
$
|
116,667,000
|
|
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith
Incorporated.
|
|
|
116,667,000
|
|
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
|
|
|
116,667,000
|
|
SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.
|
|
|
116,667,000
|
|
ABN AMRO Securities (USA) LLC
|
|
|
116,666,000
|
|
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
|
|
|
116,666,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
700,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Notes included in
this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the Notes if they purchase any of the Notes.
The underwriters propose to offer the Notes directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus
supplement and may offer the Notes to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed 0.200% of the principal amount of the Notes. The underwriters may allow, and dealers may reallow, a concession not to exceed 0.100%
of the principal amount of the Notes on sales to other dealers. After the initial offering of the Notes to the public, the representatives may change the public offering price and concessions.
The following table shows the underwriting discount that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a
percentage of the principal amount of the Notes).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid by
RELX Capital
|
|
Per Note
|
|
|
0.350
|
%
|
The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We intend to apply to list Notes
on the NYSE and if the application is approved, trading of the Notes on the NYSE is expected to begin within 30 days after the original issue date. We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently intend to make a market in the Notes
after completion of the offering. However, they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without any notice. We cannot assure the liquidity of the trading market for the Notes or that an active
public market for the Notes will develop. If an active public trading market for the Notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the Notes may be adversely affected, and your ability to transfer the Notes may be limited. If the Notes
are traded, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our operating performance and financial condition, general economic conditions and other factors.
S-36
We estimate that our total expenses for this offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will
be approximately $1.5 million.
Each of the underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged
in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities.
Each of the underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial
advisory and investment and commercial banking services for RELX and certain of its affiliates, for which they have received or will receive customary fees and expenses reimbursements. In addition, in the ordinary course of their business
activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account
and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of RELX or its affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates has a lending relationship with RELX or its
affiliates, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to RELX or its affiliates consistent with their customary risk management
policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in securities of RELX or its
affiliates, including potentially the Notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the Notes offered hereby.
The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect
of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
We expect that delivery of the Notes will be made
against payment therefor on or about the date specified on the cover of this prospectus supplement, which will be the fifth business day following the date of pricing of the Notes (this settlement cycle being referred to as T+5). Under
Rule
15c6-1
of the Exchange Act, 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 on the date of this prospectus supplement or the next two succeeding business day will be required, by virtue of the fact that the Notes initially will settle in T+5, to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time
of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the Notes who wish to make such trades should consult their own advisor.
Each underwriter has represented, warranted and agreed that:
|
|
|
it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by the prospectus to any retail investor in the
European Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision:
|
|
|
|
the expression retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
|
|
|
|
a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended,
MiFID II
) or
|
|
|
|
a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC (as amended), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
|
|
|
|
not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended); and
|
S-37
|
|
|
the expression offer includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase
or subscribe the Notes
|
|
|
|
it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the
FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any Notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us;
|
|
|
|
it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom;
|
|
|
|
the offer in The Netherlands of the Notes included in this offering is exclusively limited to persons who trade or invest in securities in the conduct of a profession or business (which include banks, stockbrokers,
insurance companies, pension funds, other institutional investors and finance companies and treasury departments of large enterprises);
|
|
|
|
(1) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell Notes in Hong Kong SAR by means of this prospectus supplement or any other document, other than to professional investors (as defined in the
Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder), whether as principal or agent or in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.
32 of the Laws of Hong Kong SAR), and (2) unless it is a person who is permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong SAR, it has not issued or held for the purpose of issue in Hong Kong and will not issue or hold for the purpose of
issue in Hong Kong SAR this prospectus supplement, any other offering material or any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Notes, otherwise than with respect to Notes intended to be disposed of to persons outside Hong Kong SAR or
only to persons whose business involves the acquisition, disposal, or holding of securities, whether as principal or as agent;
|
|
|
|
the Notes offered in this prospectus supplement have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan, and it will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, the Notes in
Japan or to or for the benefit of any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for
re-offering
or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan, except (1) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange
Act of Japan and (2) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law; and
|
|
|
|
this prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement or any other document or material in connection with the offer or
sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Notes, may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to the
public or any member of the public in Singapore other than (1) to an institutional investor or other person specified in Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the SFA), (2) to a relevant
person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (3) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any
other applicable provision of the SFA.
|
S-38
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Notes and the Guarantees will be passed on for us by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York. The
underwriters are being represented by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, New York. Legal matters will be passed upon by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, English solicitors for RELX PLC and De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V.,
Netherlands counsel to RELX NV, as to certain matters of English law and Netherlands law, respectively.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of the Group at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 2017, incorporated by reference in RELX PLC and RELX NVs joint annual report on Form
20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the effectiveness of the Groups internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by
reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended December 31, 2015, incorporated by reference in this prospectus
supplement from the Groups Annual Report on Form
20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2017 have been audited by Deloitte LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their
report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
RELX PLC and RELX NV are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and therefore file reports and other information with
the SEC. You may obtain a copy of any filing RELX PLC and RELX NV have made with the SEC directly from the SEC. You may read and copy documents referred to in this prospectus supplement that have been filed with the SEC at the SECs Public
Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You can obtain more information about the operation of the SECs
Public Reference room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330.
You may also inspect these reports and other information without
charge at a website maintained by SEC. The address of this site is http://www.sec.gov.
S-39
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
RELX PLC and RELX NV are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and therefore file reports and other information with
the SEC. The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement the information contained in those documents already filed with the SEC. This means:
|
|
|
incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus supplement;
|
|
|
|
we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents;
|
|
|
|
information in this prospectus supplement automatically updates and supersedes information in earlier documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement; and
|
|
|
|
information that we file in the future with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement will automatically update and supersede this prospectus supplement.
|
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below filed by RELX PLC and RELX NV with the SEC under the Exchange Act:
|
|
|
our joint Annual Report on Form
20-F
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed on February 22, 2018; and
|
|
|
|
our joint report on Form
6-K
filed on January 29, 2018.
|
We incorporate by reference each of the following documents that will be filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement but
before such time as all of the Notes covered by this prospectus supplement have been sold:
|
|
|
any joint Annual Report on Form
20-F
filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act; and
|
|
|
|
those portions of any joint report on Form
6-K
filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act that indicates on its cover page those portions that will be incorporated by reference in
this prospectus supplement.
|
The documents incorporated by reference (excluding exhibits unless those exhibits are
specifically incorporated into the information that this prospectus supplement incorporates) will be made available free of charge at the following address:
RELX Capital Inc.
1105 North
Market Street
Suite 501
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302)
427-9299
S-40
PROSPECTUS
RELX Capital Inc.
Debt Securities
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed Jointly and Severally by
|
|
|
Reed Elsevier PLC
|
|
Reed Elsevier NV
|
The Issuer:
The Guarantors:
The Debt Securities and the Offering:
|
|
|
This prospectus may be used to offer and sell, in one or more offerings at various times, an indeterminate amount of debt securities of RELX Capital
Inc.
|
|
|
|
The debt securities may be offered as separate series, in amounts, prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the sale. When RELX Capital Inc.
offers debt securities it will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the terms of the specific issue of debt securities.
|
|
|
|
RELX Capital Inc. may sell debt securities to or through one or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them or may sell debt securities to
investors directly or through agents.
|
|
|
|
You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
|
The Guarantees:
|
|
|
The payment of principal, premium, if any, interest and additional amounts, if any, on the debt securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed
jointly and severally by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV.
|
You should read this prospectus, including the section entitled
Risk Factors
on page 1, and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
Neither the Securities and Exchange
Commission nor any state securities commission or other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
April 24, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RISK FACTORS
We are subject to a number of risks potentially impacting our
business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. You are urged to read and consider the risk factors described in any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as those described in our most recent joint annual report on Form
20-F (Part I, Item 3: Key InformationRisk Factors), which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See Where You Can Find More Information in this prospectus.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration
statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may from time to time sell an indeterminate amount of any combination of the
debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.
We provide information to you about the debt securities in the following two documents:
|
|
|
this prospectus, which contains general information, some of which may not apply to your debt securities; and
|
|
|
|
the accompanying prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of your debt securities and may also add, update or change information contained in
this prospectus.
|
If the terms of your debt
securities vary between the accompanying prospectus supplement and this prospectus, you should rely on the different information in the prospectus supplement.
You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading
Where You Can Find More Information to learn more about us and the debt securities we are offering.
In this prospectus:
|
|
|
RELX Capital refers to RELX Capital Inc.; and
|
|
|
|
guarantors refers to Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV.
|
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV conduct their business through their jointly owned subsidiary, RELX
Group plc, which holds all of the Groups businesses, subsidiaries and financing activities. Further information on our organizational structure is provided on our most recent joint annual report on Form 20-F (Part I, Item 4:
Information on the GroupOrganizational Structure). In this prospectus, references to the Group, RELX, the combined businesses, we, our or us refer collectively to
Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV, RELX Group plc and their subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures. The financial statements of the combined businesses are referred to herein as the combined financial statements.
In this prospectus, references to US dollars and $ are to US
currency; references to sterling or £ are to UK currency; references to euro and are to the currency of the European Economic and Monetary Union.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL
LIABILITIES
Reed Elsevier PLC is a public
limited company incorporated in England and Reed Elsevier NV is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands. Some of the directors and executive officers of the guarantors are non-residents of the United States, and all
or a substantial portion of the assets of the
1
guarantors and these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon these non-resident
persons or to enforce against the guarantors or these non-resident persons in U.S. courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States.
Reed Elsevier PLC has been advised by counsel that the United
States is not currently bound by a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, other than arbitral awards, rendered in civil and commercial matters with England. There is, therefore, doubt as to the enforceability in
England of civil liabilities based upon U.S. securities laws in an action to enforce a U.S. judgment in England. In addition, the enforcement in England of any judgment obtained in a U.S. court based on civil liabilities, whether or not predicated
solely upon U.S. securities laws, will be subject to certain conditions. There is also doubt that an English court would have the requisite power or authority to grant remedies sought in an original action brought in England on the basis of U.S.
securities laws violations.
Reed Elsevier NV has
been advised by counsel that there is doubt as to the enforceability in The Netherlands against our directors, officers and those of our subsidiaries in an original action or in an action for the enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts in respect of
civil liabilities predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws. In the absence of an applicable treaty for the mutual recognition and enforcement of judgments (other than arbitration awards) in civil and commercial matters to which the United
States and The Netherlands are a party, a judgment obtained against the Group in the courts of the United States, whether or not predicated solely upon the U.S. securities laws, including a judgment predicated upon the civil liability provisions of
the U.S. federal securities laws or securities laws of any state or territory within the United States, will not be directly enforceable in The Netherlands. In order to obtain a judgment which is enforceable in The Netherlands, the claim must be
relitigated before a competent court of The Netherlands; the relevant Netherlands court has discretion to attach such weight to a judgment of the courts of the United States as it deems appropriate; based on case law, the courts of The Netherlands
may be expected to recognize and grant permission for enforcement of a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States without re-examination or relitigation of the substantive matters adjudicated thereby, provided that:
|
|
|
the relevant court in the United States had jurisdiction in the matter in accordance with standards which are generally accepted internationally;
|
|
|
|
the proceedings before that court complied with principles of proper procedure;
|
|
|
|
recognition and/or enforcement of that judgment does not conflict with the public policy of The Netherlands; and
|
|
|
|
recognition and/or enforcement of that judgment is not irreconcilable with a decision of a Dutch court rendered between the same parties or with an
earlier decision of a foreign court rendered between the same parties in a dispute that is about the same subject matter and that is based on the same cause, provided that earlier decision can be recognized in The Netherlands.
|
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV are subject to the
informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and therefore file reports and other information with the SEC. You may obtain a copy of any filing Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV
have made with the SEC directly from the SEC. You may read and copy documents referred to in this prospectus that have been filed with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You can obtain more information about the operation of the
SECs Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also inspect these reports and other information without charge at a website maintained by SEC. The address of this site is http://www.sec.gov.
