UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 9, 2018
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
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001-32876 |
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20-0052541 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction |
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(Commission |
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(IRS Employer |
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22 Sylvan Way |
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Parsippany, NJ |
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07054 |
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(Address of Principal Executive |
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(Zip Code) |
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Offices) |
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(973) 753-6000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Item 8.01 Other Events.
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (Wyndham Worldwide) announced in a press release on May 9, 2018 that its Board of Directors has approved the pro rata distribution of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (Wyndham Hotels) to Wyndham Worldwide stockholders. The Board of Directors set the record date for the distribution as the close of business on May 18, 2018. The distribution is expected to occur on May 31, 2018. Wyndham Worldwide stockholders will receive one share of Wyndham Hotels common stock for each share of Wyndham Worldwide common stock they own as of the record date.
Wyndham Hotels previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) a registration statement on Form 10 (as amended, the Registration Statement). On May 9, 2018, the Commission declared the Registration Statement effective.
A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit |
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Description of Exhibit |
99.1 |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereto duly authorized.
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WYNDHAM WORLDWIDE CORPORATION | |
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By: |
/s/ Nicola Rossi |
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Name: |
Nicola Rossi |
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Title: |
Chief Accounting Officer |
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Date: May 11, 2018 |
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Wyndham Worldwide Board of Directors Approves Spin-Off of Hotel Business
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Expected to Begin Regular-Way Trading on the New York Stock Exchange on June 1, 2018
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation to be renamed Wyndham Destinations, Inc.
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (May 9, 2018) Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved the previously announced spin-off of its wholly-owned subsidiary Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc., the worlds largest hotel franchisor with more than 8,300 affiliated hotels. The distribution is expected to occur after the market close on May 31, 2018 to Wyndham Worldwide stockholders of record as of May 18, 2018. In conjunction with the spin-off, Wyndham Worldwide Corporation will be renamed Wyndham Destinations, Inc. and will continue to be the worlds largest vacation ownership and exchange company.
Following the spin-off, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WH, and Wyndham Destinations will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the new symbol WYND. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is expected to begin regular-way trading on June 1, 2018.
In addition, the Board of Directors of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has approved a share repurchase authorization of $300 million, while Wyndham Destinations will have approximately $1 billion remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.
For more than a decade, Wyndham Worldwide has been focused on providing great experiences for millions of guests around the world while delivering value and return on capital for our stockholders. Throughout this journey, we have been guided by a fundamental commitment to reliable growth in a disciplined and responsible way, said Stephen P. Holmes, Chairman and CEO of Wyndham Worldwide. Were confident that as two independent companies, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Wyndham Destinations have the right focus and strategic flexibility to unlock significant long-term value for stockholders. Each of the new companies will have significant scale and a leadership position within its industry, strong cash flows, and a rich portfolio of trusted brands.
Wyndham Worldwide plans to host an investor meeting on May 16, 2018 to introduce Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Wyndham Destinations to the financial community. More information about the event, including how to register for the webcast, can be found at investor.wyndhamworldwide.com.
Additional Details on the Distribution
The spin-off will be effected through a pro rata distribution of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts common stock to Wyndham Worldwide stockholders of record as of 5:00pm on May 18, 2018, the record date for the distribution. Each Wyndham Worldwide stockholder will receive one share of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts common stock for each share of Wyndham Worldwide common stock held by such stockholder on the record date. Upon completion of the spin-off, Wyndham Worldwide stockholders will own 100% of the common stock of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and will continue to own 100% of the common stock of Wyndham Worldwide.
Wyndham Worldwide currently has approximately 100 million shares of common stock outstanding. Based on this number and the distribution ratio described above, approximately 100 million shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts common stock will be distributed to Wyndham Worldwide stockholders on the distribution date.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, including an Information Statement describing the spin-off and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts business, is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is also posted to the investor relations section of Wyndham Worldwides website.
Trading of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Wyndham Destinations Shares
Wyndham Worldwide expects that on or about May 17, 2018, shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will trade on a when-issued basis under the ticker symbol WH WI. Concurrently, ex-distribution trading in Wyndham Destinations common stock under the symbol WYND WI will commence alongside regular-way trading for Wyndham Worldwide common stock. Wyndham Destinations and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts are expected to begin regular-way trading on June 1, 2018, at which time regular-way trading in Wyndham Destination shares will reflect the distribution of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts shares having occurred.
