Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-253816
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(to Prospectus dated March 3, 2021)
INTERCONTINENTAL EXCHANGE, INC.
$1,250,000,000 3.650% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2025
$1,500,000,000 4.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2027
$1,250,000,000 4.350% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029
$1,500,000,000 4.600% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2033
$1,500,000,000 4.950% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2052
$1,000,000,000 5.200% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2062
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) is offering $1,250,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025 (the 2025 notes), $1,500,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2027 (the 2027 notes), $1,250,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.350% Senior Notes due 2029 (the 2029 notes), $1,500,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.600% Senior Notes due 2033 (the 2033 notes), $1,500,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.950% Senior Notes due 2052 (the 2052 notes) and $1,000,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 5.200% Senior Notes due 2062 (the 2062 notes and, together with the 2025 notes, the 2027 notes, the 2029 notes, the 2033 notes and the 2052 notes, the notes). The 2025 notes will mature on May 23, 2025, the 2027 notes will mature on September 15, 2027, the 2029 notes will mature on June 15, 2029, the 2033 notes will mature on March 15, 2033, the 2052 notes will mature on June 15, 2052 and the 2062 notes will mature on June 15, 2062. Interest on the notes will accrue on the notes from and including May 23, 2022. Interest on the 2025 notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each May 23 and November 23, beginning on November 23, 2022. Interest on the 2027 notes and the 2033 notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each March 15 and September 15, beginning on September 15, 2022. Interest on the 2029 notes, the 2052 notes and 2062 notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 15 and December 15, beginning on December 15, 2022.
On May 4, 2022, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Sand Merger Sub Corporation (Sub), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ICE, and Black Knight, Inc. (Black Knight), pursuant to which Sub will merge with and into Black Knight, with Black Knight surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ICE (the Black Knight Acquisition), subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of Black Knight stockholder approval and clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, for aggregate consideration of approximately $10.5 billion in cash and approximately $2.6 billion in stock (based on the volume weighted average trading price of ICE common stock during the ten-trading day period ended May 2, 2022), in each case, subject to proration and adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of the 2025 notes, the 2027 notes, the 2029 notes and the 2062 notes (collectively, the SMR notes), together with the issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program (as defined herein) and/or borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement (as defined herein), cash on hand or other immediately available funds and borrowings under a new senior unsecured term loan facility, to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition and any adjustments thereto and to pay related fees and expenses. In the event that we do not consummate the Black Knight Acquisition on or prior to May 4, 2023 (subject to two automatic extensions of three months each, to August 4, 2023 and to November 4, 2023, respectively, if U.S. antitrust clearance (or a related Restraint) (as defined herein) remains outstanding and all other conditions to closing are satisfied (or in the case of conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the closing, are capable of being satisfied if the closing were to occur on such date) at each extension date (the outside date)), or the Agreement and Plan of Merger is terminated at any time prior to the outside date, we will be required to redeem all of the SMR notes on a special mandatory redemption date at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the SMR notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the special mandatory redemption date. See Description of NotesRedemptionSpecial Mandatory Redemption.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of the 2033 notes and the 2052 notes, together with cash on hand or other immediately available funds, if necessary, to fund the redemption of our outstanding senior notes that mature in 2022 and 2023, including to pay accrued interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption and any make-whole premiums. The balance of the net proceeds from the offering of the 2033 and 2052 notes, if any, may be used for general corporate purposes, which may include paying down a portion of the amounts outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program. See Use of Proceeds.
We may redeem the notes in whole or in part at any time at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement under the heading Description of NotesRedemptionOptional Redemption.
The notes will be general unsecured obligations of ICE and will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of ICE that are not, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes.
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently there are no public markets for the notes and ICE cannot provide any assurances that active public markets for the notes will develop.
Investing in the notes involves certain risks. See Risk Factors included or incorporated by reference herein, as described beginning on page S-7.
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.
Per 2025 Note |
Total for all 2025 Notes |
Per 2027 Note |
Total for all 2027 Notes |
Per 2029 Note |
Total for all 2029 Notes |
Per 2033 Note |
Total for all 2033 Notes |
Per 2052 Note |
Total for all 2052 Notes |
Per 2062 Note |
Total for all 2062 Notes |
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Public offering price(1) |
99.890 | % | $ | 1,248,625,000 | 99.735 | % | $ | 1,496,025,000 | 99.894 | % | $ | 1,248,675,000 | 99.947 | % | $ | 1,499,205,000 | 98.610 | % | $ | 1,479,150,000 | 99.328 | % | $ | 993,280,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Underwriting discounts |
0.400 | % | $ | 5,000,000 | 0.600 | % | $ | 9,000,000 | 0.625 | % | $ | 7,812,500 | 0.650 | % | $ | 9,750,000 | 0.875 | % | $ | 13,125,000 | 0.875 | % | $ | 8,750,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us(1) |
99.490 | % | $ | 1,243,625,000 | 99.135 | % | $ | 1,487,025,000 | 99.269 | % | $ | 1,240,862,500 | 99.297 | % | $ | 1,489,455,000 | 97.735 | % | $ | 1,466,025,000 | 98.453 | % | $ | 984,530,000 |
(1) | Plus accrued interest, if any, from May 23, 2022, if settlement occurs after that date. |
The underwriters expect to deliver the notes through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking, S.A. and Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, against payment in New York, New York on or about May 23, 2022, which is the seventh business day after the date of this prospectus supplement (T+7). See Underwriting.
