Pricing Agreement

EX-1.1.1 3 a17-17214_4ex1d1d1.htm EX-1.1.1

Exhibit 1.1.1

 

Pricing Agreement

 

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

As Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto.

 

July 17, 2017

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The Kroger Co., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the Underwriting Agreement, dated July 17, 2017 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwriters”) the Securities (the “Designated Securities”) specified in Schedule II hereto. Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a part of this Pricing Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein; and each of the representations and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing Agreement, except that each representation and warranty which refers to the Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation or warranty as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement in relation to the Prospectus (as therein defined), and also a representation and warranty as of the date of this Pricing Agreement in relation to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Securities. Each reference to the Representatives herein and in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to you. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as therein defined. The Representatives designated to act on behalf of each of the Underwriters of the Designated Securities pursuant to Section 13 of the Underwriting Agreement and the address of the Representatives referred to in such Section 13 are set forth at the end of Schedule II hereto.

 

An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Securities, in the form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the Commission.

 



 

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the time and place and at the purchase price to the Underwriters, and under other terms and conditions set forth in Schedule II hereto, the principal amount of Designated Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.

 

The Company understands that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the Securities as soon after the effectiveness of this Pricing Agreement as in the judgment of the Representatives is advisable, and initially to offer the Securities on the terms set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus. Schedule III hereto sets forth the Time of Sale Information made available at the Time of Sale.

 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us three counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof, including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters and the Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the Company for examination upon request, but without warranty on the part of the Representatives as to the authority of the signers thereof.

 



 

 

Very Truly Yours,

 

 

 

 

THE KROGER CO.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Christine Wheatley

 

 

 

 

Name:

Christine Wheatley

 

Title:

Group Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

 

[Signature Page to Pricing Agreement]

 



 

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

and the additional Underwriters named on Schedule I to this Pricing Agreement

 

 

By:

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas Bausano

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Thomas Bausano

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Adam D. Bordner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Adam D. Bordner

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Adam Greene

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Adam Greene

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

[Signature Page to Pricing Agreement]

 



 

By:

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

 

 

Incorporated

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Happy Hazelton

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Happy Hazelton

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sigme Shingsar

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Sigme Shingsar

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Douglas Fink

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Douglas Fink

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Carolyn Hurley

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Carolyn Hurley

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Underwriters

 

 

[Signature Page to Pricing Agreement]

 



 

SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriter

 

Principal
Amount of
2.800%
Senior Notes
Due 2022

 

Principal
Amount of
3.700%
Senior Notes
Due 2027

 

Principal
Amount of
4.650%
Senior Notes
Due 2048

 

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

 

$

60,000,000

 

$

90,000,000

 

$

75,000,000

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

28,000,000

 

27,000,000

 

75,000,000

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

60,000,000

 

27,000,000

 

22,500,000

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated

 

18,000,000

 

42,000,000

 

75,000,000

 

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 

18,000,000

 

90,000,000

 

22,500,000

 

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

 

60,000,000

 

27,000,000

 

22,500,000

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

28,000,000

 

90,000,000

 

22,500,000

 

BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC

 

18,000,000

 

27,000,000

 

35,000,000

 

BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC

 

18,000,000

 

27,000,000

 

35,000,000

 

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

 

18,000,000

 

42,000,000

 

22,500,000

 

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

 

18,000,000

 

42,000,000

 

22,500,000

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

 

28,000,000

 

27,000,000

 

22,500,000

 

Santander Investment Securities Inc.

 

18,000,000

 

27,000,000

 

35,000,000

 

The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

 

10,000,000

 

 

 

CastleOak Securities, L.P.

 

 

15,000,000

 

12,500,000

 

Total

 

$

400,000,000

 

$

600,000,000

 

$

500,000,000

 

 



 

SCHEDULE II

 

Title of Designated Securities:

 

2.800% Senior Notes due 2022

 

3.700% Senior Notes due 2027

 

4.650% Senior Notes due 2048

 

Aggregate Principal Amount:

 

$400,000,000 of 2.800% Senior Notes due 2022

 

$600,000,000 of 3.700% Senior Notes due 2027

 

$500,000,000 of 4.650% Senior Notes due 2048

 

Price to Public:

 

99.981% of the principal amount of the 2.800% Senior Notes due 2022, plus accrued interest from July 24, 2017

 

