424B5
Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement No. 333-281932

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are not an offer to sell and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated September 4, 2024)

 

 

LOGO

1,000,000 Shares

CSW Industrials, Inc.

Common Stock

$   per share

 

 

We are selling 1,000,000 shares of our common stock.

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 150,000 additional shares at the public offering price set forth above, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “CSWI.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq on September 3, 2024 was $315.47 per share.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement, page 5 of the accompanying base prospectus, and in the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus to read about important facts you should consider before buying our common stock.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     Per Share      Total  

Public Offering Price

   $           $       

Underwriting Discount(1)

   $        $    

Proceeds (before expenses)

   $        $    

 

(1)

See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)” for additional disclosure regarding the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to the purchasers on or about     , 2024 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

J.P. Morgan     Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
  Truist Securities  

 

Wells Fargo Securities   Citigroup

Co-Managers

 

CJS Securities   Comerica Securities    TPH&Co.    Zions Capital Markets

 

 

   , 2024


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

     S-1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     S-2  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-3  

SUMMARY

     S-5  

RISK FACTORS

     S-9  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-11  

CAPITALIZATION

     S-12  

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

     S-13  

UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

     S-17  

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-26  

EXPERTS

     S-26  

PROSPECTUS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     1  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     2  

THE COMPANY

     4  

RISK FACTORS

     5  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     5  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     6  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

     18  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     20  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

     22  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     23  

SELLING STOCKHOLDER

     24  

LEGAL MATTERS

     27  

EXPERTS

     27  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. We provide information to you about the issuance and sale of the common stock offered hereby in two separate documents that are bound together: (1) this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific details regarding the issuance and sale of the common stock offered hereby and (2) the accompanying base prospectus, which provides general information regarding us, our securities, and other information, some of which may not apply to the issuance and sale of the common stock offered hereby. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus supplement. However, if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement having a later date, the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement as our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the earlier date.

You should read this prospectus supplement, together with the accompanying base prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with the issuance and sale of the common stock offered hereby before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents referred to in the sections of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying base prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with the issuance and sale of the common stock offered hereby. 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 nor a solicitation of an offer to buy our common stock in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not permitted or in which the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. No action is being taken in any jurisdiction outside the United States to permit a public offering of our common stock or possession or distribution of this prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus in that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus in jurisdictions outside the United States are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions as to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus applicable to that jurisdiction.

The information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with the issuance and sale of the common stock offered hereby is accurate only as of its respective date, regardless of the time of delivery of the respective document or of any sale of securities covered by this prospectus supplement. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying base prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with the issuance and sale of the common stock offered hereby, is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates thereof.

Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted, all references in this prospectus or any accompanying base prospectus supplement to “CSWI,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” are to CSW Industrials, Inc. and, as applicable, its subsidiaries.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we have filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus supplement, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus supplement, any subsequently filed document deemed incorporated by reference or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC (other than information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May  23, 2024 and the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on July 1, 2024 and incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2024;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on July 31, 2024;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 3, 2024 and August 16, 2024; and

 

   

the description of our common stock set forth in Exhibit 4.1 to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

In addition, all documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (excluding any information “furnished” pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 with the SEC on any Current Report on Form 8-K and other portions of documents that are “furnished,” but not “filed,” pursuant to applicable rules promulgated by the SEC, unless otherwise noted), after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the completion or termination of this offering, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

We file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC (File No. 1-37454). The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s website. We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website, www.cswindustrials.com, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information contained on our Internet website is not a part of this prospectus supplement and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement (unless specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement as described above).

You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement from the SEC through the SEC’s website at the address provided above. We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered a copy of any or all of the information that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement (excluding any exhibit to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into such documents), at no cost, by visiting our Internet website at www.sbow.com, or by writing or calling us at the following address:

Investor Relations Department

CSW Industrials, Inc.

5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 500

Dallas, Texas 75240

(214) 884-3777

 

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Except as provided above, no other information, including information on our website, is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, herein, including those regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, well expectations and drilling plans, estimated production levels, expected oil and natural gas pricing, estimated oil and natural gas reserves or the present value thereof, reserve increases, service costs, impact of inflation, capital expenditures, budget, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, the words “will,” “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “budgeted,” “guidance,” “expect,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan,” “project,” “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the following risks and uncertainties:

 

   

our business strategy;

 

   

changes in local political, economic, social and labor conditions;

 

   

potential disruptions from wars and military conflicts, including geopolitical uncertainty due to the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine;

 

   

future levels of revenues, operating margins, income from operations, net income or earnings per share;

 

   

the ability to respond to anticipated inflationary pressure, including reductions on consumer discretionary income and our ability to pass along rising costs through increased selling prices;

 

   

anticipated levels of demand for our products and services;

 

   

the actual impact to supply, production levels and costs from global supply chain logistics and transportation challenges;

 

   

future levels of research and development, capital, environmental or maintenance expenditures;

 

   

our beliefs regarding the timing and effects on our business of health and safety, tax, environmental or other legislation, rules and regulations;

 

   

the success or timing of completion of ongoing or anticipated capital, restructuring or maintenance projects;

 

   

expectations regarding the acquisition or divestiture of assets and businesses;

 

   

our ability to obtain appropriate insurance and indemnities;

 

   

the potential effects of judicial or other proceedings, including tax audits, on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows;

 

   

the anticipated effects of actions of third parties such as competitors, or federal, foreign, state or local regulatory authorities, or plaintiffs in litigation;

 

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the expected impact of accounting pronouncements; and

 

   

the other factors listed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report and other filings with the SEC.

This list of risks and uncertainties, however, is only a summary of some of the most important factors and is not intended to be exhaustive. You should carefully review the risks that are set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as supplemented by any Current Report on Form 8-K. New factors that are not currently known to us or of which we are currently unaware may also emerge from time to time that could materially and adversely affect us.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

 

 

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any related free writing prospectus carefully, including the information referred to in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement, as well as the other documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, including our financial statements and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus is a part.

The Company

CSWI is a diversified industrial growth company with a strategic focus on providing niche, value-added products in the end markets we serve. We operate in three business segments: Contractor Solutions, Specialized Reliability Solutions and Engineered Building Solutions. Our products include mechanical products for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (“HVAC/R”), plumbing products, grilles, registers and diffusers (“GRD”), building safety solutions and high-performance specialty lubricants and sealants. End markets that we serve include HVAC/R, architecturally-specified building products, plumbing, general industrial, energy, rail transportation and mining. Our manufacturing operations are concentrated in the United States (“U.S.”), Vietnam and Canada, and we have distribution operations in the U.S., Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). Our products are sold directly to end-users or through designated channels in over 100 countries around the world, primarily including the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia.

Drawing on our innovative and proven technologies, we seek to deliver solutions primarily to our contractors that place a premium on superior performance and reliability. We believe our brands are well known in the specific end markets we serve and have a reputation for high quality. We rely on both organic growth and inorganic growth through acquisitions to provide an increasingly broad portfolio of performance optimizing solutions that meet our customers’ ever-changing needs. We have a successful record of making attractive and synergistic acquisitions that support expansion of our broad portfolio of solutions, and we remain focused on identifying additional acquisition opportunities in our core end markets.

