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Kroger Announces Extension of Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations for Albertsons Companies, Inc. Notes

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Kroger has extended the expiration date of its exchange offers for Albertsons Companies notes from December 9 to December 13, 2024. The exchange offers cover up to $7.44 billion aggregate principal amount of new Kroger notes and cash in exchange for outstanding Albertsons notes. The settlement is expected to occur promptly after the expiration date and the closing of the merger, which is anticipated during Q4 2024.

As of August 29, 2024, the required consents were received for the Consented Series, with supplemental indentures executed. The proposed amendments will become operative upon settlement. Tenders can be withdrawn before the expiration date, and the exchange offers remain conditional upon the merger closing.

Kroger ha prorogato la data di scadenza delle sue offerte di scambio per le note delle Albertsons Companies dal 9 dicembre al 13 dicembre 2024. Le offerte di scambio coprono fino a 7,44 miliardi di dollari di importo principale aggregato di nuove note di Kroger e contante in cambio delle note outstanding di Albertsons. Il pagamento è previsto immediatamente dopo la data di scadenza e la chiusura della fusione, attesa per il quarto trimestre del 2024.

Al 29 agosto 2024, sono stati ricevuti i consensi richiesti per la Serie Consensuale, con le relative indennità supplementari firmate. Le modifiche proposte entreranno in vigore al momento del pagamento. Le offerte possono essere ritirate prima della data di scadenza e le offerte di scambio rimangono soggette alla chiusura della fusione.

Kroger ha extendido la fecha de vencimiento de sus ofertas de canje para las notas de Albertsons Companies del 9 de diciembre al 13 de diciembre de 2024. Las ofertas de canje cubren hasta un monto principal agregado de 7.44 mil millones de dólares en nuevas notas de Kroger y efectivo a cambio de las notas pendientes de Albertsons. Se espera que el acuerdo ocurra rápidamente después de la fecha de vencimiento y el cierre de la fusión, que se anticipa durante el cuarto trimestre de 2024.

Hasta el 29 de agosto de 2024, se recibieron los consentimientos requeridos para la Serie Consensuada, con enmiendas suplementarias ejecutadas. Las enmiendas propuestas entrarán en vigor al momento del acuerdo. Las ofertas pueden ser retiradas antes de la fecha de vencimiento y las ofertas de canje permanecen condicionadas al cierre de la fusión.

KrogerAlbertsons Companies의 채권 교환 제안의 만료 날짜를 2024년 12월 9일에서 12월 13일로 연장했습니다. 교환 제안은 새로운 Kroger 채권 및 현금에 대한 $74억 4천만의 총 원금 금액을 포함하며, 미결제된 Albertsons 채권과의 교환을 포함합니다. 합병이 종료되는 2024년 4분기 직후에 이행이 이루어질 것으로 예상됩니다.

2024년 8월 29일 현재, 동의된 시리즈에 대한 필수 동의가 수령되었으며 보충 계약이 체결되었습니다. 제안된 수정 사항은 이행 시에 발효됩니다. 만료일 이전에 제안서를 철회할 수 있으며 교환 제안은 합병 종료에 조건이 있습니다.

Kroger a prolongé la date d'expiration de ses offres d'échange pour les notes de Albertsons Companies du 9 décembre au 13 décembre 2024. Les offres d'échange portent sur un montant principal total pouvant atteindre 7,44 milliards de dollars de nouvelles notes Kroger et de liquidités en échange des notes en circulation d'Albertsons. Le règlement est prévu peu après la date d'expiration et la clôture de la fusion, attendue durant le 4ème trimestre 2024.

Au 29 août 2024, les consentements requis ont été reçus pour la série consentie, avec des actes d'indenture supplémentaires signés. Les amendements proposés entreront en vigueur lors du règlement. Les offres peuvent être retirées avant la date d'expiration, et les offres d'échange restent conditionnelles à la clôture de la fusion.

Kroger hat das Ablaufdatum seiner Tauschangebote für die Anleihen der Albertsons Companies vom 9. Dezember auf den 13. Dezember 2024 verlängert. Die Tauschangebote umfassen bis zu 7,44 Milliarden Dollar an Gesamtnennbeträgen neuer Kroger-Anleihen und Bargeld im Austausch für ausstehende Albertsons-Anleihen. Die Abrechnung wird voraussichtlich sofort nach dem Ablaufdatum und dem Abschluss der Fusion erfolgen, der im vierten Quartal 2024 erwartet wird.

Am 29. August 2024 wurden die erforderlichen Zustimmungen für die konsentierte Serie erhalten, und ergänzende Indenturen wurden unterzeichnet. Die vorgeschlagenen Änderungen treten bei der Abrechnung in Kraft. Angebote können vor dem Ablaufdatum zurückgezogen werden, und die Tauschangebote bleiben unter dem Vorbehalt des Abschlusses der Fusion.