2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference in this
prospectus the information contained in those documents already filed with the SEC. This means:
|
|
|
incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus;
|
|
|
|
we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents;
|
|
|
|
information in this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes information in earlier documents that are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus; and
|
|
|
|
information that we file in the future with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus will automatically update and supersede this
prospectus.
|
We incorporate by
reference the document listed below filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act:
|
|
|
our joint annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed on March 10, 2015.
|
We also incorporate by reference each of the following
documents that will be filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus but before the time that all of the debt securities covered by this prospectus have been sold:
|
|
|
any joint annual report on Form 20-F filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act; and
|
|
|
|
those portions of any joint report on Form 6-K filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act that indicates on the cover page those portions that will be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
|
We will provide, upon written or oral request, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any filings referred to above (excluding exhibits unless those
exhibits are specifically incorporated into the information that this prospectus incorporates), at no cost. We can be contacted at the following address and phone number:
RELX Capital Inc.
1105 North Market Street
Suite 501
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 427-9299
3
THE GROUP
We are a leading provider of information solutions for
professional customers across industries. We operate in four market segments: Scientific, Technical & Medical, providing information and tools to help our customers improve scientific and healthcare outcomes; Risk & Business
Information, providing data services and tools that combine proprietary, public and third-party information, with technology and analytics to business and government customers; Legal, providing legal, tax, regulatory news and business information to
legal, corporate, government and academic markets; and Exhibitions, organising exhibitions and conferences. Our principal operations are in North America and Europe.
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV jointly own RELX Group
plc, which holds all RELX Group businesses, subsidiaries and financing activities. Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV have retained their separate legal identities and are publicly held companies. Reed Elsevier PLCs securities are listed
in London and New York, and Reed Elsevier NVs securities are listed in Amsterdam and New York. RELX Capital is incorporated in the state of Delaware and is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of RELX Group plc.
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV each hold a 50%
interest in RELX Group plc. Reed Elsevier PLC additionally holds a 5.8% indirect equity interest in Reed Elsevier NV. The shareholders of Reed Elsevier PLC therefore own a 52.9% economic interest in the combined businesses of the Group. Presently
the equalisation ratio of Reed Elsevier PLC to Reed Elsevier NV shares is such that one Reed Elsevier NV ordinary share is, in broad terms, intended to confer equivalent economic interests to 1.538 Reed Elsevier PLC ordinary shares. In order to
simplify the corporate structure and make the respective economic interests of the two parent companies shareholders more transparent, we expect to replace Reed Elsevier PLCs 5.8% shareholding in Reed Elsevier NV by a 2.9% direct
(non-voting) shareholding in RELX Group plc, effective July 1, 2015. As a result, Reed Elsevier PLCs direct equity holding in RELX Group plc will become 52.9% and Reed Elsevier NVs direct equity holding in RELX Group plc will become
47.1%, which aligns with their shareholders respective economic interests. In addition, Reed Elsevier NV expects to issue additional bonus ordinary shares on July 1, 2015 to existing Reed Elsevier NV shareholders on the basis of 0.538
bonus shares for each share held. As a result, one ordinary share of Reed Elsevier NV will confer equivalent economic interests to one ordinary share of Reed Elsevier PLC.
Further detail is described in our most recent joint annual
report of Form 20-F (Part I, Item 4: Information on the GroupHistory and Development).
We expect to change the names of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV to RELX PLC and RELX NV, respectively, effective July 1,
2015.
The principal executive offices of Reed
Elsevier PLC are located at 1-3 Strand, London WC2N 5JR, England. Tel: +44 20 7166 5500. The principal executive offices of Reed Elsevier NV are located at Radarweg 29, 1043 NX Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 20 485 2222. The principal
executive office located in the United States is at 230 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10169. Tel: +1 (212) 309-8100. Our internet address is www.relxgroup.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
4
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(1)
(unaudited)
The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of the Group for the periods indicated. You should read this table
together with Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsOperating ResultsThe Group and the combined financial statements of the Group in our joint annual report on Form 20-F dated March 10, 2015 incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
(2)
|
|
|
2011
(2)
|
|
|
2010
(2)
|
|
The Group
(continuing operations) in accordance with IFRS
|
|
|
7.9x
|
|
|
|
6.4x
|
|
|
|
5.4x
|
|
|
|
4.2x
|
|
|
|
3.3x
|
|
(1)
|
|
For the purpose of computing these ratios of earnings to fixed charges, the term earnings means operating profit before tax from continuing operations
before adjustment for minority interests, plus fixed charges, and the term fixed charges means interest on all indebtedness, including capital leases and amortization of debt expense, plus the estimated interest element of rental
expense.
|
(2)
|
|
Restated following the adoption of IAS19 Employee Benefits (revised).
|
5
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities will be
used for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions and repayment of indebtedness, or as otherwise described in any supplement to this prospectus.
6
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES
The following description sets forth the
material terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions described
below may apply to the debt securities so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities.
The debt securities and the guarantees will be issued under an indenture, dated as of May 9, 1995, among RELX Capital (formerly known
as Reed Elsevier Capital Inc.), Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.), as trustee, as supplemented to date. A copy of the indenture and any supplemental indentures are
filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The following are summaries of the material provisions of the debt securities, the guarantees and the indenture.
General
The indenture does not limit the amount of the debt securities that can be issued and provides that debt securities may be issued from
time to time in one or more series. Any debt securities issued under the indenture are collectively referred to in this prospectus as debt securities. The particular terms of each series of debt securities offered by a prospectus supplement will be
described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series.
Each debt security and all the related obligations of RELX Capital will constitute direct, unconditional, unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of RELX Capital, without any preference among themselves.
The debt securities will rank at least equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of RELX Capital.
Please refer to the appropriate prospectus supplement for information relating to the following:
|
|
|
the designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations of the series of debt securities;
|
|
|
|
the percentage or percentages of principal amount at which the debt securities of the series will be issued;
|
|
|
|
the original issue date or dates or periods during which the debt securities may be issued and the date or dates (or manner of determining that date or
dates), on which, or the range of dates within which, the principal of (and premium, if any, on) the debt securities of the series is payable and the record dates, if any, for the determination of holders of debt securities of the series to whom
principal (and premium, if any) is payable;
|
|
|
|
the rate or rates (or the manner of calculating that rate or rates, including any provisions for the increase or decrease of that rate or rates upon
the occurrence of specific events) at which the debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, or the discount, if any, at which any discounted securities may be issued, the date or dates from which that interest will accrue, the interest
payment dates on which that interest will be payable (or manner of determining those dates) and the regular record date for the interest payable on any debt securities on any interest payment date;
|
|
|
|
the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on debt securities of the series will be payable and the
place or places where any debt securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, any debt securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, and notices and demands to or upon RELX Capital or either guarantor, in
respect of the debt securities of the series, may be served;
|
|
|
|
the period or periods within which or manner of determining them, the price or prices at which or manner of determining them, and the terms and
conditions upon which, debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of RELX Capital or otherwise;
|
7
|
|
|
the obligation (which may be fixed or contingent upon events), if any, of RELX Capital to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities of the series
pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder, and the period or periods within which or manner of determining them, the price or prices at which or manner of determining them, and the terms and conditions upon
which, debt securities of the series will be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to that obligation;
|
|
|
|
the currency, currencies or currency units in which the debt securities will be denominated or in which payment of the principal of and premium and
interest on any of the debt securities will be issued if other than US dollars and the particular provisions applicable thereto, in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of the provisions in the indenture;
|
|
|
|
the denominations in which any series of debt securities will be issuable, if other than the denomination of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof;
|
|
|
|
if other than the entire principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which will be payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of their stated maturity;
|
|
|
|
any additional events of default (as defined below under Events of Default), or any additional covenants or agreements of RELX
Capital or either guarantor, with respect to the debt securities of the series, whether or not those events of default or covenants or agreements are consistent with the terms of the indenture;
|
|
|
|
if a person other than The Bank of New York Mellon, as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., is to act as trustee for the debt securities of the
series, and the name and location of the corporate trust office of that trustee;
|
|
|
|
if a person other than The Bank of New York Mellon, as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., is to act as principal paying agent for the debt
securities of the series and the name and location of the principal office of that principal paying agent and, if other than that principal paying agent, the identity of the registrar for the debt securities of the series;
|
|
|
|
if other than the terms of the indenture described below under Satisfaction and Discharge, provisions for the satisfaction and
discharge of the indenture with respect to the debt securities of the series;
|
|
|
|
the date as of which any global security representing outstanding debt securities of the series will be dated if other than the date of original
issuance of the first debt security of the series to be issued;
|
|
|
|
if applicable, the fact that the terms of the indenture described under Payment of Additional Amounts and
RedemptionOptional Redemption for Tax Reasons below will not apply with respect to the debt securities of the series;
|
|
|
|
whether the debt securities of the series will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities and, in that case, the
depositary for that global security or securities;
|
|
|
|
whether any legends will be stamped or imprinted on all or a portion of the debt securities of the series, and the terms and conditions upon which any
of those legends may be removed;
|
|
|
|
the form of the debt securities of the series (including the terms and conditions of that series of debt securities);
|
|
|
|
if other than US dollars, provisions, if any, for the debt securities of the series to be denominated, and payments thereon to be made, in foreign
currencies and specifying the manner and place of payment thereon and, if other than as provided in the indenture, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in US dollars;
|
|
|
|
if other than coin or currency in which the debt securities of that series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal of
(and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series shall be payable, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are denominated or stated
to be payable and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are to be so payable;
|
8
|
|
|
the designation of the currency determination agent, if any; and
|
|
|
|
any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture). (Section 301).
|
All debt securities of any one
series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened for issuance of additional debt securities of that series. (Section 301).
Some of the debt securities may be issued as discounted
securities (providing that upon their redemption or acceleration of their stated maturity an amount less than their stated principal amount will become due and payable) to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Any
U.S. federal income tax consequences, U.K. tax consequences, Netherlands tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any discounted securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement
relating to the debt securities of a series, the provisions of the indenture and the debt securities do not afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or other transaction, if any, involving RELX Capital or
either guarantor which might adversely affect the holders of the debt securities.
Denominations, Registration and Transfer
The debt securities of a series will only be issuable as registered securities. Debt securities of a series may be issuable in the form of one or more global securities, as described under
Global Debt Securities below. (Section 201). Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement with respect to the debt securities of a series, debt securities will be issued only in denominations or integral multiples of
$1,000. (Section 302).
Registered securities of
any series will be exchangeable for other registered securities of any authorized denomination of a like series and of a like aggregate principal amount with like terms and conditions. (Section 305). Registered securities (other than a global
security) may be presented for registration of transfer (with the form of transfer duly executed) at the office of the registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by RELX Capital for that purpose with respect to any series of debt
securities and referred to in the applicable prospectus supplement, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the indenture. (Section 305). That transfer or exchange will be effected after
the registrar or transfer agent, as the case may be, is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. (Section 305). RELX Capital has initially appointed the principal paying agent as the registrar under the
indenture. (Section 305). If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agents (in addition to the registrar) initially designated by RELX Capital with respect to any series of debt securities, RELX Capital may at any time rescind the
designation of that transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which that transfer agent acts, except that RELX Capital will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for each series. RELX Capital may at any
time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.