Through our operating companies, we have a well-established legacy of providing high quality products accompanied by dependable service and attention to customer satisfaction. We also have a long history of innovation, through which we have developed a robust line of products to solve our customers’ specific challenges. These products are distributed through an extensive wholesale distribution network serving the HVAC/R, architecturally-specified buildings products, plumbing, general industrial, energy, rail transportation and mining end markets. Our desire to develop solutions for our contractors, combined with the differentiated nature of our niche product offerings, drives loyalty to our brands.

CSWI is a Delaware corporation and was incorporated in 2014 in anticipation of CSWI’s separation from Capital Southwest Corporation (“Capital Southwest”). Our well-established operating companies provide a collective history that spans more than a century. The separation was executed on September 30, 2015 through a pro-rata share distribution of all the then outstanding shares of common stock of CSWI to the holders of common stock of Capital Southwest (the “Share Distribution”). Since the separation, CSWI has been an independent, publicly-traded company, listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

 

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Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas 75240 and our telephone number is (214) 884-3777. Our website is located at www.cswindustrials.com. The information on or connected to this website is not part of this prospectus.

 

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The Offering

 

Issuer

CSW Industrials, Inc.

 

Shares of common stock offered by us

1,000,000 shares of common stock (1,150,000 shares of common stock if the underwriters exercise in full their 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 150,000 shares of common stock from us at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts).

 

Public offering price per share

$   .

 

Shares of common stock outstanding prior to this offering

15,526,513 shares, as of August 27, 2024.

 

Shares of common stock outstanding immediately after this offering

16,526,513 shares of common stock (16,676,513 shares of common stock if the underwriters exercise in full their 30-day option to purchase additional shares from us at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts).

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $   , after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay debt and for general corporate purposes, including potential future acquisitions. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Conflicts of Interest

Because JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Truist Bank, an affiliate of Truist Securities, Inc., and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, are lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility and will each be repaid under the Revolving Credit Facility with at least five percent of the proceeds from this offering, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Truist Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are deemed to have a “conflict of interest” under FINRA Rule 5121. Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of Rule 5121. Pursuant to that rule, the appointment of a “qualified independent underwriter” is not required in connection with this offering. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121(c), no sales of the shares in this offering will be made to any discretionary account over which J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Truist Securities, Inc. or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC exercise discretion without the prior specific written approval of the account holder.

 

Risk factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Please see “Risk Factors” on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before investing in our common stock.

 

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NASDAQ symbol

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol “CSWI.”

 

Transfer agent

Equiniti Trust Company is transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

Except as otherwise noted, we have presented the information in this prospectus supplement assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of common stock and no vesting of restricted stock unit awards or performance-based stock unit awards and no exercise of outstanding stock options.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the risk factors set forth below, you should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2024, and other filings we make with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus prior to making an investment in our common stock. If any of the described risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Please read “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

The risks described below and those risks described in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial individually or in the aggregate may also adversely affect our business operations.

Risks Related to the Common Stock

The market price of our common stock may be volatile, and your investment in our stock could suffer a decline in value.

The market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to:

 

   

our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;

 

   

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

 

   

changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

   

public reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, dispositions, innovations, or new programs and services;

 

   

changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts following our stock, or the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock after this offering;

 

   

changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;

 

   

the failure of securities analysts to publish research about us after this offering or to make changes in their financial estimates;

 

   

the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;

 

   

general economic conditions and overall market fluctuations;

 

   

the trading volume of our common stock;

 

   

changes in business, legal or regulatory conditions, or other developments affecting participants in, and publicity regarding our business or any of our significant customers or competitors;

 

   

results of operations that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors or those of our competitors;

 

   

future sales of our common stock by us, directors, executives and significant stockholders; and

 

   

changes in economic and political conditions in our markets.

In particular, the realization of any of the risks described in these “Risk Factors” and the documents incorporated by reference herein could have a material and adverse impact on the market price of our common

 

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stock in the future and cause the value of your investment to decline. In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme volatility in recent years that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock over the short, medium or long term, regardless of our actual performance.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted securities class action litigation. If we were to be involved in a class action lawsuit, it could divert the attention of senior management and, if adversely determined, have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our company, or if they issue unfavorable commentary about us or our industry or downgrade the outlook of our common stock, the market price of our common stock could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that third-party securities analysts publish about our company and our industry. One or more analysts could downgrade the outlook for our common stock or issue other negative commentary about our company or our industry. Furthermore, if one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company, we could lose visibility in the market. As a result of one or more of these factors, the market price of our common stock could decline and cause you to lose all or a portion of your investment.

This offering will be dilutive, and there may be future dilution of our common stock, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We cannot predict whether this offering or any future issuance or sale of shares of our common stock or the availability of shares for resale in the open market will decrease the per share trading price of our common stock. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of any dilutive effect that such sales, including this offering, may have on our earnings per share. Such a decline may also occur as a result of (i) additional sales, or the perception that such additional sales could occur, particularly by our directors, executive officers and significant stockholders, (ii) issuances of restricted stock unit awards, performance-based stock unit awards and stock option awards granted to certain directors, executive officers or employees under our equity incentive plans, or (iii) issuances in connection with future property or business acquisitions.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $   , after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay the outstanding balance under our Revolving Credit Facility which as of the date of this prospectus was $130,000,000, with the remainder for general corporate purposes, including potential future acquisitions.

As of June 30, 2024, there was $115 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility denominated in U.S. dollars bear interest at either a base rate plus between 0.25% to 1.50% or adjusted term SOFR plus between 1.25% to 2.50%, in each case based on the Company’s leverage ratio calculated on a quarterly basis. The base rate is the highest of (i) the Federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate quoted by The Wall Street Journal, and (iii) the one-month adjusted term SOFR rate plus 1.00%. The Revolving Credit Facility matures on May 18, 2026.

Certain of the underwriters and/or their affiliates are lenders under our Revolving Credit Facility. As described above, to the extent that we use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay amounts under our Revolving Credit Facility, such underwriters and/or their affiliates will receive their proportionate share of any amount of such borrowings that are repaid with the net proceeds from this offering. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest).”

Pending these uses, we expect to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing securities.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our unaudited cash and capitalization as of June 30, 2024:

 

   

on an actual basis; and

 

   

on an as-adjusted basis to reflect the consummation of this offering and the net proceeds therefrom being used to repay amounts outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses.

You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2024, each of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, as well as the sections of this prospectus supplement.

 

     As of June 30, 2024  
(Dollars in thousands)    Actual      As Adjusted  
     (unaudited)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 18,852      $       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt:

     

Revolving Credit Facility (1)

   $ 115,000      $ —   

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value (10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued)

     —         —   

Common stock, $0.01 par value (50,000,000 shares authorized, 15,530,737 issued and outstanding (historical),     issued and outstanding (as adjusted)

     164     

Additional paid-in capital

     143,970     

Treasury stock, held at cost

     (102,406   

Retained earnings

     618,381     

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (9,951   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     650,158     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 765,158      $    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

As of September 4, 2024, we had outstanding borrowings of approximately $130 million and availability of approximately $370 million under our Revolving Credit Facility.

 

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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations related to the ownership and disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder (as defined below) that purchases our common stock pursuant to this offering and holds our common stock as a “capital asset” (generally property held for investment). This summary is based on the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. We have not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with such statements and conclusions.

