Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) plans senior notes sale to refinance 2026 debt
Netflix, Inc. plans to issue new unsecured senior notes under its existing shelf registration, with interest payable semi-annually and the notes redeemable at Netflix’s option, including a make-whole call before a defined Par Call Date and at par thereafter. The notes will be issued in global form through DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear and are not guaranteed by subsidiaries, making them structurally subordinated to subsidiary liabilities.
Net proceeds are expected to be used primarily to repay at maturity Netflix’s 4.375% Senior Notes due November 15, 2026 and for general corporate purposes, with interim investment in short-term marketable securities. As of June 30, 2026, Netflix reported $14,372 million of total debt, $9,099 million of cash and cash equivalents, an undrawn $3.0 billion revolving credit facility, content liabilities of about $5.5 billion, and subsidiary liabilities of about $6.4 billion.
The indenture includes limited covenants, does not restrict additional indebtedness or content obligations, and permits future secured debt that would be effectively senior to the notes. Risk factors highlight refinancing and interest-rate risk, potential illiquidity in any trading market for the notes, ratings changes, optional redemption and reinvestment risk, and U.S. tax considerations for non-U.S. investors.
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Key Figures
Key Terms
structurally subordinated financial
Par Call Date financial
Treasury Rate financial
legal defeasance financial
covenant defeasance financial
FATCA financial
Offering Details
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FAQ
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-281071
The information in this Preliminary Prospectus Supplement is not complete and may be changed. This Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell these securities or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, Dated July 20, 2026
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement
(To Prospectus Dated July 29, 2024)
Netflix, Inc.
$ % Senior Notes due , 20
The % Senior Notes due 20 will mature on , 20 . We refer to the % Senior Notes due 20 as the “notes.” Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually on and of each year, beginning on , 2027.
We may redeem the notes in whole or in part at any time prior to their maturity at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement.
The notes are being offered globally for sale only in jurisdictions where it is lawful to make such offers and sales.
| Per Note | Total | |||||||
| Public Offering Price(1) |
% | $ | ||||||
| Underwriting Discount |
% | $ | ||||||
| Proceeds, before expenses, to Netflix |
% | $ | ||||||
| (1) | Plus accrued interest, if any, from , 2026. |
Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 23, 2026, which is incorporated by reference herein, as well as the other SEC filings and other information included and incorporated by reference herein, to read about the factors you should consider before deciding to invest in the notes.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
We expect to deliver the notes to investors in registered book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, Clearstream Banking S.A. and Euroclear Bank, SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System, on or about , 2026, which is the second business day following the date of this prospectus supplement (this settlement cycle is referred to as “T+2”). See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest).”
Joint Book-Running Managers
| BNP PARIBAS | Morgan Stanley | RBC Capital Markets | Wells Fargo Securities |
, 2026
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We are responsible only for the information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to give you any other information, and we and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document containing the information or any earlier date as of which such information is given, as applicable. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since the applicable date.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
| Page | ||||
| ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT |
S-iv | |||
| SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
S-v | |||
| SUMMARY |
S-1 | |||
| THE OFFERING |
S-2 | |||
| RISK FACTORS |
S-5 | |||
| USE OF PROCEEDS |
S-9 | |||
| CAPITALIZATION |
S-10 | |||
| DESCRIPTION OF NOTES |
S-11 | |||
| U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS |
S-21 | |||
| UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST) |
S-24 | |||
| LEGAL MATTERS |
S-29 | |||
| EXPERTS |
S-29 | |||
| WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
S-30 | |||
| INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
S-31 | |||
Prospectus
| Page | ||||
| ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS |
1 | |||
| PROSPECTUS SUMMARY |
2 | |||
| RISK FACTORS |
3 | |||
| FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
4 | |||
| USE OF PROCEEDS |
5 | |||
| DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES |
6 | |||
| CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS |
14 | |||
| PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
23 | |||
| LEGAL MATTERS |
25 | |||
| EXPERTS |
25 | |||
| WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
26 | |||
| INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
26 | |||
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which includes more general information about us and the securities we may offer from time to time under our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-281071), some of which may not apply to this offering. If the information set forth in this prospectus supplement differs in any way from the information set forth in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information set forth in this prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with any free writing prospectus related to this offering and the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference” on page S-30.
In this prospectus supplement, except with respect to the terms of the notes, as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, “Netflix,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Netflix, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein include trademarks owned by us or other companies. All trademarks, servicemarks and tradenames included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
Currency amounts in this prospectus supplement are stated in U.S. dollars.
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SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement contains certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “potentially,” and similar expressions and the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: our core strategy; our ability to improve our content offerings and service; our future financial performance, including expectations regarding revenues, deferred revenue, operating income and margin, net income, expenses and profitability; liquidity, including the sufficiency of our capital resources, cash requirements; net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, access to financing sources and free cash flows; capital allocation strategies, including any stock repurchases or repurchase programs; stock price volatility; impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, including on net income and revenues; expectations regarding hedging activity; impact of interest rate fluctuations; adequacy of existing facilities; future regulatory changes and their impact on our business; intellectual property; cybersecurity; price changes and testing; artificial intelligence; accounting treatment for changes related to content assets; acquisitions; actions by competitors; membership growth, including impact of content and pricing changes on membership growth; partnerships; advertising; multi-household usage; member viewing patterns; dividends; future contractual obligations, including unknown content obligations and timing of payments; our global content and marketing investments, including investments in original programming, consumer products and live experiences; impact of work stoppages; content amortization; resolution of tax examinations; tax expense; unrecognized tax benefits; deferred tax assets; tax deposits; resolution of disputes and other proceedings; our ability to effectively manage change and growth; our company culture; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; and our anticipated use of the net proceeds from this offering of notes. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those included in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” below, and under a similar heading in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other risks and uncertainties described in our SEC filings. All forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement are based on information available to us on the date hereof or as of any earlier date as of which such statement was made, and we assume no obligation to revise or publicly release any revision to any such forward-looking statement, except as may otherwise be required by law. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
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SUMMARY
The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the notes. For a more complete discussion of the information you should consider before investing in the notes, you should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, any free writing prospectus related to this offering and in the other documents that we subsequently file with the SEC.
Our Business
We are one of the world’s leading entertainment services offering TV series, films, games and live programming across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.
Our core strategy is to grow our business globally within the parameters of our operating margin target. We strive to continuously improve our members’ experience by offering compelling content that delights them and attracts new members. We aim to offer a range of pricing plans, including our ad-supported subscription plan, to meet a variety of consumer needs. We seek to drive conversation around our content to further enhance member joy, and we are continuously enhancing our user interface to help our members more easily choose content that they will find enjoyable.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 121 Albright Way, Los Gatos, California 95032 and our telephone number is (408) 540-3700. We maintain a website at ir.netflix.net. The information on or accessible through our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus supplement is an inactive textual reference only.
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THE OFFERING
The summary below describes the principal terms of the notes. Certain of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. For a more complete description of the notes offered hereby, see “Description of Notes” in this prospectus supplement and “Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. For purposes of this section, references to “Netflix,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer only to Netflix, Inc. and not to any of its current or future subsidiaries.
| Issuer |
Netflix, Inc. |
| Notes Offered |
$ aggregate principal amount of % Senior Notes due 20 . |
| Interest |
The 20 notes will bear interest at the rate of % per annum, which will be paid on and of each year, commencing , 2027. |
| Maturity Date |
The 20 notes will mature on , 20 . |
| Priority |
The notes will be: |
| | our general unsecured obligations; |
| | effectively subordinated in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness, and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries; |
| | equal in right of payment with all of our unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness; and |
| | senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the notes. |
| As of June 30, 2026: |
| | on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the issuance of the notes including the anticipated use of the net proceeds therefrom to repay at maturity our outstanding 4.375% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “4.375% Senior Notes”), we would have had the equivalent of approximately $ billion of total indebtedness, some of which is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (and none of which is secured); and |
| | our subsidiaries had the equivalent of approximately $6.4 billion of outstanding total liabilities (some of which is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar), including trade payables and content liabilities but excluding (1) intercompany liabilities and (2) obligations of a type not required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such subsidiaries, all of which would be structurally senior to the notes. |
| Optional Redemption |
We may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at our option, at the applicable redemption prices described under the heading “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption” in this prospectus supplement. |
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| Use of Proceeds |
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes will be approximately $ after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds for the repayment at maturity of the 4.375% Senior Notes and for general corporate purposes. |
| Conflicts of Interest |
We intend to use the net proceeds for the repayment at maturity of our outstanding 4.375% Senior Notes and for general corporate purposes. Certain of the underwriters (or their affiliates) may hold the 4.375% Senior Notes and would receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Conflicts of Interest” in this prospectus supplement. |
| If any one underwriter, together with its affiliates, were to receive 5% or more of the net proceeds of this offering by reason of any such repayment, redemption or repurchase, such underwriters would be deemed to have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) Rule 5121. Accordingly, this offering will be conducted in accordance with Rule 5121. However, in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, no “qualified independent underwriter” is required because the notes are investment grade-rated by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating agencies. |
| Additional Notes |
We may from time to time, without consent of the holders of the notes, issue notes having the same terms and conditions as the notes being offered hereby (except for the issue date, offering price and, if applicable, the first interest payment date). Additional notes issued in this manner will form a single series with the outstanding series of notes; provided that unless the additional notes are issued pursuant to a “qualified reopening” of the original series or are otherwise treated as part of the same “issue” of debt instruments as the original series, in each case for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number or in connection with any physical notes, no CUSIP number. |
| Governing Law |
State of New York. |
| Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar |
Computershare Trust Company, National Association. |
| U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations |
Tax considerations are as set forth below under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” |
| Risk Factors |
You should consider carefully all the information set forth in and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and, in particular, you should evaluate the specific factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for |
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| the year ended December 31, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference, as well as the SEC filings and other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before deciding whether to invest in the notes. |
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RISK FACTORS
In considering whether to purchase the notes, you should carefully consider the risks described below and all the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the risks discussed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 as well as the SEC filings and other information included and incorporated by reference herein. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not currently know about, or that we currently believe are immaterial, may also adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to the Notes
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness and other obligations, including streaming content obligations, which could adversely affect our financial position, and we may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service our debt and other obligations, including the notes.