In the event of any redemption of the debt securities of a series in part, RELX Capital will not be required to:
|
|
|
issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt security of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the
day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of debt securities of that series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; or
|
|
|
|
register the transfer of or exchange any debt security selected for redemption as a whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt
security being redeemed in part. (Section 305).
|
9
Global Debt Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. Unless and until a global security is exchanged in whole or in part for
debt securities in definitive registered form, a global security representing all or a portion of the debt securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for that series to its nominee or vice versa or by a nominee
to another nominee of that depositary or in either case to a successor of that depositary or a nominee of that successor. (Section 305).
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus
supplement relating to that series. RELX Capital anticipates that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary or its nominee will credit the accounts of persons held with it with the respective
aggregate principal amounts of the debt securities represented by that global security. Those accounts will be designated by the underwriters or agents with respect to those debt securities or by RELX Capital if those debt securities are
offered and sold directly by RELX Capital. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee (participants) or persons that may hold interests through
participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants)
and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants).
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, it will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by that global security for all
purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in global securities will not be entitled to have debt securities of the series registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of securities of that series in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of those global securities under the indenture.
Any payments of principal, premium, if any, interest and additional amounts, if any, on debt securities registered in the name of a
depositary or its nominee will be made to it as the registered owner of the global security representing those debt securities. (Section 307). None of RELX Capital, the guarantors, the trustee, any principal paying agent or the registrar for those
debt securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global security for those debt securities or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests. (Section 308).
RELX Capital and the guarantors expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, or additional amounts, if any, on a debt security, will
credit participants accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the debt securities of that series as shown on the records of that depositary or its nominee. (Section
307). RELX Capital and the guarantors also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in that global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now
the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of those participants.
Beneficial interests in global securities are exchangeable
for debt securities in definitive registered form in the applicable minimum denominations for such series of debt securities if:
|
|
|
the depositary notifies RELX Capital that it is unwilling or unable to continue as the holder of the global securities or ceases to be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act or announces an intention
|
10
|
permanently to cease business or in fact does cease business and a successor to the depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by RELX Capital within 90
days of this notification or announcement;
|
|
|
|
RELX Capital in its discretion at any time determines that global securities should be exchanged (in whole, but not in part) for definitive securities;
or
|
|
|
|
there occurs an event of default as described below under Events of Default.
|
Any debt security that is exchangeable in the circumstances
described above is exchangeable for definitive debt securities issuable in authorized denominations and registered in those names as the depositary will direct. (Section 305).
Guarantees
The guarantors have agreed unconditionally and irrevocably to jointly and severally guarantee the due and
punctual payment of the principal of, premium (if any), interest and all other amounts in respect of the debt securities as and when they will become due and payable, whether at the stated maturity, upon redemption or when accelerated in accordance
with the provisions of the debt securities and the indenture, and the punctual performance of all other obligations of RELX Capital under the debt securities and the indenture. (Section 1301). The guarantees will be direct, unconditional,
unsubordinated and (subject to the provisions of the guarantees and the indenture) unsecured, joint and several obligations of each of the guarantors, without preference among themselves, and will rank at least equally with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated obligations of the guarantors, subject, in the case of insolvency, to laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights. (Section 1301).
The guarantees will provide that they may be enforced against
either of the guarantors, in the event of a default in payment with respect to the debt securities issued by RELX Capital, without making prior demand upon or seeking to enforce remedies against RELX Capital, the other guarantor or other persons.
The guarantees of the guarantors will be endorsed on each of the debt securities issued by RELX Capital.
Payment of Additional Amounts
All payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of the debt securities or the guarantees will be made free and clear of, and without withholding or deduction for, any taxes,
assessments, duties or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed, levied or collected by or within a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (as defined below), unless that withholding or deduction is required by law.
The indenture provides that if withholding or deduction is
required by law, then RELX Capital, Reed Elsevier PLC or Reed Elsevier NV, as the case may be, will pay to the holder of any debt security additional amounts as may be necessary in order that every net payment of principal of (and premium, if any,
on) and interest, if any, on that debt security after deduction or other withholding for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment, duty or other governmental charge of any nature whatsoever imposed, levied or collected by or on behalf
of the jurisdiction under the laws of which RELX Capital, Reed Elsevier PLC or Reed Elsevier NV, as the case may be, is organized or resident for tax purposes (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in that jurisdiction having power
to tax), or any jurisdiction from or through which any amount is paid by RELX Capital, Reed Elsevier PLC or Reed Elsevier NV, as the case may be (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in that jurisdiction having power to tax) (each
a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction), will not be less than the amount provided for in any debt security to be then due and payable; provided, however, that RELX Capital, Reed Elsevier PLC or Reed Elsevier NV, as the case may be, will not be
required to make any payment of additional amounts for or on account of:
|
|
|
any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not have been imposed but for:
|
|
|
|
the existence of any present or former connection (other than the mere acquisition, ownership or holding of, or the receipt of payment or the exercise
or enforcement of rights in respect of, the debt securities)
|
11
|
between that holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member of, shareholder of, or possessor of a power over that holder, if that holder is an estate, trust, partnership or
corporation or any person other than the holder to which that debt security or any amount payable on that debt security is attributable for the purpose of that tax, assessment or charge) and a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, including without
limitation, that holder (or fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member, shareholder or possessor or person other than the holder) being or having been a citizen or resident of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or being or having been present or engaged in
a trade or business in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction; or
|
|
|
|
the presentation of a debt 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 was duly provided for, whichever occurred later except to the extent that the holder would have been entitled to additional amounts on presenting that debt security for payment on or before the
thirtieth day;
|
|
|
|
any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer or personal property tax, assessment or other governmental charge of a similar nature;
|
|
|
|
any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by that holder or any other person mentioned in
the first bullet above to comply, after reasonable notice (at least 30 days before any such withholding would be payable), with a request of RELX Capital, Reed Elsevier PLC or Reed Elsevier NV, as the case may be, addressed to that holder or
that other person to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of that holder or that other person, or to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any reporting requirement, which is in either case required
by a statute, treaty or regulation of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, as a precondition to exemption from or reduction of that tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
|
|
|
|
any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by reason of that holders past or present status as a passive foreign investment
company, a controlled foreign corporation or personal holding company with respect to the United States, or as a corporation which accumulates earnings to avoid United States federal income tax;
|
|
|
|
any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed on interest received by:
|
|
|
|
a 10% shareholder (as defined in Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and
the regulations that may be promulgated thereunder) of RELX Capital;
|
|
|
|
a controlled foreign corporation related to RELX Capital within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code; or
|
|
|
|
a bank receiving interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code.
|
|
|
|
any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed on a payment to a resident of a member state of the European Union and is required to
be made pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any other directive on the taxation of savings income implementing the conclusions of the ECOFIN Council meeting of November 26-27, 2000 or any law (whether of a member state of the
European Union or a non-member state) implementing or complying with, or introduced to conform to, any such directive;
|
|
|
|
any debt security that is presented for payment by or on behalf of a resident of a member state of the European Union who would have been able to avoid
any withholding or deduction by presenting the relevant debt security to another paying agent in a member state of the European Union;
|
|
|
|
any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be withheld or deducted under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended or
successor version of such Sections) (FATCA), any regulations or other guidance thereunder, any agreement (including any intergovernmental agreement)
|
12
|
entered into in connection therewith, or any law, regulation or other official guidance enacted in any jurisdiction implementing FATCA or an intergovernmental agreement in respect of FATCA; or
|
|
|
|
any combination of the eight above items,
|
nor will additional amounts be paid with respect to:
|
|
|
any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is payable other than by deduction or withholding from payments on the debt securities; or
|
|
|
|
any payment to any holder which is a fiduciary or a partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of that debt security to the extent a
beneficiary or settlor with respect to that fiduciary or a member of that partnership or the beneficial owner would not have been entitled to those additional amounts had it been the holder of that debt security. (Section 1008).
|
RELX Capital and the guarantors
will pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise, property or similar taxes, assessments or other charges that arise in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction from the execution, delivery, registration or enforcement of
any debt securities, guarantees or the indenture, or any other document or instrument in relation thereto (other than a transfer of the debt securities other than the initial resale of the debt securities), and RELX Capital and the guarantors agree
to indemnify the trustee and the holders for any such amounts paid by the trustee and such holders. The foregoing obligations of this paragraph will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of the indenture and will apply
mutatis
mutandis
to any jurisdiction in which any successor to RELX Capital or the guarantors is organized or any political subdivision or taxing authority or agency thereof or therein.
Redemption
General
. The debt securities of a series may provide for mandatory redemption by RELX Capital or the
guarantors or redemption at the election of RELX Capital or the guarantors.
In the case of any redemption of any series of debt securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such debt securities or the indenture, RELX Capital
will furnish to the trustee an officers certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction. (Section 1102). Prior to the giving of any notice of any tax redemption of any series of debt securities, RELX Capital will deliver to the trustee
a written opinion of independent legal counsel of recognized standing in the appropriate jurisdiction who is reasonably acceptable to the trustee, RELX Capital and the guarantors stating that RELX Capital is entitled to effect the redemption,
together with an officers certificate of RELX Capital and each of the guarantors setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent, if any, to the right to redeem have occurred. (Section 1108).
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, notice of a redemption will be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days (or, in the case of partial redemptions, 45 days) prior to the date fixed for redemption, if any, in accordance with the provisions described under
Notices below and pursuant to the terms of the indenture. (Section 1104). Notice having been given, those debt securities will become due and payable on the redemption date and will be paid at the applicable redemption price at the
place or places of payment and in the manner specified in those debt securities. (Section 1106).
Following the redemption date, if moneys for the redemption of the debt securities called for redemption have been made available, as provided in those debt securities, on the redemption date, those debt
securities will cease bearing interest, and the only right of the holders of those debt securities will be to receive payment of the applicable redemption price specified in those debt securities. (Sections 1105 and 1106).
In the event of a partial redemption of debt securities of a
series of like terms and conditions, the debt securities to be redeemed will be selected by the trustee pursuant to the provisions of the indenture. (Section 1103).
13
Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each series of debt
securities which are discounted securities for the particular provisions relating to redemption of those discounted securities.
Optional Redemption for Tax Reasons
. All of the debt securities of any series may be redeemed, at the option
of RELX Capital, at 100% of the principal amount (or, in the case of discounted securities, that lesser amount as may be provided for), together with accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date if, as a result of any
change in, or amendment to, the laws, regulations or rulings of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, or any change in official position regarding application or interpretation of those laws, regulations or rulings (including a holding by a court of
competent jurisdiction), which change, amendment, application or interpretation becomes effective on or after the original issue date with respect to those debt securities (or if a jurisdiction becomes a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction after the
original issue date, the date on which such jurisdiction became a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction under the indenture) or another date as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, RELX Capital, Reed Elsevier PLC or Reed Elsevier NV, as
the case may be, would, on the occasion of the next payment of principal or interest in respect of the debt securities, be obligated, in making that payment, to pay additional amounts, as described under the heading Payment of Additional
Amounts in this prospectus and that obligation cannot be avoided by RELX Capital, Reed Elsevier PLC or Reed Elsevier NV, individually or together, as the case may be, taking reasonable measures available to them. (Section 1108).