Joint Book-Running Managers
BofA Securities | Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | Wells Fargo Securities | ||
MUFG | Citigroup | Credit Suisse | ||
BBVA | BMO Capital Markets | Fifth Third Securities | ||
(for the 2027 notes) | (for the 2033 notes) | (for the 2029 notes) | ||
Mizuho Securities | PNC Capital Markets LLC | |||
(for the 2052 notes) | (for the 2062 notes) |
Senior Co-Managers
BBVA | BMO Capital Markets | Fifth Third Securities | ||
Mizuho Securities | PNC Capital Markets LLC |
Co-Manager
SOCIETE GENERALE |
Prospectus Supplement dated May 12, 2022
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with information other than the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference herein as described under Where You Can Find Additional Information, or any free writing prospectus that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Neither we nor the underwriters take any responsibility for, or provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any such free writing prospectus may be used only for the purposes for which they have been published. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover page of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects may change after those dates. Neither we nor the underwriters are making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering or sale of the notes in some jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside of the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are required by us and the underwriters to inform themselves about and to observe any applicable restrictions. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by any person in any jurisdiction in which that offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make that offer or solicitation. See Underwriting.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement relates to a prospectus which is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell the securities described in the accompanying prospectus from time to time. The accompanying prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. This prospectus supplement contains specific information about the terms of this offering. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. Please carefully read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in addition to the information described in the section of this prospectus supplement entitled Where You Can Find Additional Information.
The registration statement that contains the accompanying prospectus (including the exhibits filed with and incorporated by reference in the registration statement) contains additional information about us and the notes offered under this prospectus supplement. That registration statement can be read on the SECs website.
Unless the context otherwise requires, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, (i) ICE refers to Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries and (ii) the terms we, our or us refer to ICE and its consolidated subsidiaries.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ICE is required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our filings with the SEC are available to the public through the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov and on our Internet site at http://www.ice.com. Except for the documents referred to under this caption Where You Can Find Additional Information in this prospectus supplement and under the caption Where You Can Find More Information in the accompanying prospectus which are specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, information contained on ICEs website or that can be accessed through its website is not incorporated into and does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. ICE has included its website address only as an inactive textual reference and does not intend it to be an active link to its website.
ICE has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of the registration statement and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to a contract or other document of ours, please be aware that the reference is only a summary and that you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement through the SECs Internet site.
The SECs rules allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of this offering will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference herein or therein.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):
(1) | Annual Report of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed on February 3, 2022 (File No. 001-36198); |
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(2) | Quarterly Report of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, filed on May 5, 2022 (File No. 001-36198); |
(3) | Definitive Proxy Statement of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 13, 2022, filed on March 25, 2022 (solely to the extent incorporated by reference into Part III of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021) (File No. 001-36198); |
(4) | Current Reports of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. on Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2022 (as amended on March 17, 2022), March 4, 2022 (Items 5.02 and 9.01 only), May 4, 2022, May 5, 2022 (Item 8.01 only) and May 6, 2022; and |
(5) | All documents filed by ICE under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the termination of this offering. |
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You can request those documents from Investor Relations, 5660 New Northside Drive, Atlanta, GA 30328, telephone (770) 857-4700.
This prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and are based on our present beliefs and assumptions, as well as the information currently available to us. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our results, levels or activity, performance, cash flows, financial position or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements, and may include statements regarding the pending Black Knight Acquisition.
Forward-looking statements may be introduced by or contain terminology such as may, will, should, could, would, targets, goal, expect, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, continue, or the antonyms of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, cash flows, financial position or achievements. Accordingly, we caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements we may make.
