PREFERRED STOCK

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Preferred Stock

PREFERRED STOCK

Sempra Energy and SDG&E are authorized to issue up to 50 million and 45 million shares of preferred stock, respectively. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, SDG&E had no preferred stock outstanding. The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions for any new series of preferred stock would be established by each company’s board of directors at the time of issuance. We discuss SoCalGas preferred stock below.

SEMPRA ENERGY MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

In January 2018, we issued 17,250,000 shares of our 6% mandatory convertible preferred stock, series A (series A preferred stock) in a registered public offering at $100.00 per share (or $98.20 per share after deducting underwriting discounts), and received net proceeds of $1.69 billion (net of underwriting discounts and equity issuance costs of $32 million). Each share of series A preferred stock had a liquidation value of $100.00.

In July 2018, we issued 5,750,000 shares of our 6.75% mandatory convertible preferred stock, series B (series B preferred stock) in a registered public offering at $100.00 per share (or $98.35 per share after deducting underwriting discounts), and received net proceeds of $565 million (net of underwriting discounts and equity issuance costs of $10 million). Each share of series B preferred stock has a liquidation value of $100.00.

Mandatory Conversion

Unless earlier converted, each share of the series A preferred stock and series B preferred stock is to automatically convert on the mandatory conversion date of January 15, 2021 and July 15, 2021, respectively. The number of shares of our common stock issuable on conversion of each such series of preferred stock is determined based on the volume-weighted average market value per share of our common stock over the 20-consecutive trading day period beginning on and including the 21st scheduled trading day immediately preceding January 15, 2021 for the series A preferred stock and July 15, 2021 for the series B preferred stock. On January 15, 2021, we converted 17,250,000 shares of series A preferred stock into 13,781,025 shares of our common stock based on a conversion rate of 0.7989 shares of our common stock for each issued and outstanding share of series A preferred stock. As a consequence, no shares of series A preferred stock were outstanding after January 15, 2021 and the 17,250,000 shares that were formerly series A preferred stock have returned to the status of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock.

The terms of our series A preferred stock and series B preferred stock require a notice to holders when the aggregate adjustment to the conversion rates at which shares of series A preferred stock or series B preferred stock are convertible into shares of Sempra Energy common stock is more than 1%. On July 6, 2020, we notified the holders of the series A preferred stock of such an adjustment. These adjustments, which resulted from the incremental impact of our second quarter dividend declared on our common stock and which became effective as of June 25, 2020, the ex-dividend date for such dividend, include adjustments to the minimum and maximum conversion rates and the related initial and threshold appreciation prices.

The following table illustrates the conversion rate per share of our series B preferred stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments.

CONVERSION RATES
Applicable market value per share of our common stock	Conversion rate (number of shares of our common stock to be received upon conversion of each share of series B preferred stock)
Series B preferred stock
Greater than $136.50 (which is the threshold appreciation price)	0.7326 shares (approximately equal to $100.00 divided by the threshold appreciation price)
Equal to or less than $136.50 but greater than or equal to $113.75	Between 0.7326 and 0.8791 shares, determined by dividing $100.00 by the applicable market value of our common stock
Less than $113.75 (which is the initial price)	0.8791 shares (approximately equal to $100.00 divided by the initial price)

Conversion at the Option of the Holder

Generally, and subject to the terms of the respective series of mandatory convertible preferred stock, at any time prior to January 15, 2021 for the series A preferred stock and July 15, 2021 for the series B preferred stock, holders were (with respect to the series A preferred stock) or are (with respect to the series B preferred stock) entitled to elect to convert each share of their preferred stock into shares of our common stock at the minimum conversion rate. No holders of the series A preferred stock elected such a conversion before the January 15, 2021 mandatory conversion of all then-outstanding shares. If all outstanding series B preferred stock were converted early, we would issue, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, 4.2 million common shares upon such conversion. In addition, if holders of the series B preferred stock elect to convert any shares during a specified period beginning on the effective date of a fundamental change, as defined in the certificate of determination of preferences of the series B preferred stock, such shares of preferred stock will be converted into shares of our common stock at a fundamental change conversion rate, and the holders will also be entitled to receive a fundamental change dividend make-whole amount and accumulated dividend amount.