This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders in light of their personal circumstances. In addition, this summary does not address the impact of the Medicare surtax on certain net investment income, U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws, any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or any tax treaties. This summary also does not address tax considerations applicable to investors that may be subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:

 

   

banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions;

 

   

tax-exempt or governmental organizations;

 

   

qualified foreign pension funds (or any entities all of the interests of which are held by a qualified foreign pension fund);

 

   

dealers in securities or foreign currencies;

 

   

traders in securities that use the mark-to-market method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

   

persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

   

partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or holders of interests therein;

 

   

real estate investment trusts or regulated investment companies;

 

   

controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies or corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

   

persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to our common stock as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement;

 

   

persons that own, or are deemed to own, more than five percent (5%) of our common stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below);

 

   

persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

   

persons that acquired our common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation or through a tax-qualified retirement plan;

 

   

certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; and

 

 

   

persons that hold our common stock as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction.

PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR

 

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PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

Non-U.S. Holder Defined

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is not for U.S. federal income tax purposes a partnership or any of the following:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust (i) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and that has one or more United States persons that have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) that has made a valid election under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partner and the partnership. Accordingly, we urge partners in partnerships (including entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) considering the purchase of our common stock to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of our common stock by such partnership.

Distributions

Any distributions of cash or other property on our common stock (other than certain stock distributions) will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Subject to the withholding requirements under FATCA (as defined below) and with respect to effectively connected dividends, each of which is discussed below, any dividends made to a non-U.S. holder on our common stock generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of thirty percent (30%) of the gross amount of the dividend unless an applicable income tax treaty provides for a lower rate. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) certifying qualification for the reduced rate. This certification generally must be provided before the payment of dividends and generally must be updated periodically.

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are treated as attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States) generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the manner generally applicable to United States persons (as defined under the Code). Such effectively connected dividends will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax if the non-U.S. holder satisfies certain certification requirements by providing the applicable withholding agent a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI certifying eligibility for exemption. If the non-U.S. holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax (at a thirty percent (30%) rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits (as adjusted for certain items), which will include effectively connected dividends.

If the amount of a distribution on our common stock exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distributions will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the non-U.S. holder’s

 

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tax basis in our common stock and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such common stock. See “—Gain on Disposition of Common Stock.” A non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a share of our common stock is generally the purchase price of such share, reduced by the amounts of any such tax-free returns of capital.

Gain on Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the discussions below under “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—Additional Withholding Requirements under FATCA,” a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock unless:

 

   

the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met;

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States); or

 

   

our common stock constitutes a United States real property interest by reason of our status as a United States real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and as a result such gain is treated as effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States.

A non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of thirty percent (30%) (or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount of such gain, which generally may be offset by U.S. source capital losses.

A non-U.S. holder whose gain is described in the second bullet point above or, subject to the exceptions described in the next paragraph, the third bullet point above, generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the manner generally applicable to United States persons (as defined under the Code) unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. If the non-U.S. holder is a corporation, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax (at a thirty percent (30%) rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits (as adjusted for certain items), which will include such gain.

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we are not and do not anticipate becoming a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends, however, on the fair market value of our United States real property interests, or USRPIs, relative to the fair market value of our non-U.S. real property interests and our other business assets, there can be no assurance we currently are not a USRPHC or will not become one in the future. Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if our common stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market and such non-U.S. holder owned, actually and constructively, 5% or less of our common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period. No assurance can be provided that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market for purposes of the rules described above.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the application of the foregoing rules to their ownership and disposition of our common stock.

 

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Any dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder must be reported annually to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holder. Copies of these information returns may be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established. Payments of dividends to a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to backup withholding if the non-U.S. holder establishes an exemption by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form).

Payments of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition by a non-U.S. holder of our common stock effected by or through a U.S. office of a broker generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (at the applicable rate) unless the non-U.S. holder establishes an exemption by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) and certain other conditions are met. Information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to any payment of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock effected outside the United States by a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, unless such broker has documentary evidence in its records that the non-U.S. holder is not a United States person and certain other conditions are met, or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption, information reporting will apply to a payment of the proceeds of the disposition of our common stock effected outside the United States by such a broker if it has certain relationships within the United States.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability (if any) of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Additional Withholding Requirements under FATCA

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, and the Treasury regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (“FATCA”), impose a thirty percent (30%) withholding tax on any dividends paid on our common stock if paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code) (including, in some cases, when such foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity is acting as an intermediary), unless (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments, and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are non-U.S. entities with U.S. owners), (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, such entity certifies that it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or provides the applicable withholding agent with a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial United States owners of the entity (in either case, generally on an IRS Form W-8BEN-E), or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules and provides appropriate documentation (such as an IRS Form W-8BEN-E). Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing these rules may be subject to different rules. Under certain circumstances, a holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE AND GIFT TAX LAWS AND ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAX LAWS AND TAX TREATIES, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAW.

 

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

We are offering the shares of common stock described in this prospectus supplement through a number of underwriters. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are acting as representatives of the underwriters. We intend to enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the number of shares of common stock listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Name

   Number of
Shares
 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

          

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

  

Truist Securities, Inc.

  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

  

CJS Securities, Inc.

  

Comerica Securities, Inc.

  

Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities, LLC

  

Zions Direct, Inc.

  
  

 

 

 

Total

  
  

 

 

 

The underwriters are committed to purchase all of the shares of common stock offered by us if they purchase any shares. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may also be increased or the offering may be terminated.

The underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $    per share. Any such dealers may resell shares to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $    per share from the initial public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares to the public, if all of the shares of common stock are not sold at the initial public offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Sales of any shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters. The offering of the shares 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 underwriters have an option to buy up to     additional shares of common stock from us. The underwriters have 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to exercise this option to purchase additional shares. If any shares are purchased with this option to purchase additional shares, the underwriters will purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional shares of common stock are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.

 

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The underwriting fee is equal to the public offering price per share of common stock less the amount paid by the underwriters to us per share of common stock. The underwriting fee is $    per share. The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

     Per Share      Without
option to
purchase
additional
shares
exercise
     With full
option to
purchase
additional
shares
exercise
 

Public offering price

   $           $           $       

Underwriting discounts and commissions

   $        $        $    

Proceeds, before expenses

   $        $        $    

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $   .

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters and selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

We have agreed that we will not (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or submit to, or file with, the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any shares of our common stock, or publicly disclose the intention to undertake any of the foregoing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of economic consequences of the ownership of any shares of common stock or any such other securities (whether any of these transactions are to be settled by the delivery of shares of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise), in each case without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC for a period of 60 days after the date of the final prospectus supplement for this offering, other than the shares of our common stock to be sold in this offering.

The restrictions on our actions, as described above, do not apply to certain transactions, including (i) the issuance of shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of our common stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities or the exercise of warrants or options (including net exercise) or the settlement of RSUs (including net settlement), in each case outstanding on the date of the underwriting agreement and described in this prospectus supplement; (ii) grants of stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, RSUs, or other equity awards and the issuance of shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock (whether upon the exercise of stock options or otherwise) to our employees, officers, directors, advisors, or consultants pursuant to the terms of an equity compensation plan in effect as of the closing of this offering and described in this prospectus supplement, provided that such recipients enter into a lock-up agreement with the underwriters; or (iii) our filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to securities granted or to be granted pursuant to any plan in effect on the date of the underwriting agreement and described in this prospectus supplement or any assumed benefit plan pursuant to an acquisition or similar strategic transaction.