Factors that may affect our performance and the accuracy of any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those listed below:
| conditions in global financial markets, domestic and international economic and social conditions, inflation, political uncertainty and discord, geopolitical events or conflicts, international trade policies and sanctions laws; |
| the impact of the introduction of or any changes in laws, regulations, rules or government policies with respect to financial markets, climate change, increased regulatory scrutiny or enforcement actions and our ability to comply with these requirements; |
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| volatility in commodity prices, equity prices, and price volatility of financial benchmarks and instruments such as interest rates, credit spreads, equity indices, foreign exchange rates, and mortgage origination trends; |
| the impact of climate change and the transition to renewable energy and a net zero economy; |
| the business environment in which we operate and trends in our industry, including trading volumes, prevalence of clearing, demand for data services, mortgage lending activity, fees, changing regulations, competition and consolidation; |
| our ability to minimize the risks associated with operating clearing houses in multiple jurisdictions; |
| our exchanges and clearing houses compliance with their respective regulatory and oversight responsibilities; |
| the resilience of our electronic platforms and soundness of our business continuity and disaster recovery plans; |
| our ability to execute our growth strategy, identify and effectively pursue, implement and integrate acquisitions and strategic alliances and realize the synergies and benefits of such transactions within the expected time frame; |
| our ability to complete the Black Knight Acquisition, realize the anticipated cost savings and synergies of the Black Knight Acquisition, and successfully integrate Black Knight with our business without material delay, higher than anticipated costs or difficulty or loss of key personnel; |
| our estimate of the total addressable market for mortgage technology, including our estimate of the increase in our total addressable market as a result of the Black Knight Acquisition, and other industry projections; |
| the performance and reliability of our trading, clearing and mortgage technologies and those of third party service providers; |
| our ability to keep pace with technological developments and client preferences; |
| our ability to ensure that the technology we utilize is not vulnerable to cyber-attacks, hacking and other cybersecurity risks or other disruptive events or to minimize the impact of any such events; |
| our ability to keep information and data relating to the customers of the users of the software and services provided by our ICE Mortgage Technology business confidential; |
| the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition as well as the broader business environment; |
| our ability to identify trends and adjust our business to benefit from such trends, including trends in the United States, or U.S., mortgage industry such as inflation rates, interest rates, new home purchases, refinancing activity, and home builder and buyer sentiment, among others; |
| our ability to evolve our benchmarks and indices in a manner that maintains or enhances their reliability and relevance; |
| the accuracy of our cost and other financial estimates and our belief that cash flows from operations will be sufficient to service our debt (including the notes and the other indebtedness to be incurred in connection with the Black Knight Acquisition) and to fund our operational and capital expenditure needs; |
| our ability to incur additional debt and pay off our existing debt in a timely manner; |
| our ability to maintain existing market participants and data and mortgage technology customers, and to attract new ones; |
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| our ability to offer additional products and services, leverage our risk management capabilities and enhance our technology in a timely and cost-effective fashion; |
| our ability to attract, develop and retain key talent; |
| our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and to operate our business without violating the intellectual property rights of others; |
| potential adverse results of threatened or pending litigation and regulatory actions and proceedings; and |
| our ability to realize the expected benefits of other acquisitions and investments. |
These risks and other factors include, among others, those set out in the section entitled Risk Factors in this prospectus supplement and in Item 1(a) of ICEs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, incorporated by reference herein, as well as other filings ICE makes with the SEC. Due to the uncertain nature of these factors, management cannot assess the impact of each factor on the 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.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any of these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this prospectus supplement. New factors may emerge and it is not possible to predict all factors that may affect our business and prospects. We expressly qualify in their entirety all forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.
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This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before buying the notes in this offering. You should read carefully this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and the other incorporated documents, including in particular the section entitled Risk Factors of this prospectus supplement and in such incorporated documents, as well as our consolidated financial statements, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making any investment decision.
Company Overview
We are a provider of market infrastructure, data services and technology solutions to a broad range of customers including financial institutions, corporations and government entities. Our products, which span major asset classes, including futures, equities, fixed income and U.S. residential mortgages, provide our customers with access to mission critical tools that are designed to increase asset class transparency and workflow efficiency. While we report our results in three reportable business segments, we operate as one business, leveraging the collective expertise, particularly in data services and technology, that exists across our platforms to inform and enhance our operations.
| In our Exchanges segment, we operate regulated marketplaces for the listing, trading and clearing of a broad array of derivatives contracts and financial securities. |
| In our Fixed Income and Data Services segment, we provide fixed income pricing, reference data, indices, analytics and execution services as well as global credit default swap clearing and multi-asset class data delivery solutions. |
| In our Mortgage Technology segment, we provide an end-to-end technology platform that offers customers comprehensive, digital workflow tools that aim to address the inefficiencies that exist in the U.S. residential mortgage market, from application through closing and the secondary market. |
Our principal executive offices are located at 5660 New Northside Drive, 3rd Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. Our main telephone number is (770) 857-4700, and our website is www.ice.com. Except for the documents referred to under the caption Where You Can Find Additional Information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus which are specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, information contained on ICEs website or that can be accessed through its website is not incorporated into and does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. ICE has included its website address only as an inactive textual reference and does not intend it to be an active link to its website.
Black Knight Acquisition
On May 4, 2022, we announced that we had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with Sand Merger Sub Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ICE (Sub), and Black Knight, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Black Knight), pursuant to which Sub will merge with and into Black Knight, with Black Knight surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of ICE (the Merger), in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (the Black Knight Acquisition).