All of the debt securities of any series may also
be redeemed, at the option of RELX Capital, at the redemption price specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if, as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the Code, or any of its regulations, rulings or official interpretations, which
change or amendment is enacted or adopted and becomes effective on or after the original issue date with respect to those debt securities or another date as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the deductibility of interest
payments on the debt securities or the timing thereof would be affected in any manner which is then adverse to RELX Capital and that effect cannot be avoided by RELX Capital, Reed Elsevier PLC or Reed Elsevier NV, individually or together, taking
reasonable measures available to them. (Section 1108).
Repurchase
Subject to applicable law (including U.S. federal securities law), RELX Capital, either guarantor or any subsidiary of either guarantor
(as defined below under Covenants of RELX Capital and the Guarantors) may at any time repurchase debt securities of any series in any manner and at any price. Debt securities of a series repurchased by RELX Capital, either
guarantor or any subsidiary of either guarantor may be held, resold or surrendered by that purchaser through RELX Capital, to the trustee or any paying agent appointed by RELX Capital with respect to those debt securities for cancellation.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus
supplement, payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on debt securities (other than a global security) will be made at the office of that paying agent or paying agents as RELX Capital or the guarantors may designate
from time to time, except that, at the option of RELX Capital, payment of any interest may be made:
|
|
|
by wire transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States by the person entitled to that interest as specified in that
securities register; or
|
|
|
|
by check mailed or delivered to the address of the person entitled to that interest at the address that appears in the register for debt securities of
any series.
|
Unless otherwise
indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, payment of any installment of interest on debt securities will be made to the person in whose name that debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for that
interest payment; provided, however, that interest, if any, payable at maturity will be payable to the person to whom the principal is payable.
14
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, The Bank of New York
Mellon will act as the paying agent for each series of debt securities.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the principal office of the paying agent in The City of New York will be designated as the sole paying agency of RELX Capital and the
guarantors for payments with respect to debt securities. Any other paying agents outside the United States and any other paying agents in the United States initially designated by RELX Capital or either guarantor, as the case may be, for the debt
securities of a series will be named in the related prospectus supplement. RELX Capital or either guarantor may at any time appoint additional paying agents, rescind the appointment of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which
any paying agent acts, except that RELX Capital and each guarantor will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for a series.
All moneys paid by RELX Capital or either guarantor to the trustee or any paying agent for the debt securities of any series, or then held
by RELX Capital or either guarantor, in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on any debt security or in respect of any other additional payments which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after
that principal (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, or additional payments will have become due and payable will (subject to applicable laws) be repaid to RELX Capital or either guarantor, as the case may be, on issuer request or guarantor
request or (if then held by RELX Capital or either guarantor) will be discharged from that trust; and the holder of that debt security will thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to RELX Capital (or to each guarantor pursuant to its
guarantees) for payment. (Section 1003).
Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, an event of default with respect to each series of debt securities means any one of the following events:
|
|
|
RELX Capital defaults in payment or prepayment of all or any part of the principal of any debt security or any prepayment charge or interest (which
default, in the case of interest only, has continued for a period of 30 days or more) on the debt securities when they have become due and payable, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, by notice of redemption or otherwise;
|
|
|
|
except as provided in the preceding paragraph, RELX Capital or either guarantor fails to perform or observe any of its obligations under the indenture
or the guarantees, as the case may be, (other than an obligation included in the indenture solely for the benefit of any series of debt securities other than that series) or the debt securities of that series and that failure continues for a period
of more than 60 days after the date on which there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to RELX Capital and each guarantor by the trustee or to RELX Capital, each guarantor and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying the default or breach and requiring it to be remedied;
|
|
|
|
the maturity of any Indebtedness (as defined below) of RELX Capital or either guarantor in an aggregate principal amount of at least US$75,000,000 (or
the equivalent in another currency) has been accelerated because of a default or any of that Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount of at least US$75,000,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) has not been paid at final maturity (as
extended by any applicable grace period) and, with respect to RELX Capital in any case described in this paragraph, the obligations of RELX Capital under that series of debt securities have not been assumed during the
90-day
period following that acceleration or non-payment by another Component Company (as defined below) wholly owned by the guarantors;
|
|
|
|
applied for or consented to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a
substantial part of its property;
|
15
|
|
|
made a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
|
|
|
|
commenced a voluntary case under the U.S. federal Bankruptcy Code;
|
|
|
|
filed a petition seeking to take advantage of any other law providing for the relief of debtors;
|
|
|
|
acquiesced in writing to any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code;
|
|
|
|
admitted in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as those debts become due;
|
|
|
|
taken any action under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation analogous to any of the foregoing; or
|
|
|
|
taken any requisite corporate action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
|
|
|
|
a proceeding or case has been commenced, without the application or consent of RELX Capital in any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking:
|
|
|
|
the liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up, or composition or readjustment of RELX Capitals debts;
|
|
|
|
the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like in respect of RELX Capital or in respect of all or any substantial part of
its assets; or
|
|
|
|
similar relief, under any law providing for the relief of debtors;
|
and that proceeding or case has continued undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for 90 days; or an order for relief has been
entered in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code against RELX Capital and that order remains undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for 90 days; or action under the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation of RELX Capital analogous to any
of the foregoing has been taken with respect to RELX Capital and has continued undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for 90 days; and in any case described in this paragraph, the obligations of RELX Capital under that series of debt securities
have not been assumed during that 90-day period by another Component Company wholly owned by the guarantors;
|
|
|
an order for the winding up of either of the guarantors is made and is not set aside within 90 days of the date of that order or pursuant to an appeal
lodged within 90 days of the date of that order, except an order for the winding up of either of the guarantors in connection with a transaction not otherwise prohibited under Covenants of RELX Capital and the
GuarantorsConsolidation, Merger, Amalgamation, Sale, Lease or Conveyance of Assets below;
|
|
|
|
an effective resolution is passed for the winding up of either of the guarantors, except a resolution passed for the winding up of either of the
guarantors in connection with a transaction not otherwise prohibited under Covenants of RELX Capital and the GuarantorsConsolidation, Merger, Amalgamation, Sale, Lease or Conveyance of Assets below;
|
|
|
|
either of the guarantors ceases to pay its debts or ceases to carry on its business or a major part of its business, except any cessation by either of
the guarantors in connection with a transaction not otherwise prohibited under Covenants of RELX Capital and the GuarantorsConsolidation, Merger, Amalgamation, Sale, Lease or Conveyance of Assets below;
|
|
|
|
an encumbrancer takes possession, or any administrative or other receiver or any manager is appointed, of the whole or any substantial part of the
undertaking or assets of either of the guarantors;
|
|
|
|
a distress or execution is levied or enforced upon or sued out against all or any substantial part of the property of either of the guarantors, and, in
each case, is not discharged within 90 days; or
|
|
|
|
Reed Elsevier PLC is deemed unable to pay its debts within the meaning of Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986, an English statute, or Reed
Elsevier NV is unable to pay its debts within the meaning of Article 1 of The Netherlands Bankruptcy Code of September 30, 1893;
|
16
|
|
|
the guarantees with respect to either of the guarantors cease to be in full force and effect for any reason whatsoever and new guarantees with respect
to the guarantors of substantially the same scope as the guarantees have not come into effect or the debt securities have not been redeemed in full or funds have not been set aside for redemption; or
|
|
|
|
either of the guarantors contests or denies in writing the validity or enforceability of any of its obligations under the guarantees; or
|
|
|
|
any other event of default provided with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 501).
|
If an event of default with respect to any particular series
of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee for the debt securities of that series or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may exercise any right, power or remedy
permitted by law and will have, in particular, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the right to declare the entire principal amount (or, in the case of discounted securities, that lesser amount as may be provided for with respect to
those debt securities) of (including premium, if any, on) all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to RELX Capital and each guarantor (and to the trustee if given by holders), and upon that
declaration of acceleration that principal or that lesser amount, as the case may be, including premium, if any, together with any accrued interest and all other amounts owing will become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand,
protest or notice of any kind, all of which have been expressly waived by RELX Capital and each guarantor. (Section 502). However, at any time after that declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the
money due has been obtained by the trustee for the debt securities of any series, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul that
acceleration. (Section 502).
Holders of debt
securities of any series may not enforce the indenture, the debt securities or the guarantees, except as described in the preceding paragraph; provided, that each holder of debt securities will have the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on those debt securities on their respective stated maturities as provided in the indenture. (Section 507). The trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it
enforces the indenture, the debt securities or the guarantees. (Section 514). Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the trustee in its exercise
of any trust or power. (Section 512). RELX Capital and each guarantor will furnish the trustee with an annual certificate of certain of its officers certifying, to the best of their knowledge, whether RELX Capital or each guarantor is, or has been,
in default and specifying the nature and status of that default. (Section 1004). The indenture provides that the trustee will, within 90 days after a responsible officer of the trustee has actual knowledge of the occurrence of a default with respect
to the debt securities, give to the holders of the debt securities notice of any default unless that default has been cured or waived; provided, that the trustee may withhold from holders of debt securities of any series notice of any continuing
default (except a default in payment) if it determines in good faith that the withholding of that notice is in the interest of the holders. (Section 602).
Covenants of RELX Capital and the Guarantors
RELX Capital and each guarantor have also agreed that, so long as any of the debt securities are outstanding, it or they, as the case may
be, will comply with the obligations set forth below.
Payment of Principal, Premium (if any) and Interest
. RELX Capital will duly and punctually pay the principal of, premium, if any, interest, if any, and all other amounts due
on the debt securities in accordance with their terms and the terms of the indenture. (Section 1001).
Ownership of RELX Capital
. The guarantors will, either individually or together, at all times own, directly
or indirectly, all of the voting stock of RELX Capital. (Section 1006).
17
Consolidation, Merger, Amalgamation, Sale, Lease or Conveyance of
Assets
. Neither RELX Capital nor either of the guarantors will, directly or indirectly, consolidate, merge or amalgamate with, or sell, lease or otherwise dispose of substantially all its assets to any other person unless:
|
|
|
no event of default and no event which, after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, will exist immediately
before and immediately after that transaction;
|
|
|
|
RELX Capital or either guarantor is the survivor of that transaction; or
|
|
|
|
if RELX Capital or either guarantor is not the survivor, the survivor is:
|
|
|
|
in the case of a transaction involving RELX Capital, a Component Company, all of whose voting stock is directly or indirectly owned by the guarantors
and which is incorporated and existing under the laws of the United States or one of the States and that Component Company expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture that is executed and delivered to the trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory
to that trustee, RELX Capitals obligations under the debt securities, or
|
|
|
|
in the case of a transaction involving either of the guarantors, a corporation or other person which expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture
that is executed and delivered to the trustee for each series of debt securities, in form reasonably satisfactory to each of those trustees, with any amendments or revisions necessary to take account of the jurisdiction in which that corporation or
other person is organized (if other than the United Kingdom, in the case of Reed Elsevier PLC, or The Netherlands, in the case of Reed Elsevier NV), the applicable guarantors obligations under the guarantees; and
|
|
|
|
RELX Capital or either guarantor has delivered to the trustee a certificate signed by two duly authorized officers of RELX Capital or either guarantor
and an opinion of counsel stating that the consolidation, merger, amalgamation, sale, lease or conveyance and the supplemental indenture evidencing the assumption by a Component Company or corporation or other person comply with the indenture and
that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture relating to that transaction have been complied with. (Section 801).
|
Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any conveyance, transfer or lease, the successor Component Company or person will
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, RELX Capital or either guarantor under the indenture with the same effect as if that successor subsidiary or person has been named as RELX Capital or either guarantor,
and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor obligor will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the indenture, the debt securities or the related guarantees. (Section 802).