Our directors and executive officers (such persons, the “lock-up parties”) have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each lock-up party, with limited exceptions, for a period of 60 days after the date of the final prospectus supplement (such

 

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period, the “restricted period”), may not (and may not cause any of their direct or indirect affiliates to), without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock (including, without limitation, common stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such lock-up parties in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant (collectively with the common stock, the “lock-up securities”)), (2) enter into any hedging, swap or other agreement or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the lock-up securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of lock-up securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any lock-up securities, or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing. Such persons or entities have further acknowledged that these undertakings preclude them from engaging in any hedging or other transactions or arrangements (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) designed or intended, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, a sale or disposition or transfer (by any person or entity, whether or not a signatory to such agreement) of any economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any lock-up securities, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of lock-up securities, in cash or otherwise.

The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph and contained in the lock-up agreements between the underwriters and the lock-up parties do not apply, subject in certain cases to various conditions, to certain transactions, including (a) transfers of lock-up securities: (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, or for bona fide estate planning purposes, (ii) to any immediate family member of the lock-up parties, (iii) by will or intestacy, (iv) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the lock-up party or any immediate family member or if the lock-up party is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust, (v) to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the lock-up party and its immediate family members are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests, (vi) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (i) through (v), (vii) if the lock-up party is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is an affiliate of the lock-up party, or to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the lock-up party or its affiliates (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where the lock-up party is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership) or (B) as part of a distribution to members or shareholders of the lock-up party; (viii) by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order, divorce settlement, divorce decree or separation agreement, (ix) to us from an employee upon death, disability or termination of employment of such employee, (x) as part of a sale of lock-up securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of this offering, (xi) to us in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of our common stock (including “net” or “cashless” exercise), including for the payment of exercise price and tax and remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement, or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights, provided that any such shares of common stock received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to the terms of this prospectus supplement, (xii) pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction approved by our board of directors and made to all shareholders involving a change in control, provided that if such transaction is not completed, all such lock-up securities would remain subject to the restrictions in the immediately preceding paragraph, or (xiii) pursuant to a trading plan established pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (a “10b5-1 Plan”) prior to the date hereof, which trading plan shall not be amended during the restricted period but may be terminated during the restricted period; provided that (A) if required during the restricted period, any public report or filing shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto that such transfer is being made pursuant to the circumstances described in this clause (xiii), and (B) the lock-up party does not otherwise voluntarily effect any other public filing or report

 

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regarding such transfers during the restricted period; (b) exercise of the options, settlement of RSUs or other equity awards, or the exercise of warrants granted pursuant to plans described in this prospectus supplement, provided that any lock-up securities received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement would be subject to restrictions similar to those in the immediately preceding paragraph; (c) the conversion of outstanding preferred stock, warrants to acquire preferred stock, or convertible securities into shares of our common stock or warrants to acquire shares of our common stock, provided that any common stock or warrant received upon such conversion would be subject to restrictions similar to those in the immediately preceding paragraph; and (d) the establishment by lock-up parties of a 10b5-1 Plan, provided that (1) such plan does not provide for the transfer of lock-up securities during the restricted period, (2) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is legally required regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of our common stock may be made under such plan during the restricted period, and (3) no filing by any party under the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be made voluntarily in connection with such trading plan during the restricted period.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, in their sole discretion, may release the securities subject to any of the lock-up agreements with the underwriters described above, in whole or in part at any time.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

Our common stock is listed/quoted on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CSWI.” 

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, which involves making bids for, purchasing and selling shares of common stock in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock while this offering is in progress. These stabilizing transactions may include making short sales of common stock, which involves the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of common stock than they are required to purchase in this offering, and purchasing shares of common stock on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales may be “covered” shorts, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares referred to above, or may be “naked” shorts, which are short positions in excess of that amount. The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their option to purchase additional shares, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which the underwriters may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. To the extent that the underwriters create a naked short position, they will purchase shares in the open market to cover the position.

The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M of the Securities Act of 1933, they may also engage in other activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock, including the imposition of penalty bids. This means that if the representatives of the underwriters purchase common stock in the open market in stabilizing transactions or to cover short sales, the representatives can require the underwriters that sold those shares as part of this offering to repay the underwriting discount received by them.

These activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and, as a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If the underwriters commence these activities, they may discontinue them at any time. The underwriters may carry out these transactions on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that

 

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purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus supplement may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

Conflicts of interest; Other relationships

Because JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Truist Bank, an affiliate of Truist Securities, Inc., and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, are lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility and will each be repaid under the Revolving Credit Facility with at least five percent of the proceeds from this offering, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Truist Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are deemed to have a “conflict of interest” under FINRA Rule 5121. Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of Rule 5121. Pursuant to that rule, the appointment of a “qualified independent underwriter” is not required in connection with this offering. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121(c), no sales of the shares in this offering will be made to any discretionary account over which J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Truist Securities, Inc. or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC exercise discretion without the prior specific written approval of the account holder.

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us and such affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In addition, from time to time, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may effect transactions for their own account or the account of customers, and hold on behalf of themselves or their customers, long or short positions in our debt or equity securities or loans, and may do so in the future.

Selling restrictions

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area, each a “Relevant State,” no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that the shares may be offered to the public in that Relevant State at any time:

 

  (a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation;

 

  (b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters; or

 

  (c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of the shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation. Each person who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with each of the underwriters and us that it is a “qualified investor”

within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be

 

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deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

United Kingdom

No shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which either (i) has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority or (ii) is to be treated as if it had been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in accordance with the transitional provisions in Article 74 (transitional provisions) of the Prospectus (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/1234, except that the shares may be offered to the public in the United Kingdom at any time:

 

  (a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;

 

  (b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of representatives for any such offer; or

 

  (c)

in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of the FSMA,

provided that no such offer of the shares shall require us or any representative to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”) or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public of the shares in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the information included in this document or use it as basis for taking any action. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity that this document relates to may be made or taken exclusively by relevant persons.

Switzerland

The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or the SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document does not

 

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constitute a prospectus within the meaning of, and has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, us or the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, or FINMA, and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.

Canada

The shares 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 shares 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 or accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains 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 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) 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.

Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”)

This document relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Markets Rules 2012 of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or the DFSA. This document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Markets Rules 2012 of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this document. The securities to which this document relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered should conduct their own due diligence on the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

In relation to its use in the Dubai International Financial Centre, or the DIFC, this document is strictly private and confidential and is being distributed to a limited number of investors and must not be provided to any person other than the original recipient, and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. The interests in the securities may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly to the public in the DIFC.

 

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United Arab Emirates

The shares have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the DIFC) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the DIFC) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus do not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the DIFC) and are not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus have not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority or the DFSA.

Japan

The shares have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, or the FIEA. Accordingly, none of the shares nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, 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 FIEA and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.

Hong Kong

The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong), or the SFO, of Hong Kong and any rules made under the SFO; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong), or the CO, or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CO. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issuance, 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 of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under the SFO.

Singapore

Singapore SFA Product Classification—In connection with Section 309B of the SFA and the CMP Regulations 2018, unless otherwise specified before an offer of shares, we have determined, and hereby notify all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), that the shares are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than:

 

  (a)

to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time, or the SFA) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA;

 

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  (b)

to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA; or

 

  (c)

otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

  (a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

  (b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

  i.

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

  ii.

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

  iii.

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

  iv.