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Black Knight, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a provider of integrated, mission-critical, high-performance software solutions, data and analytics to the U.S. mortgage and real estate markets. We believe the Black Knight Acquisition will complement the services provided by our ICE Mortgage Technology business.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the Effective Time), each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Black Knight (BKI Common Stock) (except for shares held by Black Knight as treasury stock, by any of Black Knights subsidiaries (other than with respect to the Company ESPP (as defined in the Merger Agreement)), by ICE or any of ICEs subsidiaries (including Sub), or by any holder who has properly exercised and perfected such holders demand for appraisal rights under Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and not effectively withdrawn or lost such holders rights to appraisal (collectively, Excluded Shares), which, in each case, will be treated as described in the Merger Agreement) will be converted into, at the election of the holder thereof, the right to receive the following consideration:
(i) | an amount in cash equal to the sum, rounded to the nearest one tenth of a cent, of (x) $68.00 plus (y) the product, rounded to the nearest one tenth of a cent, of 0.1440 multiplied by the average of the volume weighted averages of the trading prices of ICE Common Stock (as defined below) on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the ten consecutive trading days ending on (and including) the trading day that is three trading days prior to the date on which the Effective Time occurs (the Average ICE Stock Price) (such amount, the Per Share Cash Consideration); |
(ii) | a number of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of ICE (ICE Common Stock) as is equal to the quotient, rounded to the nearest one ten thousandth, of (x) the Per Share Cash Consideration divided by (y) the Average ICE Stock Price (the Exchange Ratio) (such number of shares, the Per Share Stock Consideration); or |
(iii) | if no election is made by such holder, such Per Share Stock Consideration or Per Share Cash Consideration as is determined in accordance with the proration mechanism described below. |
The election right for the holders of shares of BKI Common Stock will be subject to proration in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement such that (a) the total number of shares of BKI Common Stock to be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Cash Consideration will be equal to the quotient, rounded down to the nearest whole share, of $10,505,000,000 (the Cash Consideration) divided by the Per Share Cash Consideration and (b) all shares of BKI Common Stock not receiving the Per Share Cash Consideration (other than Excluded Shares) will be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Stock Consideration. No fractional shares of ICE Common Stock will be issued in the Merger, and holders of BKI Common Stock will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of ICE Common Stock to which they otherwise would have been entitled, based on the Average ICE Stock Price.
The transaction values Black Knight at $85 per share of BKI Common Stock, or a market value of approximately $13.1 billion, based on the volume weighted average trading price of ICE Common Stock during the ten-trading day period ended May 2, 2022 of $118.09. The transaction, which is not subject to a financing condition, is expected to close in the first half of 2023, subject to satisfaction of customary conditions, including receipt of Black Knight stockholder approval and review and clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the HSR Act).
A copy of the Merger Agreement is filed as an exhibit to ICEs Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2022, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The foregoing description of the Black Knight Acquisition and the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement. For more information regarding the Black Knight Acquisition, see the Current Report on Form 8-K referenced above and any subsequently filed documents which are incorporated by reference herein.
S-2
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of the SMR notes (as defined under Summary of the Offering), together with the issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program and/or borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, cash on hand or other immediately available funds and borrowings under a new senior unsecured term loan facility, to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition and any adjustments thereto and to pay related fees and expenses.
This offering is not conditioned upon, and will be consummated before, the closing of the Black Knight Acquisition. However, in the event that we do not consummate the Black Knight Acquisition on or prior to May 4, 2023 (subject to two automatic extensions of three months each, to August 4, 2023 and to November 4, 2023, respectively, if U.S. antitrust clearance (or a related Restraint (as defined in Description of NotesRedemptionSpecial Mandatory Redemption) remains outstanding and all other conditions to closing are satisfied (or in the case of conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the closing, are capable of being satisfied if the closing were to occur on such date) at each extension date (the outside date)), or the Merger Agreement is terminated at any time prior to the outside date, we will be required to redeem all of the SMR notes at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the SMR notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the SMR notes to, but excluding, the special mandatory redemption date as described under Description of NotesRedemptionSpecial Mandatory Redemption.
S-3
Summary of the Offering
The following summary contains basic information about the notes and is not intended to be complete. It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read the full text and more specific details contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. For a more detailed description of the notes, see the discussion under the caption Description of Notes in this prospectus supplement. For purposes of this section entitled Summary of the Offering, references to we, us and our refer only to Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.
