424B2 1 d874457d424b2.htm 424B2 424B2
Table of Contents

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-271535

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

TO PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2023

$10,500,000,000

 

 

LOGO

Meta Platforms, Inc.

$1,000,000,000 4.300% Senior Notes due 2029

$1,000,000,000 4.550% Senior Notes due 2031

$2,500,000,000 4.750% Senior Notes due 2034

$3,250,000,000 5.400% Senior Notes due 2054

$2,750,000,000 5.550% Senior Notes due 2064

 

 

We are offering $1,000,000,000 of our 4.300% senior notes due 2029 (the “2029 notes”), $1,000,000,000 of our 4.550% senior notes due 2031 (the “2031 notes”), $2,500,000,000 of our 4.750% senior notes due 2034 (the “2034 notes”), $3,250,000,000 of our 5.400% senior notes due 2054 (the “2054 notes”) and $2,750,000,000 of our 5.550% senior notes due 2064 (the “2064 notes” and, together with the 2029 notes, the 2031 notes, the 2034 notes and the 2054 notes, the “notes”).

We will pay interest on the notes on February 15 and August 15 of each year until maturity, beginning on February 15, 2025. The notes will be our unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes of each series will be issued only in registered form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

We may redeem the notes of each series in whole or in part at any time prior to their maturity at the redemption prices described under “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption of the Notes.”

 

 

Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024.

 

 

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 prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

     Public Offering
Price(1)
     Underwriting
Discount
     Proceeds, Before Expenses,
to Meta Platforms,
Inc.(1)(2)
 
     Per Note     Total      Per Note     Total      Per Note     Total  

2029 notes

     99.807   $ 998,070,000        0.120   $ 1,200,000        99.687   $ 996,870,000  

2031 notes

     99.952   $ 999,520,000        0.150   $ 1,500,000        99.802   $ 998,020,000  

2034 notes

     99.810   $ 2,495,250,000        0.200   $ 5,000,000        99.610   $ 2,490,250,000  

2054 notes

     99.601   $ 3,237,032,500        0.400   $ 13,000,000        99.201   $ 3,224,032,500  

2064 notes

     99.568   $ 2,738,120,000        0.400   $ 11,000,000        99.168   $ 2,727,120,000  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     $ 10,467,992,500        $ 31,700,000        $ 10,436,292,500  

 

(1)

Plus accrued interest from August 9, 2024, if settlement occurs after that date.

(2)

The underwriters have agreed to reimburse us for certain of our expenses. See “Underwriting.”

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently, there are no public markets for the notes.

We expect that delivery of the notes will be made to investors in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about August 9, 2024.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

BofA Securities   J.P. Morgan   Morgan Stanley
  Citigroup  
  Co-Managers  
Allen & Company LLC   Blaylock Van, LLC   CastleOak Securities, L.P.
R. Seelaus & Co., LLC   Siebert Williams Shank

The date of this prospectus supplement is August 7, 2024.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page  

Notice to Investors

     S-ii  

About This Prospectus Supplement

     S-iii  

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

     S-iv  

Summary

     S-1  

Risk Factors

     S-5  

Use of Proceeds

     S-7  

Capitalization

     S-8  

Description of Notes

     S-9  

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

     S-16  

Certain Benefit Plan Investor Considerations

     S-19  

Underwriting

     S-21  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     S-27  

Legal Matters

     S-28  

Experts

     S-28  

 

Prospectus       

About This Prospectus

     ii  

Where You Can Find More Information

     iii  

Forward-Looking Statements

     iv  

The Company

     1  

Risk Factors

     3  

Use of Proceeds

     4  

Description of Debt Securities

     5  

Plan of Distribution

     16  

Legal Matters

     18  

Experts

     18  

 

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NOTICE TO INVESTORS

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Neither we nor the underwriters take responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may give you. We and the underwriters are offering to sell the notes only in places where offers and sales are permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus, or any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Unless expressly indicated or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Meta,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” in this prospectus refer to Meta Platforms, Inc., and, where appropriate, its subsidiaries. The term “Family” refers to our Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp products. For references to accessing Meta’s products on the “web” or via a “website,” such terms refer to accessing such products on personal computers. For references to accessing Meta’s products on “mobile,” such term refers to accessing such products via a mobile application or via a mobile-optimized version of our websites, whether on a mobile phone or tablet.

Meta, the Meta logo, Meta Quest, Meta Horizon, Facebook, FB, Instagram, Oculus, WhatsApp, Reels, and our other registered or common law trademarks, service marks, or trade names included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are the property of Meta Platforms, Inc. or its affiliates. Other trademarks, service marks, or trade names included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of the notes and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information about us and the securities we may offer from time to time under our shelf registration statement, some of which may not apply to this offering of the notes. If the description of this offering of the notes in the accompanying prospectus is different from the description in this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information contained in this prospectus supplement.

You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into herein and therein, and any free writing prospectus provided in connection with this offering before deciding whether to invest in the notes offered by this prospectus supplement.

You should not consider any information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to be investment, legal, or tax advice. You should consult your own counsel, accountants, and other advisors for legal, tax, business, financial, and related advice regarding the purchase of any of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors” in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in any subsequent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K that are incorporated by reference herein or in the accompanying prospectus. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

 

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights information presented in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference herein and therein. This summary is not complete and does not contain all the information you should consider before investing in the notes. You should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the other incorporated documents, including “Risk Factors” herein and in such incorporated documents, as well as our consolidated financial statements, before investing in the notes.

Our mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.

All of our products, including our apps, share the vision of helping to bring the metaverse to life. We build technology that helps people connect and share, find communities, and grow businesses. Our products enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets, and wearables. We also help people discover and learn about what is going on in the world around them, enable people to share their experiences, ideas, photos and videos, and other activities with audiences ranging from their closest family members and friends to the public at large, and stay connected everywhere by accessing our products. Meta is moving our offerings beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the metaverse, which we believe is the next evolution in social technology. Our vision for the metaverse does not center on any single product, but rather an entire ecosystem of experiences, devices, and new technologies. While the metaverse is in the very early stages of its development, we believe it will become the next computing platform and the future of social interaction. Across our work, we are innovating in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to build new experiences that help make our platform more social, useful, and immersive.

We report financial results for two segments: Family of Apps (FoA) and Reality Labs (RL). Currently, we generate substantially all of our revenue from selling advertising placements on our family of apps to marketers, which is reflected in FoA. Ads on our platform enable marketers to reach people across a range of marketing objectives, such as generating leads or driving awareness. Marketers purchase ads that can appear in multiple places including on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and third-party applications and websites. RL generates revenue from sales of consumer hardware products, software, and content.

Family of Apps Products

 

   

Facebook. Facebook helps give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. It’s a place for people to share life’s moments and discuss what’s happening, nurture and build relationships, discover and connect to interests, and create economic opportunity. They can do this through Feed, Reels, Stories, Groups, Marketplace and more.

 

   

Instagram. Instagram brings people closer to the people and things they love. Instagram Feed, Stories, Reels, Live, and messaging are places where people and creators can connect and express themselves through photos, video, and private messaging, and discover and shop from their favorite businesses.

 

   

Messenger. Messenger is a simple yet powerful messaging application for people to connect with friends, family, communities, and businesses across platforms and devices through text, audio and video calls.

 

   

Threads. Threads is an application for text-based updates and public conversations, where communities come together to discuss topics of interest. People can connect directly with their favorite creators and others who love the same things or build a loyal following of their own to share their ideas, opinions, and creativity with the world.

 

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WhatsApp. WhatsApp is a simple, reliable, and secure messaging application that is used by people and businesses around the world to communicate and transact in a private way. Within WhatsApp we launched WhatsApp Channels, a one-to-many broadcast service designed to help people follow information from people and organizations that are important to them.

Reality Labs Products

Many of our metaverse investments are directed toward long-term, cutting-edge research and development for products that are not on the market today and may only be fully realized in the next decade. This includes exploring new technologies such as neural interfaces using electromyography, which lets people control their devices using neuromuscular signals, as well as innovations in AI and hardware to help build next-generation interfaces. In the near term, we are continuing to develop early metaverse experiences through Reality Labs products that help people feel connected, anytime, anywhere. Our current product offerings in VR include our Meta Quest devices, as well as software and content available through the Meta Quest Store, which enable a range of social experiences that allow people to defy physical distance while engaging in gaming, fitness, entertainment, and more. For example, Meta Horizon Worlds is a social platform where people can interact with friends, meet new people, play games, and attend virtual events. To drive greater adoption and acceptance of VR we have also introduced MR capabilities, which allow users to experience the immersion and presence of VR while still being grounded in the physical world, through our Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 3 devices. We have continued to advance our augmented reality (AR) roadmap to include offerings such as the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which feature Meta AI, our advanced conversational assistant, as well as offer the ability to livestream video and let people stay more present through hands-free interaction. We also offer Meta Spark, a platform that allows creators and businesses to build AR experiences that bring the digital and physical worlds together in our apps.

