WEC Energy Group Announces Preliminary Results of Tender Offer and Initial Settlement of Tender Offer

Rhea-AI Summary

WEC Energy Group, Inc. announced the results of its tender offer to purchase up to $300 million aggregate principal amount of its 2007 Series A Junior Subordinated Notes due 2067. A total of $122,066,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes are expected to be accepted for payment at an aggregate purchase price of $115,199,787.50. The Tender Offer will expire on February 7, 2024, and the Final Settlement Date, if any, is expected to occur on February 9, 2024.

Positive

• WEC Energy Group successfully received valid tenders for a significant amount of the Notes, indicating investor confidence.
• The early settlement right for Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Early Tender Time provides an advantage to the participating holders.
• The company's principal utilities are serving nearly 4.7 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota, demonstrating a strong customer base and market presence.

Negative

• The Tender Offer will expire on February 7, 2024, and the Final Settlement Date, if any, is expected to occur on February 9, 2024, which may lead to uncertainty for the company and the shareholders.
• The retail processing fee of $2.50 for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes may result in additional expenses for the company.

Financial Analyst

The recent announcement by WEC Energy Group regarding the early tender results of their offer to purchase junior subordinated notes due 2067 has significant implications for the company's capital structure and debt management strategy. The repurchase of these long-term debts before their maturity can be seen as a move to optimize the company's interest expenses and overall financial profile. By repurchasing debt at a price below par, WEC Energy Group is effectively reducing its future interest obligations, which could lead to an improved net interest margin over time.

The tender offer's acceptance rate and the terms provided, including the early tender premium, suggest that the company is incentivizing investors to participate in the debt buyback. This strategy could be indicative of a favorable liquidity position or a strategic reallocation of capital towards investments with potentially higher returns. The impact on the stock market could be nuanced; while debt reduction is typically viewed positively, the cost of the buyback and the company's long-term financial strategy will be closely scrutinized by investors.

Debt Market Analyst

WEC Energy Group's tender offer for its 2007 Series A Junior Subordinated Notes provides insight into the company's approach to managing its long-dated liabilities. The decision not to extend the withdrawal deadline and the setting of a maximum acceptance amount are indicative of a disciplined approach to liability management. The use of an early settlement right and the offering of an early tender premium are common tactics in such offers, aimed at achieving a high participation rate from note holders.

Moreover, the decision to potentially increase the maximum acceptance amount, subject to applicable law, shows flexibility in the company's capital management strategy. The pricing of the tender offer, with holders receiving $943.75 per $1,000 principal amount, reflects the current market conditions and the company's assessment of the value of early liquidity to note holders. The absence of proration for notes tendered before the early tender deadline suggests that the company has a clear target for the amount of debt it wishes to retire early.

Market Research Analyst

The move by WEC Energy Group to repurchase a portion of its junior subordinated notes is not an isolated event but part of a broader trend where corporations actively manage their debt portfolios. The tender offer may signal confidence in the company's operational performance and future cash flows, allowing for such financial maneuvers without compromising financial stability. From a market perspective, such actions can be interpreted as a company's proactive stance on capital structure optimization, potentially leading to a more favorable view among investors and analysts.

Additionally, the context in which this tender offer occurs is critical. It reflects the current interest rate environment and the company's cost of capital. Depending on these factors, the repurchase of debt could be more cost-effective than carrying the debt to maturity, especially if the market expects interest rates to rise. This could be an attempt to lock in lower interest costs before any anticipated rate hikes, which would be of interest to stakeholders tracking the company's financial strategies.

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEC) ("WEC Energy Group") today announced the Early Tender Time (as defined below) results for its previously announced offer to purchase for cash (the "Tender Offer") up to $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount (as such amount may be increased or decreased by WEC Energy Group pursuant to the terms of the Tender Offer, the "Maximum Acceptance Amount") of its 2007 Series A Junior Subordinated Notes due 2067 (the "Notes").  The Tender Offer is made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated January 9, 2024 (the "Offer to Purchase").

As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 23, 2024 (the "Early Tender Time"), $122,066,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn.

WEC Energy Group also announced the exercise of its early settlement right for Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Early Tender Time.  A total of $122,066,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes are expected to be accepted for payment at an aggregate purchase price of $115,199,787.50 (excluding Accrued Interest (as defined below), fees and expenses), and settlement is expected to occur on January 26, 2024 (the "Early Settlement Date").  The Notes accepted for purchase on the Early Settlement Date will not be subject to proration.

Holders (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Time (as defined below) are receiving the total consideration of $943.75 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes accepted for purchase on the Early Settlement Date (the "Total Consideration"), which includes an early tender premium of $50.00 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes accepted for purchase on the Early Settlement Date pursuant to the Tender Offer (the "Early Tender Premium"). In addition to the applicable consideration, all Holders of Notes accepted for purchase will receive accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes from the last interest payment date to, but not including, the date such Notes are purchased in the Tender Offer (the "Accrued Interest").