Issuer |
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. |
Securities Offered |
$1,250,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025 (the 2025 notes) |
$1,500,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2027 (the 2027 notes) |
$1,250,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.350% Senior Notes due 2029 (the 2029 notes) |
$1,500,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.600% Senior Notes due 2033 (the 2033 notes) |
$1,500,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.950% Senior Notes due 2052 (the 2052 notes) |
$1,000,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 5.200% Senior Notes due 2062 (the 2062 notes) |
The 2025 notes, the 2027 notes, the 2029 notes, the 2033 notes, the 2052 notes and the 2062 notes are collectively referred to in this prospectus supplement as the notes. The offering and sale of each series of notes is not conditioned on the sale of any other series of notes. |
Maturity Date |
The 2025 notes will mature on May 23, 2025. |
The 2027 notes will mature on September 15, 2027. |
The 2029 notes will mature on June 15, 2029. |
The 2033 notes will mature on March 15, 2033. |
The 2052 notes will mature on June 15, 2052. |
The 2062 notes will mature on June 15, 2062. |
Interest Rate |
Interest on the 2025 notes will accrue at the rate of 3.650% per annum. |
Interest on the 2027 notes will accrue at the rate of 4.000% per annum. |
Interest on the 2029 notes will accrue at the rate of 4.350% per annum. |
Interest on the 2033 notes will accrue at the rate of 4.600% per annum. |
Interest on the 2052 notes will accrue at the rate of 4.950% per annum. |
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Interest on the 2062 notes will accrue at the rate of 5.200% per annum. |
Interest on each series of notes will accrue from May 23, 2022. |
Interest Payment Dates |
Interest on the 2025 notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each May 23 and November 23, beginning on November 23, 2022. Interest on the 2027 notes and the 2033 notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each March 15 and September 15, beginning on September 15, 2022. Interest on the 2029 notes, the 2052 notes and the 2062 notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 15 and December 15, beginning on December 15, 2022. Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. |
Optional Redemption |
We may redeem any series of the notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the applicable redemption price described herein under the caption Description of NotesRedemptionOptional Redemption. |
Special Mandatory Redemption |
In the event that we do not consummate the Black Knight Acquisition on or prior to the outside date, or the Merger Agreement is terminated at any time prior to the outside date, we will be required to redeem all of the SMR notes on a special mandatory redemption date at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the SMR notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the special mandatory redemption date. See Description of NotesRedemptionSpecial Mandatory Redemption. Holders of the non-SMR notes will not be entitled to this redemption right if we do not consummate the Black Knight Acquisition. |
Ranking |
The notes will be our general unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all our existing and future indebtedness and other obligations that are not, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The notes will be effectively subordinated to all of our future secured indebtedness and other secured obligations to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness or other obligations. In addition, the notes will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes. We are a holding company and do not have any material assets other than our ownership interests in our subsidiaries. |
For a description of our other indebtedness, see Capitalization, Description of NotesRanking and Description of Other Indebtedness. |
Form and Denomination |
The notes will be issued in fully registered form in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. |
DTC Eligibility |
Each series of notes will be represented by global certificates deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (DTC), or its nominees. See Description of NotesBook-Entry Settlement. |
S-5
Settlement |
Beneficial interests in the notes will trade in DTCs same-day funds settlement system until maturity. Therefore, secondary market trading activity in such interests will be settled in immediately available funds. |
Use of Proceeds |
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of the 2025 notes, the 2027 notes, the 2029 notes and the 2062 notes (collectively, the SMR notes), together with the issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program and/or borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, cash on hand or other immediately available funds and borrowings under a new senior unsecured term loan facility, to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition and any adjustments thereto and to pay related fees and expenses. |
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of the 2033 notes and the 2052 notes (the non-SMR notes), together with cash on hand or other immediately available funds, if necessary, to fund the redemption of the $500 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.350% senior notes due September 15, 2022, the $400 million aggregate principal amount of our 3.450% senior notes due September 21, 2023, the $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of our 0.700% senior notes due June 15, 2023 and the $800 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.000% senior notes due October 15, 2023, including to pay accrued interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption and any make-whole premiums. The balance of the net proceeds of the non-SMR notes, if any, may be used for general corporate purposes, which may include paying down a portion of the amounts outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a notice of redemption for the notes maturing in 2022 and 2023. |
See Use of Proceeds. |
Covenants |
The indenture and the supplemental indenture governing the notes will contain covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, limit our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to create liens and to enter into sale and leaseback transactions, and limit our ability to consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets. See Description of NotesCertain Covenants. |
No Listing |
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently there are no public markets for the notes. |
Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent |
Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association |
Governing Law |
The indenture, the supplemental indenture and the notes will be governed by the laws of the State of New York. |
Risk Factors |
See Risk Factors in this prospectus supplement and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of certain factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in the notes. |
S-6
An investment in the notes involves risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in the notes, and in consultation with your own financial and legal advisors, you should carefully consider the following risk factors regarding the notes and this offering, as well as the risk factors and the regulatory update information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement from ICEs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, under the heading Risk Factors and other filings we have made or may make from time to time with the SEC. You should also refer to the other information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not yet identified may also materially harm our business, operating results and financial condition and could result in a loss of your investment.
Risks Relating to this Offering and the Notes
The indenture and the supplemental indenture do not limit the amount of debt we may incur or restrict our ability to engage in other transactions that may adversely affect holders of the notes.
The indenture and the supplemental indenture under which the notes will be issued do not limit the amount of debt that we may incur. The indenture and the supplemental indenture do not contain any financial covenants or other provisions that would afford the holders of the notes any substantial protection in the event we participate in a highly leveraged transaction. In addition, the indenture and the supplemental indenture do not limit our ability to pay dividends, make distributions or repurchase shares of our common stock. Any such transaction could adversely affect you and, in particular, could limit our ability to make payments on the notes.