We are a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at 1 Meta Way, Menlo Park, California 94025 and our telephone number is (650) 543-4800. Our Class A common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “META.”

 

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The Offering

The following summary contains basic information about the notes and is not intended to be complete. It does not contain all the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of the notes, please refer to the section of this prospectus supplement entitled “Description of Notes.”

 

Issuer

Meta Platforms, Inc.

 

Notes

$1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.300% senior notes due 2029 (the “2029 notes”).

 

  $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.550% senior notes due 2031 (the “2031 notes”).

 

  $2,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.750% senior notes due 2034 (the “2034 notes”).

 

  $3,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.400% senior notes due 2054 (the “2054 notes”).

 

  $2,750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.550% senior notes due 2064 (the “2064 notes”).

 

Maturity Date

The 2029 notes: August 15, 2029.

 

  The 2031 notes: August 15, 2031.

 

  The 2034 notes: August 15, 2034.

 

  The 2054 notes: August 15, 2054.

 

  The 2064 notes: August 15, 2064.

 

Interest Rate

The 2029 notes: 4.300% per annum, from August 9, 2024, payable semi-annually in arrears.

 

  The 2031 notes: 4.550% per annum, from August 9, 2024, payable semi-annually in arrears.

 

  The 2034 notes: 4.750% per annum, from August 9, 2024, payable semi-annually in arrears.

 

  The 2054 notes: 5.400% per annum, from August 9, 2024, payable semi-annually in arrears.

 

  The 2064 notes: 5.550% per annum, from August 9, 2024, payable semi-annually in arrears.

 

Interest Payment Dates

Interest on the notes will be paid semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2025.

 

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Optional Redemption of the Notes

Prior to (i) with respect to the 2029 notes, July 15, 2029 (one month prior to the maturity date of such notes), (ii) with respect to the 2031 notes, June 15, 2031 (two months prior to the maturity date of such notes), (iii) with respect to the 2034 notes, May 15, 2034 (three months prior to the maturity date of such notes), (iv) with respect to the 2054 notes, February 15, 2054 (six months prior to the maturity date of such notes), and (v) with respect to the 2064 notes, February 15, 2064, (six months prior to the maturity date of such notes) (each such date, a “Par Call Date”), a series of notes will be redeemable as a whole or in part, at our option at any time and from time to time at the applicable “make whole” redemption price described under “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption of the Notes” plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date.

 

  On or after the applicable Par Call Date, a series of notes will be redeemable as a whole or in part, at our option at any time and from time to time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

 

Ranking

The notes will be our unsecured and unsubordinated debt and will rank equally with our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The notes will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries and will rank structurally subordinate to all liabilities of our subsidiaries.

 

Use of Proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Governing Law

New York.

 

Risk Factors

Investing in the notes involves risk. You should read the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement and in our latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other periodic reports we have filed and may file with the SEC from time to time, for a discussion of factors to which you should refer and carefully consider prior to making an investment in the notes.

 

Trading

The notes are new issues of securities with no established trading markets. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system. We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently intend to make markets in the notes after completion of the offering. However, they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without any notice.

 

Trustee

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.

 

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RISK FACTORS

The information below should be read in conjunction with the information under “Item 1A—Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein, and with the information under “Risk Factors” in any subsequent incorporated documents. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

Risks Relating to the Notes

The notes are senior unsecured obligations and will be effectively subordinated to all of our future secured debt.

The notes are our senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally with our other senior unsecured indebtedness. The notes are not secured by any of our assets. As a result, the indebtedness represented by the notes will effectively be subordinated to any secured indebtedness we may incur, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In the event of any distribution or payment of our assets in any dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding, any secured creditors would have a superior claim to the extent of their collateral.

The notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries.

We conduct a majority of our operations through our subsidiaries, which are distinct legal entities from us. The notes are obligations exclusively of Meta Platforms, Inc. and are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. As a result, the notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries. In the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, or other similar proceeding of a subsidiary, creditors of that subsidiary would generally have the right to be paid in full before any distribution is made to us or the holders of the notes. As a result, you may receive less than you are entitled to receive or recover nothing if any dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, or other similar proceeding occurs.

The indenture governing the notes does not contain financial covenants and only provides limited restrictions on our ability to engage in significant corporate events and other activities, which could adversely impact your investment in the notes.

The indenture governing the notes does not:

 

   

require us to maintain any financial ratios or specific levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow, or liquidity and, accordingly, does not protect holders of the notes in the event that we experience significant adverse changes in our financial condition or results of operations;

 

   

restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to issue securities or otherwise incur indebtedness or other liabilities that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore would be structurally senior to the notes;

 

   

limit our ability to incur secured indebtedness that would effectively rank senior to the notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing the indebtedness, or to engage in sale and leaseback transactions;

 

   

limit our ability to incur indebtedness that is equal in right of payment to the notes;

 

   

restrict our ability to repurchase or prepay our securities or other indebtedness;

 

   

restrict our ability to make investments or to repurchase or pay dividends or make other payments in respect of our common stock or other securities ranking junior to the notes;

 

   

restrict our ability to enter into highly leveraged transactions; or

 

   

require us to repurchase the notes in the event of a change in control.

 

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As a result of the foregoing, when evaluating the terms of the notes, you should be aware that the terms of the indenture and the notes do not restrict our ability to engage in, or to otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances, and events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the notes.

Our credit ratings may not reflect all risks of your investment in the notes.

Our credit ratings are an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of the notes. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of all risks relating to the notes. Agency credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security, and may be revised adversely or downgraded or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other agency’s credit rating.

Redemption may adversely affect your return on the notes.

We have the right to redeem the notes of each series on the terms set forth in this prospectus supplement. We may redeem such notes at times when prevailing interest rates may be relatively low. Accordingly, you may not be able to reinvest the amount received upon a redemption in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as or substantially similar to that of the notes being redeemed.

Public markets do not exist and may not develop for the notes which may limit ability to resell the notes timely or require trading at substantial discount.

The notes will be new issues of securities. Prior to the offering made hereby, there have been no markets for the notes. The underwriters have advised us that they presently intend to make a market in the notes of each series as permitted by applicable law. The underwriters are not obligated, however, to make a market for the notes of each series and any market-making activities may be discontinued at any time at the sole discretion of the underwriters. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that active markets for the notes will develop. Moreover, even if markets for the notes develop, the notes could trade at substantial discounts from their face amounts. If markets for the notes do not develop, or if market conditions change, purchasers may be unable to resell the notes for an extended period of time, if at all. Consequently, a purchaser may not be able to liquidate its investment readily, and the notes may not be readily accepted as collateral for loans.

If trading markets develop, changes in our credit ratings or the debt markets could adversely affect the market prices of the notes.

The prices for the notes depend on many factors, including:

 

   

our credit ratings;

 

   

prevailing interest rates being paid by, or the market prices for notes issued by, other companies similar to us;

 

   

our results of operations, financial condition, and prospects; and

 

   

the overall conditions of the general economy and the financial markets.

The conditions of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. Such fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the prices of the notes.

Rating agencies continually review the credit ratings they have assigned to companies and debt securities. Negative changes in the credit ratings assigned to us or our debt securities could have an adverse effect on the market prices of the notes. Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the notes.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds to us from this offering are estimated to be approximately $10.431 billion, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale marketable securities and capitalization on a consolidated basis as of June 30, 2024. We have presented our capitalization on both an actual and as adjusted basis to reflect the issuance of the notes and the receipt (but not the use) of the estimated net proceeds of this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds.” You should read the following table along with our financial statements and the accompanying notes to those statements, together with the information set forth under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

 

     As of June 30, 2024  
     Actual      As Adjusted  
     (in millions)  

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

     

Cash and Cash Equivalents(1)

   $ 32,045      $ 42,476  

Marketable securities

     26,035        26,035  

Total cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities

   $ 58,080      $ 68,511  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     

Long-term debt

   $ 18,389      $ 18,389  

2029 notes offered hereby(2)

     —         1,000  

2031 notes offered hereby(2)

     —         1,000  

2034 notes offered hereby(2)

     —         2,500  

2054 notes offered hereby(2)

     —         3,250  

2064 notes offered hereby(2)

     —         2,750  

Total long-term debt

   $ 18,389      $ 28,889  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 156,763      $ 156,763  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 175,152      $ 185,652  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

As adjusted Cash and Cash Equivalents reflects certain estimated offering expenses payable in connection with this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.”