The guarantors may cause any Component Company, wholly owned
by the guarantors, which is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or one of the States to be substituted for RELX Capital, and to assume the obligations of RELX Capital (or any corporation which has previously
assumed the obligations of RELX Capital) for the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and, premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the debt securities and the performance of every covenant of the indenture and the debt securities on
the part of RELX Capital to be performed or observed; provided, that:
|
|
|
that Component Company will expressly assume those obligations by a supplemental indenture, executed by that Component Company and delivered to the
trustee for each series of debt securities, in form reasonably satisfactory to that trustee, and, if that Component Company assumes those obligations, each guarantor will, in that supplemental indenture, confirm that its guarantees as guarantor will
apply to that Component Companys obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, as so modified by that supplemental indenture; and
|
|
|
|
immediately after giving effect to that assumption of obligations, no event of default with respect to any series of debt securities and no event
which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, with respect to any series of debt securities will have occurred and be continuing. (Section 803).
|
18
Upon that assumption of obligations, that Component Company will succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, RELX Capital under the indenture with respect to the debt securities with the same effect as if that Component Company had been named as the issuer under the indenture, and the
former issuer, or any successor corporation which will therefore have become RELX Capital in the manner prescribed in the indenture, will be released from all liability as obligor upon the debt securities. (Section 803).
If the guarantors cause any Component Company all of whose
voting stock is directly or indirectly owned by them to be substituted for RELX Capital in accordance with the terms and conditions of the debt securities, that substitution may constitute a deemed sale or exchange of the debt securities for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. As a result, the holder of a debt security may recognize taxable gain or loss and may be required to include in income different amounts during the remaining term of that debt security than would have been included
absent that substitution. If that substitution occurs, holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences.
Limitations on Liens
. The guarantors will not, nor will they permit any Restricted Company to, create or
assume after the date specified for a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement any Lien securing Indebtedness other than:
|
|
|
Liens securing Indebtedness for which either of the guarantors or any Restricted Company is contractually obligated on that date;
|
|
|
|
Liens securing Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business of either of the guarantors or any Restricted Company;
|
|
|
|
Liens securing Indebtedness incurred in connection with the financing of receivables of either of the guarantors or any Restricted Company;
|
|
|
|
Liens on Property acquired or leased after that date securing Indebtedness in amounts not exceeding the acquisition cost of that Property (provided
that the Lien is created or assumed within 360 days after that acquisition or lease);
|
|
|
|
in the case of real estate owned on or acquired after that date which, on or after that date, is improved, Liens on that real estate and/or
improvements securing Indebtedness in amounts not exceeding the cost of those improvements;
|
|
|
|
Liens on Property acquired after that date securing Indebtedness existing on that Property at the time of that acquisition (provided that the Lien has
not been created or assumed in contemplation of that acquisition);
|
|
|
|
Liens securing Indebtedness of a corporation at the time it becomes a subsidiary of a Component Company (provided that the Lien has not been created or
assumed in contemplation of that corporation becoming a subsidiary of a Component Company);
|
|
|
|
rights of set-off over deposits of either of the guarantors or any Restricted Company held by financial institutions;
|
|
|
|
Liens on Property of either of the guarantors or any Restricted Company in favor of any governmental authority of any jurisdiction securing the
obligation of that guarantor or that Restricted Company pursuant to any contract or payment owed to that entity pursuant to applicable laws, regulations or statutes;
|
|
|
|
Liens securing industrial revenue, development or similar bonds issued by or for the benefit of either of the guarantors or any Restricted Company,
provided that those industrial revenue, development or similar bonds are nonrecourse to either guarantor or that Restricted Company;
|
|
|
|
Liens in favor of either of the guarantors or of any other Component Company; and
|
|
|
|
extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements of any Liens referred to above; provided, that the outstanding principal amount of the obligation
secured thereby at any time is not increased above the outstanding principal amount at any previous time and so long as any extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement of any Liens is limited to the property originally encumbered. (Section 804).
|
19
Notwithstanding the provisions set forth above either of the guarantors or any Restricted
Company may create or assume any Lien securing Indebtedness which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions provided that any of the following conditions is satisfied:
|
|
|
after giving effect to the Liens, Indebtedness secured by those Liens (not including Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted above) then outstanding
does not exceed 15 percent of Adjusted Total of Capital and Reserves (as defined below); or
|
|
|
|
at the time the Lien is created or assumed, the debt securities or the obligations of that guarantor which has created or assumed, or the obligations
of both guarantors if the Lien is created or assumed by a Restricted Company, that Lien pursuant to its guarantees are equally and ratably secured with that Indebtedness for so long as that Indebtedness is secured. (Section 804).
|
Limitation on Sale and
Leaseback Transactions
. The guarantors will not, and will not cause or permit any Restricted Company to, engage in any sale and leaseback transaction (other than a sale and leaseback transaction involving any property
acquired after the date specified for a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement) unless:
|
|
|
either of the guarantors or any Restricted Company would be entitled (other than pursuant to the exceptions under Limitations on
Liens above) to secure Indebtedness equal to the amount realized upon the sale or transfer involved in that transaction without securing the debt securities or the guarantees; or
|
|
|
|
an amount equal to the fair value, as determined in good faith by the board of directors or the executive board of either guarantor or any Restricted
Company, of the leased property is applied or definitively committed within 360 days of the effective date of the sale and leaseback transaction to:
|
|
|
|
the acquisition or construction of property other than current assets;
|
|
|
|
the repayment of the debt securities pursuant to their terms; or
|
|
|
|
the repayment of Indebtedness of either guarantor or any Restricted Company (other than Indebtedness owed to that guarantor or to any other Component
Company and other than Indebtedness the payment of principal of or interest on which is contractually subordinated to the prior payment of principal of or interest on the debt securities). (Section 805).
|
For the purpose of these covenants and the events of default
the following terms have the following respective meanings:
Adjusted Total of Capital and Reserves means:
|
|
|
the amount for the time being paid up on the issued share capital of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV; and
|
|
|
|
the amounts standing to the credit of the reserves of the Group (being the elements of combined shareholders funds other than the paid up issued
share capital of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV, including the balance standing to the credit of profit and loss account) as shown in the last audited combined financial statements of the Group after making those adjustments as in the
opinion of Reed Elsevier PLCs and Reed Elsevier NVs auditors may be appropriate, including adjustments to take account of any alterations to those reserves resulting from any distributions or any issues of share capital whether for cash
or other consideration (including any transfers to share premium account) or any payments up by capitalization from reserves of share capital theretofore not paid up or any reductions of paid up share capital or share premium account which may have
taken place since the date of those balance sheets, less any amounts included in the reserves and appearing on those audited combined financial statements as being reserved or set aside for future taxation assessable by reference to profits earned
down to the date to which those balance sheets are made up.
|
20
Component Company means any one of Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV, RELX
Group plc and their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries (or the successor to any of those companies).
Indebtedness, with respect to any person, means:
|
|
|
any obligation of that person for borrowed money;
|
|
|
|
any obligation incurred for all or any part of the purchase price of Property or for the cost of Property constructed or of improvements on the
Property, other than accounts payable included in current liabilities and incurred in respect of Property purchased in the ordinary course of business;
|
|
|
|
any obligation under capitalized leases (as determined in accordance with IFRS, as in effect on the issue date of the applicable series of debt
securities for purposes of such determination) of that person; and
|
|
|
|
any direct or indirect guarantees of that person of any obligation of the type described in the preceding three paragraphs of any other person.
|
Lien means any
security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance, lessors interest under a capitalized lease or analogous instrument in, of or on any Property.
person means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision or any other entity.
Property means any interest in any kind of
property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, share capital.
Restricted Company means any Component Company, other than one of the guarantors, substantially all of the physical properties
of which are located, or substantially all of the operations of which are conducted, within the United States, the United Kingdom or The Netherlands. Restricted Company does not include any Component Company which is principally engaged
in leasing or financing installment receivables or which is principally engaged in financing the operations of one or more Component Companies (which includes only those Component Companies in which more than 50% of the capital stock having ordinary
voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions is at the time directly or indirectly owned by the guarantors).
subsidiary, with respect to any person, means any
corporation or other entity of which a majority of the capital stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions is at the time directly or
indirectly owned by that person. (Section 101).
Satisfaction
and Discharge
Except as may otherwise be set
forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities of any particular series, the indenture provides that RELX Capital will be discharged from its obligations under the debt securities of that series (with certain exceptions) at any
time prior to the stated maturity or redemption of those debt securities when:
|
|
|
RELX Capital has irrevocably deposited with or to the order of the trustee for the debt securities of that series, in trust:
|
|
|
|
sufficient funds in the currency or currency unit in which debt securities of that series are payable to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on
all of the outstanding debt securities of that series for unpaid principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the stated maturity, or redemption date, as the case may be; or
|
21
|
|
|
that amount of Government Obligations (as defined below) as will, together with the predetermined and certain income to accrue on those Government
Obligations (without consideration of any reinvestment), be sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge when due the principal (and premium, if
any) and interest, if any, to the stated maturity or any redemption date, as the case may be; or
|
|
|
|
that amount equal to the amount referred to in the above two paragraphs in any combination of the currency or currency unit in which debt securities of
that series are payable or Government Obligations;
|
|
|
|
RELX Capital or any guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable with respect to the debt securities of that series;
|
|
|
|
RELX Capital has delivered to the trustee for the debt securities of that series an opinion of counsel to the effect that:
|
|
|
|
RELX Capital has received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
|
|
|
|
since the date of the indenture there has been a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon
such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the beneficial owners of debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of that discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income
tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if that discharge had not occurred; and certain other conditions are met. (Section 401).
|
Upon a discharge, the holders of the debt securities of that
series will no longer be entitled to the benefits of the terms and conditions of the indenture, the debt securities and the guarantees, if any, except for certain provisions, including registration of transfer and exchange of those debt securities
and replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of that series, and will look for payment only to those deposited funds or obligations. (Section 401).