Wyndham Worldwide stockholders who sell their shares of Wyndham Worldwide common stock in the regular-way market prior to or on the distribution date will also be selling their right to receive the distribution of shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts common stock. Stockholders are encouraged to consult with their financial advisors regarding the specific implications of selling Wyndham Worldwide common stock.
Wyndham Worldwide stockholders are not required to take any action to receive the shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts common stock in the distribution, and they will not be required to surrender or exchange their Wyndham Worldwide shares.
The distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts shares will be Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc. For questions relating to the transfer or mechanics of the stock distribution, stockholders may contact Broadridge toll-free at (800) 504-8998. If shares are held by a bank, broker or other nominee, stockholders should contact that institution directly.
Additional Information
Wyndham Worldwide intends for the distribution of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts common stock to be tax-free for its stockholders, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. Consummation of the spin-off remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions.
ABOUT WYNDHAM WORLDWIDE
Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) is one of the largest global hospitality companies, providing travelers with access to a collection of trusted hospitality brands in hotels, vacation ownership, and unique accommodations including vacation exchange and managed vacation rentals. With a collective inventory of over 22,000 places to stay across 110 countries on six continents, Wyndham Worldwide and its 39,000 associates welcome people to experience travel the way they want. This is enhanced by Wyndham Rewards®, Wyndham Worldwides award-winning guest loyalty program across its businesses, which is making it simpler for members to earn more rewards and redeem their points faster. For more information, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are those that convey managements expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham Worldwide makes the statements and may be identified by words such as will, expect, believe, plan, anticipate, intend, goal, future, guidance, estimate and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham Worldwide, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Destinations or their respective subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements related to Wyndham Worldwides current views and expectations with respect to the spin-off and related transactions.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, a market demand for shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts common stock; general economic conditions; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel, vacation exchange and rentals and vacation ownership businesses; uncertainties that may delay or negatively impact the planned spin-off of Wyndham Hotels &
Resorts and the planned acquisition of La Quintas hotel franchising and management businesses or cause the spin-off or the La Quinta acquisition to be delayed or to not occur at all; uncertainties related to Wyndham Destinations and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the spin-off, the La Quinta acquisition or the divestiture of Wyndham Worldwides European vacation rentals business; uncertainties related to Wyndham Worldwides ability to successfully complete the spin-off on a tax-free basis within the expected time frame or at all; uncertainties related to Wyndham Worldwides and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts ability to obtain financing or the terms of such financing, including in connection with the spin-off and the La Quinta acquisition; unanticipated developments related to the impact of the spin-off, the proposed La Quinta acquisition, the divestiture of Wyndham Worldwides European vacation rentals business and related transactions on Wyndham Worldwides and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts relationships with their respective customers, suppliers, employees and others with whom they have relationships; unanticipated developments resulting from possible disruption to the operations of Wyndham Worldwide and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts resulting from the proposed spin-off, the La Quinta acquisition and the divestiture of Wyndham Worldwides European vacation rentals business; the potential negative effects of the spin-off, the La Quinta acquisition, the divestiture of Wyndham Worldwides European vacation rentals business and related transactions on the credit ratings of Wyndham Worldwide and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; uncertainties related to the successful integration of Wyndham Worldwides and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts business with La Quintas hotel franchising and management businesses; uncertainties related to La Quintas ability to complete the spin-off of its owned real estate assets; the timing and amount of future share repurchases and dividends; as well as those risks described in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Registration Statement on Form 10 initially filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018, as amended, Wyndham Worldwides Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 16, 2018, and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events.
INVESTOR CONTACTS
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation
Margo C. Happer
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
973-753-6472
Margo.Happer@wyn.com
Wyndham Destinations, Inc.
Christopher Agnew
Vice President, Investor Relations
407-626-4050
Christopher.Agnew@wyn.com
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
Matt Capuzzi
Vice President, Investor Relations
973-753-6453
Matthew.Capuzzi@wyndham.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Nadeen N. Ayala
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation
973-753-8054
Nadeen.Ayala@wyn.com