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

  v.

as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Houston, Texas. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel to the underwriters in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

 

The audited consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance on the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

CSW INDUSTRIALS, INC.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Units

 

 

The common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants and units covered by this prospectus may be sold from time to time by CSW Industrials, Inc. In addition, certain selling securityholders to be identified in supplements to this prospectus may offer and sell these securities from time to time. The debt securities may consist of debentures, notes, or other types of debt. The debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares and warrants may be convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours. We or any selling securityholders may offer the securities independently or together in any combination, called “units,” for sale directly to purchasers or through underwriters, dealers or agents to be designated at a future date. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling securityholders.

We will provide the specific terms and prices of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in the securities.

CSW Industrials, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “CSWI”.

 

 

We may sell securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents. For additional information on the method of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of any securities and the specific manner in which they may be offered will be set forth in the prospectus supplement covering the sale of those securities.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Risk Factors” on page 5 of this prospectus.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission nor any other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the securities offered hereby, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of these securities or the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is September 4, 2024.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     1  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     2  

THE COMPANY

     4  

RISK FACTORS

     5  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     5  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     6  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

     18  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     21  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

     22  

SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

     23  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     24  

LEGAL MATTERS

     26  

EXPERTS

     26  


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We are not making an offer of any securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with any information or to make any representation other than as contained in this prospectus or that may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We take no responsibility for, nor can we provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information others may give you. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any document that may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus, or in the case of information that may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as of the date of such information, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale or issuance of a security.

We have filed with the SEC an automatic “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 to register the securities offered under this prospectus. This prospectus is part of that registration statement and, as permitted by the SEC’s rules, does not contain all the information required to be set forth in the registration statement.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or a selling securityholder may offer. Each time we offer (or a selling securityholder offers) securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement or other offering material that will contain specific information about the terms of that specific offering of securities and the specific manner in which they may be offered. The prospectus supplement or other offering material may also add to, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus. To the extent that any statement we make in a prospectus supplement or other offering material is inconsistent with statements made in this prospectus, the statements made in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded by those made in the prospectus supplement or other offering material. The prospectus supplement or other offering material may also contain information about any material federal income tax considerations relating to the securities described in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material together with the additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information.” This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain documents, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All such summaries are qualified in their entirety by such reference. Copies of documents referred to herein will be made available to prospective investors upon request to us. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The registration statement that contains this prospectus (including the exhibits to the registration statement) contains additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. That registration statement can be read on the SEC web site (www.sec.gov). See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Except as otherwise indicated, “CSW Industrials,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to CSW Industrials, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information we file with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. We also make available, free of charge, through our website our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information, including amendments thereto, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our website address is www.cswindustrials.com. Our website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not part of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement and is therefore not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information we filed with it. This means that we can disclose important business, financial and other information to you by referring you to other documents separately filed with the SEC. All information incorporated by reference is part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the previously filed information.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

 

  1.

Our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March  31, 2024, including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on July 1, 2024, that are required to be incorporated by reference therein;

 

  2.

Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2024;

 

  3.

Our current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 3, 2024 and August 16, 2024; and

 

  4.

The description of our capital stock set forth in Exhibit 4.1 to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

We also incorporate by reference all future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) on or after the date of this prospectus, until we complete our offerings of the securities registered under this registration statement. We are not incorporating any information included in a current report on Form 8-K that has been furnished (and not filed) with the SEC, unless such information is expressly incorporated herein by a reference in a furnished current report on Form 8-K or other furnished document.

Our filings with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our Internet website is located at www.cswindustrials.com. The contents of the website are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We will provide at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, but not delivered with the prospectus, other than exhibits to the documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that this prospectus incorporates. You should direct requests to: CSW Industrials, Inc., 5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas 75240; Attention: Investor Relations, telephone number: (214) 884-3777.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We are making this statement pursuant to the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements described in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This prospectus, prospectus supplements to this prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference contain or will contain “forward-looking statements,” which are statements relating to future events and our future financial performance, strategies, expectations, and the competitive environment.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on our current knowledge of our business and operations, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Any forward-looking statements you read in this prospectus reflect our views as of the date of this prospectus with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity.

 

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You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and you should carefully consider all of the factors identified in this prospectus that could cause actual results to differ. We assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Forward-looking statements include expected restructuring charges and the results of the restructuring, financial projections, statements of plans and objectives for future operations, statements of future economic performance, and statements of assumptions relating thereto. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “potential,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to, or statements that are subject to risks, contingencies or uncertainties that relate to:

 

   

our business strategy;

 

   

changes in local political, economic, social and labor conditions;

 

   

potential disruptions from wars and military conflicts, including geopolitical uncertainty due to the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine;

 

   

future levels of revenues, operating margins, income from operations, net income or earnings per share;

 

   

the ability to respond to anticipated inflationary pressure, including reductions on consumer discretionary income and our ability to pass along rising costs through increased selling prices;

 

   

anticipated levels of demand for our products and services;

 

   

the actual impact to supply, production levels and costs from global supply chain logistics and transportation challenges;

 

   

future levels of research and development, capital, environmental or maintenance expenditures;

 

   

our beliefs regarding the timing and effects on our business of health and safety, tax, environmental or other legislation, rules and regulations;

 

   

the success or timing of completion of ongoing or anticipated capital, restructuring or maintenance projects;

 

   

expectations regarding the acquisition or divestiture of assets and businesses;

 

   

our ability to obtain appropriate insurance and indemnities;

 

   

the potential effects of judicial or other proceedings, including tax audits, on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows;

 

   

the anticipated effects of actions of third parties such as competitors, or federal, foreign, state or local regulatory authorities, or plaintiffs in litigation;

 

   

the expected impact of accounting pronouncements; and

 

   

the other factors listed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report and other filings with the SEC.

This list of risks and uncertainties, however, is only a summary of some of the most important factors and is not intended to be exhaustive. You should carefully review the risks that are set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as supplemented by any Current Report on Form 8-K. New factors that are not currently known to us or of which we are currently unaware may also emerge from time to time that could materially and adversely affect us.

Our forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Our forward-looking statements are only made as of the date of this prospectus, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect new information or events or circumstances arising after such date.

 

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THE COMPANY

We are a diversified industrial growth company with a strategic focus on providing niche, value-added products in the end markets we serve. We operate in three business segments: Contractor Solutions, Specialized Reliability Solutions and Engineered Building Solutions. Our products include mechanical products for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (“HVAC/R”), plumbing products, grilles, registers and diffusers (“GRD”), building safety solutions and high-performance specialty lubricants and sealants. End markets that we serve include HVAC/R, architecturally-specified building products, plumbing, general industrial, energy, rail transportation and mining. Our manufacturing operations are concentrated in the United States (“U.S.”), Vietnam and Canada, and we have distribution operations in the U.S., Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). Our products are sold directly to end-users or through designated channels in over 100 countries around the world, primarily including the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia.

Drawing on our innovative and proven technologies, we seek to deliver solutions primarily to our contractors that place a premium on superior performance and reliability. We believe our brands are well known in the specific end markets we serve and have a reputation for high quality. We rely on both organic growth and inorganic growth through acquisitions to provide an increasingly broad portfolio of performance optimizing solutions that meet our customers’ ever-changing needs. We have a successful record of making attractive and synergistic acquisitions that support expansion of our broad portfolio of solutions, and we remain focused on identifying additional acquisition opportunities in our core end markets.