Government Obligations means securities which
are:
|
|
|
direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in those obligations) of the government which issued the currency in which the
debt securities of a particular series are payable (unless the currency in which the debt securities of a particular series is unavailable due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond RELX Capitals control, in which
case the obligations shall be issued in US dollars) for which its full faith and credit are pledged; or
|
|
|
|
obligations of a person controlled or supervised by, and acting as an agency or instrumentality of, the government which issued the currency in which
the debt securities of a particular series are payable (unless the currency in which the debt securities of a particular series is unavailable due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond RELX Capitals control, in
which case the obligations shall be issued in US dollars), issued in that currency the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by that government as a full faith and credit obligation of that government and are not callable or redeemable at
the option of RELX Capital or either of the guarantors. (Section 101).
|
Supplemental Indentures
The indenture contains provisions permitting RELX Capital, each guarantor and the trustee for the debt securities of any or all series:
|
|
|
without the consent of any holders of debt securities issued under the indenture, to enter into one or more supplemental indentures to, among other
things, cure any ambiguity or inconsistency or to make any change that does not have a materially adverse effect on the rights of the holders of debt securities of any particular series; and
|
22
|
|
|
with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series of debt
securities then outstanding and affected by the supplemental indenture, to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the indenture or
of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of those debt securities under the indenture.
|
However, no supplemental indenture may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected by the supplemental
indenture:
|
|
|
change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security, or reduce the principal amount or
the rate of interest, if any, or any premium or principal payable upon the redemption of that debt security, or change any obligation of RELX Capital to pay additional amounts thereon or reduce the amount of the principal of a discounted security
that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the stated maturity, or change any place of payment where any debt security or any interest is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment
on or after the stated maturity or the date any such payment is otherwise due and payable (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date);
|
|
|
|
reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any particular series, the consent of whose holders is required
for any supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults and their consequences provided for in the indenture;
|
|
|
|
change any obligation of RELX Capital and each guarantor to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the indenture;
|
|
|
|
modify certain of the provisions of the indenture pertaining to the waiver by holders of debt securities of past defaults, supplemental indentures with
the consent of holders of debt securities and the waiver by holders of each debt security of certain covenants, except to increase any specified percentage in aggregate principal amount required for any actions by holders of debt securities or to
provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected; or
|
|
|
|
change in any manner adverse to the interests of the holders of any outstanding debt securities the terms and conditions of the obligations of each
guarantor in respect of the due and punctual payment of the principal (or, if the context so requires, lesser amount in the case of discounted securities) of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on or any additional amounts or any sinking
fund payments provided in respect of that debt security. (Section 902).
|
Waivers
The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series of debt securities issued under the indenture and affected thereby may, on behalf of
the holders of those debt securities of that series, waive compliance by RELX Capital or any guarantor with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture as pertain to the corporate existence of RELX Capital and that guarantor, the maintenance of
certain agencies by RELX Capital and that guarantor or to the covenants described under Covenants of RELX Capital and the Guarantors above. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
debt securities of any particular series may, on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of that series, waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on any debt security of that series or with respect to a covenant or a provision which under the indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding debt security of that series affected. (Section 513).
23
Further Issuances
RELX Capital may from time to time, without notice to or the
consent of the holders of the debt securities of a series, create and issue under the indenture further debt securities ranking equally with those debt securities in all respects (or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior
to the issue date of those further debt securities or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of those further debt securities), and those further debt securities will be consolidated and form a single series with those
debt securities and will have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as those debt securities.
Notices
Notices to holders of the debt securities in non-global form will be given by mail to the addresses of holders as they appear in the security register and notices to holders of the debt securities in
global form will be given to the depositary in accordance with its applicable procedures.
Title
RELX Capital, any trustees and any agent of RELX Capital or any trustees may treat the registered owner of any debt security as its absolute owner (whether or not that debt security is overdue and
notwithstanding any notice to the contrary) for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.
Governing Law
The indenture, the debt securities and the guarantees will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Consent to Service
RELX Capital and each of the guarantors has designated and appointed Kenneth Thompson II, Reed Elsevier Inc., at 9443 Springboro Pike,
Miamisburg, OH 45342 as their authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the debt securities, the guarantees or the indenture which may be instituted in any federal or New York State
court located in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, and has submitted (for the purposes of any suit or proceeding) to the jurisdiction of any court in that area in which any suit or proceeding is instituted. Each of Reed Elsevier
PLC and Reed Elsevier NV has agreed, to the fullest extent that it lawfully may do so, that final judgment in any suit, action or proceeding brought in a court will be conclusive and binding upon it and may be enforced in the courts of the United
Kingdom and The Netherlands, as the case may be (or any other courts to the jurisdiction of which it is subject).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any actions arising out of or relating to the debt securities, the guarantees or the indenture may be
instituted by the trustees or the holder of any debt security of a series in any competent court in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands or other competent jurisdiction.
Concerning the Trustee
The indenture provides that, except during the continuance
of an event of default, the trustee will have no obligations other than the performance of those duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will use the same degree of
care and skill in its exercise of the rights and powers vested in it by the indenture as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of that persons own affairs. (Section 601).
24
TAXATION
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income
tax consequences to you of the purchase, ownership and disposition of debt securities as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with debt securities that are held as capital assets and does not represent a detailed
description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including if you are:
|
|
|
a dealer in securities or currencies;
|
|
|
|
a regulated investment company;
|
|
|
|
a real estate investment trust;
|
|
|
|
a financial institution;
|
|
|
|
a tax-exempt organization;
|
|
|
|
a person holding debt securities as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, constructive sale or straddle;
|
|
|
|
a partnership or other pass-through entity (or an investor therein);
|
|
|
|
a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities;
|
|
|
|
a person liable for alternative minimum tax; or
|
|
|
|
a U.S. Holder (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the US dollar.
|
In addition, it does not represent a detailed description of
the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined below) subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws (including if you are a controlled foreign corporation,
passive foreign investment company or United States expatriate).
The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date of this
prospectus. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. The discussion below assumes that all debt securities issued pursuant to this
prospectus will be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of RELX Capital and you should note that in the event of an alternative characterization, the tax consequences would differ from those discussed below. We will
summarize any special U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to a particular issue of the debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
This discussion does not contain a detailed description of all the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you in light of your particular
circumstances and does not address the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income or the effects of any state, local or non-United States tax laws.
If a partnership holds our debt securities, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the
activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our debt securities, you should consult your tax advisors.
If you are considering the purchase of the debt securities, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income
tax consequences to you and any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
25
Consequences to U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income
tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a U.S. Holder of the debt securities.
Material consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the debt securities, which are beneficial owners of debt securities (other than partnerships) that are not U.S. Holders, are described under
Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders below.
U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of a debt security that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
|
|
|
an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
|
|
|
|
a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States, any state thereof or the District of Colombia;
|
|
|
|
an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
|
|
|
|
a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to
control all of its substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
|
Payments of Interest
. Except as
set forth below, interest on a debt security will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with your method of accounting for tax purposes.
Original Issue Discount
. If you
own debt securities issued with original issue discount (OID and such debt securities, original issue discount debt securities), you will be subject to special tax accounting rules, as described in greater detail below. You
generally must include OID in gross income (as ordinary income) in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that income. However, you generally will not be required to include separately in income cash payments received on the debt securities,
even if denominated as interest, to the extent those payments do not constitute qualified stated interest, as defined below. Notice will be given in the applicable prospectus supplement when we determine that a particular debt security
will be an original issue discount debt security.
A debt security with an issue price that is less than the stated redemption price at maturity (the sum of all payments to be
made on the debt security other than qualified stated interest) generally will be issued with OID if that difference is at least 0.25% of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity. The
issue price of each debt security in a particular offering will be the first price at which a substantial amount of that particular offering is sold to the public. The term qualified stated interest means stated interest that
is unconditionally payable in cash or in property, other than debt instruments of the issuer, and meets all of the following conditions:
|
|
|
it is payable at least once per year;
|
|
|
|
it is payable over the entire term of the debt security; and
|
|
|
|
it is payable at a single fixed rate or, subject to certain conditions, based on one or more interest indices.
|
We will give you notice in the applicable prospectus
supplement when we determine that a particular debt security will bear interest that is not qualified stated interest.
If you own a debt security issued with de minimis OID, which is discount that is not OID because it is less than 0.25% of the stated
redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity, you generally must include the de minimis OID in income at the time principal payments on the debt securities are made in proportion to the amount paid. Any amount
of de minimis OID that you have included in income will be treated as capital gain.
26
Certain of the debt securities may contain provisions permitting them to be redeemed prior
to their stated maturity at our option and/or at your option. Original issue discount debt securities containing those features may be subject to rules that differ from the general rules discussed herein. If you are considering the purchase of
original issue discount debt securities with those features, you should carefully examine the applicable prospectus supplement and should consult your own tax advisors with respect to those features since the tax consequences to you with respect to
OID will depend, in part, on the particular terms and features of the debt securities.
If you own original issue discount debt securities with a maturity upon issuance of more than one year, you generally must include OID in income in advance of the receipt of some or all of the related
cash payments using the constant yield method described in the following paragraphs. This method takes into account the compounding of interest. The accruals of OID on an original issue discount debt security will generally be less in
the early years and more in the later years.
The
amount of OID that you must include in income if you are the initial U.S. Holder of an original issue discount debt security is the sum of the daily portions of OID with respect to the debt security for each day during the taxable year
or portion of the taxable year in which you held that debt security (accrued OID). The daily portion is determined by allocating to each day in any accrual period a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual
period. The accrual period for an original issue discount debt security may be of any length and may vary in length over the term of the debt security, provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled payment of
principal or interest occurs on the first day or the final day of an accrual period. The amount of OID allocable to any accrual period other than the final accrual period is an amount equal to the excess, if any, of:
|
|
|
the debt securitys adjusted issue price at the beginning of the accrual period multiplied by its yield to maturity, determined on the
basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period; over
|
|
|
|
the aggregate of all qualified stated interest allocable to the accrual period.
|
OID allocable to a final accrual period is the difference
between the amount payable at maturity, other than a payment of qualified stated interest, and the adjusted issue price at the beginning of the final accrual period. Special rules will apply for calculating OID for an initial short accrual period.
The adjusted issue price of a debt security at the beginning of any accrual period is equal to its issue price increased by the accrued OID for each prior accrual period, determined without regard to the amortization of any acquisition
or bond premium, as described below, and reduced by any payments previously made on the debt security other than a payment of qualified stated interest. We are required to provide information returns stating the amount of OID accrued on debt
securities held by persons of record other than corporations and other exempt holders.
Debt securities that provide for a variable rate of interest and that meet certain other requirements (floating rate debt securities) are subject to special OID rules. In the case of an
original issue discount debt security that is a floating rate debt security, both the yield to maturity and qualified stated interest will be determined solely for purposes of calculating the accrual of OID as though the debt
security will bear interest in all periods at a fixed rate generally equal to the rate that would be applicable to interest payments on the debt security on its date of issue or, in the case of certain floating rate debt securities, the rate that
reflects the yield to maturity that is reasonably expected for the debt security. Additional rules may apply if
|
|
|
the interest on a floating rate debt security is based on more than one interest index; or
|
|
|
|
the principal amount of the debt security is indexed in any manner.
|
You should refer to the discussion below under Foreign Currency Debt Securities for additional OID
rules applicable to debt securities that are denominated in or determined by reference to a specified currency other than the US dollar (foreign currency debt securities). The discussion above generally does not address debt securities
providing for contingent payments that do not constitute qualified stated interest. You should carefully examine the applicable prospectus supplement regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the holding and disposition of any debt
securities providing for contingent payments that do not constitute qualified stated interest.
27
You may elect to treat all interest on any debt security as OID and calculate the amount
includible in gross income under the constant yield method described above. For purposes of this election, interest includes stated interest, acquisition discount, OID, de minimis OID, market discount, de minimis market discount and unstated
interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or acquisition premium. You must make this election for the taxable year in which you acquired the debt security, and you may not revoke the election without the consent of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service (IRS). You should consult with your own tax advisors about this election.
Short-Term Debt Securities
. In the case of debt securities having a term of one year or less
(short-term debt securities), all payments, including all stated interest, will be included in the stated redemption price at maturity and will not be qualified stated interest. As a result, you will generally be taxed on the discount
instead of stated interest. The discount will be equal to the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity over the issue price of a short-term debt security, unless you elect to compute this discount using tax basis instead of issue price. In
general, individual and certain other cash method U.S. Holders of short-term debt securities are not required to include accrued discount in their income currently unless they elect to do so, but may be required to include stated interest in income
as the income is received. U.S. Holders that report income for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the accrual method and certain other U.S. Holders are required to accrue discount on short-term debt securities (as ordinary income) on a
straight-line basis, unless an election is made to accrue the discount according to a constant yield method based on daily compounding. If you are not required, and do not elect, to include discount in income currently, any gain you realize on the
sale, exchange or retirement of a short-term debt security will generally be ordinary income to you to the extent of the discount accrued by you through the date of sale, exchange or retirement. In addition, if you do not elect to currently include
accrued discount in income you may be required to defer deductions for a portion of your interest expense with respect to any indebtedness attributable to the short-term debt securities.