We have, and following the completion of this offering and the Black Knight Acquisition will continue to have, a significant amount of debt, including the notes offered hereby, which could restrict our ability to engage in additional transactions or incur additional indebtedness.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of the SMR notes, together with the issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program and/or borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, cash on hand or other immediately available funds and borrowings under a new senior unsecured term loan facility, to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition and any adjustments thereto and related fees and expenses. On an as adjusted basis, after giving effect to (i) the offering of the SMR notes, our anticipated issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program and/or borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, cash on hand or other immediately available funds and anticipated borrowings under a new senior unsecured term loan facility to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition (excluding any adjustments thereto and the payment of related fees and expenses), (ii) the offering of the non-SMR notes and the use of the net proceeds thereof, together with cash on hand or other immediately available funds, if necessary, to fund the redemption of the 2022 and 2023 notes (as defined herein), including to pay accrued interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption and any make-whole premiums (with the balance of the net proceeds of the non-SMR notes, if any, to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include paying down a portion of the amounts outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program), and (iii) the expected prepayment of the $1.15 billion of borrowings outstanding under Black Knights term loan facility and assumption of $1 billion of Black Knights outstanding senior notes in connection with closing of the Black Knight Acquisition, as if each had occurred on March 31, 2022, our consolidated indebtedness would have been approximately $24.3 billion as of March 31, 2022. This substantial level of indebtedness could have important consequences to our business, including making it more difficult to satisfy our debt obligations (including the notes), increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate and restricting us from pursuing future business opportunities or strategic transactions. In addition, these limitations could reduce the benefits we expect to achieve from the Black Knight Acquisition.
S-7
The notes will be subject to prior claims of secured creditors.
The notes will be general unsecured obligations of ICE and will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of ICE that are not, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The indenture and the supplemental indenture governing the notes permit ICE and its subsidiaries to incur secured debt under specified circumstances. If ICE or any of its subsidiaries incurs any debt secured by its assets, these assets will be subject to the prior claims of the secured creditors, and in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding, these pledged assets would be available to satisfy secured obligations before any payment could be made on the notes. To the extent that such assets could not satisfy in full any such secured obligations, the holders of such obligations would have a claim for any shortfall that would rank equally in right of payment with the notes. In that case, we might not have sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all of the notes.
The negative covenants contained in the indenture and supplemental indenture governing the notes are only applicable to ICE and certain subsidiaries of ICE.
The negative covenants contained in the indenture and the supplemental indenture governing the notes limiting ICEs ability, and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries, to create liens and to enter into sale and leaseback transactions only apply to significant subsidiaries of ICE, which is defined to include any subsidiaries of ICE classified as significant subsidiaries under Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act. These negative covenants do not limit the actions of any subsidiary of ICE that is not by itself a significant subsidiary, including any secured debt incurred, assumed or guaranteed by any ICE subsidiaries that are not significant subsidiaries, and are subject to certain exceptions. See Description of NotesCertain Covenants.
Active trading markets for the notes may not develop and future trading prices of the notes will depend upon many factors.
There are no existing trading markets for the notes and we do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any trading markets for the notes will ever develop or will be maintained. If trading markets do not develop or are not maintained, you may find it difficult or impossible to resell the notes. Further, there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any market that may develop for the notes, your ability to sell the notes or the prices at which you will be able to sell the notes. Future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, our financial condition and results of operations, the then-current ratings assigned to us and/or our debt securities and the markets for similar securities. Any trading markets that develop would be affected by many factors independent of and in addition to the foregoing, including the time remaining to the maturity of the notes, the outstanding amount of the notes, the terms related to optional redemption of the notes, and the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally.
The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in each series of the notes, but they are not obligated to do so and may cease doing so at any time without notice.
Our credit ratings may not reflect all of risks in the investment in the notes and these ratings could be lowered or withdrawn in the future.
We expect that the notes will be rated by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. A rating is not a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell debt securities, since a rating does not predict the market price of a particular security or its suitability for a particular investor. Any rating organization that rates the notes may lower its rating or decide not to continue to rate the notes in its sole discretion. The ratings of the notes will be based primarily on the rating organizations assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of interest when due and the payment of principal on the maturity date. Any actual or anticipated downgrade or withdrawal of a rating by a rating agency that rates the notes, and any announcement that our ratings are under further review for a downgrade, could have an adverse effect on the trading prices or liquidity of the notes.
S-8
We may be required to redeem all of the SMR notes on a special mandatory redemption date at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the SMR notes, and, as a result, holders of the SMR notes may not obtain their expected return on the SMR notes.