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness and other obligations, including streaming content obligations. Moreover, we may incur additional indebtedness in the future and incur other obligations, including additional streaming content obligations. Our ability to make payments on our debt and other obligations, including the notes, will depend on our financial and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. If we are unable to service our debt and other obligations, including the notes, from cash flows, we may need to refinance or restructure all or a portion of such obligations prior to maturity. If the financial markets become difficult or costly to access, including due to rising interest rates, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or other changes in economic conditions, our ability to raise additional capital may be negatively impacted, and any refinancing or restructuring could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. As of June 30, 2026, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the issuance of the notes including the anticipated use of the net proceeds therefrom to repay at maturity the 4.375% Senior Notes, we would have had the equivalent of approximately $ billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes outstanding, some of which is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. In addition, we have entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) that provides for a $3.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2026, we have not borrowed any amount under this revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2026, we had the equivalent of approximately $5.5 billion of total content liabilities as reflected on our consolidated balance sheet, some of which is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Such amount does not include streaming content commitments that do not meet the criteria for liability recognition, the amounts of which are significant. For more information on our streaming content obligations, including those not on our consolidated balance sheet, see Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying notes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Our substantial indebtedness and other obligations, including streaming content obligations, may:
| | make it difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations, including making scheduled principal and interest payments on our existing senior notes and our other obligations, including the notes; |
| | limit our ability to borrow additional funds, if needed, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general business purposes; |
| | increase our cost of borrowing; |
| | limit our ability to use our cash flow or obtain additional financing for future working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general business purposes; |
| | require us to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make debt service payments and pay our other obligations when due; |
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| | limit our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our business and industry; |
| | place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our less leveraged competitors; and |
| | increase our vulnerability to the impact of adverse economic and industry conditions, including changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. |
The notes are obligations of Netflix, Inc. and not the obligations of our subsidiaries and will be structurally subordinated to the claims of our subsidiaries’ creditors.
The notes are exclusively obligations of Netflix, Inc. and not those of our subsidiaries. We conduct a substantial portion of our operations through our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make payments on the notes will depend upon the receipt of dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries.
Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Our subsidiaries have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the notes or to provide us with funds to pay our obligations, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or other payments. In addition, any dividend payments, distributions, loans or advances to us by our subsidiaries in the future will require the generation of future earnings by our subsidiaries, may be subject to contractual restrictions and may require regulatory approval. If our subsidiaries are unable to make dividend payments to us and sufficient capital is not otherwise available, we may not be able to make principal and interest payments on our debt, including the notes.
In addition, our right to participate in any distribution of assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or otherwise will generally be subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary. Your ability as a holder of the notes to benefit indirectly from that distribution also will be subject to these prior claims. The notes offered hereby are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. The terms of certain of the indentures governing our existing senior notes contain provisions that, subject to certain exceptions, restrict the ability of our domestic subsidiaries to incur additional debt, unless such subsidiary guarantees the existing senior notes. As a result, the notes offered hereby will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities and obligations of our subsidiaries, including to the extent that our subsidiaries guarantee any of our existing senior notes.
As of June 30, 2026, our subsidiaries had the equivalent of approximately $6.4 billion of outstanding total liabilities (some of which is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar), including trade payables and content liabilities, but excluding (1) intercompany liabilities and (2) obligations of a type not required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such subsidiaries, all of which would be structurally senior to the notes.
The notes will not restrict our ability to incur additional debt and other obligations (including content obligations), to repurchase our securities or to take other actions that could negatively impact our ability to pay our obligations under the notes.
Neither the notes nor the indenture governing the notes will restrict our ability or the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional debt and other obligations (including content obligations), repurchase securities, recapitalize, pay dividends or make other distributions to stockholders, or require us to maintain interest coverage or other current ratios.
Other than as described above, the provisions of the indenture governing the notes will not afford noteholders protection in the event of a sudden or significant decline in our credit quality or in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or any of our affiliates that may adversely affect such holders. In addition, our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that could have the effect of diminishing our ability to make payments on the notes when due will not be limited by the terms of the notes or the indenture.
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The notes will be effectively junior to any future secured indebtedness we may incur.
The notes will not be secured by any of our assets. We will be permitted by the terms of the notes and the indenture governing the notes to incur indebtedness and liens without having to secure the notes. If we incur any secured indebtedness or other obligations offered hereby, the holders of any such additional secured indebtedness or other obligations would have payment priority ahead of the notes, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness or other obligations, in connection with any insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up of us. These payment priorities may have the effect of reducing the amount available to be paid with respect to the notes. If new debt or additional content obligations are added to our current levels, the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face could intensify.
Although we do not currently have any outstanding secured indebtedness for money borrowed, the indenture under which the notes will be issued does not preclude us from issuing secured debt. See the section entitled “Description of Notes—Certain Covenants.”
The limited covenants in the indenture for the notes and the terms of the notes do not provide protection against some types of important corporate events, including a highly leveraged transaction, and may not protect your investment.
The indenture for the notes offered hereby does not:
| | require us to maintain any financial ratios or specific levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity and, accordingly, does not protect holders of the notes in the event that we experience significant adverse changes in our financial condition or results of operations; |
| | limit our subsidiaries’ ability to issue securities or otherwise incur indebtedness or other obligations (including content obligations), which would be structurally senior to our equity interests in those subsidiaries and to the notes; |
| | limit our ability to incur secured indebtedness that would be effectively senior to the notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing the indebtedness; |
| | limit our ability to incur indebtedness or other obligations (including content obligations) that would be equal in right of payment to the notes; |
| | restrict our ability to repurchase or prepay our securities; |
| | restrict our ability to make investments or to repurchase or pay dividends or make other payments in respect of our common stock or other securities; |
| | restrict our ability to incur liens; or |
| | require us to repurchase the notes in the event of a change in control. |
Furthermore, we could engage in many types of highly leveraged transactions, such as certain acquisitions, mergers, reorganizations, restructurings, refinancings or recapitalizations, that could adversely affect our capital structure and the value of the notes. The indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders of the notes to require us to repurchase the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction. For these reasons, you should not consider the covenants in the indenture as significant factors in evaluating whether to invest in the notes. See “Description of Notes—Certain Covenants.”
There may not be a liquid market for the notes and you may be unable to sell the notes or to sell the notes at a price that you deem sufficient.
The notes constitute a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or to arrange for quotation of the notes on any automated
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dealer quotation system. No active market for the notes may ever develop or be maintained, and any market that does develop may not be liquid or may not last. Although the representatives of the underwriters have advised us that, following completion of the offering of the notes, one or more of the underwriters currently intend to make a market in the notes, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice. If the notes are traded, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering prices, depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our performance and other factors. If active trading markets do not develop, or if market conditions change, you may not be able to resell your notes at their fair market value or at all. As a result, investors may not be able to liquidate their investment readily.
Many factors independent of our creditworthiness may affect the trading market for the notes. These factors include the:
| | propensity of existing holders to trade their positions in the notes; |
| | time remaining to the maturity of the notes; |
| | outstanding amount of the notes; |
| | redemption or repurchase of the notes; and |
| | level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally. |
Ratings of the notes may change after issuance and affect the market price and marketability of the notes.
We currently expect that, prior to issuance, the notes will be rated by one or more ratings agencies. Such ratings are limited in scope, and do not address all material risks relating to an investment in the notes, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating is issued. An explanation of the significance of each rating may be obtained from each such rating agency. There is no assurance that any credit ratings will be issued or remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the issuing rating agency, if, in such rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. It is also possible that ratings may be lowered in connection with future events, such as future acquisitions or regulatory action taken against us. Any lowering, suspension or withdrawal of such ratings or the anticipation of future changes to such ratings may have an adverse effect on the market prices or marketability of the notes and our corporate borrowing costs. Any rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold the notes, and does not correspond to market prices or suitability for a particular investor.
Redemption may adversely affect your return on the notes.
We have the right to redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, prior to maturity. We may redeem the notes at times when prevailing interest rates may be relatively low. Accordingly, you may not be able to reinvest the amount received upon a redemption in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as that of the notes.
The prices at which you will be able to sell your notes prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount you originally invest.