Market Discount
. If you purchase a debt security for an amount that is less than
its stated redemption price at maturity, or, in the case of an original issue discount debt security, its adjusted issue price, the amount of the difference will be treated as market discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless
that difference is less than a specified de minimis amount. Under the market discount rules, you will be required to treat any principal payment on, or any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a debt security as ordinary
income to the extent of the market discount that you have not previously included in income and are treated as having accrued on the debt security at the time of the payment or disposition. In addition, you may be required to defer, until the
maturity of the debt security or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness attributable to the debt security. You may elect, on a security-by-security basis, to
deduct the deferred interest expense in a tax year prior to the year of disposition but not in excess of the net interest income on the security in such tax year. You should consult your own tax advisor before making this election.
Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably
during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the debt security, unless you elect to accrue on a constant interest method. You may elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues, on either a ratable or
constant interest method, in which case the rule described above regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Your election to include market discount in income currently, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired
by you on or after the first taxable year to which your election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. You should consult your own tax advisor before making this election.
Acquisition Premium, Amortizable Bond
Premium
. If you purchase an original issue discount debt security for an amount that is greater than its adjusted issue price but equal to or less than the sum of all amounts payable on the debt security after the purchase
date other than payments of qualified stated interest, you will be considered to have purchased that debt security at an acquisition premium. Under the acquisition premium rules, the amount of OID that you must include in gross income
with respect to the debt security for any taxable year will be reduced by the portion of the acquisition premium properly allocable to that year.
28
If you purchase a debt security (including an original issue discount debt security) for an
amount in excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the debt security after the purchase date other than qualified stated interest, you will be considered to have purchased the debt security at a premium and, if it is an original issue
discount debt security, you will not be required to include any OID in income. You generally may elect to amortize the premium over the remaining term of the debt security on a constant yield method as an offset to interest when includible in income
under your regular accounting method. In the case of instruments that provide for alternative payment schedules, bond premium is calculated by assuming that (1) you will exercise or not exercise options in a manner that maximizes your yield,
and (2) we will exercise or not exercise options in a manner that minimizes your yield (except that we will be assumed to exercise call options in a manner that maximizes your yield). If you do not elect to amortize bond premium, that premium
will decrease the gain or increase the loss you would otherwise recognize on disposition of the debt security. Your election to amortize premium on a constant yield method will also apply to all taxable debt obligations held or subsequently acquired
by you on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies. You may not revoke the election without the consent of the IRS. You should consult your own tax advisor before making this election.
Sale, Exchange and Retirement of Debt
Securities
. Your tax basis in a debt security will, in general, be your cost for that debt security, increased by OID, market discount or any discount with respect to a short-term debt security that you previously included
in income, and reduced by any amortized premium and any cash payments on the debt security other than qualified stated interest. Upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a debt security, you will recognize gain or loss equal to
the difference between the amount you realize upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition (less an amount equal to any accrued qualified stated interest, which will be taxable as interest income to the extent not previously included in
income) and the adjusted tax basis of the debt security. Except as otherwise described herein with respect to:
|
|
|
certain short-term debt securities;
|
|
|
|
gain or loss attributable to changes in exchange rates as discussed below with respect to foreign currency debt securities; or
|
|
|
|
contingent payment debt instruments, which this summary generally does not discuss,
|
that gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of individuals
and other non-corporate U.S. Holders derived in respect of capital assets held for more than one year are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Foreign Currency Debt Securities
Payments of Interest
. If you
receive interest payments made in a foreign currency and you use the cash basis method of accounting, you will be required to include in income the US dollar value of the amount received, determined by translating the foreign currency received at
the spot rate for such foreign currency on the date such payment is received regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into US dollars. You will not recognize exchange gain or loss with respect to the receipt of such
payment.
If you use the accrual method of
accounting, you may determine the amount of income recognized with respect to such interest in accordance with either of two methods. Under the first method, you will be required to include in income for each taxable year the US dollar value of the
interest that has accrued during such year, determined by translating such interest at the average rate of exchange for the period or periods during which such interest accrued. Under the second method, you may elect to translate interest income at
the spot rate on:
|
|
|
the last day of the accrual period;
|
|
|
|
the last day of the taxable year if the accrual period straddles your taxable year; or
|
|
|
|
the date the interest payment is received if such date is within five business days of the end of the accrual period.
|
29
If you use the accrual method of accounting, upon receipt of an interest payment on a debt
security (including, upon the sale of such debt security, the receipt of proceeds which include amounts attributable to accrued interest previously included in income), you will recognize ordinary gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference
between the US dollar value of such payment (determined by translating the foreign currency received at the spot rate for such foreign currency on the date such payment is received) and the US dollar value of the interest income you
previously included in income with respect to such payment.
Original Issue Discount
. OID on a debt security that is also a foreign currency debt security will be determined for any accrual period in the applicable foreign currency and
then translated into US dollars, in the same manner as interest income accrued by a holder on the accrual basis, as described above. You will recognize exchange gain or loss when OID is paid (including, upon the sale of such debt security, the
receipt of proceeds which include amounts attributable to OID previously included in income) to the extent of the difference between the US dollar value of the accrued OID (determined in the same manner as for accrued interest) and the US dollar
value of such payment (determined by translating the foreign currency received at the spot rate for such foreign currency on the date such payment is received). For these purposes, all receipts on a debt security will be viewed:
|
|
|
first, as the receipt of any stated interest payments called for under the terms of the debt security;
|
|
|
|
second, as receipts of previously accrued OID (to the extent thereof), with payments considered made for the earliest accrual periods first; and
|
|
|
|
third, as the receipt of principal.
|
Market Discount and Bond Premium
. The amount of market discount on foreign currency debt securities
includible in income will generally be determined by translating the market discount determined in the foreign currency into US dollars at the spot rate on the date the foreign currency debt security is retired or otherwise disposed of.
If you have elected to accrue market discount currently, then the amount which accrues is determined in the foreign currency and then translated into US dollars on the basis of the average exchange rate in effect during such accrual period. You will
recognize exchange gain or loss with respect to market discount which is accrued currently using the approach applicable to the accrual of interest income as described above.
Bond premium on a foreign currency debt security will be
computed in the applicable foreign currency. If you have elected to amortize the premium, the amortizable bond premium will reduce interest income in the applicable foreign currency. At the time bond premium is amortized, exchange gain or loss,
which is generally ordinary gain or loss, will be realized based on the difference between spot rates at such time and the time of acquisition of the foreign currency debt security.
If you elect not to amortize bond premium, you must translate
the bond premium computed in the foreign currency into US dollars at the spot rate on the maturity date and such bond premium will constitute a capital loss which may be offset or eliminated by exchange gain.
Sale, Exchange or
Retirement
. Your initial tax basis in a foreign currency debt security will generally be the US dollar value of the foreign currency amount paid for such foreign currency debt security determined at the time of your
purchase. If, however, you are a cash method taxpayer and the foreign currency debt securities are traded on an established securities market, your initial tax basis in the foreign currency debt security will be determined by translating the foreign
currency amount paid into US dollars on the settlement date of the purchase. An accrual method taxpayer may elect the same treatment with respect to foreign currency debt securities traded on an established securities market, provided that the
election is applied consistently. If you purchased the foreign currency debt security with previously owned foreign currency, you will recognize exchange gain or loss at the time of the purchase attributable to the difference at the time of
purchase, if any, between your tax basis in the foreign currency and the fair market value of the debt security in US dollars on the date of purchase. Such gain or loss will be ordinary income or loss.
30
For purposes of determining the amount of any gain or loss you recognize on the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition of a foreign currency debt security for an amount denominated in foreign currency, the amount realized on such sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition will be the US dollar value of the amount
realized in foreign currency (other than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid qualified stated interest, which will be taxable as interest income to the extent not previously included in income), determined based on the spot rate
of the foreign currency in effect on the date of the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition. If, however, you are a cash method taxpayer and the foreign currency debt securities are traded on an established securities market, the amount
realized is determined by translating the foreign currency received into US dollars on the settlement date of the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition. An accrual method taxpayer may elect the same treatment with respect to foreign
currency debt securities traded on an established securities market, provided that the election is applied consistently.
Subject to the discussion above regarding short-term debt securities and market discount, any such gain or loss (except to the extent
attributable to exchange gain or loss) will be capital gain or loss, and will be long term capital gain or loss if you held the foreign currency debt security for more than one year.
You may also recognize exchange gain or loss attributable to the movement in exchange rates between the time of
purchase and the time of disposition (including the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition) of a foreign currency debt security. Such gain or loss will be treated as ordinary income or loss. The realization of such gain or loss will be
limited to the amount of overall gain or loss realized on the disposition of a foreign currency debt security. A non-electing accrual basis taxpayer selling a foreign currency debt security on an established securities market will also realize
exchange gain or loss on the receipt of the foreign currency to the extent (i) the US dollar value of the foreign currency determined at the spot rate on the settlement date of the sale differs from (ii) the US dollar value of
the foreign currency determined at the spot rate on the trade date of the sale.
Your tax basis in foreign currency received as interest on, or received on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a foreign currency debt security will generally be the US dollar value
thereof at the spot rate at the time you receive such foreign currency. Any gain or loss recognized by you on a sale, exchange or other disposition of foreign currency will be ordinary income or loss and will not be treated as interest
income or expense, except to the extent provided in Treasury Regulations or administrative pronouncements of the IRS.
Dual Currency Debt Securities
. If so specified in an applicable prospectus supplement relating to a foreign
currency debt security, we may have the option to make all payments of principal and interest scheduled after the exercise of such option in a currency other than the specified currency. Applicable Treasury Regulations generally:
|
|
|
apply the principles contained in regulations governing contingent debt instruments to dual currency debt securities in the predominant
currency of the dual currency debt securities; and
|
|
|
|
apply the rules discussed above with respect to foreign currency debt securities with OID for the translation of interest and principal into US
dollars.
|
If you are considering
the purchase of dual currency debt securities, you should carefully examine the applicable prospectus supplement and should consult your own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the holding and disposition of such debt
securities.
Reportable
Transactions
. Treasury Regulations issued under the Code meant to require the reporting of certain tax shelter transactions could be interpreted to cover transactions generally not regarded as tax shelters, including
certain foreign currency transactions. Under the Treasury Regulations, certain transactions are required to be reported to the IRS, including, in certain circumstances, a sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a foreign currency
debt security or foreign currency received in respect of a foreign currency debt security to the extent that such sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition results in a tax loss in
31
excess of a threshold amount. If you are considering the purchase of foreign currency debt securities, you should consult with your own tax advisors to determine the tax return obligations, if
any, with respect to an investment in the debt securities, including any requirement to file IRS Form 8886 (Reportable Transaction Disclosure Statement).
Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a Non-U.S. Holder
of debt securities.