(2)

Represents the face amount of the notes before deduction for debt issuance costs and any original issue discount.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

The following is a summary of the particular terms of the notes of each series offered by this prospectus supplement, and supplements the information under “Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus and, to the extent it is inconsistent, replaces the description in the accompanying prospectus. The descriptions in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain descriptions of certain terms of the notes and the indenture but do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture that has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are a part, including the definitions of specified terms used in the indenture, and to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of the notes. For purposes of this section of this prospectus supplement, references to “Meta,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer only to Meta Platforms, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.

General

The 2029 notes will initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000. The 2029 notes will bear interest from August 9, 2024, payable semi-annually on each February 15 and August 15, beginning on February 15, 2025, to the persons in whose names the 2029 notes are registered at the close of business on each February 1 and August 1, as the case may be (whether or not a business day), immediately preceding such February 15 and August 15. The 2029 notes will mature on August 15, 2029.

The 2031 notes will initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000. The 2031 notes will bear interest from August 9, 2024, payable semi-annually on each February 15 and August 15, beginning on February 15, 2025, to the persons in whose names the 2031 notes are registered at the close of business on each February 1 and August 1, as the case may be (whether or not a business day), immediately preceding such February 15 and August 15. The 2031 notes will mature on August 15, 2031.

The 2034 notes will initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $2,500,000,000. The 2034 notes will bear interest from August 9, 2024, payable semi-annually on each February 15 and August 15, beginning on February 15, 2025, to the persons in whose names the 2034 notes are registered at the close of business on each February 1 and August 1, as the case may be (whether or not a business day), immediately preceding such February 15 and August 15. The 2034 notes will mature on August 15, 2034.

The 2054 notes will initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $3,250,000,000. The 2054 notes will bear interest from August 9, 2024, payable semi-annually on each February 15 and August 15, beginning on February 15, 2025, to the persons in whose names the 2054 notes are registered at the close of business on each February 1 and August 1, as the case may be (whether or not a business day), immediately preceding such February 15 and August 15. The 2054 notes will mature on August 15, 2054.

The 2064 notes will initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $2,750,000,000. The 2064 notes will bear interest from August 9, 2024, payable semi-annually on each February 15 and August 15, beginning on February 15, 2025, to the persons in whose names the 2064 notes are registered at the close of business on each February 1 and August 1, as the case may be (whether or not a business day), immediately preceding such February 15 and August 15. The 2064 notes will mature on August 15, 2064.

Each series of notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of August 9, 2022, between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by one or more supplemental indentures or officer’s certificates setting forth the final terms of the notes of each series (together, the “indenture”). The indenture is more fully described in the accompanying prospectus.

The notes are not subject to any sinking fund.

 

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The indenture does not limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, including indebtedness that is secured, senior to or equal in right of payment to the notes, and we may issue additional debt securities under the indenture from time to time in one or more series.

We may, without the consent of the existing holders of the notes, issue additional notes of any series having the same terms (except the issue date, the date from which interest accrues and, in some cases, the first interest payment date) so that existing notes of a particular series and additional notes of such series form the same series under the indenture, provided, however, that if any such additional notes are not fungible with the existing notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number.

The notes will be our unsecured and unsubordinated debt and will rank equally and ratably among themselves and with our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

The notes will be issued only in registered form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Calculation of Interest on the Notes

If any interest payment date, redemption date or the maturity date of the notes is not a business day, then payment of interest and/or principal will be made on the next succeeding business day. No interest will accrue on the amount so payable for the period from such interest payment date, redemption date or maturity date, as the case may be, to the date payment is made. Interest on the notes will be paid on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

For purposes of the notes, a “business day” is any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which commercial banks are required or permitted by law, regulation, or executive order to be closed in New York City or in the place of payment.

Defeasance

The notes will be subject to defeasance and discharge and to defeasance of certain covenants as set forth in the indenture. See “Description of Debt Securities—Satisfaction, Discharge and Covenant Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus.

Optional Redemption of the Notes

Each series of notes will be redeemable as a whole or in part, at our option at any time and from time to time prior to the applicable Par Call Date (as set forth in the table below), at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

  (1)

(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus the applicable Spread for such notes (as set forth in the table below), less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and

 

  (2)

100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

 

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Each series of notes will be redeemable as a whole or in part, at our option at any time and from time to time on or after the applicable Par Call Date, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

 

Series

  

Par Call Date

   Spread

2029 notes

   July 15, 2029 (one month prior to maturity)    10 basis points

2031 notes

   June 15, 2031 (two months prior to maturity)    15 basis points

2034 notes

   May 15, 2034 (three months prior to maturity)    15 basis points

2054 notes

   February 15, 2054 (six months prior to maturity)    20 basis points

2064 notes

   February 15, 2064 (six months prior to maturity)    20 basis points

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by us in accordance with the following two paragraphs:

 

  (1)

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities-Treasury constant maturities-Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (x) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the applicable Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (y) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields—one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life—and shall interpolate to the applicable Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (z) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.

  (2)

If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM or any successor designation is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the applicable Par Call Date. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the applicable Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from such Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding such Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following such Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding such Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the applicable Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

 

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The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Notice of any redemption will be sent at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed. If fewer than all of the notes of a series are to be redeemed, the particular notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the trustee pro rata or by lot or by such method as the trustee shall deem fair and appropriate unless otherwise required by law and, in respect of global notes, subject to the applicable procedures of the depositary. If any note is to be redeemed only in part, the notice of redemption that relates to such note shall state the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the note surrendered will be issued in the name of the holder of the note upon surrender of the original note.

No notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the note will state the portion of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed. A new note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the note will be issued in the name of the holder of the note upon surrender for cancellation of the original note. For so long as the notes are held by DTC (or another depositary), the redemption of the notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.

Any notice of redemption may, at our discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including completion of a refinancing transaction or other corporate transaction. In addition, if such redemption or purchase is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, we may, in our discretion, delay the redemption date until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed.

Unless we default in payment of the redemption price and accrued interest, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

Book-Entry System

The notes will be issued in fully registered form in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). One or more fully registered certificates will be issued as global notes in the aggregate principal amount of the notes. Such global notes will be deposited with or on behalf of DTC and may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor.

So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global note, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by such global note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as set forth in the accompanying prospectus, owners of beneficial interests in a global note will not be entitled to have the notes represented by such global note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such notes in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC for such global note and, if such person is not a participant in DTC (as described below), on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

Owners of beneficial interests in a global note may elect to hold their interests in such global note either in the United States through DTC or outside the United States through Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme (“Clearstream”) or Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., or its successor, as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”), if they are a participant of such system, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Interests held through Clearstream and Euroclear will be recorded on DTC’s books as being held

 

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by the U.S. depositary for each of Clearstream and Euroclear, which U.S. depositaries will in turn hold interests on behalf of their participants’ customers’ securities accounts. Citibank, N.A. will act as depositary for Clearstream and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. will act as depositary for Euroclear (in such capacities, the “U.S. Depositaries”).

As long as the notes are represented by the global notes, we will pay principal of and interest on those notes to or as directed by DTC as the registered holder of the global notes. Payments to DTC will be in immediately available funds by wire transfer. DTC will credit the relevant accounts of their participants on the applicable date. Neither we nor the trustee will be responsible for making any payments to participants or customers of participants or for maintaining any records relating to the holdings of participants and their customers, and each person owning a beneficial interest will have to rely on the procedures of the depositary and its participants.

We have been advised by DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, respectively, as follows:

DTC

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). DTC holds securities deposited with it by its participants and facilitates the settlement of transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. According to DTC, the foregoing information with respect to DTC has been provided to the financial community for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind.

Clearstream

Clearstream advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance, and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant, either directly or indirectly.

Distributions with respect to interests in the notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Clearstream.

 

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Euroclear

Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (the “Euroclear Operator”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers, and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

The Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, or the Euroclear Terms and Conditions, and applicable Belgian law govern securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator. Specifically, these terms and conditions govern:

 

   

transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear;

 

   

withdrawal of securities and cash from Euroclear; and

 

   

receipt of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear.

All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the terms and conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding securities through Euroclear Participants.

Distributions with respect to interests in the notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Euroclear Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for the Euroclear Operator.

Settlement

Investors in the notes will be required to make their initial payment for the notes in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between Clearstream Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by the U.S. depositary for such clearing system; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (based on European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the U.S. Depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. Depositaries.