We believe that the value of the notes in any secondary market will be affected by interest rates, supply and demand for the notes and a number of other factors. Some of these factors are interrelated in complex ways. As a result, the impact of any one factor on the market value of the notes may be offset or magnified by the effect of another factor. An offsetting negative factor could, for example, entirely eliminate a positive impact attributable to another factor. We expect that the market value of the notes will be affected by changes in U.S. interest rates. In general, assuming all other conditions remain constant, if U.S. interest rates increase, the market value of the notes would likely decrease. Actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings, or actual or anticipated changes in our financial condition or results of operations, among other factors, may have an impact on the market value of the notes.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes will be approximately $ after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds for the repayment at maturity of the 4.375% Senior Notes and for general corporate purposes. The 4.375% Senior Notes mature on November 15, 2026, and bear interest at a rate of 4.375% per annum. Pending their use, the net proceeds may be invested in short-term marketable securities. Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and the purposes for which they are used may change from those described above. Certain of the underwriters (or their affiliates) may hold the 4.375% Senior Notes and would receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. If any one underwriter, together with its affiliates, were to receive 5% or more of the net proceeds of this offering by reason of any such repayment, redemption or repurchase, such underwriters would be deemed to have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. Accordingly, this offering will be conducted in accordance with Rule 5121. However, in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, no “qualified independent underwriter” is required because the notes are investment grade-rated by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating agencies. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a redemption notice for the 4.375% Senior Notes.
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table presents our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 30, 2026:
| | on an actual basis; and |
| | on an as adjusted basis giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the anticipated use of the net proceeds therefrom to repay at maturity the 4.375% Senior Notes. |
You should read this table in conjunction with the information contained in our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, which we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
| As of June 30, 2026 |
||||||||
| Actual | As adjusted |
|||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 9,099 | $ | |||||
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|||||
| Short-term and long-term debt |
||||||||
| Revolving Credit Facility(1) |
$ | — | $ | — | ||||
| % Senior Notes offered hereby(2) |
— | |||||||
| 4.375% Senior Notes due 2026(3) |
1,000 | — | ||||||
| 3.625% Senior Notes due 2027(3)(4) |
1,486 | 1,486 | ||||||
| 4.875% Senior Notes due 2028 |
1,600 | 1,600 | ||||||
| 5.875% Senior Notes due 2028 |
1,900 | 1,900 | ||||||
| 4.625% Senior Notes due 2029(4) |
1,257 | 1,257 | ||||||
| 6.375% Senior Notes due 2029 |
800 | 800 | ||||||
| 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029(4) |
1,372 | 1,372 | ||||||
| 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 |
900 | 900 | ||||||
| 3.625% Senior Notes due 2030(4) |
1,257 | 1,257 | ||||||
| 4.875% Senior Notes due 2030 |
1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||
| 4.900% Senior Notes due 2034 |
1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||
| 5.400% Senior Notes due 2054 |
800 | 800 | ||||||
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|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total debt |
$ | 14,372 | $ | |||||
| Total stockholders’ equity |
$ | 30,152 | $ | 30,152 | ||||
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|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total capitalization |
$ | 44,524 | $ | |||||
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|
|
|
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| (1) | As of June 30, 2026, we had $3.0 billion of available borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Agreement. |
| (2) | Represents the aggregate principal amount of notes offered hereby. |
| (3) | Classified as short-term debt on the consolidated balance sheets included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. |
| (4) | Debt is denominated in Euros with 3.625% Senior Notes for 1,300 million, 4.625% Senior Notes for 1,100 million, 3.875% Senior Notes for 1,200 million, and 3.625% Senior Notes for 1,100 million, and is remeasured into U.S. dollars at each balance sheet date. The amount in USD above is based on a EUR/USD exchange rate of approximately 1 to $1.143 as of June 30, 2026. |
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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
We will issue $ aggregate principal amount of % Senior Notes due 20 (the “notes”). The notes will be issued as a separate series of debt securities under an indenture dated July 29, 2024 between us and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “base indenture”). The base indenture will be supplemented by a supplemental indenture to be entered into concurrently with the delivery of the notes (as so supplemented, the “indenture”). The indenture provides that our debt securities may be issued in one or more series, with different terms, in each case as authorized from time to time by us. The specific terms of each other series that we may issue in the future may differ from those of the notes. The indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture, nor does it limit the number of other series or the aggregate amount of any particular series.
The indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), and the provisions of the TIA are and will be incorporated in and form a part of the indenture. The following description is a summary, and does not describe every aspect of the notes, the indenture and those terms made a part of the indenture by reference to the TIA. The following description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, all the provisions of the indenture, including definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. Anyone who receives this prospectus supplement may obtain a copy of the indenture without charge upon request. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.” We urge you to read the indenture and the notes because they define your rights as a holder of the notes. The covenant provisions of the indenture described below under the caption “Description of Notes—Certain Covenants” will apply to the notes.
For purposes of this section, references to “Netflix,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer only to Netflix, Inc. and not to any of its current or future subsidiaries.
General
The notes will be limited initially to $ aggregate principal amount, but we may from time to time, without giving notice to or seeking the consent of the holders of the notes, issue additional notes having the same terms (except for the issue date, the offering price and, if applicable, the first interest payment date) and that are equal in right of payment with the original notes, and such additional debt securities, together with the original notes, will constitute a single series of debt securities for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments and redemptions; provided that unless the additional notes are issued pursuant to a “qualified reopening” of the original series or are otherwise treated as part of the same “issue” of debt instruments as the original series, in each case for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number or in connection with any physical notes, no CUSIP number.
The notes will be:
| | our general unsecured obligations; |
| | effectively subordinated in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness, and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries; |
| | equal in right of payment with all of our unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness; and |
| | senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the notes. |
As of June 30, 2026:
| | on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the issuance of the notes including the anticipated use of the net proceeds therefrom to repay at maturity the 4.375% Senior Notes, we would have had the equivalent of approximately $ billion of total indebtedness, some of which is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (and none of which is secured), which would be equal in right of payment with the notes offered hereby; and |
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| | our subsidiaries had the equivalent of approximately $6.4 billion of outstanding total liabilities (some of which is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar), including trade payables and content liabilities, but excluding (1) intercompany liabilities and (2) obligations of a type not required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such subsidiaries, all of which would be structurally senior to the notes. |
As of June 30, 2026, we had no secured debt outstanding to which the notes would be effectively subordinated and we had commitments of $3.0 billion under our Revolving Credit Agreement available to us, which, if borrowed, would be equal in right of payment with the notes.
The notes will be issued in fully registered form only, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The notes will be issued in the form of one or more global securities, without coupons, which will be deposited initially with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and its participants Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream”).
Principal and Interest
The notes will mature on , 20 . No sinking fund will be provided with respect to the notes.
Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of % per annum. We will pay interest on the notes from , 2026, or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on and of each year, commencing , 2027, until the principal is paid or made available for payment. Interest will be paid to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at the close of business on or (whether or not a business day), as the case may be, immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
If any interest payment date or date of maturity of principal of the notes of a series falls on a day that is not a business day, then payment of interest or principal may be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal interest payment date or the date of maturity, and no interest will accrue for the period after such nominal date.
Optional Redemption
Prior to the Par Call Date (as defined below), the notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at Netflix’s option, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:
| (1) | (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus basis points, less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and |
| (2) | 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, |
plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.
On or after the Par Call Date, Netflix may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.
“Par Call Date” means , 20 ( months prior to the maturity date of the notes).
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“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by us in accordance with the following two paragraphs:
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by us after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities-Treasury constant maturities-Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, we shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields - one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life - and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.
If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, we shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, we shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, we shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
Netflix’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The trustee shall have no obligation to determine or verify any determination of the redemption price.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days (except that redemption notices may be given more than 60 days prior to a redemption if the notice is issued in connection with a discharge or defeasance or as set forth below in connection with a conditional redemption) before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed.
In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the trustee deems appropriate and fair. No notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the note will state the portion of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed. A new note in a principal amount equal
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to the unredeemed portion of the note will be issued in the name of the holder of the note upon surrender for cancellation of the original note. For so long as the notes are held by DTC (or another depositary), the redemption of the notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.
Any notice of redemption may, at Netflix’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including completion of a refinancing transaction or other corporate transaction. In addition, if a redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, Netflix may, in its discretion, delay the redemption date (even if beyond 60 days from when notice was given) until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed. Netflix shall provide written notice to the trustee prior to the close of business two business days prior to the redemption date if any such redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and upon receipt the trustee shall provide such notice to each holder of the notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.
Unless Netflix defaults in payment of the redemption price (or the redemption does not occur on an anticipated redemption date due to the failure of a condition to be satisfied or waived, in the case of a conditional redemption), on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
No Mandatory Redemption; Open Market Purchases
We are not required to make any mandatory sinking fund payments with respect to the notes.
We may acquire the notes by means other than a redemption, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise, in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Certain Covenants
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.
We will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, sell, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our and our Subsidiaries’ properties and assets (determined on a consolidated basis), taken as a whole, to, any Person, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, unless:
| | either (a) we are the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (the Person formed by or surviving a consolidation or merger, the “continuing Person”) or (b) the Person (if other than us) formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, all or substantially all of our and our Subsidiaries’ properties and assets (determined on a consolidated basis), taken as a whole (the “Successor Company”), is an entity organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| | if we are not the continuing Person, the Successor Company expressly assumes our obligations with respect to the notes and the indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture; |
| | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
| | if we are not the continuing Person, we have or the Successor Company has delivered to the trustee the officer’s certificate and opinion of counsel required under the indenture. |
Upon any transaction or series of related transactions to which the foregoing requirements apply and are effected in accordance with such requirements, the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for us, and may exercise every right and power of ours under the indenture with the same effect as if such Successor
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Company had been named as the Company therein; and when a Successor Company duly assumes all of our obligations and covenants pursuant to the indenture and the notes, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all such obligations.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any of our Subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to us.
Definitions of Certain Terms
The following are the meanings of terms that are important in understanding the covenants above.