U.S. Federal Withholding
Tax
. The 30% U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any payment of interest, including OID, on debt securities under the portfolio interest rule, provided that:
|
|
|
interest paid on the debt securities is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States;
|
|
|
|
you do not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of voting stock of RELX Capital within the
meaning of the Code and U.S. Treasury Regulations;
|
|
|
|
you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to RELX Capital through stock ownership;
|
|
|
|
you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on the debt securities is described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code;
|
|
|
|
the interest is not considered contingent interest under Section 871(h)(4)(A) of the Code and the U.S. Treasury Regulations thereunder; and
|
|
|
|
either (1) you provide your name and address on an applicable IRS Form W-8 (or successor form), and certify, under penalty of perjury, that you
are not a U.S. person or (2) you hold your debt securities through certain foreign intermediaries or certain foreign partnerships, and you satisfy the certification requirements of applicable Treasury Regulations.
|
Special certification rules apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders that are
pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.
If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest, including OID, made to you will be subject to the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless you provide the applicable
withholding agent with a properly executed:
|
|
|
IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or successor form) claiming an exemption from, or reduction in, withholding under the benefit of a tax treaty; or
|
|
|
|
IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form) stating that interest paid on the debt securities is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively
connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States.
|
U.S. federal withholding tax generally will not apply to any payment of principal or gain that you realize on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of debt securities.
U.S. Federal Income Tax
. If you
are engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest, including OID, on the debt securities is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S.
permanent establishment), you will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that interest, including OID, on a net income basis (although exempt from the 30% withholding tax, provided the certification requirements discussed above under
U.S. Federal Withholding Tax are satisfied) in the same manner as if you were a U.S. Holder. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate)
of your effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments.
32
You will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized on the
disposition of a debt security unless:
|
|
|
the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, is
attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment); or
|
|
|
|
you are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions
are met.
|
U.S. Federal Estate
Tax
. Your estate will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax on debt securities beneficially owned by you at the time of your death, provided that any payment to you on the debt securities, including OID, would be
eligible for exemption from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax under the portfolio interest rule described above under U.S. Federal Withholding Tax, without regard to the statement requirement described in the sixth
bullet point of that section.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
U.S.
Holders
. In general, information reporting requirements will apply to certain payments of principal, interest, OID and premium paid on debt securities and to the proceeds of sale of a debt security made to you (unless you
are an exempt recipient such as a corporation). A backup withholding tax may apply to such payments if you fail to provide a taxpayer identification number or a certification of exempt status, or fail to report in full dividend and interest income.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding
rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Holders
. Interest (including OID) on the debt securities paid to you and the amount of tax, if any,
withheld with respect to those payments generally will be reported to the IRS. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you
reside under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty.
In general, you will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments on the debt securities that we make to you provided that the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge
or reason to know that you are a U.S. person, and such withholding agent has received from you the statement described above in the sixth bullet point under Consequences to Non-U.S. HoldersU.S. Federal Withholding Tax.
In addition, information reporting and backup
withholding will not apply to the proceeds of the sale of a debt security made within the United States or conducted through certain U.S. related financial intermediaries, if the payor receives the statement described above and does not have actual
knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person, or you otherwise establish an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Additional Withholding Requirements
Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the
Code (such Sections commonly referred to as FATCA), a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax may apply to any interest income paid on the debt securities and, for a disposition of a debt security occurring after December 31, 2016, the
gross proceeds from such disposition, in each case paid to (i) a foreign financial institution (as specifically defined in the Code) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either
(x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) its compliance (or deemed compliance) with FATCA (which may alternatively be in the form of compliance with an
33
intergovernmental agreement with the United States) in a manner which avoids withholding, or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity (as specifically defined in the Code) which does
not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) adequate information regarding certain substantial United States beneficial owners of such entity (if any). If an
interest payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to the withholding tax discussed above under Consequences to Non-U.S. HoldersU.S. Federal Withholding Tax, the withholding under FATCA may be credited against,
and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding these rules and whether they may be relevant to your ownership and disposition of debt securities.
United Kingdom and Netherlands Tax Considerations
The following summaries are based on the current law and
practice of the United Kingdom and The Netherlands, which are subject to changes that could prospectively or retrospectively or adversely affect the stated tax consequences.
Prospective holders of debt securities who may be in any doubt as to
their respective tax positions should consult their own professional advisors
.
United Kingdom Tax Considerations
Although the position is not clear, it is possible that any payments in respect of interest made by Reed Elsevier PLC under its guarantee will be subject to withholding or deduction on account of United
Kingdom tax. However, if there is a withholding or deduction on account of United Kingdom tax, then, assuming each beneficial owner of a debt security is a person who satisfies the relevant conditions for exemption from United Kingdom tax under any
applicable income tax treaty and provided Reed Elsevier PLC has received a direction to pay gross from HM Revenue & Customs, all payments to be made by Reed Elsevier PLC under the guarantee will be made free and clear of and without
deductions for or on account of any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, assessments, fees or withholdings of any kind under the laws of the United Kingdom. No direction will be given by HM Revenue & Customs unless relevant forms have
been completed by the relevant holder of a debt security and certified by the appropriate tax office applicable to the holder. See Description of the Debt Securities and GuaranteesPayment of Additional Amounts above for a
description of the circumstances under which Reed Elsevier PLC would be required to pay additional amounts.
Netherlands Tax Considerations
All payments by RELX Capital or Reed Elsevier NV, as guarantor, as the case may be, of principal of and interest on the debt securities
may be made free of withholding or deduction of, for or on account of any taxes of whatever nature imposed, levied, withheld or assessed by The Netherlands or any political subdivision or taxing authority of The Netherlands.
European Union Tax Considerations
Under Council Directive 2003/48/EC on the taxation of
savings income (the Directive), member states are required to provide to the tax authorities of another member state details of payments of interest and other similar income paid or secured by a person established in a member state to or
for the benefit of an individual resident in another member state or certain limited types of entities established in another member state.
On 24 March 2014, the Council of the European Union adopted a Council Directive amending and broadening the scope of the requirements
described above (the Amending Directive). Member states are required to apply these new requirements from 1 January 2017. The changes will expand the range of payments covered by the Directive, in particular to include additional
types of income payable on securities. The Directive will also apply a look through approach to payments made via certain persons, entities or legal arrangements (including trusts and partnerships), where certain conditions are
satisfied, where an individual resident in a
34
member state is regarded as the beneficial owner of the payment for the purposes of the Directive. This approach may in some cases apply where the person, entity or arrangement is established or
effectively managed outside of the European Union.
For a transitional period, Austria is instead required (unless during such period it elects otherwise) to operate a withholding tax in
relation to such payments. The transitional period will end after agreement on exchange of information is reached between the European Union and certain non-European Union states.
A number of non-European Union countries and territories,
including Switzerland, have adopted equivalent measures (a withholding system in the case of Switzerland) and certain British and Dutch dependent or associated territories have adopted the same measures with effect from the same date.
However, the European Commission has proposed the repeal of
the Directive from 1 January 2017 in the case of Austria and from 1 January 2016 in the case of all other member states (subject to ongoing requirements to fulfil administrative obligations such as the reporting and exchange of information
relating to, and accounting for withholding taxes on, payments made before those dates). This is to prevent overlap between the Directive and a new automatic exchange of information regime to be implemented under Council Directive 2011/16/EU on
Administrative Cooperation in the field of Taxation (as amended by Council Directive 2014/107/EU). The proposal also provides that, if it proceeds, member states will not be required to apply the new requirements of the Amending Directive.
The Proposed Financial Transaction Tax
(FTT)
On 14 February
2013, the European Commission published a proposal (the Commissions Proposal) for a Directive for a common FTT in Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia (the
participating Member States).
The
Commissions Proposal has very broad scope and could, if introduced, apply to certain dealings in the debt securities (including secondary market transactions) in certain circumstances.
Under the Commissions Proposal the FTT could apply in certain circumstances to persons both within and
outside of the participating Member States. Generally, it would apply to certain dealings in the debt securities where at least one party is a financial institution, and at least one party is established in a participating Member State. A financial
institution may be, or be deemed to be, established in a participating Member State in a broad range of circumstances, including (a) by transacting with a person established in a participating Member State or (b) where the
financial instrument which is subject to the dealings is issued in a participating Member State.
Joint statements issued by participating Member States indicate an intention to implement the FTT by 1 January 2016.
However, the FTT proposal remains subject to negotiation
between the participating Member States and the scope of any such tax is uncertain. Additional EU member states may decide to participate.
Prospective holders of the debt securities are advised to seek their own professional advice in relation to the FTT.
35
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
RELX Capital may sell all or part of the debt securities from
time to time on terms determined at the time those debt securities are offered for sale to or through underwriters or through selling agents, and also may sell those debt securities directly to other purchasers. The names of those underwriters or
selling agents used in connection with the offer and sale of any series of debt securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The distribution of the debt securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which
may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to those prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. If underwriters are used in the sale of debt securities, debt securities will be acquired by the
underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions. Those debt securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or underwriters
without a syndicate. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase those debt securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase
all of those debt securities if any of those debt securities are purchased.
In connection with the sale of debt securities, underwriters may receive compensation from RELX Capital or from purchasers of debt securities for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell debt securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for
whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of debt securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them from RELX Capital and any profit on the resale
of debt securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. Any compensation received from RELX Capital will be described in the prospectus supplement.
Underwriters, dealers, selling agents and other persons may
be entitled, under agreements which may be entered into with RELX Capital, to indemnification by RELX Capital against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers, selling agents and other persons
may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
Each series of debt securities will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. In the event that debt securities of
a series offered by this prospectus are not listed on a national securities exchange, certain broker-dealers may make a market in the debt securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without
notice. No assurance can be given that any broker-dealer will make a market in the debt securities of any series or as to the liquidity of the trading market for the debt securities.
In order to facilitate the offering of the debt securities, any underwriters or agents involved in the offering
of debt securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the debt securities or any other debt securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on those debt securities. Specifically,
the underwriters or agents may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in debt securities for their own account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of debt securities or other securities, the
underwriters or agents may bid for, and purchase, debt securities or any other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of debt securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions
allotted to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing any debt securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or
otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the debt securities above independent market levels. The underwriters or agents, as the case may be, are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of
these activities at any time.
36
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the debt securities and the
guarantees will be passed upon for RELX Capital, Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York and for the underwriters, if any, by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, New York.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP will rely upon the opinions of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, English solicitors for Reed Elsevier PLC and Netherlands counsel to Reed Elsevier NV, as to
applicable matters of English law and Netherlands law, respectively.
EXPERTS
The combined financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the Groups Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the effectiveness of the
Groups internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been
so incorporated in reliance on the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Reed Elsevier PLC incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the Groups Annual
Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the effectiveness of Reed Elsevier PLCs internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated
in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of Reed Elsevier NV incorporated by
reference in this prospectus from the Groups Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the effectiveness of Reed Elsevier NVs internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts
in accounting and auditing.
37
RELX Capital Inc.
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed Jointly and Severally by
RELX PLC and RELX NV
$700,000,000 3.500% Notes due 2023
PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT
March 9, 2018
Joint
Book-Running Managers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BofA Merrill Lynch
|
|
Citigroup
|
|
Morgan Stanley
|
|
SMBC Nikko
|
|
|
|
|
|
ABN AMRO
|
|
RBC Capital Markets
|
Grafico Azioni RELX N.V. (NYSE:RENX)
Storico
Da Ago 2024 a Set 2024
Grafico Azioni RELX N.V. (NYSE:RENX)
Storico
Da Set 2023 a Set 2024