We may not consummate the Black Knight Acquisition within the timeframe specified under Description of NotesRedemptionSpecial Mandatory Redemption. Our ability to consummate the Black Knight Acquisition is subject to various closing conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approval under the HSR Act and other matters over which we have limited or no control. We cannot assure you that regulatory approval will be obtained or that the transaction will close on the time frame currently expected or at all. If we fail to consummate the Black Knight Acquisition within such specified timeframe or the Merger Agreement is terminated at any time prior to such time, we will be required to redeem all of the SMR notes at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the SMR notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of the special mandatory redemption. If we redeem the SMR notes pursuant to the special mandatory redemption provisions, you may not obtain your expected return on the SMR notes and may not be able to reinvest the proceeds from such special mandatory redemption in an investment that results in a comparable return. In addition, as a result of the special mandatory redemption provisions of the SMR notes, the trading prices of the SMR notes may not reflect the financial results of our business or macroeconomic factors. You will have no rights under the special mandatory redemption provisions if the Black Knight Acquisition closes, nor will you have any right to require us to repurchase your SMR notes if, between the closing of this offering and the completion of the Black Knight Acquisition, we experience any changes (including any material adverse changes) in our business or financial condition, or if the terms of the Merger Agreement change, including in material respects, in a manner that ICE reasonably determines is not materially adverse to holders of the SMR notes. For a description of the special mandatory redemption provisions, see Description of NotesRedemptionSpecial Mandatory Redemption.
ICE may choose to redeem the notes of any series prior to maturity.
ICE may redeem some or all of the notes of any series at any time. See Description of NotesRedemptionOptional Redemption. Although the notes contain provisions designed to compensate you for the lost value of your notes if we redeem some or all of the notes prior to maturity, they are only an approximation of this lost value and may not adequately compensate you. Furthermore, depending on prevailing interest rates at the time of any such redemption, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an interest rate as high as the interest rate of the notes being redeemed or at an interest rate that would otherwise compensate you for any lost value as a result of any redemption of notes.
An increase in market interest rates could result in a decrease in the value of the notes.
In general, as market interest rates rise, notes bearing interest at a fixed rate decline in value because the premium, if any, over market interest rates will decline. Consequently, if you purchase the notes and market interest rates increase, the market values of your notes may decline. We cannot predict the future level of market interest rates.
Risks Relating to the Black Knight Acquisition
We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the Black Knight Acquisition.
The success of the Black Knight Acquisition will depend on, among other things, our ability to integrate the business of Black Knight into our ICE Mortgage Technology business in a manner that facilitates growth opportunities, realizes anticipated synergies, and achieves the projected cost savings, revenue growth and profitability targets of the combined businesses without adversely affecting current revenues and investments in future growth. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Black Knight Acquisition may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected.
S-9
There is a significant degree of difficulty and management distraction inherent in the process of integrating an acquisition, including challenges consolidating certain operations and functions (including regulatory functions), integrating technologies, organizations, procedures, policies and operations, addressing differences in the business cultures of the two companies and retaining key personnel. The integration may be complex and time consuming and involve delays or additional and unforeseen expenses. The integration process and other disruptions resulting from the Black Knight Acquisition may also disrupt our ongoing businesses or cause inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our relationships with market participants, employees, regulators and others with whom we and Black Knight have business or other dealings.
Any failure to successfully or cost-effectively integrate Black Knight following the acquisition could have a material adverse effect on our business and cause reputational harm.
As a result of the Black Knight Acquisition, we will be subject to risks relating to the business conducted by Black Knight.
Following the consummation of the Black Knight Acquisition, we will be subject to a variety of risks relating to the business conducted by Black Knight, many of which we already face in our business, as described in the section entitled Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and the other documents incorporated by reference herein. Some of the specific risks facing Black Knight include risks relating to the mortgage lending industry, including general conditions in the industry; changes in inflation rates and interest rates; changes in current or new regulations and legislation and potential structural changes in the mortgage lending industry; technology risks, including cyber security and data privacy risks relating to Black Knights services; risks relating to intellectual property held or used by Black Knight; the ability of Black Knight to adequately compete with products or other companies, including through attracting new customers and retaining or selling additional service offerings to existing customers; risks relating to Black Knights use of international third-party service providers and Black Knights international operations; risks relating to Black Knights indebtedness; risks relating to Black Knights investment in Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.; and risks relating to current and future legal proceedings involving Black Knight.
In addition, Black Knight is and will continue to be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the Black Knight Acquisition is pending. The occurrence of any of such risks could have a material adverse impact on the financial condition, business or results of operations of Black Knight, which could impair or eliminate our ability to achieve the expected cost savings and synergies from the Black Knight Acquisition on a timely basis, if ever, or could impair our ability to achieve such cost savings and synergies without adversely affecting our current revenues or investments in future growth. Additionally, such risks could impair our ability to integrate the business of Black Knight with our businesses in an efficient and timely manner, if at all.