“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares of stock of a corporation, partnership interests or other equivalent interests (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) in such Person’s equity, entitling the holder to receive a share of the profits and losses, and a distribution of assets, after liabilities, of such Person.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other similar entity a majority of whose Voting Stock is owned by such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of us.
“Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.
Provision of Financial Information
We will file with the trustee, within 15 days after we have filed the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may prescribe) that we may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than confidential filings, documents subject to confidential treatment and correspondence with the SEC); provided that the delivery of reports, information and documents to the trustee by electronic means or filing of documents via the EDGAR system (or any successor electronic filing system) shall be deemed to be filed with the trustee as of the time such documents are filed via EDGAR (or such successor system), it being understood that the trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine if such filings have been made.
Events of Default
The indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to the notes as any of the following:
| | default in the payment of the principal or any premium on a note when due (whether at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise); |
| | default for 30 days in the payment of interest on a note when due; |
| | failure by us to observe or perform any other term of the indenture for a period of 90 days after we receive a notice of default stating we are in default. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of 25% of the principal amount of the notes; or |
| | certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to us. |
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The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the notes of any default if a responsible officer of the trustee in good faith determines it is in the interest of such holders to do so.
Modification and Waiver
In addition to the modification and waiver provisions set forth in the accompanying prospectus, we and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture without the consent of any holder of the notes to:
| | add to, change or eliminate any provision of the indenture or the notes in accordance with the TIA, or comply with the provisions of DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, or those of the trustee, relating to transfers or exchanges of the notes or beneficial interests in the notes; and |
| | conform any provision of the indenture, insofar as it relates to the notes, to the description of the notes in this prospectus supplement. |
Satisfaction and Discharge
We may discharge our obligations under the indenture with respect to the notes, and the indenture will cease to be of further effect with respect to the notes (except for certain provisions that survive as described below), when:
| | either (1) all notes have been delivered to, and accepted by, the trustee for cancellation (other than notes that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid), or (2) all notes not delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or have been called or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption in our name and at our expense, or (3) all notes not delivered to the trustee for cancellation are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to the legal defeasance provisions described below, and, in the case of clause (2), we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited in trust with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations sufficient (as determined by us) to pay and discharge each installment of principal and interest on, and, in the case of a redemption, any applicable premium on, the notes on their respective due dates; |
| | we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the indenture by the Company with respect to the notes; and |
| | we deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been complied with. |
However, even if we discharge our obligations under the indenture with respect to the notes, a number of our obligations relating to the notes will remain. These include our obligations:
| | to register the transfer and exchange of the notes; |
| | to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes; |
| | to maintain paying agencies; and |
| | to hold money for payment in trust. |
Defeasance
Legal Defeasance. We can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the notes (and be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on the notes) (called “legal defeasance”) if we satisfy the applicable conditions described below. If we accomplish a legal defeasance, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the notes. You could not look to us for repayment in the event of any shortfall.
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However, even if we make the deposit in trust and satisfy the other conditions described below, a number of our obligations relating to the notes will remain. These include our obligations:
| | to register the transfer and exchange of the notes; |
| | to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes; |
| | to maintain paying agencies; and |
| | to hold money for payment in trust. |
Covenant Defeasance. We can be released from certain covenants on the notes if we satisfy the applicable conditions described below. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the notes.
Conditions to Defeasance. We may exercise either our legal defeasance option or our covenant defeasance option only if the following conditions (as applicable) are met:
| | we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited in trust with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations in an amount, sufficient in the opinion of, or based on a written report or certificate of, a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm delivered to the trustee, that will generate enough cash to pay and discharge each installment of principal and interest on, and, in the case of a redemption, any applicable premium on, the notes on their respective due dates; |
| | no Default or Event of Default with respect to the notes has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit; |
| | the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which we are a party or by which we are bound (other than, if applicable, a default resulting from the borrowing of funds, and any funds related thereto, to be applied to make the deposit described above and any similar and substantially concurrent deposit relating to other indebtedness, and, in each case, the granting of liens in connection therewith); |
| | in the case of legal defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate and a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that either we have received (or the Internal Revenue Service has published) a ruling, or there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law since the date of the indenture, in either case to the effect that the beneficial owner of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, legal defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, legal defeasance and discharge had not occurred; |
| | in the case of covenant defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate and a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that under current U.S. federal income tax law the beneficial owner of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, covenant defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, covenant defeasance and discharge had not occurred; and |
| | we deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the applicable covenant defeasance or legal defeasance have been complied with. |
Book-Entry; Delivery and Form
The notes will be issued in registered, global form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Notes will be issued at the closing of this offering only against payment in
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immediately available funds. The notes initially will be represented by notes in registered, global form without interest coupons (the “Global Notes”). The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co., in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.
Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may be held through Euroclear and Clearstream (as indirect participants in DTC). Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for notes in certificated form (“Certificated Notes”) except in the limited circumstances described below. See “—Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes.” Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.
Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes
We will issue Certificated Notes to 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 Global Notes. |
In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be in registered form, registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).
Depository Procedures
The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.
DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between the Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established by it:
| | upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the accounts of the Participants designated by the underwriters with portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes; and |
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| | ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interest in the Global Notes). |
Investors in the Global Notes who are Participants may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Global Notes who are not Participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) that are Participants in such system. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests in the Global Notes on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear system, and Clearstream Banking S.A. All interests in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC.
Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.
The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of the Participants, which in turn act on behalf of the Indirect Participants, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.
Except as described above, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or “Holders” thereof under the indenture for any purpose.
Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder of the notes under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, we and the trustee will treat the persons in whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither we, the trustee nor any of our or the trustee’s agents has or will have any responsibility or liability for:
| | any aspect of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes; or |
| | any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants. |
DTC has advised us that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes, is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or Netflix. Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of the Participants or the Indirect Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
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Transfers between the Participants will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
Cross-market transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream. DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for Certificated Notes, and to distribute such notes to the Participants.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. None of us, the trustee or any of our or their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of the notes for Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) that acquire the notes for cash at their original issue price pursuant to this offering. The summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury Regulations, judicial decisions, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and other applicable authorities, all as in effect as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect). The discussion does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular person or to persons subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws (such as banks or other financial institutions, broker dealers, insurance companies, expatriates, tax-exempt organizations, persons who are required to accelerate the recognition of any item of income as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies or persons that are, or hold their notes through, partnerships or other pass-through entities) or to persons that hold their notes as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, synthetic security or constructive sale transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ from those summarized below. Moreover, this discussion does not address any U.S. federal estate, gift, Medicare, alternative or other minimum tax or other non-income tax consequences or any state, local or foreign tax consequences. This summary deals only with persons who hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of the Code (generally, property held for investment). No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of those set forth below.
Prospective holders should consult their tax advisors as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of owning and disposing of the notes, as well as the effects of other U.S. federal tax laws or state, local and non-U.S. tax laws.
A “Non-U.S. Holder” means any beneficial owner of a note (other than a partnership or other pass-through entity) that is not a “U.S. Holder.” For this purpose, a “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes is, or is treated as, a citizen or individual resident of the United States, a corporation (including any entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
If any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes is a holder of a note, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners and partnerships should consult their tax advisors as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to them.
Payments of Interest
Subject to the discussion below regarding FATCA (as defined below), a Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on interest paid or accrued on a note if: (1) the interest is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (or, in the case of certain tax treaties, is also not attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base within the United States); and (2) the Non-U.S. Holder satisfies the following requirements:
(1) it does not actually or constructively, directly or indirectly, own 10% or more of our voting stock;
(2) it is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us (directly or indirectly) through stock ownership; and
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(3) it certifies to its non-U.S. status and that no withholding is required under FATCA (see discussion below) on an applicable IRS Form W-8.
Alternatively, a Non-U.S. Holder that cannot satisfy the above requirements will generally be exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to interest paid or accrued on the notes if the holder establishes that such interest is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, in the case of certain tax treaties, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base within the United States (generally, by providing an IRS Form W-8ECI). However, to the extent that such interest is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business (and, in the case of certain tax treaties, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base within the United States), the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis and, if it is a foreign corporation, may be subject to a 30% U.S. branch profits tax (or lower applicable treaty rate).
If a Non-U.S. Holder does not satisfy the requirements described above, and does not establish that the interest is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, in the case of certain tax treaties, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base within the United States), the Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on payments of stated interest, currently imposed at 30%. Under certain income tax treaties, the U.S. withholding rate on payments of interest may be reduced or eliminated, provided the Non-U.S. Holder complies with the applicable certification requirements (generally, by providing a properly completed applicable IRS Form W-8).
Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes
Subject to the discussion below regarding FATCA, a Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation with respect to gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of a note, unless:
(1) the Non-U.S. Holder holds the note in connection with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, in the case of certain tax treaties, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base within the United States); or
(2) in the case of an individual, such individual is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which gain is realized and certain other conditions are met.
If the first exception applies, the Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis and, if it is a foreign corporation, may be subject to a 30% U.S. branch profits tax (or lower applicable treaty rate). If the second exception applies, the Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which capital gains allocable to U.S. sources (including gains from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the notes) exceed capital losses allocable to U.S. source. Any amounts which a Non-U.S. Holder receives on a sale, exchange, redemption, or other taxable disposition of a note which are attributable to accrued interest will be taxable as interest subject to the rules described above under “Payments of Interest.”