Dividends

Dividends on each series of mandatory convertible preferred stock are (or, with respect to the series A preferred stock, were) payable quarterly on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by our board of directors. All dividends ceased to accrue on the series A preferred stock upon their mandatory conversion on January 15, 2021. We may pay quarterly declared dividends on the series B preferred stock in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of our common stock, no par value, or in any combination of cash and shares of our common stock. Shares of common stock used to pay dividends will be valued at 97% of the volume-weighted average price per share over the five-consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including the sixth trading day prior to, the applicable dividend payment date.

Voting Rights

The holders of the series B preferred stock do not have voting rights, except with respect to any authorization, creation or increase in the authorized amount of any class or series of capital stock ranking senior to the series B preferred stock, certain amendments to the terms of the series B preferred stock, in certain other limited circumstances and as otherwise specifically required by California law. In addition, whenever dividends on any shares of series B preferred stock have not been declared and paid or have been declared but not paid for six or more dividend periods, whether or not consecutive, the authorized number of directors on our board of directors will automatically be increased by two and the holders of the series B preferred stock, voting together as a single class with holders of any and all other outstanding preferred stock of equal rank having similar voting rights, will be entitled to elect two directors who satisfy certain requirements to fill such newly created directorships. This voting right will terminate when all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the series B preferred stock have been paid in full and, upon such termination and the termination of the same voting rights of all other holders of outstanding series of preferred stock that have such voting rights, the term of office of each director elected pursuant to such rights will terminate and the authorized number of directors will automatically decrease by two, subject to the revesting of that right in the event of each subsequent nonpayment.

Ranking

The series B preferred stock ranks, with respect to dividend rights and distribution rights upon our liquidation, winding-up or dissolution:

▪senior to our common stock and each other class or series of our capital stock established in the future, unless the terms of such capital stock expressly provide otherwise;

▪on parity with our outstanding series C preferred stock and each class or series of our capital stock established in the future if the terms of such capital stock provide that it ranks on parity with the series B preferred stock;

▪junior to each class or series of our capital stock established in the future, if the terms of such capital stock provide that it ranks senior to the series B preferred stock;

▪junior to our existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities; and

▪structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries and capital stock of our subsidiaries held by third parties.

SEMPRA ENERGY SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK

In June 2020, we issued 900,000 shares of our 4.875% fixed-rate reset cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred stock, series C (series C preferred stock) in a registered public offering at a price to the public of $1,000 per share and received net proceeds of $889 million after deducting the underwriting discount and equity issuance costs of $11 million. We used the net proceeds for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including the repayment of indebtedness.

Liquidation Preference

Each share of series C preferred stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) on such share.

Redemption at the Option of Sempra Energy

The shares of series C preferred stock are perpetual and have no maturity date. However, we may, at our option, redeem the series C preferred stock in whole or in part, from time to time, on any day during the period from and including the July 15 immediately preceding October 15, 2025 and October 15 of every fifth year after 2025 through and including such October 15 at a redemption price in cash equal to $1,000 per share. Additionally, in the event that a credit rating agency then publishing a rating for us makes certain amendments, clarifications or changes to the criteria it uses to assign equity credit to securities such as the series C preferred stock (Ratings Event), we may redeem the series C preferred stock, in whole but not in part, at any time within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by us following the occurrence of the Ratings Event or, if no such review or appeal process is available or sought, the occurrence of such Ratings Event, at a redemption price in cash equal to $1,020 per share (102% of the liquidation preference per share).