Positive
  • Received required consents for amendments to indentures (Consented Series)
  • Merger progression on track for Q4 2024 completion
Negative
  • None.

Insights

Kroger's extension of the exchange offers and consent solicitations for Albertsons' notes is a significant financial maneuver tied to their $24.6 billion merger. The exchange offers, covering up to $7.44 billion in notes, represent a important step in restructuring the combined entity's debt. The extension to December 13 suggests ongoing complexities in securing noteholder approvals, though progress is evident with some series already receiving consent. This debt exchange is strategically important as it helps maintain financial flexibility post-merger and manages the combined company's debt structure. The Q4 2024 merger timeline remains on track, with the debt exchange expected to close simultaneously with the merger completion.

This extension demonstrates careful compliance with securities regulations, particularly regarding the distribution of exchange offer documents only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A or non-U.S. persons under Regulation S. The structured approach to consent solicitations and the clear separation between consented and unconsented series shows meticulous legal planning. The maintenance of withdrawal rights until the expiration date protects noteholder interests. Notably, the new Kroger notes will be issued without SEC registration, relying on exemptions from Securities Act requirements. This complex transaction structure reflects sophisticated legal engineering to facilitate the merger while managing regulatory compliance.

CINCINNATI, Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) (the "Company" or "Kroger") announced today that it has extended the expiration date of the previously announced offers to exchange (the "Exchange Offers") any and all outstanding notes (the "ACI Notes") of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) ("ACI"), New Albertsons, L.P., Safeway Inc., Albertson's LLC, Albertsons Safeway LLC and American Stores Company, LLC, as applicable, for up to $7,441,608,000 aggregate principal amount of new notes to be issued by the Company (the "Kroger Notes") and cash. Additionally, Kroger announced today that it has extended the expiration date for the related solicitations of consents (collectively, the "Consent Solicitations") to adopt certain proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to the indentures (collectively, the "ACI Indentures") governing the ACI Notes, solely with respect to the Unconsented Series (as defined in the Company's press release issued on September 11, 2024). The Company hereby extends such expiration date from 5:00 p.m. New York City time on December 9, 2024 to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on December 13, 2024 (as the same may be further extended, the "Expiration Date").

As of August 29, 2024, the requisite number of consents were received to adopt the Proposed Amendments with respect to the Consented Series (as defined in the Company's press release issued on September 11, 2024), and the relevant parties had executed supplemental indentures to the applicable ACI Indentures implementing the Proposed Amendments. The Proposed Amendments will only become operative upon the settlement of the Exchange Offers, which is expected to occur promptly after the Expiration Date.

Tenders of ACI Notes made pursuant to the Exchange Offers (but not consents delivered pursuant to the Consent Solicitations) may be validly withdrawn at or prior to the Expiration Date.

The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions described in the confidential offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement dated August 15, 2024 (the "Offering Memorandum"), as amended by subsequent related press releases issued by the Company and as further amended by this press release, and is conditioned upon the closing of the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company with and into ACI, with ACI surviving the merger as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger"), which condition may not be waived by Kroger, and certain other conditions that may be waived by Kroger. The closing of the Merger is not conditioned upon the completion of the Exchange Offers or Consent Solicitations.

The settlement of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations is expected to occur promptly after the Expiration Date and is expected to occur on or promptly after the closing date of the Merger. The Merger is expected to close during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2024 and, as a result, the Expiration Date may be further extended by the Company. Kroger currently anticipates providing notice of any such extension in advance of the Expiration Date. If, at the Expiration Date, the conditions to the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations (other than the consummation of the Merger) have been satisfied or waived, then settlement will occur on or about the date that the Merger is consummated.

Except as described in this press release and the Company's related press releases regarding the Exchange Offers, all other terms of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations remain unchanged.

Documents relating to the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations will only be distributed to eligible holders of ACI Notes who complete and return an eligibility certificate confirming that they are either a "qualified institutional buyer" under Rule 144A or not a "U.S. person" and outside the United States under Regulation S for purposes of applicable securities laws. The complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are described in the Offering Memorandum, copies of which may be obtained by contacting the exchange agent and information agent in connection with the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations, at (855) 654-2015 (toll-free) or (212) 430-3774 (banks and brokers), or by email at contact@gbsc-usa.com. The eligibility certificate is available electronically at: https://gbsc-usa.com/eligibility/kroger and is also available by contacting Global Bondholder Services Corporation.