FATCA
Provisions under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations commonly referred to as “FATCA” generally impose withholding at a rate of 30% in certain circumstances on interest paid on the notes that are held by or through (i) a “foreign financial institution” (within the meaning of the Code), whether such entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless such entity enters into, and complies with, an agreement with the IRS to report on an annual basis its “United States account” holders (within the meaning of the Code) and meets certain other specified requirements; or (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (within the meaning of the Code), unless such entity provides a certification that the beneficial owner of the
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payment does not have any “substantial United States owners” (within the meaning of the Code) or provides certain information with respect to each substantial U.S. owner and complies with certain other requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which the notes are held will affect the determination of whether withholding under FATCA is required. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. We will not pay any additional amounts to Non-U.S. Holders in respect of any amounts withheld. Investors should consult with their own tax advisors regarding these rules in their particular situations.
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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
Subject to the terms and conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated as of the date of this prospectus supplement between us and the underwriters named below, for whom BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as representatives, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has severally and not jointly agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes that appears opposite its name in the table below:
| Underwriter |
Principal Amount of 20 Notes |
|||
| BNP Paribas Securities Corp. |
$ | |||
| Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC |
||||
| RBC Capital Markets, LLC |
||||
| Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
||||
| Total |
$ | |||
The underwriters are offering the notes subject to their acceptance of the notes from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to certain conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement if any such notes are taken.
The underwriters initially propose to offer the notes to the public at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. In addition, the underwriters initially propose to offer the notes to certain dealers at prices that represent a concession not in excess of % of the aggregate principal amount of the 20 notes. Any underwriter may allow, and any such dealer may reallow, a concession not in excess of % of the aggregate principal amount of the 20 notes to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the notes, the underwriters may from time to time vary the offering prices and other selling terms. The underwriters may offer and sell notes through certain of their affiliates. The offering of the notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.
The following table shows the underwriting discounts that we will pay to the underwriters in connection with the offering of the notes:
| Paid by Us |
||||
| Per 20 note |
% | |||
| Total |
$ | |||
Expenses associated with this offering to be paid by us, other than underwriting discounts, are estimated to be approximately $ .
We have also agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments which the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any such liabilities.
The notes are a new issue of securities, and there is currently no established trading market for the notes. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market making in the notes at any time at their sole discretion. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices you receive when you sell will be favorable.
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In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the prices of the notes. Specifically, the underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering of the notes, creating syndicate short positions. In addition, the underwriters may bid for and purchase notes in the open market to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the prices of the notes. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed for distributing the notes in the offering of the notes if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed notes in syndicate covering transactions, stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may stabilize or maintain the market prices of the notes above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, and may end any of them at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
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, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. From time to time in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in and may in the future engage in commercial banking, derivatives and/or financial advisory, investment banking and other commercial transactions and services with us and our affiliates for which they have received or will receive customary fees and commissions. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates who have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge, have hedged and/or may hedge their credit exposure to us, and certain of those underwriters or their affiliates are likely in the future to hedge or otherwise reduce their exposure to us, in each case, consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these 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 our securities, potentially including the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. In addition, certain underwriters and their affiliates served or are serving in the following roles for our Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2024 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time): an affiliate of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“Wells Fargo Securities”) as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners; an affiliate of Morgan Stanley as syndication agent; an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities as documentation agent; and an affiliate of BNP Paribas Securities Corp. and an affiliate of RBC Capital Markets, LLC as lenders.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective 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 and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments, including our existing senior notes.
It is expected that delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about , 2026, which is the second business day following the date hereof (such settlement cycle being referred to as “T+2”). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade notes prior to the first business day preceding settlement will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+2, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement and should consult their own advisors in this regard.
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Conflicts of Interest
As described in “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds to repay the 4.375% Senior Notes at maturity and for general corporate purposes. Certain of the underwriters (or their affiliates) may hold the 4.375% Senior Notes and would receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. If any one underwriter, together with its affiliates, were to receive 5% or more of the net proceeds of this offering by reason of any such repayment, redemption or repurchase, such underwriters would be deemed to have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. Accordingly, this offering will be conducted in accordance with Rule 5121. However, in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, no “qualified independent underwriter” is required because the notes are investment grade-rated by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating agencies.
Notice to Prospective Investors
Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
The notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contain a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (the “EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, the “MiFID II”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended or superseded, the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded, the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended or superseded, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared, and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of the notes in any member state of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (the “UK”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is neither: (i) a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “EUWA”); nor (ii) a qualified investor as defined in paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (“POATRs”). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that the offering of the notes falls within one of the exceptions specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the POATRs. Accordingly, there will not be a prospectus prepared or published for the purposes of the POATRs. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus is a prospectus for the purposes of the POATRs or the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”), and any offer of the notes in the UK is made pursuant to an exemption under the POATRs or the FSMA.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been approved by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the FSMA and accordingly, are only being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the UK. In the UK, such documents are only directed at, persons who are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”), (ii) high net worth entities or other persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) other persons to whom they may otherwise lawfully be communicated (each such person being referred to as a “relevant person”). This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and their contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the UK. Any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate is available only to and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person in the UK who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any of their contents.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The notes may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Hong Kong”) by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder; or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation, or document relating to the notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offering. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The notes have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (the “Financial Instruments and Exchange Act”), and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any notes, directly or indirectly, 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 or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, the underwriters have not offered or sold the notes or caused the notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell the notes or cause the notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and have not circulated or distributed, nor will they circulate or distribute, 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, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA or (ii) to an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus is intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the notes described herein. The notes may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and no application has or will be made to admit the notes to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes constitutes a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the notes will be passed upon for Netflix by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Los Angeles, California. The underwriters have been represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Redwood City, California.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.netflix.com. Information on or accessible through our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus supplement is an inactive textual reference only.
Statements in this prospectus supplement concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.
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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus supplement is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus supplement or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents listed below (File No. 001-35727) and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the time that we sell all of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement, except that we are not incorporating any information included in a Current Report on Form 8-K that has been or will be furnished (and not filed) with the SEC, unless the information is expressly incorporated herein:
| | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on January 23, 2026; |
| | Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 16, 2026, that are incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on January 23, 2026; |
| | Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, filed with the SEC on April 17, 2026, and for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on July 17, 2026; and |
| | Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 20, 2026 (Film No. 26541094; Item 1.01 only), February 27, 2026, April 16, 2026 (Item 5.02 only), April 23, 2026 and June 5, 2026. |
Copies of these filings are available to you without charge upon your written or oral request. You can obtain the documents incorporated by reference in this document through the SEC website at www.sec.gov or by requesting them from Netflix at the following address: Netflix, Inc., 121 Albright Way, Los Gatos, California 95032, Attn: Investor Relations, or by telephone at (408) 540-3700.
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PROSPECTUS
Netflix, Inc.
Debt Securities
We may issue securities from time to time in one or more offerings, in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus, which will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest.
The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents or through underwriters and dealers. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of those securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from that sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Please carefully read the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement, and “Risk Factors” of our most recent report on Form 10-K or 10-Q that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is July 29, 2024.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||
| About this Prospectus |
1 | |||
| Prospectus Summary |
2 | |||
| Risk Factors |
3 | |||
| Forward-Looking Statements |
4 | |||
| Use of Proceeds |
5 | |||
| Description of Debt Securities |
6 | |||
| Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations |
14 | |||
| Plan of Distribution |
23 | |||
| Legal Matters |
25 | |||
| Experts |
25 | |||
| Where You Can Find More Information |
26 | |||
| Incorporation by Reference |
26 | |||
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before you invest in our securities, you should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described in the sections titled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information that is presented in greater detail elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you and your investment decision. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the matters set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and related notes and other information that we incorporate by reference herein, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Netflix, Inc.,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer, collectively, to Netflix, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Company Overview
We are one of the world’s leading entertainment services with over 277 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.
Our core strategy is to grow our business globally within the parameters of our operating margin target. We strive to continuously improve our members’ experience by offering compelling content that delights them and attracts new members. We seek to drive conversation around our content to further enhance member joy, and we are continuously enhancing our user interface to help our members more easily choose content that they will find enjoyable.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 121 Albright Way, Los Gatos, California 95032, and our telephone number is (408) 540-3700. We maintain a website at ir.netflix.net. Information contained in or accessible through our website is not part of or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves risks. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in our securities. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risk factors discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under “Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K (as may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future) and other documents that we may incorporate by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, each prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “potentially,” “likely,” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. These forward-looking statements appear in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, particularly in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.
Undue reliance should not be placed upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein after we distribute this prospectus, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and although we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted a thorough inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may contain market data that we obtain from industry sources. These sources do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. Although we believe that our industry sources are reliable, we do not independently verify the information. The market data may include projections that are based on a number of other projections. While we believe these assumptions to be reasonable and sound as of the date of this prospectus, actual results may differ from the projections.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the prospectus supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.
Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.
The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. We have summarized material provisions of the debt securities and select portions of the indenture below. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. The summary is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. The indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. Supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, as applicable. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to an indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures or forms of debt securities that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
General
The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).
We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered the aggregate principal amount and the terms of the debt securities, including, if applicable:
| | the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions); |
| | the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities, which may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount; |
| | any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| | the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable; |
| | the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date; |
| | the right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period; |
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| | the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered; |
| | the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, at our option; |
| | any obligation we have to repurchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be repurchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; |
| | the provisions, relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series into our common stock or other securities or property and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange; |
| | the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000, and any integral multiple thereof; |
| | whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities; |
| | the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount; |
| | the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made and, if other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined; |
| | the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal or premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index; |
| | any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities; |
| | any addition to, deletion of, or change in the covenants or Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
| | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities; |
| | if there is more than one trustee or a different trustee, the identity of the trustee and, if not the trustee, the identity of each security registrar, paying agent or authenticating agent with respect to such debt securities; |
| | any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities; and |
| | whether any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities of that series, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees. |
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We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Transfer and Exchange
Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, which we refer to as the depositary, or a nominee of the depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading titled “—Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System,” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.
