-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, RnYGEoDLPFBHC7PXapN5lgsyNVnnSsIAiSaosgEwOqEgK//q5/IzDEBtkSccY8KI jKqRS/Nttr5Q/6aF8SNq2Q== 0000950127-04-000877.txt : 20040909 0000950127-04-000877.hdr.sgml : 20040909 20040909162344 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950127-04-000877 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20040909 FILED AS OF DATE: 20040909 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20040909 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ABB LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001091587 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES [8742] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-16429 FILM NUMBER: 041023211 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: PO BOX 8131 STREET 2: CH 8050 CITY: ZURICH SWITZERLAND STATE: V8 ZIP: 999999999 6-K 1 a6-k.txt REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the month of: September 2004 Commission File Number: 001-16429 ABB Ltd ----------------------------------------------- (Translation of registrant's name into English) P.O. Box 8131, Affolternstrasse 44, CH-8050, Zurich, Switzerland ---------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive office) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F X Form 40-F --- --- Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes No X --- --- If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-________. This Form 6-K consists of the following: 1. Press release of ABB Ltd, dated September 9, 2004, announcing approval by its bondholders of resolutions that give it the option to redeem certain outstanding bonds issued by ABB International Finance Limited. This report includes forward-looking information and statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about global economic conditions, the economic conditions of the regions and industries that are major markets for ABB Ltd and ABB Ltd's lines of business. These expectations, estimates and projections are generally identifiable by statements containing words such as "expects," "believes," "estimates" or similar expressions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expectations include, among others, ABB's ability to dispose of certain of its non-core businesses on terms and conditions acceptable to it, ABB's ability to further reduce its indebtedness as planned, the resolution of asbestos claims on terms and conditions satisfactory to ABB, economic and market conditions in the geographic areas and industries that are major markets for ABB's businesses, market acceptance of new products and services, changes in governmental regulations, interest rates, fluctuations in currency exchange rates and such other factors as may be discussed from time to time in ABB's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 20-F. Although ABB Ltd believes that its expectations reflected in any such forward-looking statement are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that those expectations will be achieved. Press Release ABB For your business and technology editors ABB bondholders pass resolutions to permit repurchases Zurich, Switzerland, September 9, 2004 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, said bondholders earlier today approved resolutions which give the company the option to redeem outstanding instruments of its Euro 300 million, 5.375 percent bonds due in 2005 and Euro 475 million, 5.125 percent bonds due in 2006. The prices will be calculated on the same terms as the tender offers announced on 29 July 2004. Both bonds were issued by ABB International Finance Limited. Peter Voser, ABB's chief financial officer, said: "The completion of this bond repurchase will reduce ABB's debt by approximately $800 million and is part of ABB's strategy to cut gross debt to $4 billion by the end of 2005." Prior to the bondholders' meetings, 57 percent (Euro 156,591,000) of the principal amount outstanding of 2005 bonds and 59 percent (Euro 215,200,000) of the principal amount outstanding of 2006 bonds had been validly tendered and accepted under the tender offers, for which pricing and settlement dates are scheduled for 10 and 14 September 2004 respectively. ABB intends to exercise its options to redeem early all of the remaining outstanding 2005 and 2006 bonds. The redemption date is expected to be 29 September 2004, with the calculation of the relevant redemption amounts scheduled for 27 September 2004. Further information can be found online at www.ABBbondtender.com or by contacting ABB or the dealer managers. A notice will also be published in the Luxemburger Wort on 14 September 2004. Mandated dealer managers for the transaction are Barclays Capital, Commerzbank Securities and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein. ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 105,000 people. For more information please contact: Media Relations Investor Relations ABB Ltd Thomas Schmidt Switzerland: Tel. +41 43 317 71 11 Affolternstrasse 44, Tel: +41 43 317 6568 Sweden: Tel. +46 21 325 719 CH-8050 Zurich, Fax: +41 43 317 7958 investor.relations@ch.abb.com Switzerland media.relations@ch.abb.com Tel. +41 43 317 7111 www.abb.com Dealer Managers Barclays Bank plc Commerzbank AG Dresdner Bank AG Contact: Sven Pongs / Marie-France Contact: Damian Saunders / Mathilde Contact: Hugh Carter/ Guay Baechler Olivia Smith Tel. +44 20 7773 8990 Tel. +44 20 7469 3338 Tel. +44 20 7475 4974 Fax +44 20 7516 7379 Fax +44 20 7645 7191 Fax +44 20 7475 5843 Email: sven.pongs@barcap.com Email: bond.tender@commerzbankib.com Email: liability.management@drkw.com
SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. ABB LTD Date: September 9, 2004 By: /s/ Hans Enhorning ---------------------------------- Name: Hans Enhorning Title: Group Vice President, Assistant General Counsel By: /s/ Francois Champagne ---------------------------------- Name: Francois Champagne Title: Group Vice President, Senior Counsel -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----