99.941% of the principal amount of the 3.700% Senior Notes due 2027, plus accrued interest from July 24, 2017

 

99.276% of the principal amount of the 4.650% Senior Notes due 2048, plus accrued interest from July 24, 2017

 

Purchase Price by Underwriters:

 

99.381% of the principal amount of the 2.800% Senior Notes due 2022, plus accrued interest from July 24, 2017

 

99.291% of the principal amount of the 3.700% Senior Notes due 2027, plus accrued interest from July 24, 2017

 

98.401% of the principal amount of the 4.650% Senior Notes due 2048, plus accrued interest from July 24, 2017

 

Specified Funds for Payment of Purchase Price:

 

Immediately available funds

 

Indenture:

 

Indenture dated as of June 25, 1999, between the Company and Firstar Bank, National Association (currently known as U.S. Bank National Association), as

 



 

Trustee, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 25, 1999, the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated June 25, 1999, the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated June 25, 1999, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated September 22, 1999, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated September 22, 1999, the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated September 22, 1999, the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated February 11, 2000, the Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated February 11, 2000, the Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 21, 2000, the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 11, 2001, the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated May 11, 2001, the Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 16, 2001, the Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated April 3, 2002, the Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated June 17, 2002, the Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated January 28, 2003, the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated December 20, 2004, the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 15, 2007, the Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated January 16, 2008, the Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated March 27, 2008, the Twentieth Supplemental Indenture, dated March 27, 2008, the Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated November 25, 2008, the Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture, dated October 1, 2009, the Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture, dated July 13, 2010, the Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated January 19, 2012, the Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated April 16, 2012, the Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated April 16, 2012, the Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated July 25, 2013, the Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated July 25, 2013, the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated December 23, 2013, the Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture, dated December 23, 2013, the Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated December 23, 2013, the Thirty-Second Supplemental Indenture, dated December 23, 2013, the Thirty-Third Supplemental Indenture, dated January 30, 2014, the Thirty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated October 28, 2014, the Thirty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated January 15, 2016, the Thirty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated January 15, 2016, the Thirty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated January 15, 2016, the Thirty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated October 3, 2016, the Thirty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated October 3, 2016, the Fortieth Supplemental Indenture, dated October 3, 2016, the Forty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 24, 2017, the Forty-Second Supplemental Indenture, to be dated July 24, 2017, the Forty-Third Supplemental Indenture, to be dated July 24, 2017 and the Forty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, to be dated July 24, 2017.

 

Maturity:

 

The 2.800% Senior Notes due 2022 will mature on August 1, 2022

 

The 3.700% Senior Notes due 2027 will mature on August 1, 2027

 

The 4.650% Senior Notes due 2048 will mature on January 15, 2048

 



 

Interest Rates:

 

The 2.800% Senior Notes due 2022 will bear interest from July 24, 2017 at 2.800%

 

The 3.700% Senior Notes due 2027 will bear interest from July 24, 2017 at 3.700%

 

The 4.650% Senior Notes due 2048 will bear interest from July 24, 2017 at 4.650%

 

Interest Payment Dates:

 

Interest on the 2.800% Senior Notes due 2022 is payable semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on February 1, 2018

 

Interest on the 3.700% Senior Notes due 2027 is payable semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on February 1, 2018

 

Interest on the 4.650% Senior Notes due 2048 is payable semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2018

 

Redemption Provisions:

 

As described in the term sheet dated July 17, 2017 included on Schedule IV

 

Change of Control Put:

 

As described in the preliminary prospectus supplement dated July 17, 2017

 

Sinking Fund Provision:

 

No sinking fund provisions

 

Defeasance Provisions:

 

As described in the preliminary prospectus supplement dated July 17, 2017

 

Guarantees:

 

None

 

Time of Delivery:

 

July 24, 2017

 



 

Closing Location:

 

Offices of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP
601 Lexington Avenue
31st Floor
New York, New York 10022

 



 

Name and Address of Representatives:

 

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

320 Park Avenue, 12th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Debt Capital Markets

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10013

Attention: General Counsel

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Attention: Registration Department

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

50 Rockefeller Plaza

NY1-050-12-01

New York, NY 10020

Attention: High Grade Transaction Management/Legal

 

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor

New York, NY 10281

Attention: Scott Primrose/USDCM Transaction Management

 

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

214 N. Tryon Street, 26th Floor

Charlotte, NC 28202

Attention: High Grade Fixed Income Syndicate

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

550 South Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Attention: Transaction Management

 



 

Schedule III

 

Time of Sale Information

 

1.                                      Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, dated July 17, 2017, including the base prospectus included therein, dated December 14, 2016

 

2.                                      Term sheet, dated July 17, 2017, included on Schedule IV

 



 

Schedule IV
The Kroger Co.