Certificated Debt Securities
You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.
You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.
Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System
Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the depositary, and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary.
Covenants
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue or series of debt securities.
No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may provide holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.
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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person, which we refer to as a successor person, unless:
| | we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than us) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and |
| | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default (as defined below), shall have occurred and be continuing. |
Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us.
Events of Default
“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:
| | default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period); |
| | default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity; |
| | default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 90 days after we receive written notice from the trustee, or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture; |
| | certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us; and |
| | any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.
We will provide the trustee written notice of any Default or Event of Default within 30 days of becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such Default or Event of Default and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof.
If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (except an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization with respect to us as described below), then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to us, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become
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and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before any judgment or decree for the payment of the amount due shall have been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if (i) we have or have caused to be paid or deposited with the trustee an amount sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the debt securities of that series and the principal of and premium, if any, on any and all debt securities of that series that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that such payment is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate expressed in the debt securities of that series to the date of such payment or deposit), and (ii) any and all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal with respect to debt securities of that series, have been remedied or waived as provided in the indenture. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.
The indenture provides that the trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.
No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
| | that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and |
| | the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. |
Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.
The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall send to each securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a responsible officer of the trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.
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Modification and Waiver
We and the trustee may modify, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:
| | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
| | to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”; |
| | to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities; |
| | to add guarantees with respect to debt securities of any series or secure debt securities of any series; |
| | to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture; |
| | to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any series; |
| | to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary; |
| | to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities; |
| | to provide for the issuance of, and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of, any series as permitted by the indenture; |
| | to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or |
| | to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. |
We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:
| | reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver; |
| | reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security; |
| | reduce the principal of, or premium on, or change the fixed maturity of any debt security, or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities; |
| | reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity; |
| | waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration); |
| | make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security; |
| | make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or |
| | waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. |
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Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such 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, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.
Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances
Legal Defeasance
The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.
This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants
The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:
| | we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading titled “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and |
| | any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series. |
We refer to this as covenant defeasance. The conditions include:
| | depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; |
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| | such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the indenture or any other agreement to which we are a party; |
| | no Default or Event of Default with respect to the applicable series of debt securities shall have occurred or is continuing on the date of such deposit; and |
| | delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that under current U.S. federal income tax law, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. |
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Stockholders
None of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees or stockholders, as such, will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issue of the debt securities. However, this waiver and release may not be effective to waive liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
The indenture provides that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the debt securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.
The indenture provides that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York, in each case, located in the City of New York, and we, the trustee and the holder of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The indenture further provides that service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth in the indenture will be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The indenture further provides that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the courts specified above and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to persons considering the purchase of certain debt securities covered by this prospectus. For a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to persons considering the purchase of indexed debt securities, floating rate debt securities, dual currency debt securities, subordinated debt securities, debt securities that are convertible or exchangeable into our common stock or other securities or property or debt securities providing for contingent or deferred payments, please refer to the related prospectus supplement. You should consult your own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of any securities described in this prospectus in light of your particular facts and circumstances and any consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction.
This summary, which does not represent tax advice, is based on laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change (including retroactive changes in effective dates) or possible differing interpretations. This summary deals only with debt securities that will be held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”) and, except where otherwise specifically stated, is addressed only to persons who purchase debt securities in the initial offering at their applicable “issue price” as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It does not address tax considerations applicable to investors that may be subject to special tax rules, such as banks, thrifts, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt entities, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities or commodities electing to mark to market, persons that will hold debt securities as a hedge against currency risk or as a position in a “straddle” or conversion transaction, or as part of a “synthetic security” or other integrated financial transaction or persons that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar. Prospective purchasers of debt securities should review the related prospectus supplements for summaries of special United States federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular issue of debt securities. In addition, prospective purchasers should note that this summary does not address other U.S. federal tax consequences (such as estate, gift and net investment income tax consequences), any state, local or foreign tax consequences, the Medicare tax on net investment income or the special timing rules prescribed under Section 451(b) of the Code.
As used herein, the term “United States Holder” means a beneficial owner of a debt security that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or an entity taxable as a corporation) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or (iii) otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net basis with respect to a debt security. If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes holds debt securities, the United States federal income tax treatment of partners will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners of a partnership holding debt securities should accordingly consult their own tax advisors. As used herein, the term “Non-United States Holder” means a beneficial owner of a debt security that is not a United States Holder.
United States Holders
Payments or Accruals of Interest
Payments or accruals of qualified stated interest, as defined below under “Original Issue Discount,” on a debt security will be taxable to a United States Holder as ordinary interest income at the time that such payments are accrued or are received, in accordance with the United States Holder’s method of tax accounting.
If such payments of interest are made in foreign currency with respect to a debt security that is denominated in such foreign currency, the amount of interest income realized by a United States Holder that uses the cash method of tax accounting will be the U.S. dollar value of the specified currency payment based on the spot rate of exchange on the date of receipt regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. No
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exchange gain or loss will be recognized with respect to the receipt of such payment (other than exchange gain or loss realized on the disposition of the foreign currency so received, as discussed below). A United States Holder of debt securities that uses the cash method of tax accounting and receives a payment of interest in U.S. dollars should include in income the amount of U.S. dollars received. A United States Holder that uses the accrual method of tax accounting will accrue interest income on the foreign currency debt security in the relevant foreign currency and translate the amount accrued into U.S. dollars based on:
| | the average exchange rate in effect during the interest accrual period, or portion thereof, within such holder’s taxable year (or with respect to an interest accrual period that spans more than one taxable year, at the average exchange rate for the partial period within the taxable year); or |
| | at such holder’s election, at the spot rate of exchange on (i) the last day of the accrual period, or the last day of the taxable year within such accrual period if the accrual period spans more than one taxable year, or (ii) the date of receipt, if such date is within five business days of the last day of the accrual period or taxable year. |
Such election must be applied consistently by the United States Holder to all debt instruments from year to year and can be changed only with the consent of the IRS. A United States Holder that uses the accrual method of tax accounting will recognize foreign currency gain or loss on the receipt of an interest payment made relating to a foreign currency debt security if the spot rate of exchange on the date the payment is received differs from the rate applicable to a previous accrual of that interest income. Such foreign currency gain or loss will be treated as ordinary income or loss, but generally will not be treated as an adjustment to interest income received on the debt securities.
A portion of the price paid for a debt security may be allocable to interest that accrued prior to its issue date (“pre-acquisition accrued interest”). On the first interest payment date with respect to such debt security, a United States Holder might be entitled to treat a portion of the interest received, in an amount equal to the pre-acquisition accrued interest, as a return of the pre-acquisition accrued interest and not as a payment of interest on the debt security. Amounts treated as a return of pre-acquisition accrued interest should not be taxable when received. United States Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the treatment of any pre-acquisition accrued interest.
Purchase, Sale and Retirement of Debt Securities
A United States Holder’s tax basis in a debt security generally will equal the cost of such debt security to such holder:
| | increased by any amounts includible in income by the holder as original issue discount (“OID”) and market discount (each as described below); and |
| | reduced by any amortized premium and any payments other than payments of qualified stated interest (each as described below) made on such debt security. |
In the case of a foreign currency debt security, the cost of such debt security to a United States Holder will generally be the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency purchase price on the date of purchase calculated at the spot rate of exchange on that date. In the case of a foreign currency debt security that is traded on an established securities market, a United States Holder generally should determine the U.S. dollar value of the cost of such debt security by translating the amount paid in foreign currency into its U.S. dollar value at the spot rate of exchange (i) on the settlement date of the purchase in the case of a United States Holder using the cash method of tax accounting or (ii) on the trade date, in the case of a United States Holder using the accrual method of tax accounting, unless such holder elects to use the spot rate applicable to cash method United States Holders. The amount of any subsequent adjustments to a United States Holder’s tax basis in a foreign currency debt security in respect of OID, market discount and premium will be determined in the manner described under “Original Issue Discount,” “Market Discount” and “Debt Securities Purchased at a Premium” below. The conversion of
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U.S. dollars to another specified currency and the immediate use of such specified currency to purchase a foreign currency debt security generally will not result in any exchange gain or loss for a United States Holder as a result of the conversion or purchase. A United States Holder who purchases a foreign currency debt security with previously owned foreign currency will recognize ordinary income or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between such United States Holder’s tax basis in the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar fair market value of the foreign currency debt security on the date of purchase.
Upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition (collectively, a “disposition”) of a debt security, a United States Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount realized on the disposition (less any accrued qualified stated interest, which will be taxable as such) and (ii) the United States Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such debt security. If a United States Holder receives a specified currency other than the U.S. dollar in respect of such disposition of a debt security, the amount realized will be the U.S. dollar value of the specified currency received calculated at the spot rate of exchange on the date of disposition of the debt security.
In the case of a foreign currency debt security that is traded on an established securities market, a United States Holder that receives a specified currency other than the U.S. dollar in respect of such disposition generally should determine the amount realized (as determined on the trade date) by translating that specified currency into its U.S. dollar value at the spot rate of exchange (i) on the settlement date of the disposition in the case of a United States Holder using the cash method of tax accounting or (ii) on the trade date, in the case of a United States Holder using the accrual method of tax accounting, unless such holder elects to use the spot rate applicable to cash method United States Holders. The election available to accrual basis United States Holders in respect of the purchase and sale of foreign currency debt securities traded on an established securities market, discussed above, must be applied consistently by the United States Holder to all debt instruments from year to year and can be changed only with the consent of the IRS.
Except as discussed below in connection with foreign currency gain or loss, market discount and short-term debt securities, gain or loss recognized by a United States Holder on the disposition of a debt security will generally be long term capital gain or loss if the United States Holder’s holding period for the debt security exceeds one year at the time of such disposition. Net long-term capital gain recognized by an individual United States Holder generally will be subject to preferential tax. The ability of United States Holders to offset capital losses against ordinary income is limited.
Despite the foregoing, gain or loss recognized by a United States Holder on the disposition of a foreign currency debt security generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss to the extent that the gain or loss is attributable to changes in exchange rates during the period in which the holder held such debt security. This foreign currency gain or loss will not be treated as an adjustment to interest income that a United States Holder receives on the debt security. Any gain or loss realized by a United States Holder in excess of the foreign currency gain or loss will be capital gain or loss as discussed above.
Original Issue Discount
In General. Debt securities with a term greater than one year may be issued with original issue discount (“OID”) for United States federal income tax purposes. Such debt securities are called OID debt securities in this prospectus and will generally be subject to special tax accounting rules. United States Holders generally must accrue OID in gross income over the term of the OID debt securities on a constant yield to maturity basis, regardless of their regular method of tax accounting or when they receive cash attributable to that income. As a result, United States Holders generally will recognize taxable income in respect of an OID debt security in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to such income.
OID generally will arise if the stated redemption price at maturity of the debt security exceeds its issue price by at least a de minimis amount of 0.25% of the debt security’s stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by
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the number of complete years to maturity (referred to as the “de minimis OID amount”). For example, OID may arise if a debt security has particular interest payment characteristics, such as interest holidays, interest payable in additional securities, interest not payable in cash at least annually, or stepped interest. For this purpose, the “issue price” of a debt security is the first price at which a substantial amount of debt securities is sold for cash, other than to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers. The “stated redemption price at maturity” of a debt security is the sum of all payments due under the debt security, other than payments of qualified stated interest. The term “qualified stated interest” generally means stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or property, other than debt instruments of the issuer, at least annually during the entire term of the OID debt security at a single fixed rate of interest or, under particular conditions, based on one or more interest indices. If the terms of a debt security entitle a holder to receive payments (other than qualified stated interest) that exceed its issue price by less than the de minimis OID amount then, absent an election to make inclusions in income on a constant yield to maturity basis, the holder will generally be required to include such amounts in income as capital gain on a pro rata basis as principal payments are made (or upon a sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of the debt instrument).
For each taxable year of a United States Holder, the amount of OID that must be included in gross income in respect of an OID debt security will be the sum of the “daily portions” of OID for each day during such taxable year or any portion of such taxable year in which such a United States Holder held the OID debt security. Such daily portions are determined by allocating to each day in an accrual period a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. Accrual periods may be of any length and may vary in length over the term of an OID debt security. However, accrual periods may not be longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest must occur on the first day or the final day of a period.
The amount of OID allocable to any accrual period generally will equal (i) the product of the OID debt security’s “adjusted issue price” at the beginning of such accrual period multiplied by its yield to maturity (as adjusted to take into account the length of such accrual period), less (ii) the amount, if any, of qualified stated interest allocable to that accrual period. The “adjusted issue price” of an OID debt security at the beginning of any accrual period will generally equal the issue price of the OID debt security, as defined above, including any accrued interest (i) increased by previously accrued OID from all prior accrual periods, and (ii) reduced by all payments made on such debt security in all prior accrual periods, other than payments of qualified stated interest, on or before the first day of the accrual period. The “yield to maturity” of an OID debt security is the discount rate (appropriately adjusted to reflect the length of accrual periods) that causes the sum of the present values on the issue date of all payments on the OID debt security to equal the issue price. As a result of this “constant-yield” method of including OID income, the amounts a United States Holder will be required to include in gross income if such holder invests in an OID debt security denominated in U.S. dollars generally will be lesser in the early years and greater in the later years than amounts that would be includible on a straight-line basis. In the case of an OID debt security that is a floating rate debt security, both the yield to maturity and the qualified stated interest will be determined for these purposes as though the OID debt security will bear interest in all periods at a fixed rate generally equal to the value, as of the issue date, of the floating interest rate on the OID debt security or, in the case of some floating rate debt securities, the rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the OID debt security. (Additional rules may apply if interest on a floating rate debt security is based on more than one interest index.)
Foreign Currency Debt Securities. In the case of an OID debt security that is also a foreign currency debt security, a United States Holder should determine the U.S. dollar amount includible in income as OID for each accrual period by
| | calculating the amount of OID allocable to each accrual period in the specified currency using the constant-yield method described above; and |
| | translating the amount of the specified currency so derived at the average exchange rate in effect during that accrual period (or, with respect to an interest accrual period that spans more than one taxable year, |
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| at the average exchange rate for each partial period), or, at the United States Holder’s election (as described above under “Payments of Interest and Accruals”), at the spot rate of exchange on (i) the last day of the accrual period, or the last day of the taxable year within such accrual period if the accrual period spans more than one taxable year, or (ii) on the date of receipt, if such date is within five business days of the last day of the accrual period. |
All payments on an OID debt security, other than payments of qualified stated interest, will generally be viewed first as payments of previously accrued OID, to the extent thereof, with payments attributed first to the earliest accrued OID, and then as payments of principal. Upon the receipt of an amount attributable to OID, whether in connection with a payment of an amount that is not qualified stated interest or the disposition of the OID debt security, a United States Holder will recognize ordinary income or loss measured by the difference between (i) the amount received and (ii) the amount accrued. The amount received will be translated into U.S. dollars at the spot rate of exchange on the date of receipt or on the date of disposition of the OID debt security. The amount accrued will be determined by using the spot rate of exchange applicable to such previous accrual.
Acquisition Premium. A United States Holder that purchases an OID debt security outside of the initial offering for an amount less than or equal to the remaining redemption amount or in the initial offering at a price other than the debt security’s issue price will generally be required to include in gross income the daily portions of the OID, calculated as described above. However, a United States Holder that acquires an OID debt security at a price in excess of the OID debt security’s adjusted issue price but less than or equal to its remaining redemption amount generally is permitted to reduce the daily portions of OID by a fraction to reflect premium paid over the adjusted issue price. The numerator of such fraction is the excess of the United States Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the OID debt security immediately after its purchase over the OID debt security’s adjusted issue price. The denominator of such fraction is the excess of the “remaining redemption amount” over the OID debt security’s adjusted issue price. For purposes of this prospectus, “remaining redemption amount” means the sum of all amounts payable on an OID debt security after the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest.
Floating Rate Debt Securities. Floating rate debt securities generally will be treated as “variable rate debt instruments.” Accordingly, the stated interest on a floating rate debt security generally will be treated as “qualified stated interest” and such a debt security will not have original issue discount solely as a result of the fact that it provides for interest at a variable rate. If a floating rate debt security does not qualify as a “variable rate debt instrument,” the debt security will be subject to special rules that govern the tax treatment of debt obligations that provide for contingent payments. We will provide a description of the tax considerations relevant to United States holders of any such debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The debt securities may have special redemption, repayment or interest rate reset features, as indicated in the related prospectus supplement. Debt securities containing such features, in particular OID debt securities, may be subject to special rules that differ from the general rules discussed above. Accordingly, purchasers of debt securities with such features should carefully examine the applicable prospectus supplement, and should consult their tax advisors relating to such debt securities.
Market Discount
If a United States Holder purchases a debt security, other than a short-term debt security (as defined below), for an amount that is less than the debt security’s stated redemption price at maturity or, in the case of an OID debt security, for an amount that is less than the debt security’s revised issue price, i.e., the debt security’s issue price increased by the amount of accrued OID, the debt security will be considered to have market discount. The market discount rules are subject to a de minimis rule similar to the rule relating to de minimis OID, described above (in the second paragraph under “Original Issue Discount”). Any gain recognized by the United States Holder on the disposition of debt securities having market discount generally will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount that accrued on the debt security while held by such United States Holder.
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Alternatively, the United States Holder may elect to include market discount in income currently over the life of the debt security. Such an election will apply to market discount debt securities acquired by the United States Holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies and is revocable only with the consent of the IRS. Market discount will accrue on a straight-line basis unless the United States Holder elects to accrue the market discount on a constant-yield method. Such an election will apply to the debt security to which it is made and is irrevocable. Unless the United States Holder elects to include market discount in income on a current basis, as described above, the United States Holder could be required to defer the deduction of a portion of the interest paid on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry the debt security.
Market discount on a foreign currency debt security will be accrued by a United States Holder in the specified currency. The amount includible in income by a United States Holder in respect of such accrued market discount will be the U.S. dollar value of the amount accrued. This is generally calculated at the spot rate of exchange on the date that the debt security is disposed of by the United States Holder. Any accrued market discount on a foreign currency debt security that is currently includible in income will be translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the accrual period or portion of such accrual period within the United States Holder’s taxable year.
Short-Term Debt Securities
The rules set forth above also will generally apply to debt securities having maturities of one year or less from the date of issuance. Those debt securities are called short-term debt securities in this prospectus. Modifications apply to the general rules discussed above.
First, none of the interest on a short-term debt security is treated as qualified stated interest but instead is treated as part of the short-term debt security’s stated redemption price at maturity, thereby giving rise to OID. Thus, all short-term debt securities will be OID debt securities. OID will be treated as accruing on a short-term debt security ratably, or at the election of a United States Holder, under a constant yield method.
Second, a United States Holder of a short-term debt security that uses the cash method of tax accounting and does not identify the short-term debt security as part of a hedging transaction will generally not be required to include OID in respect of the short-term debt security in income on a current basis. Such a United States Holder may not be allowed to deduct all of the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry such debt security until the maturity of the debt security or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction. In addition, such a United States Holder will be required to treat any gain realized on a disposition of the debt security as ordinary income to the extent such gain does not exceed the holder’s accrued OID on the debt security, and short-term capital gain to the extent the gain exceeds accrued OID. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a United States Holder of a short-term debt security using the cash method of tax accounting may elect to accrue OID into income on a current basis. In such case, the limitation on the deductibility of interest described above will not apply. A United States Holder using the accrual method of tax accounting and some cash method holders (including banks, securities dealers, regulated investment companies and certain trust funds) generally will be required to include OID on a short-term debt security in income on a current basis. OID will be treated as accruing for these purposes on a pro rata basis or, at the election of the holder, on a constant-yield basis based on daily compounding.
Third, any United States Holder of a short-term debt security, whether using the cash or accrual method of tax accounting, can elect to accrue the “acquisition discount,” if any, on the debt security on a current basis. If such an election is made, the OID rules will not apply to the debt security. Acquisition discount is the excess of the debt security’s stated redemption price at maturity over the holder’s purchase price for the debt security. Acquisition discount will be treated as accruing ratably or, at the election of the United States Holder, under a constant-yield method based on daily compounding. If a United States Holder elects to accrue acquisition discount, the OID rules will not apply.
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As described above, the debt securities may have special redemption features. These features may affect the determination of whether a debt security has a maturity of not more than one year and thus is a short-term debt security. Purchasers of debt securities with such features should carefully examine the applicable prospectus supplement, and should consult their tax advisors in relation to such features.
Debt Securities Purchased at a Premium
A United States Holder that purchases a debt security for an amount in excess of the remaining redemption amount will be considered to have purchased the debt security at a premium and the OID rules will not apply to such holder. Such holder may elect to amortize such premium, as an offset to interest income, using a constant-yield method, over the remaining term of the debt security. If the debt security is redeemable prior to maturity, the amount of amortizable premium is determined with reference either to the amount payable on maturity or, if it results in a smaller premium attributable to the earlier redemption period, with reference to the amount payable on the earlier redemption date. Such election, once made, generally applies to all debt instruments held by the United States Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies and to all debt instruments subsequently acquired by the United States Holder. Such election may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A United States Holder that elects to amortize such premium must reduce its tax basis in a debt security by the amount of the premium amortized during its holding period. For a United States Holder that does not elect to amortize bond premium, the amount of such premium will be included in the United States Holder’s tax basis when the debt security matures or is disposed of by the United States Holder. Therefore, a United States Holder that does not elect to amortize premium and holds the debt security to maturity will generally be required to treat the premium as capital loss when the debt security matures.
Amortizable bond premium in respect of a foreign currency debt security will be computed in the specified currency and will reduce interest income in the specified currency. At the time amortized bond premium offsets interest income, exchange gain or loss, which will be taxable as ordinary income or loss, will be realized on the amortized bond premium on such debt security based on the difference between (i) the spot rate of exchange on the date or dates such premium is recovered through interest payments on the debt security and (ii) the spot rate of exchange on the date on which the United States Holder acquired the debt security. See “Original Issue Discount—Acquisition Premium” above for a discussion of the treatment of a debt security purchased for an amount less than or equal to the remaining redemption amount but in excess of the debt security’s adjusted issue price.
Non-United States Holders
Payments or Accruals of Interest
Subject to the discussions below under “—FATCA” and “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding,” a Non-United States Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on interest paid on the debt securities as long as that interest is not “effectively connected” with the Non-United States Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is not attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-United States Holder in the United States) and:
| | the Non-United States Holder does not, directly or indirectly, actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote; |
| | the Non-United States Holder is not a “controlled foreign corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is related to us, actually or by attribution, through stock ownership; |
| | the Non-United States Holder is not a bank receiving the interest pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of the Non-United States Holder’s trade or business; and |
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| | either (i) the Non-United States Holder certifies under penalties of perjury on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or an applicable successor form that it is not a “U.S. person” (as defined in the Code), and provides its name, address and certain other required information or (ii) a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers’ securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business and holds the debt securities on behalf of the Non-United States Holder certifies under penalties of perjury that the certification referred to in clause (i) has been received from the Non-United States Holder or an intermediate financial institution and furnishes to us or the applicable paying agent a copy thereof. |
A Non-United States Holder that does not qualify for exemption from withholding as described above will generally be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% on payments of interest on the debt securities (except as described below with respect to effectively connected income). A Non-United States Holder may be entitled to the benefits of an income tax treaty under which interest on the debt securities is subject to a reduced rate of withholding tax or is exempt from U.S. withholding tax, provided the Non-United States Holder furnishes us or the applicable paying agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or an applicable successor form claiming the reduction or exemption and the Non-U.S. Holder complies with any other applicable procedures.
Purchase, Sale and Retirement of Debt Securities
Generally, subject to the discussions below under “—FATCA” and “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding,” any gain recognized by a Non-United States Holder on the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a debt security (other than amounts attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, which will generally be treated as described under “—Payments or Accruals of Interest” above) will be exempt from U.S. federal income and withholding tax, unless:
| | the gain is effectively connected with the Non-United States Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if a treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-United States Holder in the United States), in which case the Non-United States Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the manner described below under “—Effectively Connected Income”; or |
| | the Non-United States Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale or other disposition, and certain other conditions are met, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (unless a lower treaty rate applies) on the amount by which its U.S. source capital gains exceed its U.S. source capital losses. |
Effectively Connected Income
If interest or gain recognized by a Non-United States Holder on a debt security is “effectively connected” with the Non-United States Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if a treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-United States Holder in the United States), then the Non-United States Holder will be exempt from the withholding tax on interest if the Non-United States Holder provides us or the applicable paying agent with a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI or an applicable successor form, but the Non-United States Holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest or gain as if it were a “U.S. person” (as defined in the Code). In addition to such U.S. federal income tax, if the Non-United States Holder is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it may be subject to an additional branch profits tax currently at a rate of 30%, or such lower rate provided by an applicable income tax treaty.
FATCA
Under the United States tax rules known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a holder of debt securities will generally be subject to 30% U.S. withholding tax on interest payments on the debt
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securities if the holder is not FATCA compliant, or holds its debt securities through a foreign financial institution that is not FATCA compliant. In order to be treated as FATCA compliant, a holder must provide certain documentation (usually an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E) containing information about its identity, its FATCA status, and if required, its direct and indirect U.S. owners. These requirements may be modified by the adoption or implementation of an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another country or by future U.S. Treasury Regulations. If any taxes were to be deducted or withheld from any payments in respect of the debt securities as a result of a beneficial owner or intermediary’s failure to comply with the foregoing rules, no additional amounts will be paid on the debt securities as a result of the deduction or withholding of such tax. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers about how FATCA may apply to their investment in the debt securities.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on the debt securities made to, and the proceeds of dispositions of debt securities effected by, certain United States taxpayers. In addition, certain United States taxpayers may be subject to backup withholding in respect of such amounts if they do not provide their taxpayer identification numbers to the person from whom they receive payments. Non-United States taxpayers may be required to comply with applicable certification procedures to establish that they are not United States taxpayers in order to avoid the application of such information reporting requirements and backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a United States or non-United States taxpayer will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell securities:
| | through underwriters; |
| | through dealers; |
| | through agents; |
| | directly to purchasers; or |
| | through a combination of any of these methods of sale. |
In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing securityholders.
We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act and describe any commissions that we must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:
| | at a fixed price or prices that may be changed from time to time; |
| | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
| | at negotiated prices. |
Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.
The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:
| | the name of the agent or any underwriters; |
| | the public offering or purchase price; |
| | any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters; |
| | all other items constituting underwriting compensation; |
| | any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and |
| | any exchanges on which the securities will be listed. |
If any underwriters or agents are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
Agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements that they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
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If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:
| | the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and |
| | if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. |
The underwriters and other persons acting as agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.
Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for us or one or more of our respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the 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 securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions may be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than one scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo Alto, California. Additional legal matters may be passed on for us, or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Netflix, Inc. appearing in Netflix, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the report of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at ir.netflix.net. Information accessible on or through our website is not a part of this prospectus.
This prospectus and any prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information on us and our consolidated subsidiaries and the securities that we are offering. Forms of any indenture or other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or under cover of a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this prospectus by reference. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should read the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K and, except as may be noted in any such Form 8-K, exhibits filed on such form that are related to such information), until the offering of the securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is terminated or completed:
| | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on January 26, 2024; |
| | the information incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 18, 2024; |
| | our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on April 22, 2024, and June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on July 19, 2024; and |
| | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 18, 2024 (solely to the extent information is provided under Item 8.01 thereof), and June 7, 2024. |
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:
Netflix, Inc.
121 Albright Way
Los Gatos, California 95032
Attn: Investor Relations
(408) 540-3700
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