CSWI is a Delaware corporation and was incorporated in 2014 in anticipation of CSWI’s separation from Capital Southwest Corporation (“Capital Southwest”). Our well-established operating companies provide a collective history that spans more than a century. The separation was executed on September 30, 2015 through a pro-rata share distribution of all the then outstanding shares of common stock of CSWI to the holders of common stock of Capital Southwest (the “Share Distribution”). Since the separation, CSWI has been an independent, publicly-traded company, listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

Our principal executive offices are located at 5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas 75240 and our telephone number is (214) 884-3777. Our website is located at www.cswindustrials.com. The information on or connected to this website is not part of this prospectus.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict and beyond our control and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, or the value of these securities. These risks and uncertainties include those described in the risk factors and other sections of the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Subsequent prospectus supplements may contain a discussion of additional risks applicable to an investment in us and the particular type of securities we are offering under the prospectus supplements. You should carefully consider all of the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in our securities.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from any sale of the offered securities for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, repaying, redeeming or repurchasing debt, acquisitions, share repurchases and capital expenditures. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from any sale of the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in the prospectus supplement or other offering material relating to such offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling securityholders.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

This section contains a description of our capital stock. The following summary of the terms of our capital stock is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference to our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate”) and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), which are incorporated by reference as exhibits into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

We have authorized the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share.

Common Stock

On August 27, 2024 there were 15,526,513 outstanding shares of common stock held by 302 stockholders of record.

The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Therefore, holders of more than 50% of the shares of common stock are able to elect all of our directors eligible for election in a given year. The holders of common stock are entitled to dividends and other distributions out of assets legally available if and when declared by the board of directors. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share pro rata in the distribution of all of our assets remaining available for distribution after satisfaction of all liabilities, including any prior rights of any preferred stock which may be outstanding. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “CSWI.”

Preferred Stock

Under the Certificate, series of the preferred stock may be created and issued from time to time by our board of directors, with such rights and preferences as they may determine. As of September 4, 2024 there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Our board of directors could issue a class or series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of such class or series, impede completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt that some, or a majority, of stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their shares over the then-current market price of such shares.

Certain Anti-Takeover Matters

Delaware Business Combination Statute. Under Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL, a corporation is prohibited from engaging in any business combination with a stockholder who, together with its affiliates or associates, owns (or who is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and within a three-year period did own) 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock, or an interested stockholder, for a three-year period following the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

   

prior to the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

   

the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation, excluding specified shares, upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; or

 

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at or subsequent to the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized by the affirmative vote, at an annual or special meeting, and not by written consent, of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, excluding shares held by that interested stockholder.

A business combination generally includes:

 

   

mergers and consolidations with or caused by an interested stockholder;

 

   

sales or other dispositions of 10% or more of the assets of a corporation to an interested stockholder;

 

   

specified transactions resulting in the issuance or transfer to an interested stockholder of any capital stock of a corporation or its subsidiaries; and

 

   

other transactions resulting in a disproportionate financial benefit to an interested stockholder.

The provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL do not apply to a corporation if, subject to certain requirements, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation contain a provision expressly electing not to be governed by the provisions of the statute or the corporation does not have voting stock listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders.

We have not “opted out” of Section 203 of the DGCL in our Certificate of Incorporation, and the statute will apply to business combinations involving us.

Vacancies. Under our Certificate, any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the board, may only be filled by vote of a majority of the directors then serving, or by the sole remaining director. The limitations on filling of vacancies could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, control of us.

Actions by Stockholders. Our Certificate and Bylaws also provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders may be taken only if it is properly brought before such meeting and may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. In addition, our Certificate and Bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders may only be called by the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, or the board of directors. Under our Bylaws, in order for any matter to be considered “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder must comply with certain requirements regarding advance notice to the company. The foregoing provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholders meeting, stockholder actions which are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities. These provisions also may discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for our common stock because such person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a stockholder (such as electing new directors or approving a merger) only at a duly called stockholders meeting and not by written consent.

Amendments. The DGCL provides, generally, that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not require a greater percentage.

Change in Control and Severance Benefit Plan. Certain of our executive officers participate in our Change in Control and Severance Benefit Plan which provide for substantial compensation upon our termination of the officer’s employment without cause or the officer’s resignation of his employment for good reason or upon the occurrence of certain events constituting a change of control in our company.

Indemnification. The Certificate requires us to indemnify each of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and limits the liability of our directors and stockholders for monetary damages in certain circumstances. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities in one or more distinct series, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and in either case may be secured by collateral and/or guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries. This section summarizes the material terms of the debt securities that are common to all series. Most of the financial terms and other specific material terms of any series of debt securities that we offer will be described in a prospectus supplement or term sheet to be attached to the front of this prospectus. Since the terms of specific debt securities may differ from the general information provided below, you should rely on information in the prospectus supplement or term sheet that contradicts different information below.

Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, senior and subordinated debt securities will be issued by CSW Industrials, Inc. under an indenture between CSW Industrials, Inc., as issuer, and a designated trustee (the “trustee”), as supplemented from time to time (the “indenture”). A form of the indenture is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, which you should review for additional information. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1933, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). You should read the summary below, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture in their entirety before investing in our debt securities.

The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act. The terms “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us,” when used to refer to an issuer of securities, means CSW Industrials, Inc.

General Provisions of the Indenture

Each series of debt securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company. Any senior securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. Any subordinated securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the senior indebtedness of the Company as more fully described in a prospectus supplement or term sheet.

The indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the attached prospectus supplement or term sheet (“offered debt securities”) and any debt securities issuable upon the exercise of debt warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities (“underlying debt securities”), as well as other unsecured debt securities, may be issued under that indenture in one or more series.

You should read the prospectus supplement or term sheet for the material terms of the offered debt securities and any underlying debt securities, including the following:

 

   

The title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior securities or subordinated securities of the Company.

 

   

The total principal amount of the debt securities of the series and any limit on such total principal amount.

 

   

If not the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities or how this portion will be determined.

 

   

The date or dates, or how the date or dates will be determined or extended, when the principal of the debt securities will be payable.

 

   

The interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, that the debt securities will bear, if any, or how the rate or rates will be determined, the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or how the date or dates will be determined, the interest payment dates, any record dates for these payments and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

   

Any optional redemption provisions.

 

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Any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities.

 

   

The form in which we will issue the debt securities; whether we will have the option of issuing debt securities in “certificated” form; whether we will have the option of issuing certificated debt securities in bearer form if we issue the securities outside the United States to non-U.S. persons; any restrictions on the offer, sale or delivery of bearer securities and the terms, if any, upon which bearer securities of the series may be exchanged for registered securities of the series and vice versa (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations).

 

   

If other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are denominated and/or payable.

 

   

Whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and how these amounts will be determined.

 

   

The place or places, if any, other than or in addition to The City of New York, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities.

 

   

If other than minimum denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 above the minimum denomination in the case of registered securities issued in certificated form and $5,000 in the case of bearer securities, the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued.

 

   

If the provisions of the indenture described under “defeasance” are not applicable and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of these provisions.

 

   

Whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts, as contemplated by Section 1008 of the indenture, in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option).

 

   

Whether the securities are subordinated and the terms of such subordination.

 

   

Any provisions granting special rights to the holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events.

 

   

Any changes or additions to the Events of Default or covenants contained in the indenture.

 

   

Whether the debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities and the applicable terms and conditions.

 

   

Any other material terms of the debt securities.