Dividends

Dividends on the series C preferred stock, when, as and if declared by our board of directors or an authorized committee thereof, are payable in cash, on a cumulative basis, semi-annually in arrears beginning on October 15, 2020. Dividends on the series C preferred stock will be cumulative whether or not:

▪we have earnings;

▪the payment of such dividends is then permitted under California law;

▪such dividends are authorized or declared; and

▪any agreements to which we are a party prohibit the current payment of dividends, including any agreement relating to our indebtedness.

We accrue dividends on the series C preferred stock on a monthly basis. The dividend rate from and including June 19, 2020 to, but excluding, October 15, 2025 is 4.875% per annum of the $1,000 liquidation preference per share. The dividend rate will reset on October 15, 2025 and on October 15 of every fifth year after 2025 and, for each five-year period following such reset dates, will be a per annum rate equal to the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate (as defined in the certificate of determination of preferences of the series C preferred stock) as of the second business day prior to such reset date, plus a spread of 4.550%, of the $1,000 liquidation preference per share.

Voting Rights

The holders of series C preferred stock do not have any voting rights, except with respect to any authorization, creation or increase in the authorized amount of any class or series of capital stock ranking senior to the series C preferred stock, certain amendments to the terms of the series C preferred stock, in certain other limited circumstances and as otherwise specifically required by California law. In addition, whenever dividends on any shares of series C preferred stock have not been declared and paid or have been declared but not paid for three or more dividend periods, whether or not consecutive, the authorized number of directors on our board of directors will automatically be increased by two and the holders of the series C preferred stock, voting together as a single class with holders of any and all other outstanding series of preferred stock of equal rank having similar voting rights, will be entitled to elect two directors who satisfy certain requirements to fill such two newly created directorships. This voting right will terminate when all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the series C preferred stock have been paid in full and, upon such termination and the termination of the same voting rights of all other holders of outstanding series of preferred stock that have such voting rights, the term of office of each director elected pursuant to such rights will terminate and the authorized number of directors will automatically decrease by two, subject to the revesting of such rights in the event of each subsequent nonpayment.

Ranking

The series C preferred stock ranks, with respect to dividend rights and distribution rights upon our liquidation, winding-up or dissolution:

▪senior to our common stock and each other class or series of our capital stock established in the future, unless the terms of such capital stock expressly provide otherwise;

▪on parity with our formerly outstanding series A preferred stock and currently outstanding series B preferred stock and each class or series of our capital stock established in the future if the terms of such capital stock provide that it ranks on parity with the series C preferred stock;

▪junior to each class or series of our capital stock established in the future, if the terms of such capital stock provide that it ranks senior to the series C preferred stock;

▪junior to our existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities; and

▪structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries and capital stock of our subsidiaries held by third parties.

SOCALGAS PREFERRED STOCK

SoCalGas is authorized to issue up to an aggregate of 11 million shares of preferred stock, series preferred stock and preference stock. The table below presents preferred stock outstanding at SoCalGas:

PREFERRED STOCK OUTSTANDING
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
	December 31,
	2020		2019
$25 par value, authorized 1,000,000 shares:
6% Series, 79,011 shares outstanding	$	3	$	3
6% Series A, 783,032 shares outstanding	19		19
SoCalGas - Total preferred stock	22		22
Less: 50,970 shares of the 6% Series outstanding owned by PE	(2)		(2)
Sempra Energy - Total preferred stock of subsidiary	$	20	$	20

None of SoCalGas’ outstanding preferred stock is callable, and no shares are subject to mandatory redemption.

All outstanding shares have one vote per share, cumulative preferences as to dividends and liquidation preferences of $25 per share plus any unpaid dividends.

In addition to the outstanding preferred stock above, SoCalGas’ articles of incorporation authorize 5 million shares of series preferred stock and 5 million shares of preference stock, both without par value and with cumulative preferences as to dividends and liquidation value. The preference stock would rank junior to all series of preferred stock and series preferred stock. Other rights and privileges of any new series of such stock would be established by the SoCalGas board of directors at the time of issuance.