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 Kroger Notes offered in the Exchange Offers have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws. Therefore, the Kroger Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state securities laws.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies nearly 420,000 associates who serve over eleven million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on Kroger's assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to the Company. These statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors, including the risks and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Offering Memorandum, that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such statements are indicated by words or phrases such as "achieve," "affect," "anticipate," "assumptions," "believe," "committed," "continue," "could," "deliver," "effect," "enable," "estimate," "expects," "future," "goal," "growth," "guidance," "intended," "likely," "maintain," "may," "model," "plan," "position," "program," "result," "strategy," "strong," "trend," "will" and "would," and variations of such words and similar phrases. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Various uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include:

  • the extent to which Kroger's sources of liquidity are sufficient to meet its requirements may be affected by the state of the financial markets and the effect that such condition has on its ability to issue commercial paper at acceptable rates. Kroger's ability to borrow under its committed lines of credit, including its bank credit facilities, could be impaired if one or more of Kroger's lenders under those lines is unwilling or unable to honor its contractual obligation to lend to Kroger, or in the event that global pandemics, natural disasters or weather conditions interfere with the ability of Kroger lenders to lend to Kroger. Kroger's ability to refinance maturing debt may be affected by the state of the financial markets;

  • Kroger's ability to achieve sales, earnings, incremental FIFO operating profit, and adjusted free cash flow goals, which may be affected by: its proposed transaction with ACI including, among other things, Kroger's ability to consummate the proposed transaction and related divestiture plan, including on the terms of the Merger Agreement and divestiture plan, on the anticipated timeline, with the required regulatory approvals, and/or resolution of pending litigation challenging the Merger; labor negotiations; potential work stoppages; changes in the unemployment rate; pressures in the labor market; changes in government-funded benefit programs; changes in the types and numbers of businesses that compete with us; pricing and promotional activities of existing and new competitors, and the aggressiveness of that competition; Kroger's response to these actions; the state of the economy, including interest rates, the inflationary, disinflationary and/or deflationary trends and such trends in certain commodities, products and/or operating costs; the geopolitical environment including wars and conflicts; unstable political situations and social unrest; changes in tariffs; the effect that fuel costs have on consumer spending; volatility of fuel margins; manufacturing commodity costs; supply constraints; diesel fuel costs related to Kroger's logistics operations; trends in consumer spending; the extent to which Kroger's customers exercise caution in their purchasing in response to economic conditions; the uncertainty of economic growth or recession; stock repurchases; changes in the regulatory environment in which Kroger operates, along with changes in federal policy and at regulatory agencies; Kroger's ability to retain pharmacy sales from third party payors; consolidation in the healthcare industry, including pharmacy benefit managers; Kroger's ability to negotiate modifications to multi-employer pension plans; natural disasters or adverse weather conditions; the effect of public health crises or other significant catastrophic events; the potential costs and risks associated with potential cyber-attacks or data security breaches; the success of Kroger's future growth plans; the ability to execute Kroger's growth strategy and value creation model, including continued cost savings, growth of Kroger's alternative profit businesses, and Kroger's ability to better serve its customers and to generate customer loyalty and sustainable growth through its strategic pillars of Fresh, Our Brands, Data & Personalization, and Seamless; the successful integration of merged companies and new strategic collaborations; Kroger's ability to maintain an investment grade credit rating; and the risks relating to or arising from its proposed nationwide opioid litigation settlement, including our ability to finalize and effectuate the settlement, the scope and coverage of the ultimate settlement and the expected financial or other impacts that could result from the settlement;

  • Kroger's ability to achieve these goals may also be affected by its ability to manage the factors identified above. Kroger's ability to execute its financial strategy may be affected by its ability to generate cash flow;

  • Kroger's effective tax rate may differ from the expected rate due to changes in tax laws or policies, the status of pending items with various taxing authorities, and the deductibility of certain expenses; and

  • the outcome of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations. 

The Company cannot fully foresee the effects of changes in economic conditions on Kroger's business. Other factors and assumptions not identified above, including those discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Offering Memorandum, the "Risk Factors" section in Kroger's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in any subsequent documents that Kroger files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, could also cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking information. Accordingly, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in, contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements made by Kroger or Kroger's representatives. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-announces-extension-of-exchange-offers-and-consent-solicitations-for-albertsons-companies-inc-notes-302323627.html

SOURCE The Kroger Co.

FAQ

What is the new expiration date for Kroger's (KR) exchange offers for Albertsons notes?

Kroger has extended the expiration date to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on December 13, 2024.

What is the total value of notes being exchanged in Kroger's (KR) offer?

The exchange offers cover up to $7,441,608,000 aggregate principal amount of new Kroger notes and cash.

When is Kroger's (KR) merger with Albertsons expected to close?

The merger is expected to close during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2024.

The Kroger Co.

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