 

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Because of time-zone differences, credits of notes received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such notes settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of notes by or through a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

Although DTC, Clearstream, and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of notes among participants of DTC, Clearstream, and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. See “Forms of Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

The information in this section concerning DTC, Clearstream, Euroclear, and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that Meta believes to be reliable (including DTC, Clearstream, and Euroclear), but Meta takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

Neither Meta, the trustee, nor the underwriters will have any responsibility or obligation to participants, or the persons for whom they act as nominees, with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC, its nominee, or any participant with respect to any ownership interest in the notes or payments to, or the providing of notice to participants or beneficial owners.

For other terms of the notes, including the Events of Default, limitations on consolidation, merger or sale, and provisions regarding amendments or supplements to the indenture, see “Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

Notices

Notices to holders of the notes will be given only to the depositary, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time.

Prescription Period

Any money that we deposit with the trustee or any paying agent for the payment of principal or any interest on any global note of any series that remains unclaimed for two years after the date upon which the principal and interest are due and payable will be repaid to us upon our request unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of any applicable unclaimed property law. After that time, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of any unclaimed property law, the holder of the global note will be able to seek any payment to which that holder may be entitled to collect only from us.

Governing Law

The notes will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of notes purchased for cash in this offering at their “issue price,” which we assume will be the prices indicated on the cover of this prospectus supplement, and held as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances, as well as differing tax consequences that may apply if you are, for instance:

 

   

a financial institution;

 

   

an insurance company;

 

   

a dealer or trader in securities that uses a mark-to-market method of tax accounting with respect to the notes;

 

   

holding notes as part of a “straddle” or integrated transaction;

 

   

a U.S. Holder (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

 

   

a regulated investment company;

 

   

a real estate investment trust;

 

   

a tax-exempt entity; or

 

   

a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If you are an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of your partners will generally depend on the status of the partners and your activities. If you are a partnership holding notes or a partner in such a partnership, you should consult your tax adviser as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of owning and disposing of the notes.

This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary, and proposed Treasury Regulations as of the date hereof, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement may affect the tax consequences described herein, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary does not address any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. taxation, any alternative minimum tax consequences, any Medicare contribution tax consequences, the application of Section 451 of the Code with respect to conforming the timing of income accruals to financial statements or any taxes other than federal income taxes. You should consult your tax adviser with regard to the application of the U.S. federal tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a U.S. Holder. You are a U.S. Holder if you are a beneficial owner of a note and are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or any 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 therein or the District of Columbia; or

 

   

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

Payments of Interest

Interest paid on a note will be taxable to you as ordinary interest income at the time it accrues or is received, in accordance with your method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is expected, and this discussion assumes, that the notes will be issued without original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes

Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of a note, you will generally recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other taxable disposition and your tax basis in the note. Your tax basis in a note will generally equal the cost of your note. For these purposes, the amount realized does not include any amount attributable to accrued interest, which would be treated as interest as described under “Payments of Interest” above.

Gain or loss realized on the sale or other taxable disposition of a note will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of the sale or other taxable disposition your holding period for the note is more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate taxpayers are eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a Non-U.S. Holder. You are a Non-U.S. Holder if you are a beneficial owner of a note and are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a nonresident alien individual (except as provided in the paragraph immediately below);

 

   

a foreign corporation; or

 

   

a foreign estate or trust.

You are not a Non-U.S. Holder if you are a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition or if you are a former citizen or former resident of the United States, in either of which cases you should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning or disposing of a note.

Payments on the Notes

Subject to the discussions below concerning backup withholding and FATCA, payments of principal, interest and premium (such as a “make whole” payment in connection with an optional redemption, if any) on the notes generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, provided that:

 

   

you do not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote;

 

   

you are not a controlled foreign corporation related, directly or indirectly, to the Company through stock ownership;

 

   

you certify on a properly executed Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8 appropriate to your circumstances, under penalties of perjury, that you are not a United States person; and

 

   

the interest on the notes is not “effectively connected” with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States as described below.

If you cannot satisfy one of the first three requirements described above and interest on the notes is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States as described below under “Effectively Connected Income,” payments of interest on the notes will be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 30%. To claim a reduction in or an exemption from the withholding tax under an applicable tax treaty, you must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly completed IRS Form W-8 claiming such benefits.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes

Subject to the discussions below concerning backup withholding and FATCA, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on a sale or other taxable disposition of a note

 

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unless the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States as described below under “Effectively Connected Income,” although any amounts attributable to accrued interest will be treated as described above under “Payments on the Notes.”

Effectively Connected Income

If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States, and if income or gain on a note is effectively connected with your conduct of this trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the income or gain is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by you), you will generally be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. Holder (see “Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders” above). In this case, you will be exempt from the withholding tax on interest discussed above, although you will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI in order to claim an exemption from withholding. You should consult your tax adviser with respect to other U.S. tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of notes, including the possible imposition of a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate) if you are a corporation.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

If you are a U.S. Holder, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with payments to you on the notes and proceeds received by you from a sale or other disposition of the notes unless you are an exempt recipient. You may also be subject to backup withholding on these payments in respect of your notes unless you provide your taxpayer identification number and otherwise comply with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules or you provide proof of an applicable exemption.

If you are a Non-U.S. Holder, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with payments to you of interest on the notes. Unless you comply with certification procedures to establish that you are not a United States person, information returns may also be filed with the IRS in connection with the proceeds received by you from a sale or other disposition of a note. You may be subject to backup withholding on payments on the notes or on the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the notes unless you comply with certification procedures to establish that you are not a United States person or otherwise establish an exemption. Compliance with the certification procedures required to claim the exemption from withholding tax on interest described above will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding as well.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to you may be allowed as a refund or credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

FATCA

Provisions commonly referred to as “FATCA” impose withholding of 30% on “withholdable payments” to certain non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries) with respect to certain financial instruments, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. FATCA withholding (if applicable) applies to payments of interest on the notes. While existing Treasury regulations would also require withholding on payments of gross proceeds of the sale or other disposition of the notes, the U.S. Treasury Department has indicated in subsequent proposed regulations its intent to eliminate this requirement. The U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the effects of FATCA on your investment in the notes.

 

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CERTAIN BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase of the notes (including an interest in a note) by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), plans, individual retirement accounts, and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code or provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S., or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Similar Laws”), and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan, plan, account, or arrangement (each, a “Plan”).

General Fiduciary Matters

ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (a “Covered Plan”) and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of a Covered Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such a Covered Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of such a Covered Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such a Covered Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the Covered Plan.

In considering an investment in the notes of a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to a fiduciary’s duties to the Plan, including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control, and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code, and any other applicable Similar Laws.

Prohibited Transaction Issues

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Covered Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are “parties in interest,” within the meaning of ERISA, or “disqualified persons” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engaged in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the Covered Plan that engaged in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. For example, the acquisition and/or holding of the notes (including an interest in a note) by a Covered Plan with respect to which we, any of the underwriters or any of our or their affiliates is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the notes (or interest therein) are acquired and held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class, or individual prohibited transaction exemption. In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs,” that potentially may apply to the acquisition and holding of the notes (including interests therein). These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 84-14 respecting transactions determined by qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 90-1 respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38 respecting bank collective investment funds, PTCE 95-60 respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE 96-23 respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide relief from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for certain transactions between a Covered Plan and a party in interest; provided that neither the party in interest nor any of its affiliates (directly or indirectly) thereof has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or renders any investment advice with respect to the assets of the Covered Plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the Covered Plan receives no less, nor pays no more, than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. Each of these exemptions contains conditions and limitations on its application, and there can be no assurance that any of these exemptions or other exemptions will be available, or that all of the conditions of an exemption will be satisfied, with respect

 

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to any or all prohibited transactions involving the notes. Therefore, each person that is considering acquiring or holding the notes in reliance on an exemption should carefully review and consult with its legal advisors to confirm that it is applicable to its investment in the notes.

Plans that are, or whose assets constitute the assets of, governmental plans (within the meaning of Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (within the meaning of Section 3(33) of ERISA) and non-U.S. plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) may not be subject to the fiduciary responsibility or prohibited transaction provisions of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, but may nevertheless be subject to Similar Laws. Fiduciaries of any such plans considering an investment in the notes should consult with its legal advisors to consider the applicable fiduciary standards and to determine the potential consequences of an investment in the notes under any applicable Similar Laws before deciding whether to acquire or hold any notes or interest in a note.

In light of the above, the notes (including an interest in a note) may not be purchased or held by any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such purchase and holding will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code or violate any applicable Similar Laws.