The following table sets forth certain terms of the Tender Offer:

Title of Security	CUSIP Number	Aggregate Principal Amount Outstanding	Maximum Acceptance Amount	Principal Amount Tendered and Accepted For Purchase on the Early Settlement Date	Tender Offer Consideration(1)(2)	Early Tender Premium(2)(3)	Total Consideration(2)(4)
2007 Series A Junior Subordinated Notes due 2067	976657AH9	$500,000,000	$300,000,000	$122,066,000	$893.75	$50.00	$943.75

(1)	For each $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered and accepted for purchase.
(2)	Excludes any Accrued Interest, which will be paid in addition to the Tender Offer Consideration (as defined below) or the Total Consideration (as applicable).
(3)	For each $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase.
(4)	The Total Consideration equals the sum of the Tender Offer Consideration and the Early Tender Premium.

The withdrawal deadline for the Tender Offer was 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 23, 2024, and has not been extended.  The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 7, 2024, unless extended by WEC Energy Group in its sole discretion (such time, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Time").

WEC Energy Group will purchase any remaining Notes that have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn after the Early Tender Time and at or prior to the Expiration Time, subject to all conditions to the Tender Offer having been satisfied or waived by WEC Energy Group and subject to the Maximum Acceptance Amount, on the Final Settlement Date (as defined below), if any.  Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time may be subject to proration if the aggregate principal amount of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Expiration Time is greater than the Maximum Acceptance Amount.  WEC Energy Group reserves the right, but is under no obligation, to increase the Maximum Acceptance Amount at any time, subject to compliance with applicable law.  The Final Settlement Date, if any, is expected to occur promptly following the Expiration Time and is expected to be February 9, 2024 (the "Final Settlement Date"), unless extended by WEC Energy Group.  No tenders of Notes submitted after the Expiration Time will be valid.

As provided in the Offer to Purchase, Holders of any Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender Time and prior to the Expiration Time and accepted for purchase will receive $893.75 per $1,000 principal amount of such Notes (the "Tender Offer Consideration"), which Tender Offer Consideration is an amount equal to the Total Consideration minus the Early Tender Premium.  In addition to the Tender Offer Consideration, Holders of Notes accepted for purchase will receive Accrued Interest.

The obligation of WEC Energy Group to accept for purchase, and to pay for, Notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Tender Offer is conditioned on the satisfaction or waiver by WEC Energy Group of a number of conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase.  Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of the Offer to Purchase, WEC Energy Group may terminate the Tender Offer, waive any or all of the conditions of the Tender Offer prior to the Expiration Time, extend the Expiration Time or amend the terms of the Tender Offer.

WEC Energy Group has agreed to pay a retail processing fee equal to $2.50 for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes that are validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer to retail brokers that process tenders into the Tender Offer and satisfy the requirements set forth in the Offer to Purchase; provided that such fee will only be paid with respect to tenders by Holders whose aggregate principal amount of Notes is $250,000 or less and will not be paid with respect to Notes tendered by a retail broker for its own account.

The complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase, a copy of which may be obtained from Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the depositary and information agent for the Tender Offer, by calling (212) 430-3774 (collect) or (855) 654-2015 (toll free).

WEC Energy Group has retained Barclays Capital Inc. as the dealer manager for the Tender Offer.  Questions regarding the terms of the Tender Offer may be directed to the Liability Management Group of Barclays Capital Inc. by calling (212) 528-7581 (collect) or (800) 438-3242 (toll free) or by email at us.lm@barclays.com.

None of WEC Energy Group, its board of directors (or any committee thereof), the dealer manager, the depositary and the information agent, the trustee for the Notes or their respective affiliates is making any recommendation as to whether or not holders of the Notes should tender all or any portion of their Notes in the Tender Offer.  Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender Notes and, if so, the principal amount of the Notes to tender.

This announcement is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell with respect to any securities.  The Tender Offer is being made solely by the Offer to Purchase.  The Tender Offer is not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction.  In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Tender Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer and the Dealer Manager or any of the dealer manager's affiliates is such a licensed broker or dealer in any such jurisdiction, the Tender Offer shall be deemed to be made by such dealer manager or affiliate, as the case may be, on behalf of WEC Energy Group in such jurisdiction.

WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC), based in Milwaukee, is one of the nation's premier energy companies, serving nearly 4.7 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota.

The company's principal utilities are We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, Michigan Gas Utilities, Minnesota Energy Resources and Upper Michigan Energy Resources. Another major subsidiary, We Power, designs, builds and owns electric generating plants. In addition, WEC Infrastructure LLC owns a growing fleet of renewable generation facilities in states ranging from South Dakota to Texas.

WEC Energy Group (wecenergygroup.com) is a Fortune 500 company and a component of the S&P 500. The company has approximately 35,000 stockholders of record, 7,000 employees and more than $43 billion of assets. 

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SOURCE WEC Energy Group

What is the ticker symbol for WEC Energy Group?

The ticker symbol for WEC Energy Group is 'WEC'.

What is the total amount of the Notes accepted for purchase at the Early Settlement Date?

A total of $122,066,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes are expected to be accepted for payment at an aggregate purchase price of $115,199,787.50.

When will the Tender Offer expire?

The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 7, 2024, unless extended by WEC Energy Group in its sole discretion.

What is the expected Final Settlement Date?

The Final Settlement Date, if any, is expected to occur promptly following the Expiration Time and is expected to be February 9, 2024, unless extended by WEC Energy Group.

How many customers does WEC Energy Group serve?

WEC Energy Group serves nearly 4.7 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota.