FedEx Announces Early Participation Results and Amendment of Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations for Senior Notes

Rhea-AI Summary

FedEx (FDX) has announced the early participation results of its exchange offers for outstanding senior notes and related consent solicitations. For notes tendered by the Early Participation Date (January 22, 2025), eligible holders will receive $970 principal amount of new notes plus an early participation payment of $30 principal amount and $2.50 in cash for each $1,000 of existing USD notes.

The company has received requisite consents for 15 series of Majority Existing Notes, with participation rates ranging from 51.98% to 69.26%. For these notes, FedEx will offer $1,000 principal amount of new notes for late tenders. For Non-Majority Existing Notes (7 series with participation rates between 27.38% and 49.07%), late tenders will receive the Total Consideration including the cash portion.

The exchange offers will expire on February 6, 2025, and are being conducted in connection with the planned separation of FedEx Freight business.

Positive

• High participation rates (51.98% to 69.26%) achieved for Majority Existing Notes
• Successful receipt of requisite consents for 15 series of notes
• Extension of favorable exchange terms for late tenders

Negative

• Lower participation rates (27.38% to 49.07%) for 7 series of Non-Majority Existing Notes
• Exchange offers involve a discount on principal amount ($970 vs $1,000)

Insights

Fixed Income Analyst

This complex debt restructuring initiative reveals FedEx's strategic preparation for the separation of its Freight business, demonstrating sophisticated financial engineering to optimize its capital structure. The strong early participation rates, with 15 out of 22 note series receiving majority consent (>50%), signals robust investor confidence in FedEx's restructuring strategy.

The participation patterns are particularly telling: Euro-denominated notes showed lower participation rates, with the 1.300% Notes due 2031 receiving only 27.38% participation, while USD notes generally achieved higher participation rates, with some exceeding 60%. This divergence suggests European investors may be more cautious about the proposed changes or have different views on the value proposition.

The amended terms for late participants are strategically crafted:

• For Majority Existing Notes: Late participants will receive 1:1 exchange ratio but forfeit the cash portion of the Early Participation Payment
• For Non-Majority Existing Notes: Late participants can still receive the Total Consideration, including the cash payment

This differentiated approach appears designed to incentivize additional participation in series where consent thresholds haven't been met, while maintaining the advantage of early participation for series that have already achieved majority consent. The structure suggests FedEx is prioritizing achieving high participation rates across all series to ensure a smooth transition for the planned Freight business separation.

The exchange offers' connection to the FedEx Freight separation indicates this is part of a broader corporate restructuring strategy, likely aimed at optimizing the debt structure of both entities post-separation. The fact that the separation isn't contingent on the exchange offers' completion provides FedEx with strategic flexibility while potentially affecting the timing and structure of the eventual separation.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) (“FedEx”) announced today the early participation results of its previously announced offers to exchange (each an “Exchange Offer” and, collectively, the “Exchange Offers”) any and all of its outstanding senior notes of the series listed in the tables below (collectively, the “Existing Notes”) for new notes (the “New Notes”) and related consent solicitations (each, a “Consent Solicitation” and, collectively, the “Consent Solicitations”) to adopt certain proposed amendments (the “Proposed Amendments”) to each of the indentures governing the Existing Notes. The results set forth in the tables below reflect the principal amounts of each series of Existing Notes that were validly tendered and not properly withdrawn (and consents thereby validly given and not properly revoked) as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 22, 2025 (the “Early Participation Date”).

Subject to the amendments described herein, as previously announced, for each $1,000 principal amount of Existing USD Notes (as defined herein) or €1,000 principal amount of Existing Euro Notes (as defined herein) validly tendered and not properly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Participation Date, eligible holders are eligible to receive (a) $970 principal amount of the New USD Notes (as defined herein) of the applicable series or €970 principal amount of the New Euro Notes (as defined herein) of the applicable series, as applicable (the “Exchange Consideration”), plus (b) an early participation payment of $30 principal amount of the New USD Notes of the applicable series and $2.50 in cash or €30 principal amount of the New Euro Notes of the applicable series and €2.50 in cash, as applicable (the “Early Participation Payment”). The total consideration, consisting of (a) $970 principal amount of New USD Notes of the applicable series or €970 principal amount of New Euro Notes of the applicable series, as applicable, issued as Exchange Consideration plus (b) the Early Participation Payment, is herein referred to as the “Total Consideration.” The Early Participation Payment will be paid on the settlement date for each Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation.

FedEx further announced that it has amended the terms of the Exchange Offers applicable to eligible holders who validly tender their Existing Notes after the Early Participation Date:

1. solely with respect to each series of Majority Existing Notes (as defined herein), FedEx has extended the offer to eligible holders who validly tender their Majority Existing Notes after the Early Participation Date but before the Expiration Date (as defined herein) to receive $1,000 principal amount of New USD Notes of the applicable series or €1,000 principal amount of New Euro Notes of the applicable series for each $1,000 principal amount of Existing USD Notes or €1,000 principal amount of Existing Euro Notes tendered. Eligible holders who validly tender their Majority Existing Notes after the Early Participation Date but before the Expiration Date will not be eligible to receive the cash portion of the Early Participation Payment; and
2. solely with respect to each series of Non-Majority Existing Notes (as defined herein), FedEx has extended the offer to eligible holders who validly tender their Non-Majority Existing Notes after the Early Participation Date but before the Expiration Date to receive the Total Consideration, which includes the cash portion of the Early Participation Payment.

As of the Early Participation Date, the requisite number of consents have been received to adopt the Proposed Amendments with respect to each of the following series of Existing Notes (collectively, the “Majority Existing Notes”):

						Majority Existing Notes Tendered at Early Participation Date
Title of Series of Notes		CUSIP / ISIN No.		Principal Amount Outstanding		Principal Amount		Percentage
3.400% Notes due 2028		31428XBP0 / US31428XBP06		$500,000,000		$278,782,000		55.76%
3.100% Notes due 2029		31428XBV7 / US31428XBV73		$1,000,000,000		$554,511,000		55.45%
2.400% Notes due 2031		31428XCD6 / US31428XCD66		$1,000,000,000		$536,532,000		53.65%
4.900% Notes due 2034		31428XAX4 / US31428XAX49		$500,000,000		$278,983,000		55.80%
3.900% Notes due 2035		31428XBA3 / US31428XBA37		$500,000,000		$316,942,000		63.39%
3.250% Notes due 2041		31428XCE4 / US31428XCE40		$750,000,000		$461,546,000		61.54%
4.100% Notes due 2043		31428XAU0 / US31428XAU00		$500,000,000		$296,960,000		59.39%
5.100% Notes due 2044		31428XAW6 / US31428XAW65		$750,000,000		$430,492,000		57.40%
4.100% Notes due 2045		31428XBB1 / US31428XBB10		$650,000,000		$416,443,000		64.07%
4.750% Notes due 2045		31428XBE5 / US31428XBE58		$1,250,000,000		$732,394,000		58.59%
4.550% Notes due 2046		31428XBG0 / US31428XBG07		$1,250,000,000		$752,866,000		60.23%
4.400% Notes due 2047		31428XBN5 / US31428XBN57		$750,000,000		$519,472,000		69.26%
4.500% Notes due 2065		31428XBD7 / US31428XBD75		$250,000,000		$149,853,000		59.94%
0.450% Notes due 2029		XS2337252931		€600,000,000		€311,899,000		51.98%
0.950% Notes due 2033		XS2337253319		€650,000,000		€347,240,000		53.42%

As of the Early Participation Date, FedEx also announced that the requisite number of consents had not yet been received to adopt the Proposed Amendments with respect to each of the remaining series of Existing Notes listed in the table below (collectively, the “Non-Majority Existing Notes”):

						Non-Majority Existing Notes Tendered at Early Participation Date
Title of Series of Notes		CUSIP / ISIN No.		Principal Amount Outstanding		Principal Amount		Percentage
4.200% Notes due 2028		31428XBR6 / US31428XBR61		$400,000,000		$173,688,000		43.42%
4.250% Notes due 2030		31428XBZ8 / US31428XBZ87		$750,000,000		$299,473,000		39.93%
3.875% Notes due 2042		31428XAT3 / US31428XAT37		$500,000,000		$245,332,000		49.07%
4.050% Notes due 2048		31428XBQ8 / US31428XBQ88		$1,000,000,000		$409,086,000		40.91%
4.950% Notes due 2048		31428XBS4 / US31428XBS45		$850,000,000		$349,815,000		41.15%
5.250% Notes due 2050		31428XCA2 / US31428XCA28		$1,250,000,000		$427,702,000		34.22%
1.300% Notes due 2031		XS2034629134		€500,000,000		€136,902,000		27.38%

Except with respect to the amendments described above with respect to the consideration payable to eligible holders of Majority Existing Notes and Non-Majority Existing Notes, respectively, who validly tender their Existing Notes after the Early Participation Date but before the Expiration Date, all terms of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations set forth in the Offering Memorandum (as defined herein) remain unchanged.

The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the confidential offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement, dated January 7, 2025 (the “Offering Memorandum”).

Each Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 6, 2025, unless extended or terminated (such date and time with respect to an Exchange Offer, as may be extended for such Exchange Offer, the “Expiration Date”). The right of a holder of tendered Existing Notes to withdraw all or a portion of such holder’s tendered Existing Notes from the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations expired as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 22, 2025. The settlement date for each Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation will be promptly following the Expiration Date of such Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation.

The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made in connection with the contemplated Separation (as defined herein). The Separation is not conditioned upon the completion of any of the Exchange Offers or Consent Solicitations, and none of the Exchange Offers or Consent Solicitations is conditioned upon completion of the Separation. As used in this press release, the “Separation” means any sale, exchange, transfer, distribution, or other disposition of assets and/or capital stock of one or more subsidiaries of FedEx resulting in the separation of the FedEx Freight business through the capital markets to create a new publicly traded company.

In this press release, references to the “Existing USD Notes” collectively refer to FedEx’s existing 3.400% Notes due 2028, 4.200% Notes due 2028, 3.100% Notes due 2029, 4.250% Notes due 2030, 2.400% Notes due 2031, 4.900% Notes due 2034, 3.900% Notes due 2035, 3.250% Notes due 2041, 3.875% Notes due 2042, 4.100% Notes due 2043, 5.100% Notes due 2044, 4.100% Notes due 2045, 4.750% Notes due 2045, 4.550% Notes due 2046, 4.400% Notes due 2047, 4.050% Notes due 2048, 4.950% Notes due 2048, 5.250% Notes due 2050 and 4.500% Notes due 2065. References to the “Existing Euro Notes” collectively refer to FedEx’s existing 0.450% Notes due 2029, 1.300% Notes due 2031 and 0.950% Notes due 2033. The Existing USD Notes and the Existing Euro Notes are referred to herein collectively as the Existing Notes. References to “New USD Notes” collectively refer to FedEx’s new 3.400% Notes due 2028, 4.200% Notes due 2028, 3.100% Notes due 2029, 4.250% Notes due 2030, 2.400% Notes due 2031, 4.900% Notes due 2034, 3.900% Notes due 2035, 3.250% Notes due 2041, 3.875% Notes due 2042, 4.100% Notes due 2043, 5.100% Notes due 2044, 4.100% Notes due 2045, 4.750% Notes due 2045, 4.550% Notes due 2046, 4.400% Notes due 2047, 4.050% Notes due 2048, 4.950% Notes due 2048, 5.250% Notes due 2050 and 4.500% Notes due 2065. References to “New Euro Notes” collectively refer to FedEx’s new 0.450% Notes due 2029, 1.300% Notes due 2031 and 0.950% Notes due 2033. The New USD Notes and the New Euro Notes are referred to herein collectively as the New Notes.

The New Notes of each series will accrue interest from (and including) the most recent date on which interest has been paid (or, in the case of the 3.400% Notes due 2028 and 4.050% Notes due 2048, February 15, 2025) on the corresponding series of Existing Notes accepted in the Exchange Offers. Except as set forth above, no accrued but unpaid interest will be paid with respect to Existing Notes tendered for exchange, subject to the right of holders of record of the 3.400% Notes due 2028 and 4.050% Notes due 2048 as of the close of business on February 1, 2025 (the regular record date for each such series of Existing Notes) to receive accrued and unpaid interest on such Existing Notes on February 17, 2025 (the first business day following the regular interest payment date for each such series of Existing Notes of February 15, 2025).

Documents relating to the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations will only be distributed to eligible holders of Existing Notes who complete and return an eligibility form confirming that they are (a) a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or (b) a person that is outside the United States and that is (i) not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act and (ii) meets certain other eligibility requirements in their applicable jurisdiction. The complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are described in the Offering Memorandum, a copy of which may be obtained by contacting Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the exchange agent and information agent in connection with the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations, at (855) 654-2015 (U.S. toll-free) or (212) 430-3774 (banks and brokers). The eligibility form is available electronically at: https://gbsc-usa.com/eligibility/fedex.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of tenders or consents with respect to, any security. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made solely pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and only to such persons and in such jurisdictions as are permitted under applicable law.

The New Notes offered in the Exchange Offers have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act or any state or foreign securities laws. The New Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States or to any U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements, such as statements regarding the Separation and the expected timing of completion of the Exchange Offers and receipt of requisite consents in the Consent Solicitations. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or that include the words “will,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “intends” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the global markets in which FedEx operates; FedEx’s ability to successfully implement its business strategy and global transformation program and optimize its network through Network 2.0, effectively respond to changes in market dynamics, and achieve the anticipated benefits of such strategies and actions; FedEx’s ability to achieve its cost reduction initiatives and financial performance goals; the timing and amount of any costs or benefits or any specific outcome, transaction, or change (of which there can be no assurance), or the terms, timing, and structure thereof, related to FedEx’s global transformation program and other ongoing reviews and initiatives; a significant data breach or other disruption to FedEx’s technology infrastructure; FedEx’s ability to successfully implement the Separation and achieve the anticipated benefits of such transaction; damage to FedEx’s reputation or loss of brand equity; FedEx’s ability to remove costs related to services provided to the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) under the contract for Federal Express Corporation to provide the USPS domestic transportation services that expired on September 29, 2024; FedEx’s ability to meet its labor and purchased transportation needs while controlling related costs; failure of third-party service providers to perform as expected, or disruptions in FedEx’s relationships with those providers or their provision of services to FedEx; the effects of a widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable disease or public health crises; anti-trade measures and additional changes in international trade policies and relations; the effect of any international conflicts or terrorist activities, including as a result of the current conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East; changes in fuel prices or currency exchange rates, including significant increases in fuel prices as a result of the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East and other geopolitical and regulatory developments; the effect of intense competition; FedEx’s ability to match capacity to shifting volume levels; an increase in self-insurance accruals and expenses; failure to receive or collect expected insurance coverage; FedEx’s ability to effectively operate, integrate, leverage, and grow acquired businesses and realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and other strategic transactions; noncash impairment charges related to its goodwill and certain deferred tax assets; the future rate of e-commerce growth; evolving or new U.S. domestic or international laws and government regulations, policies, and actions; future guidance, regulations, interpretations, challenges, or judicial decisions related to FedEx’s tax positions; labor-related disruptions; legal challenges or changes related to service providers contracted to conduct certain linehaul and pickup-and-delivery operations and the drivers providing services on their behalf and the coverage of U.S. employees at Federal Express Corporation under the Railway Labor Act of 1926, as amended; FedEx’s ability to quickly and effectively restore operations following adverse weather or a localized disaster or disturbance in a key geography; any liability resulting from and the costs of defending against litigation; FedEx’s ability to achieve its goal of carbon-neutral operations by 2040; and other factors which can be found in FedEx’s and its subsidiaries’ press releases and FedEx’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024, and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. FedEx does not undertake or assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250122850677/en/

Media

Caitlin Maier

901-434-8100

mediarelations@fedex.com

or

Investor Relations

Jeni Hollander

901-818-7200

ir@fedex.com

Source: FedEx Corp.

FAQ

When do FedEx's (FDX) exchange offers expire?

FedEx's exchange offers will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 6, 2025, unless extended or terminated.

What is the exchange consideration for FDX's early participants?

Early participants receive $970 principal amount of new notes plus $30 principal amount and $2.50 in cash for each $1,000 of existing USD notes.

What percentage of FDX's Majority Existing Notes were tendered?

The participation rates for Majority Existing Notes ranged from 51.98% to 69.26%, with the highest participation in the 4.400% Notes due 2047 at 69.26%.

How many series of notes received requisite consents in FDX's exchange offer?

15 series of notes (Majority Existing Notes) received the requisite consents to adopt the Proposed Amendments.

What is the purpose of FDX's exchange offers and consent solicitations?

The exchange offers are being conducted in connection with the planned separation of the FedEx Freight business to create a new publicly traded company.