Representation

Accordingly, by acceptance of a note (including an interest in a note), each purchaser, holder, and subsequent transferee of a note will be deemed to have represented and warranted that either (i) no portion of the assets used by such purchaser, holder or transferee to acquire or hold the notes, or any interest therein, constitutes assets of any Plan or (ii) the purchase, holding and subsequent disposition of the notes, or any interest therein, by such purchaser, holder or transferee will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or violate any applicable Similar Laws.

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions or other violations of ERISA or Similar Law, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering purchasing the notes on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be necessary for, and if so applicable to, the purchase, holding, and subsequent disposition of the notes (including an interest therein).

Neither we, the underwriters nor any of our or their affiliates or agents make any representation herein as to whether an investment in the notes is appropriate or advisable for Plans in general or any particular Plan. Neither the sale of notes (including interests therein) to a Plan, this discussion nor anything provided in this prospectus supplement is, or is intended to be, in any respect investment advice or a recommendation directed at any potential Plan purchaser or at Plan purchasers generally. Purchasers of the notes (including interests therein) have the exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their investment in the notes complies with the fiduciary responsibility rules of ERISA or of any applicable Similar Laws and does not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or any applicable Similar Laws.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement among the underwriters and Meta, we have agreed to sell to each of the underwriters named below, and each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the principal amount of each series of notes set forth opposite its name.

 

Underwriter

  Principal
Amount of 2029
Notes To Be
Purchased
    Principal
Amount of 2031
Notes To Be
Purchased
    Principal
Amount of 2034
Notes To Be
Purchased
    Principal
Amount of 2054
Notes To Be
Purchased
    Principal
Amount of 2064
Notes To Be
Purchased
 

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 270,000,000     $ 270,000,000     $ 675,000,000     $ 877,500,000     $ 742,500,000  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  $ 270,000,000     $ 270,000,000     $ 675,000,000     $ 877,500,000     $ 742,500,000  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

  $ 270,000,000     $ 270,000,000     $ 675,000,000     $ 877,500,000     $ 742,500,000  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

  $ 100,000,000     $ 100,000,000     $ 250,000,000     $ 325,000,000     $ 275,000,000  

Allen & Company LLC

  $ 50,000,000     $ 50,000,000     $ 125,000,000     $ 162,500,000     $ 137,500,000  

Blaylock Van, LLC

  $ 10,000,000     $ 10,000,000     $ 25,000,000     $ 32,500,000     $ 27,500,000  

CastleOak Securities, L.P.

  $ 10,000,000     $ 10,000,000     $ 25,000,000     $ 32,500,000     $ 27,500,000  

R. Seelaus & Co., LLC

  $ 10,000,000     $ 10,000,000     $ 25,000,000     $ 32,500,000     $ 27,500,000  

Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC

  $ 10,000,000     $ 10,000,000     $ 25,000,000     $ 32,500,000     $ 27,500,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 1,000,000,000     $ 1,000,000,000     $ 2,500,000,000     $ 3,250,000,000     $ 2,750,000,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the notes sold pursuant to the underwriting agreement if any of these notes are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that, under certain circumstances, the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters and their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the notes, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to the approval of legal matters by counsel, including the validity of the notes, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The offering of notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance, and the underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel, or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions and Discounts

The underwriters have advised us that they propose initially to offer each series of notes to the public at the respective public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The underwriters may offer such notes to selected dealers at the public offering price minus a selling concession (as set forth in the table below and expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the applicable series of notes). In addition, the underwriters may allow, and those selected dealers may reallow, a selling concession (as set forth in the table below and expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the applicable series of notes) on sales to other dealers. After the initial public offering, the underwriters may change the public offering price and other selling terms.

 

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Series

   Discount to Securities
Dealers
    Discount to Other
Brokers or Dealers
 

2029 notes

     0.08     0.04

2031 notes

     0.10     0.05

2034 notes

     0.12     0.08

2054 notes

     0.24     0.16

2064 notes

     0.24     0.16

The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated to be approximately $13 million. The underwriters have agreed to reimburse us for approximately $8.1 million of our expenses in connection with the offering.

New Issue of Notes

The notes are new issues of securities with no established trading markets. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system. We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently intend to make a market in the notes of each series after completion of the offering. However, they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without any notice. We cannot assure the liquidity of the trading markets for the notes or that active public markets for the notes will develop. If active public trading markets for the notes do not develop, the market prices and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. If the notes are traded, they may trade at discounts from their initial offering prices, depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our operating performance and financial condition, general economic conditions, and other factors.

Price Stabilization and Short Positions

In connection with the offering, the underwriters are permitted to engage in transactions that stabilize the market prices of the notes. Such transactions consist of bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain the prices of the notes. If the underwriters create a short position in a series of notes in connection with the offering, i.e., if they sell more notes of such series than are on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing notes of such series in the open market. Purchases of a security to stabilize the price or to reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the prices of any of the notes. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Other Relationships

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, financial advisory, investment banking, and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us, or our affiliates, including acting as lenders under various loan facilities. They have received, and may in the future receive, customary fees, and commissions for these transactions.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve our or our affiliates’ securities and/or instruments. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those

 

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underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Settlement

We expect that delivery of the notes will be made against payment thereof on or about the date specified in the last paragraph of the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the second business day following the pricing of the notes (such settlement cycle being herein referred to as “T+2”). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes prior to the first business day preceding the settlement date will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle T+2, to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the notes who wish to trade the notes prior to the first business day preceding the settlement date should consult their own advisors.

Selling Restrictions

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by the Company or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the notes, or possession or distribution of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The notes may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the notes 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 and the accompanying prospectus come are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Canada

The notes 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 notes 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 recission or damages if this prospectus supplement (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 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.

 

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European Economic Area

The notes are not intended to be offered, sold, or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold, or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in any Member State of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus is a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.

United Kingdom

The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (“UK”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law in the UK by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “EUWA”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law in the UK by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law in the UK by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in the UK will be made pursuant to an exemption under the UK Prospectus Regulation and the FSMA from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus is a prospectus for the purposes of the UK Prospectus Regulation or the FSMA.

In the UK, this prospectus supplement is for distribution only to, and is directed only at, qualified investors (as defined in the UK Prospectus Regulation) that (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who qualify as investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19 (5) of the FSMA (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the “Financial Promotion Order”), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (“high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.”) of the Financial Promotion Order, or (iii) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of any notes may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This prospectus supplement is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

 

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Switzerland

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the notes. The notes may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”) and no application has or will be made to admit the notes to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes constitutes a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes 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 notes 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 notes will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, and the offer of notes 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 notes.

Hong Kong

Each underwriter (i) has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell in Hong Kong, by means of any document, any notes other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the “SFO”) and any rules made thereunder, 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 the Laws of Hong Kong) (the “CO”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CO; and (ii) has not issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes, 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 the notes 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 thereunder.

The contents of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offering of the notes. If you are in doubt about any of the contents of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should obtain independent professional advice.

Japan

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the “Financial Instruments and Exchange Law”), and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any notes, 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 Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations, and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore

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and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes 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: (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”); (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA; or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the notes 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 (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to in Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; (3) by operation of law; or (4) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA.

Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification—Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1) (a) and 309B(1 )(c) of the SFA, the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the notes are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) 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).

Taiwan

The notes have not been, and will not be, registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitutes an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan that requires a registration or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the notes in Taiwan.

United Arab Emirates

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

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

This prospectus supplement “incorporates by reference” information that we have filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. Any statement contained in this prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein will be deemed modified or superseded for the purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or any subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, we incorporate by reference the specific documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC after the date hereof under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act which will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and to be part of this prospectus supplement from the date we subsequently file such reports and documents until the termination of this offering; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference any documents or information deemed to have been furnished rather than filed in accordance with SEC rules:

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on February 2, 2024;

 

   

Those portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 19, 2024 that are incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023;

 

   

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024 filed on April 25, 2024 and for the quarterly period ended June  30, 2024 filed on August 1, 2024; and

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 18, 2024, February  1, 2024 (Item 8.01 of such report only), February  14, 2024, and May 31, 2024.

We will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement has been delivered a copy of any and all of these filings. You may request a copy of these filings by writing or calling us at:

Meta Platforms, Inc.

1 Meta Way

Menlo Park, California 94025

Telephone: (650) 543-4800

Attention: Investor Relations

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the notes offered hereby will be passed upon for Meta Platforms, Inc. by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York, and for the underwriters by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

Meta Platforms, Inc.

Debt Securities

Meta Platforms, Inc. (“Meta”) may, from time to time, offer and sell debt securities in one or more series. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt securities we may offer. Each time we sell debt securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain the specific terms of the debt securities offered. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer the debt securities. The prospectus supplements may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, carefully before you invest.