For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of or premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the “indenture securities.” The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

 

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The indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt, we repurchase a significant amount of equity or effect a recapitalization, or we are acquired by another entity.

We refer you to the prospectus supplement or term sheet for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, the debt securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars and all payments on the debt securities will be made in U.S. dollars.

Payment of the purchase price of the debt securities must be made in immediately available funds.

The authorized denominations of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be a minimum denomination of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above the minimum denomination. The authorized denominations of foreign currency Notes will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet.

Conversion and Exchange

If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the prospectus supplement or term sheet will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion or exchange price or rate (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion or exchange price or rate and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement or term sheet.

Issuance of Securities in Registered Form

We may issue the debt securities in registered form, in which case we will issue them in book-entry form only. Debt securities issued in book-entry form will be represented by global securities. We also will have the option of issuing debt securities in non-registered form as bearer securities if we issue the securities outside the United States to non-U.S. persons. In that case, the prospectus supplement or term sheet will set forth the mechanics for holding the bearer securities, including the procedures for receiving payments, for exchanging in certain cases the bearer securities for registered securities of the same series, and for receiving notices. The prospectus supplement or term sheet will also describe the requirements with respect to our maintenance of offices or agencies outside the United States and the applicable U.S. federal tax law requirements.

Book-Entry Holders. We will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet. This means debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary. Financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system will hold beneficial interests in the debt securities held by or on behalf of the depositary or its nominee. These institutions may hold these interests on behalf of themselves or customers.

 

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Under the indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is registered is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for debt securities issued in book-entry form, we will recognize only the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the debt securities and we will make all payments on the debt securities to the depositary. The depositary will then pass along the payments it receives to its participants, which, in turn, will pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants will do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities or the indenture.

As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through an indirect participant. As long as the debt securities are represented by one or more global securities, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders of the debt securities.

Street Name Holders. In the future, we may issue debt securities in certificated form or terminate a global security. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their debt securities in their own names or in “street name.” Debt securities held in street name are registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution chosen by the investor, and the investor would hold a beneficial interest in those debt securities through the account he or she maintains at that institution.

For debt securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities and we will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions will pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold debt securities in street name will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

Legal Holders. Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the applicable trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the applicable trustee, run only to the legal holders of the debt securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a debt security or has no choice because we are issuing the debt securities only in book-entry form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose (for example, to amend an indenture or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture), we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

When we refer to you, we mean those who invest in the debt securities being offered by this prospectus, the prospectus supplement or term sheet whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those debt securities. When we refer to your debt securities, we mean the debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders. If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, we urge you to check with that institution to find out:

 

   

how it handles securities payments and notices,

 

   

whether it imposes fees or charges,

 

   

how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required,

 

   

whether and how you can instruct it to send you debt securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future for a particular series of debt securities,

 

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how it would exercise rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests, and

 

   

if the debt securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

Global Securities

We may issue the registered debt securities in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its custodian identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or its nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.

If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

The indentures in the forms initially filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part provide that so long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. Neither we nor the trustee or any other

 

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agent of ours or the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the trustee or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.

Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) will act as depositary for each series of debt securities issued as global securities. 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 Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers, 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 the Indirect Participants.

Payment and Paying Agents

We will pay interest to the person listed in the trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each regularly scheduled date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, typically set at a date approximately two weeks prior to the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”

Payments on Global Securities. We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under “Global Securities.”

 

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Payments on Certificated Debt Securities. We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, duly and punctually to the office of the trustee.

Alternatively, if the holder asks us to do so, we may pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request payment by wire, the holder must give the applicable trustee or other paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least 15 calendar days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.

Material Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.

Events of Default

An event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series is defined in the indenture as:

 

  (a)

default for 30 days in payment of any interest on the debt securities of such series when it becomes due and payable;

 

  (b)

default in payment of principal of or any premium on the debt securities of such series at maturity or upon redemption or repayment when the same becomes due and payable;

 

  (c)

default in the deposit of any principal payment into the sinking fund, when and as due by the terms of any debt security of such series and the indenture;

 

  (d)

default by the Company in the performance of any other covenant contained in the indenture for the benefit of the debt securities of such series that has not been remedied by the end of a period of 90 days after notice is given as specified in the indenture;

 

  (e)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization of the Company.

The indenture provides that:

 

   

if an event of default described in clause (a), (b), (c), or (d) above has occurred and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding, and any accrued and unpaid interest through the date of such declaration, to be due and payable immediately;

 

   

upon certain conditions such declarations may be annulled and past defaults (except for defaults in the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on the debt securities and in compliance with certain covenants) may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series; and

 

   

if an event of default described in clause (e) occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all debt securities issued under the indenture, together with any accrued interest through the occurrence of such event, shall become and be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any other holder.

Under the indenture, the trustee must give to the holders of debt securities of any series notice of all uncured defaults known to it with respect to the debt securities of such series within 90 days after such a default occurs

 

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(the term default to include the events specified above without notice or grace periods); provided that, except in the case of default in the payments of principal of or any premium or interest on any of the debt securities of such series, the trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the holders of such debt securities.

No holder of any debt securities may institute any action under the indenture unless:

 

   

such holder has given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series have requested the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default;

 

   

such holder or holders have offered the trustee such reasonable indemnity as the trustee may require;

 

   

the trustee has failed to institute an action for 60 days thereafter; and

 

   

no inconsistent direction has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such debt securities.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the applicable trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series. The indenture provides that, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee, in exercising its rights and powers under the indenture, will be required to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. The indenture further provides that the trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties under the indenture unless it has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is reasonably assured to it.

The Company must furnish to the trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year a statement signed by an officer thereof to the effect that a review of our activities during such year and our performance under the indenture and the terms of the debt securities has been made, and, to the knowledge of the signatories based on such review, we have complied with all conditions and covenants of the indenture or, if we are in default, specifying such default.

Modification of the Indenture

We and the trustee may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities issued under the indenture, enter into supplemental indentures for, among others, one or more of the following purposes:

 

   

to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company and the assumption by such successor of its obligations under the indenture and the debt securities;

 

   

to add covenants of the Company or surrender of any of its rights, or add any rights for the benefit of the holders of debt securities;

 

   

to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency in the indenture;

 

   

to establish the form or terms of any other series of debt securities, including any subordinated securities;

 

   

to evidence and provide the acceptance of any successor trustee with respect to the debt securities or one or more other series of debt securities under an indenture or to facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by one or more trustees in accordance with such indenture; and

 

   

to provide any additional events of default.

 

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With certain exceptions, the indenture or the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding affected thereby, but no such modification may be made without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note affected thereby that would:

 

   

change the maturity of any payment of principal of, or any premium on, any debt securities, or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any principal, premium or interest is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the redemption or repayment date);

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required for any such modification, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in the indenture; or

 

   

modify any of the provisions of certain sections of the indenture, including the provisions summarized in this paragraph, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each of the outstanding debt securities affected thereby.

Defeasance

The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.

Covenant Defeasance. Under current United States federal tax law, the Company can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If you hold subordinated securities, you also would be released from the applicable subordination provisions. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

 

   

Deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and government or government agency debt securities or bonds in the relevant currency that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of such series in the relevant currency on their various due dates.

 

   

Deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current United States federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities of such series any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid such debt securities ourselves at maturity.