 

 

Pricing Term Sheet
Dated July 17, 2017

 

Issuer:

 

The Kroger Co.

Security Type:

 

Senior Notes

Trade Date:

 

July 17, 2017

Settlement Date:

 

July 24, 2017 (T+5)

Denominations:

 

$2,000 x $1,000

 

2.800% Senior Notes Due 2022

 

Principal Amount:

 

$400,000,000

Maturity Date:

 

August 1, 2022

Coupon:

 

2.800%

Benchmark Treasury:

 

UST 1.750% due June 30, 2022

Benchmark Treasury Price / Yield:

 

99-16 ¼ / 1.854%

Spread to Benchmark Treasury:

 

T + 95 basis points

Yield to Maturity:

 

2.804%

Price to Public:

 

99.981%

Interest Payment Dates:

 

February 1 and August 1, commencing on February 1, 2018

Make-Whole Call:

 

Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points (prior to July  1, 2022)

Par Call:

 

On or after July 1, 2022 (one month prior to maturity)

CUSIP/ISIN:

 

501044 DH1 / US501044DH11

 

3.700% Senior Notes Due 2027

 

Principal Amount:

 

$600,000,000

Maturity Date:

 

August 1, 2027

Coupon:

 

3.700%

Benchmark Treasury:

 

UST 2.375% due May 15, 2027

Benchmark Treasury Price / Yield:

 

100-19 / 2.307%

Spread to Benchmark Treasury:

 

T + 140 basis points

Yield to Maturity:

 

3.707%

 



 

Price to Public:

 

99.941%

Interest Payment Dates:

 

February 1 and August 1, commencing on February 1, 2018

Make-Whole Call:

 

Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points (prior to May 1, 2027)

Par Call:

 

On or after May 1, 2027 (three months prior to maturity)

CUSIP/ISIN:

 

501044 DJ7 / US501044DJ76

 

4.650% Senior Notes Due 2048

 

Principal Amount:

 

$500,000,000

Maturity Date:

 

January 15, 2048

Coupon:

 

4.650%

Benchmark Treasury:

 

UST 3.000% due February 15, 2047

Benchmark Treasury Price / Yield:

 

102-02+ / 2.895%

Spread to Benchmark Treasury:

 

T + 180 basis points

Yield to Maturity:

 

4.695%

Price to Public:

 

99.276%

Interest Payment Dates:

 

January 15 and July 15, commencing on January 15, 2018

Make-Whole Call:

 

Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points (prior to July 15, 2047)

Par Call:

 

On or after July 15, 2047 (six months prior to maturity)

CUSIP/ISIN:

 

501044 DK4 / US501044DK40

 

Joint Book-Running Managers:

 

2.800% Senior Notes Due 2022

 

 

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

 

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

 

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

 

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

 

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

 

 

3.700% Senior Notes Due 2027

 

 

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

 

 

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

 



 

 

 

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

 

 

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

 

 

 

4.650% Senior Notes Due 2048

 

 

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

 

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

 

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

 

BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC

 

 

BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

Santander Investment Securities Inc.

Co-Managers:

 

 

 

 

 

2.800% Senior Notes Due 2022

 

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

 

 

BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC

 

 

BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

 

 

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

 

 

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

Santander Investment Securities Inc.

 

 

The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

 

 

 

3.700% Senior Notes Due 2027

 

 

BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC

 

 

BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

 

 

Santander Investment Securities Inc.

 

 

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

 

 

CastleOak Securities, L.P.

 

 

 

4.650% Senior Notes Due 2048

 

 

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

 

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

 

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

 

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

 

 

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

 

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 



 

 

 

CastleOak Securities, L.P.

 

The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling Mizuho Securities USA LLC toll-free at ###-###-####, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. toll-free at ###-###-####, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC toll-free at ###-###-####, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated toll-free at ###-###-####, RBC Capital Markets, LLC toll-free at ###-###-####, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. toll-free at ###-###-####, or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC toll-free at ###-###-####.

 

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