The debt securities may be offered and sold to or through underwriters, brokers, dealers, or agents as designated from time to time, directly to one or more other purchasers, or through a combination of such methods. See “Plan of Distribution.” If any underwriters, dealers, or agents are involved in the sale of any of the debt securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission, or discount arrangements between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement.

This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell debt securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

 

Investing in our debt securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors referred to on page 3 of this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference herein and therein before you invest in our debt securities.

 

 

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

The date of this prospectus is May 1, 2023.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

     Page  

About This Prospectus

     ii  

Where You Can Find More Information

     iii  

Forward-Looking Statements

     iv  

The Company

     1  

Risk Factors

     3  

Use of Proceeds

     4  

Description of Debt Securities

     5  

Plan of Distribution

     16  

Legal Matters

     18  

Experts

     18  

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or in any free writing prospectus filed by us with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We do not take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell the debt securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates on the front of such documents. Our business, properties, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or an invitation on our behalf, to subscribe to or purchase any of the debt securities, and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC under a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, at any time and from time to time, sell in one or more offerings the debt securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt securities we may offer. Each time we sell debt securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus, and accordingly, to the extent inconsistent, information in this prospectus is superseded by the information in the prospectus supplement. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The prospectus supplement will describe: the terms of the debt securities offered, the price to the public, the price paid to us for the debt securities, the net proceeds to us, the manner of distribution, any underwriting compensation, and the other specific material terms related to the offering of those debt securities. For more detail on the terms of the debt securities, you should read the exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference in our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Unless expressly indicated or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Meta,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” in this prospectus refer to Meta Platforms, Inc., and, where appropriate, its subsidiaries. References to “debt securities” include any security that we might sell under this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. References to “$” and “dollars” are to United States dollars. The term “Family” refers to our Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp products. For references to accessing Meta’s products on the “web” or via a “website,” such terms refer to accessing such products on personal computers. For references to accessing Meta’s products on “mobile,” such term refers to accessing such products via a mobile application or via a mobile-optimized version of our websites, whether on a mobile phone or tablet.

Meta, the Meta logo, Facebook, FB, Instagram, Oculus, WhatsApp, and our other registered or common law trademarks, service marks, or trade names included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are the property of Meta Platforms, Inc. or its affiliates. Other trademarks, service marks, or trade names included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in key documents described in this prospectus. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents, which you should review before making your investment decision. Copies of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Our filings are available to the public on the Internet, through a database maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Our filings are also available, free of charge, on our website at https://investor.fb.com. We have included our website address for the information of prospective investors and do not intend it to be an active link to our website. Information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement (or any document incorporated by reference herein or therein).

Meta filed a registration statement on Form S-3 to register with the SEC the debt securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus is part of that registration statement. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all the information contained in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. You may refer to the registration statement and accompanying exhibits for more information about us and our debt securities.

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this document the information we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents that we identify as part of this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed on February 2, 2023 (the “Annual Report”);

 

   

Those portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 14, 2023 that are incorporated by reference into our Annual Report;

 

   

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023 filed on April 27, 2023; and

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2023 (Item 8.01 of such report only), February  2, 2023, February  13, 2023, February  15, 2023, and April 10, 2023.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K), on or after the date of this prospectus until we have terminated the offering. Those documents will become a part of this prospectus from the date that the documents are filed with the SEC. Information that becomes a part of this prospectus after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and may replace information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC.

Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraphs, information furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits under Item 9.01, is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

We will provide to each person to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents, upon written request and at no cost to the requester. Requests should be made by writing us at the following address:

Meta Platforms, Inc.

1 Meta Way

Menlo Park, California 94025

Telephone: (650) 543-4800

Attention: Investor Relations

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors” in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in any subsequent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or Current Report on Form 8-K that are incorporated by reference herein or in any accompanying prospectus supplement. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, the future events and trends may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

 

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THE COMPANY

Our mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.

All of our products, including our apps, share the vision of helping to bring the metaverse to life. We build technology that helps people connect and share, find communities, and grow businesses. Our useful and engaging products enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality headsets, and wearables. We also help people discover and learn about what is going on in the world around them, enable people to share their experiences, ideas, photos and videos, and other activities with audiences ranging from their closest family members and friends to the public at large, and stay connected everywhere by accessing our products. Meta is moving our offerings beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the metaverse, which we believe is the next evolution in social technology. Our vision for the metaverse does not center on any single product, but rather an entire ecosystem of experiences, devices, and new technologies. While the metaverse is in the very early stages of its development, we believe it will become the next computing platform and the future of social interaction.

We report financial results for two segments: Family of Apps (FoA) and Reality Labs (RL). Currently, we generate substantially all of our revenue from selling advertising placements on our family of apps to marketers, which is reflected in FoA. Ads on our platforms enable marketers to reach people across a range of marketing objectives, such as generating leads or driving awareness. Marketers purchase ads that can appear in multiple places including on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and third-party applications and websites. RL reflects our efforts to develop the metaverse and generates revenue from sales of consumer hardware products, software and content. Our products include:

Family of Apps Products

 

   

Facebook. Facebook helps give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. It’s a place for people to share life’s moments and discuss what’s happening, nurture and build relationships, discover and connect to interests, and create economic opportunity. They can do this through Feed, Reels, Stories, Groups, and more.

 

   

Instagram. Instagram brings people closer to the people and things they love. Instagram Feed, Stories, Reels, Video, Live, Shops, and messaging are places where people and creators can connect and express themselves through photos, video, and private messaging, and discover and shop from their favorite businesses.

 

   

Messenger. Messenger is a simple yet powerful messaging application for people to connect with friends, family, communities, and businesses across platforms and devices through text, audio and video calls.

 

   

WhatsApp. WhatsApp is a simple, reliable, and secure messaging application that is used by people and businesses around the world to communicate and transact in a private way.

Reality Labs Products

Many of our metaverse investments are directed toward long-term, cutting edge research and development for products that are not on the market today and may only be fully realized in the next decade. This includes exploring new technologies such as neural interfaces using electromyography, which lets people control their devices using neuromuscular signals, as well as innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and hardware to help build next-generation interfaces. In the near term, we are continuing to develop early metaverse experiences through Reality Labs’ augmented and virtual reality products that help people feel connected, anytime, anywhere. Our current product offerings include Meta Quest virtual reality devices, as well as software and content available through the Meta Quest Store, which enable a range of social experiences that allow people to defy physical distance, including gaming, fitness, entertainment, and more. For example, we have launched Horizon

 

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Worlds, a social platform where people can interact with friends, meet new people, play games, and attend virtual events, and Horizon Workrooms, a virtual reality space for teams to connect and collaborate at work. As part of our virtual reality initiatives, we have also introduced mixed reality capabilities through our Meta Reality system on Meta Quest Pro, which allows users to experience the immersion and presence of virtual reality while still being grounded in the physical world. As part of our augmented reality initiatives, we have introduced Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses, which let people stay more present through hands-free interaction, and Meta Spark, a platform that allows creators and businesses to build augmented reality experiences that bring the digital and physical worlds together in our apps.

We are a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at 1 Meta Way, Menlo Park, California 94025 and our telephone number is (650) 543-4800. Our Class A common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “META.”

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the debt securities involves significant risks. Before you invest in the debt securities, in addition to the other information contained in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities to which this prospectus relates will be used for general corporate purposes. Until we apply the proceeds from the sale of the debt securities, we may temporarily invest any proceeds that are not immediately applied to the above purposes in United States government or agency obligations, commercial paper, time deposits, money market funds, short-term marketable debt securities, bank deposits or certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements collateralized by United States government or agency obligations, or other short-term investments.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We have summarized below general terms and conditions of the debt securities covered by this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms and conditions of the series in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement whether the general terms and conditions described in this prospectus apply to the series of debt securities and/or whether the terms and conditions of the debt securities of a series will be different in one or more respects from the terms and conditions described below.

We will issue the debt securities in one or more series, which will consist of either our senior debt or our subordinated debt, under an indenture between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The following summary of provisions of the indenture does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture, including definitions therein of certain terms. This summary may not contain all of the information that you may find useful. The terms and conditions of the debt securities of each series will be set forth in those debt securities and may also be set forth in an indenture supplemental to the indenture.