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

Full Defeasance. If there is a change in United States federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:

 

   

We must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the debt securities of such series a combination of money and government or government agency debt securities or bonds in the relevant currency that

 

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will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of such series in the relevant currency on their various due dates.

 

   

We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current United States federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities of such series any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid such debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current United States federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities of such series would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds at the time the cash and debt securities or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on your debt securities at the time of the deposit.

If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities of such series. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If you hold subordinated securities, you would also be released from the applicable subordination provisions.

Legal defeasance and full defeasance are both subject to certain conditions, such as no default or event of default occurring and continuing, and no breach of any material agreement.

Discharge of the Indenture

We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the trustee for cancellation all outstanding debt securities or by depositing with the trustee or the paying agent after the debt securities have become due and payable, whether at stated maturity, or any redemption or repayment date, or otherwise, cash sufficient to pay all of the outstanding debt securities and paying all other sums payable under the indenture.

Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Debt Securities

If registered debt securities cease to be issued in book-entry form, they will be issued:

 

   

only in fully registered certificated form,

 

   

without interest coupons, and

 

   

unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, in a minimum denomination of $2,000 and amounts above the minimum denomination that are integral multiples of $1,000.

Holders may exchange their certificated debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.

Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated debt securities at the office of their trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.

If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in your prospectus supplement or term sheet. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

 

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If any certificated debt securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated debt securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.

If a registered debt security is issued in book-entry form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.

Resignation of Trustee

The trustee may resign or be removed at any time with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.

The Trustee

We will enter into the indenture with a trustee chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of debt securities. The trustee and its affiliates have in the past provided and may from time to time in the future provide banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of business.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. In that event, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.

The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The depositary will have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock underlying the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights may include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under a deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, in accordance with the terms of the offering. The following description of the material terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts is only a summary, and you should refer to the forms of the deposit agreement and depositary receipts that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific depositary shares for more complete information.

 

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Pending the preparation of definitive engraved depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. These temporary depositary receipts entitle their holders to all the rights of definitive depositary receipts. Temporary depositary receipts will then be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received with respect to the underlying stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders.

If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares that are entitled to receive the distribution, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the applicable holders.

Withdrawal of Underlying Preferred Stock

Unless we say otherwise in a prospectus supplement, holders may surrender depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and, upon payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of underlying preferred stock and all money and other property represented by the related depositary shares. We will not issue any partial shares of preferred stock. If the holder delivers depositary receipts evidencing a number of depositary shares that represent more than a whole number of shares of preferred stock, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares to that holder.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of that series of underlying stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to that series of underlying

stock. Whenever we redeem shares of underlying stock that are held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the shares of underlying stock so redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or proportionately or by other equitable method, as may be determined by the depositary.

Voting

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the underlying stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares underlying the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the underlying stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the underlying stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will then try, as far as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying those depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable actions which may be deemed necessary by the depositary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote the underlying shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions with respect to the depositary shares representing the preferred stock.

 

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Conversion or Exchange of Preferred Stock

If the deposited preferred stock is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the following will apply. The depositary shares, as such, will not be convertible into or exchangeable for such other securities. Rather, any holder of the depositary shares may surrender the related depositary receipts, together with any amounts payable by the holder in connection with the conversion or the exchange, to the depositary with written instructions to cause conversion or exchange of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into or for such other securities. If only some of the depositary shares are to be converted or exchanged, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted or exchanged.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 60 days’ notice whereupon the depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock represented by such receipts. The deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (a) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or converted into or exchanged for any other securities into or for which the underlying preferred stock are convertible or exchangeable or (b) there has been a final distribution of the underlying stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and the underlying stock has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with its duties in accordance with the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental and other charges, including a fee for any permitted withdrawal of shares of underlying stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

Reports

The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that we deliver to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the underlying stock.

Limitation on Liability

Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our respective obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our respective duties under the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or underlying stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting underlying stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

In the event the depositary receives conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary shares, on the one hand, and us, on the other, the depositary will act on our claims, requests or instructions.

 

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Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us of its election to resign. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. This description is subject to the detailed provisions of a warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent we select at the time of issue and the description in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable series of warrants.

General

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock or any combination thereof. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with any such securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. We may issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between a warrant agent and us. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:

 

   

the title of such warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

   

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such warrants may be payable;

 

   

the designation and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants and the number of such securities issuable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

   

the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire;

 

   

whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

 

   

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

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Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreement

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:

 

   

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

   

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;

 

   

the terms of the unit agreement governing the units;

 

   

United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and

 

   

whether the units will be issued in fully registered global form.

This summary of certain general terms of units and any summary description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all provisions of the applicable unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units. The forms of the unit agreements and other documents relating to a particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.

 

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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

Information about selling securityholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC which are incorporated into this prospectus by reference.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or the selling securityholders, if applicable, may sell the securities covered by this prospectus in any of the following ways (or in any combination):

 

   

through underwriters, dealers or remarketing firms;

 

   

in “at-the-market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);

 

   

directly to one or more purchasers, including to a limited number of institutional purchasers; or

 

   

through agents.

Any such dealer or agent, in addition to any underwriter, may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions received by an underwriter, dealer, remarketing firm or agent on the sale or resale of securities may be considered by the SEC to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

In addition, 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 indicates, in connection with such a transaction, the third parties may, pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

The terms of the offering of the securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and will include, among other things:

 

   

the type of and terms of the securities offered;

 

   

the price of the securities;

 

   

the proceeds to us from the sale of the securities;

 

   

the names of the securities exchanges, if any, on which the securities are listed;

 

   

the name of any underwriter, dealer, remarketing firm or agent and the amount of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

 

   

any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

   

the name of any selling securityholders;

 

   

any underwriting discounts, agency fees or other compensation to underwriters or agents; and

 

   

any discounts or concessions which may be allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

If underwriters are used in the sale of securities, such securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters acting alone, including on a continuing basis pursuant to “at-the-market offerings.” Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are purchased by them. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

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If dealers acting as principals are used in the sale of any securities, such securities will be acquired by the dealers, as principals, and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. The name of any dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement with respect to the securities being offered.

Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms, which we refer to herein as the “remarketing firms,” acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents, as applicable. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act in connection with the securities remarketed thereby.

The securities may be sold directly by us or the selling security holders, if any, or through agents designated by us or the selling security holders, if any, from time to time. In the case of securities sold directly by us or selling securityholders, no underwriters or agents would be involved. Any agents involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, and any commissions payable by us or any selling securityholder to such agents, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We or selling securityholders may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to purchase the securities to which this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement relates from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus, if applicable, accrued interest, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us or selling securityholders to indemnification by us and such selling securityholders against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us, our subsidiaries or selling securityholders in the ordinary course of business.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, all securities offered by this prospectus, other than our common stock that is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, will be new issues with no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, and, in the case of our common stock, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we shall not be obligated to do so. In addition, underwriters will not be obligated to make a market in any securities. No assurance can be given regarding the activity of trading in, or liquidity of, any securities.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Houston, TX. If legal matters in connection with offerings made by this prospectus are passed on by counsel for the underwriters, dealers, or agents, if any, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The audited consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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1,000,000 Shares

CSW Industrials, Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

LOGO

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

    , 2024

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

J.P. Morgan     Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
  Truist Securities  
Wells Fargo Securities     Citigroup

Co-Managers

 

CJS Securities    Comerica Securities    TPH&Co.   Zions Capital Markets