We have filed the indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We urge you to read the indenture governing the debt securities because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. A form of each debt security, reflecting the specific terms and provisions of that series of debt securities, will be filed with the SEC in connection with each offering and will be incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Copies of the indenture, any supplemental indenture and any form of debt security that has been filed may be obtained in the manner described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Capitalized terms used and not defined in this summary have the meanings specified in the indenture. For purposes of this section of this prospectus, references to “we,” “us,” and “our” are to Meta Platforms, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries. References to the “applicable prospectus supplement” are to the prospectus supplement to this prospectus that describes the specific terms and conditions of a series of debt securities.

General

We may offer the debt securities from time to time in as many distinct series as we may determine. Our senior debt securities will be our senior obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our senior indebtedness. If we issue subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordination will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The indenture does not limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, including indebtedness that is secured, senior to or equal in right of payment to debt securities issued under the indenture. The indenture also does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue under the indenture. We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of any series, issue additional debt securities ranking equally with, and otherwise similar in all respects to, the debt securities of the series (except for the public offering price and the issue date) so that those additional debt securities will be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of the series previously offered and sold.

We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be treated as if they were issued with “original issue discount,” because of interest payment and other characteristics. Special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with original issue discount will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any.

Debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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If the debt securities of a series are denominated in a foreign or composite currency, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify the denomination or denominations in which those debt securities will be issued.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will repay the debt securities of each series at 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, at maturity, except if those debt securities have been previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of each series will not be listed on any securities exchange.

Provisions of Indenture

The indenture provides that debt securities may be issued under it from time to time in one or more series. For each series of debt securities, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms and conditions of that series of debt securities:

 

   

the title of the series;

 

   

the maximum aggregate principal amount, if any, established for debt securities of the series;

 

   

whether the debt securities rank as senior debt or subordinated debt and the terms of any subordination;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal of any debt securities of the series will be payable or the method used to determine those dates;

 

   

the rate or rates at which any debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which interest, if any, will accrue, the interest payment dates on which interest, if any, will be payable, the terms and conditions of any deferral of interest and the additional interest, if any, thereon the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extensions, the regular record date for interest, if any, payable on any interest payment date and the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates is determined;

 

   

the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on any debt securities of the series will be payable and the manner in which any payment may be made;

 

   

our right, if any, to redeem debt securities of the series and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;

 

   

our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase any debt securities of the series pursuant to any mandatory redemption or sinking fund or at the option of the holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to that obligation;

 

   

if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which any debt securities of the series will be issuable;

 

   

if the amount of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to a financial or economic measure or index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which those amounts will be determined;

 

   

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which the debt securities of a series are denominated;

 

   

if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series is to be payable, at our election or the election of the holder thereof, in one or more currency or currencies other than that or those in which those debt securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities as to which that

 

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election is made will be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which that election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which that amount will be determined);

 

   

if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any debt securities of the series which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the indenture;

 

   

the terms applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount to their stated maturity;

 

   

if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to defease any debt securities of the series pursuant to the indenture will be evidenced; whether any debt securities of the series other than debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate are to be subject to the defeasance provisions of the indenture; or, in the case of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate, if applicable, that the debt securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, will not be defeasible pursuant to the indenture;

 

   

if applicable, that any debt securities of the series will be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, in that case, the respective depositaries for those global securities and the form of any legend or legends which will be borne by any global securities, and any circumstances in which any global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and any transfer of a global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of persons other than the depositary for that global security or a nominee thereof and any other provisions governing exchanges or transfers of global securities;

 

   

if the debt securities of a series are to be issuable in definitive form only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

   

any addition to, deletion from or change in the events of default applicable to any debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of those debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable;

 

   

any addition to, deletion from or change in the covenants described in this prospectus applicable to debt securities of the series;

 

   

if the debt securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for cash and/or any securities or other property of any person (including us), the terms and conditions upon which those debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable;

 

   

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts on the debt securities;

 

   

any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars of any other agents;

 

   

any provisions for the remarketing of the debt securities of the series;

 

   

the price or prices at which the debt securities of the series will be issued; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities of the series (which terms will not be inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture, except as permitted thereunder).

Interest and Interest Rates

General

In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the debt securities of a series as being either debt securities bearing interest at a fixed rate of interest or debt securities bearing interest at a floating rate of interest. Each debt security will begin to accrue interest from the date on which it is originally issued. Interest on each debt security will be payable in arrears on the interest payment dates set forth in the applicable prospectus

 

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supplement and as otherwise described below and at maturity or, if earlier, the redemption date described below. Interest will be payable to the holder of record of the debt securities at the close of business on the record date for each interest payment date, which record dates will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

As used in the indenture, the term “business day” means, with respect to debt securities of a series, any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is not a day on which banking institutions in the city (or in any of the cities, if more than one) in which amounts on the debt securities are payable are not required by any applicable law or regulation to be open.

Fixed Rate Debt Securities

If the debt securities of a series being offered will bear interest at a fixed rate of interest, the debt securities of that series will bear interest at the annual interest rate specified on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement. Interest on those debt securities will be payable semi-annually in arrears on the interest payment dates for those debt securities unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the maturity date, the redemption date or an interest payment date is not a business day, we will pay principal, premium, if any, the redemption price, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date, on the next succeeding business day, and no interest will accrue from and after the relevant maturity date, redemption date or interest payment date to the date of that payment. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, interest on the fixed rate debt securities will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Floating Rate Debt Securities

If the debt securities of a series being offered will bear interest at a floating rate of interest, the debt securities of that series will bear interest during each relevant interest period at the rate determined as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will indicate any spread or spread multiplier to be applied in the interest rate formula to determine the interest rate applicable in any interest period.

Payment and Transfer or Exchange

Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of each series will be payable, and the debt securities may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency maintained by us for that purpose (which initially will be the corporate trust office of the trustee). Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on a global security registered in the name of or held by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of that global security. If any of the debt securities are no longer represented by a global security, payment of interest on certificated debt securities in definitive form may, at our option, be made by check mailed directly to holders at their registered addresses. See “—Registered Global Securities.”

A holder may transfer or exchange any certificated debt securities in definitive form at the corporate trust office of the trustee. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption for a period of 15 days before mailing of a notice of redemption of the debt security to be redeemed.

The registered holder of debt securities will be treated as the owner of those debt securities for all purposes.

All amounts in respect of principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities paid by us that remain unclaimed two years after that payment was due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holders of those debt securities will thereafter look solely to us for payment.

 

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Consolidation, Merger or Sale

We cannot consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person (other than to one or more of our subsidiaries) unless (1) we will be the continuing corporation or (2) the successor corporation or person to which our assets are conveyed, transferred or leased is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and it expressly assumes our obligations on any debt securities and under the indenture. In addition, we cannot effect such a transaction unless immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture shall have occurred and be continuing. When the person to whom our assets are transferred or leased has assumed our obligations under the debt securities outstanding under the indenture, we shall be discharged from all our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture.

This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change of control of us or a highly leveraged transaction, unless the transaction or change of control were structured to include a merger or consolidation or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our assets.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “Event of Default,” when used in the indenture, means any of the following with respect to any series of debt securities:

 

   

failure to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment is due and payable; provided that, an extension of an interest payment period in accordance with the terms of the debt securities shall not constitute a failure to pay interest;

 

   

failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security of such series when due, either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise;

 

   

failure to perform any other covenant applicable to such series for 90 days after notice that performance was required;

 

   

certain events relating to our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; or

 

   

any other Event of Default provided in the applicable resolution of our board of directors or the officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture under which we issue series of debt securities.

An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture. If an Event of Default relating to the payment of interest or principal involving any series of debt securities has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each affected series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately.

If an Event of Default relating to the performance of other covenants has occurred and is continuing for a period of 90 days after notice of such, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the series of debt securities outstanding under the indenture affected thereby may declare the entire principal amount of all of such series of debt securities due and payable immediately.

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of a series may, after satisfying conditions, rescind and annul any of the above-described declarations and consequences involving the series.

If an Event of Default relating to events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all of the debt securities outstanding, and any accrued interest, will automatically become due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder.

 

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The indenture provides that the trustee shall within 90 days after the trustee shall have actual knowledge or received written notice of the occurrence of a default with respect to a particular series of debt securities, give the holders of the debt securities of such series notice of such default known to it; provided that, except in the case of a default or Event of Default in payment of the principal, premium, if any, of, or interest on, any debt security of such series or in the payment of any redemption obligation, the trustee may withhold the notice if, and so long as, it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the holders of debt securities of that series.

The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities against us. Except as provided below, no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:

 

   

the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of default and continuance of that default;

 

   

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series have requested in writing that the trustee institute the action;

 

   

the requesting holders have offered the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it for expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by bringing the action;

 

   

the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the request; and

 

   

the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, each holder of debt securities of any series has the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on such debt securities when due and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights may not be impaired without the consent of that holder of debt securities.

We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by one of our officers, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in compliance with any condition or covenant of the indenture.

Modification of the Indenture

The indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to:

 

   

secure any debt securities;

 

   

evidence the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations;

 

   

add covenants for the protection of the holders of debt securities;

 

   

add one or more guarantees for the benefit of holders of debt securities;

 

   

cure any ambiguity, defect or mistake or correct any inconsistency in the indenture;

 

   

establish the forms or terms of additional series of debt securities under the indenture;

 

   

conform any provision of the indenture to this description of debt securities, the description of the notes included in the applicable prospectus supplement or any other relevant section of the applicable prospectus supplement describing the terms of the debt securities;

 

   

evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee;

 

   

provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

 

   

make any change that does not materially adversely affect the right of any holder; and

 

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comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

The indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of all series of senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, as the case may be, then outstanding and affected (voting as one class), add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities.

We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

 

   

extend the final maturity of any debt security;

 

   

reduce the principal amount or premium, if any;

 

   

reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest;

 

   

reduce any amount payable on redemption;

 

   

change the currency in which the principal (other than as may be provided otherwise with respect to a series), premium, if any, or interest is payable;

 

   

reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security issued with an original issue discount that is payable upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy;

 

   

modify any of the subordination provisions or the definition of senior indebtedness applicable to any subordinated debt securities in a manner adverse to the holders of those securities;

 

   

alter provisions of the indenture relating to the debt securities not denominated in U.S. dollars;

 

   

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due;

 

   

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities of any series whose consent is required for any modification of the indenture, 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 provisions set forth in this paragraph.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We can discharge or defease our obligations under the indenture as set forth below. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, the subordination provisions applicable to any subordinated debt securities will be expressly made subject to the discharge and defeasance provisions of the indenture.

We may discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that have either become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year (or are scheduled for redemption within one year). We may effect a discharge by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of any debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government obligations, as trust funds, in an amount sufficient to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities and any mandatory sinking fund payments; provided, that with respect to any discharge in connection with any redemption that requires the payment of a “make-whole” amount, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of the indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the trustee equal to such “make-whole” amount calculated as of the date of the discharge, with any deficit as of the date of redemption (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the

 

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trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the trustee at least two business days prior to the redemption date that confirms that the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, we may also discharge any and all of our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities at any time (“legal defeasance”). We also may be released from the obligations imposed by any covenants of any outstanding series of debt securities and provisions of the indenture, and we may omit to comply with those covenants without creating an Event of Default (“covenant defeasance”). We may effect legal defeasance and covenant defeasance only if, among other things:

 

   

we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations, as applicable, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay at maturity (or upon redemption) the principal, premium, if any, and interest on all outstanding debt securities of the series; provided, that with respect to any defeasance in connection with any redemption that requires the payment of a “make-whole” amount, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of the indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the trustee equal to such “make-whole” amount calculated as of the date of the defeasance, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the trustee at least two business days prior to the redemption date that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption;

 

   

we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel from a nationally recognized law firm to the effect that the beneficial owners of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred, which opinion, in the case of legal defeasance, must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service issued, or a change in U.S. federal income tax law;

 

   

no default or Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of a series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of deposit; and

 

   

we deliver to the trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that we have complied with all of the above requirements.

Although we may discharge or defease our obligations under the indenture as described in the two preceding paragraphs, we may not avoid, among other things, our duty to register the transfer or exchange of any series of debt securities, to replace any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen series of debt securities or to maintain an office or agency in respect of any series of debt securities.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will trade in the same-day funds settlement system of DTC until maturity or until we issue the debt securities in certificated form. DTC will therefore require secondary market trading activity in the debt securities to settle in immediately available funds. We can give no assurance as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the debt securities.

Registered Global Securities

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue the debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that we will deposit with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing

 

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supplement, if any, and registered in the name of such depositary or nominee. In such case, we will issue one or more registered global securities denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the debt securities of the series to be issued and represented by such registered global security or securities.

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

 

   

by the depositary for such registered global security to its nominee;

 

   

by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or

 

   

by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.

The prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of such series represented by a registered global security. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements for debt securities:

 

   

ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for the registered global security, those persons being referred to as “participants,” or persons that may hold interests through participants;

 

   

upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for the registered global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security beneficially owned by the participants;

 

   

any dealers, underwriters, or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities will designate the accounts to be credited; and

 

   

ownership of any beneficial interest in the registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of any ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the registered global security (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 certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may limit the ability of those persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the registered global security, the depositary or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:

 

   

will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in their names;

 

   

will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in the definitive form; and

 

   

will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt 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 the registered global security and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of a participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

 

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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 the action, and those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owners of the registered global security. None of Meta, the trustee or any other agent of Meta or the trustee will be responsible or liable for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of the registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities registered in “street name.” We also expect that any of these payments will be the responsibility of the participants.

If the depositary for any debt 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, we will appoint an eligible successor depositary. If we fail to appoint an eligible successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue the debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities. In such event, we will issue debt securities of that series in a definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global securities representing the debt securities. The trustee will register any debt securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security in such name or names as the depositary, based upon instructions from its participants, shall instruct the trustee.

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.

Concerning the Trustee

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association will serve as trustee under the indenture.

The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under the indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities. All payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery (including authentication and delivery on original issuance of the debt securities) of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the trustee with respect to that series at an office designated by the trustee in the United States.

 

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The indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of Meta, to obtain payment of claims in some cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions. If it acquires any conflicting interest relating to any duties with respect to the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee with respect to such series of debt securities, provided that, the direction would not conflict with any rule of law or with the indenture, and would not involve any trustee in personal liability. The indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur and be known to any trustee and not be cured, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs in the exercise of the trustee’s power. Subject to these provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they shall have offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell our debt securities in any one or more of the following ways from time to time: (i) through agents; (ii) to or through underwriters, including through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters; (iii) through brokers or dealers; (iv) directly by us to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction, or other process; or (v) through a combination of any of these methods of sale. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain the terms of the transaction, name or names of any underwriters, dealers, agents and the respective amounts of debt securities underwritten or purchased by them, the initial public offering price of the debt securities, and the applicable agent’s commission, dealer’s purchase price or underwriter’s discount. Any dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the debt securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts.

Any public offering price, dealer purchase price, discount, or commission may be changed from time to time.

The debt securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions, at negotiated prices, at fixed prices (that may be subject to change), at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at various prices determined at the time of sale, or at prices related to prevailing market prices.

Offers to purchase debt securities may be solicited directly by us or by agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the debt securities so offered and sold.

If underwriters are utilized in the sale of any debt securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, such debt 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 fixed public offering prices, or at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale. Debt securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of debt securities, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such debt securities if any are purchased.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the debt securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell such debt securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such debt securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. Transactions through brokers or dealers may include block trades in which brokers or dealers will attempt to sell debt securities as agent but may position and resell as principal to facilitate the transaction or in crosses, in which the same broker or dealer acts as agent on both sides of the trade. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the debt securities so offered and sold.

Offers to purchase debt securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase debt securities from us or at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under relevant agreements with us to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments that such agents, underwriters and dealers may be required to make in respect thereof. The terms and conditions of any indemnification or contribution will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from us. Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may also receive compensation from the purchasers of debt securities for whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals, or both. Compensation as to a particular underwriter, broker-dealer, or agent might be in excess of customary commissions and will be in amounts to be negotiated in connection with transactions. In effecting sales, broker-dealers engaged by us may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate in the resales.

Each series of debt securities will be a new issue and will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of debt securities on an exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we shall not be obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the debt securities.

Agents, underwriters and dealers, or their affiliates, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our respective subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment 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 debt 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 debt securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the debt securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. An underwriter may carry out these transactions on a stock exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

The place and time of delivery for debt securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement for such debt securities.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, the validity of the debt securities to be issued by us and certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York. Any underwriters, dealers or agents will be advised about the validity of the debt securities and other legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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$10,500,000,000

 

LOGO

Meta Platforms, Inc.

 

 

$1,000,000,000 4.300% Senior Notes due 2029

$1,000,000,000 4.550% Senior Notes due 2031

$2,500,000,000 4.750% Senior Notes due 2034

$3,250,000,000 5.400% Senior Notes due 2054

$2,750,000,000 5.550% Senior Notes due 2064

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

August 7, 2024