S-10
We estimate the net proceeds from this offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts but before offering expenses, will be approximately $7.91 billion.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of the SMR notes of approximately $4.96 billion, together with the issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program and/or borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, cash on hand or other immediately available funds and borrowings under a new senior unsecured term loan facility, to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition and any adjustments thereto and to pay related fees and expenses.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of the non-SMR notes of approximately $2.96 billion, together with cash on hand or other immediately available funds, if necessary, to fund the redemption of the $500 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.350% senior notes due September 15, 2022, the $400 million aggregate principal amount of our 3.450% senior notes due September 21, 2023, the $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of our 0.700% senior notes due June 15, 2023 and the $800 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.000% senior notes due October 15, 2023 (collectively, the 2022 and 2023 notes), including to pay accrued interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption and any make-whole premiums. The balance of the net proceeds from the offering of the non-SMR notes, if any, may be used for general corporate purposes, which may include paying down a portion of the amounts outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a notice of redemption for the 2022 and 2023 notes.
S-11
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of March 31, 2022 (i) on an actual basis and (ii) as adjusted solely to give effect to (1) the offering of the SMR notes, our anticipated issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program and/or borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, cash on hand or other immediately available funds and anticipated borrowings under a new senior unsecured term loan facility to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition (excluding any adjustments thereto and the payment of related fees and expenses) and (2) the offering of the non-SMR notes and the use of the net proceeds thereof, together with cash on hand or other immediately available funds, if necessary, to fund the redemption of the 2022 and 2023 notes, including to pay accrued interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption and any make-whole premiums, as if each had occurred on March 31, 2022. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a notice of redemption for the 2022 and 2023 notes. Actual amounts may vary from the as adjusted amounts set forth below depending on several factors, including the actual adjustments to the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition, potential changes in our financing plans as a result of market conditions or the timing of the consummation of the Black Knight Acquisition. You should read the data set forth in the table below in conjunction with Use of Proceeds and our consolidated financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The as adjusted information set forth below may not reflect our cash, debt and capitalization in the future.
As of March 31, 2022 | ||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
(Unaudited) (in millions) |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents(1), (2) |
$ | 638 | $ | 638 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Short-term debt(3) |
||||||||
Commercial Paper(1), (4) |
1,268 | 3,170 | ||||||
2.35% Senior Notes due 2022 |
500 | | ||||||
Other short-term debt |
9 | 9 | ||||||
Long-term debt, excluding current portion(3) |
||||||||
3.650% Senior Notes due 2025 offered hereby(4) |
| 1,242 | ||||||
4.000% Senior Notes due 2027 offered hereby(4) |
| 1,485 | ||||||
4.350% Senior Notes due 2029 offered hereby(4) |
| 1,239 | ||||||
4.600% Senior Notes due 2033 offered hereby(4) |
| 1,487 | ||||||
4.950% Senior Notes due 2052 offered hereby(4) |
| 1,464 | ||||||
5.200% Senior Notes due 2062 offered hereby(4) |
| 983 | ||||||
Revolving Credit Agreement(4), (5) |
| | ||||||
Term Loan Credit Agreement(4), (6) |
| 2,000 | ||||||
0.70% Senior Notes due 2023 |
998 | | ||||||
3.45% Senior Notes due 2023 |
399 | | ||||||
4.00% Senior Notes due 2023 |
798 | | ||||||
3.75% Senior Notes due 2025 |
1,246 | 1,246 | ||||||
3.10% Senior Notes due 2027 |
497 | 497 | ||||||
3.75% Senior Notes due 2028 |
594 | 594 | ||||||
2.10% Senior Notes due 2030 |
1,235 | 1,235 | ||||||
1.85% Senior Notes due 2032 |
1,483 | 1,483 | ||||||
2.65% Senior Notes due 2040 |
1,230 | 1,230 | ||||||
4.25% Senior Notes due 2048 |
1,231 | 1,231 | ||||||
3.00% Senior Notes due 2050 |
1,220 | 1,220 | ||||||
3.00% Senior Notes due 2060 |
1,470 | 1,470 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total debt(4), (7) |
14,178 | 23,285 | ||||||
Total equity |
22,703 | 22,703 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total capitalization |
$ | 36,881 | $ | 45,988 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | The actual amount of our cash and cash equivalents and the actual amount of our commercial paper outstanding may vary from time to time due to our ordinary cash management activities. |
S-12
(2) | Cash and cash equivalents on an as adjusted basis excludes the net proceeds from this offering, a portion of which will be applied to pay the cash purchase price for the Black Knight Acquisition upon its closing and a portion of which will be used to redeem the 2022 and 2023 notes. Pending application, we intend to invest the net proceeds in highly liquid short-term investments. |
(3) | For a discussion of our short-term and long-term debt obligations, see Description of Other Indebtedness. All long-term debt reflects principal obligation net of unamortized debt issuance costs (carrying amount). |
(4) | We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of the SMR notes of approximately $4.96 billion, together with the issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program and/or borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, cash on hand or other immediately available funds and borrowings under a new senior unsecured term loan facility, to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition and any adjustments thereto and to pay related fees and expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering of the non-SMR notes of approximately $2.96 billion, together with cash on hand or other immediately available funds, if necessary, to fund the redemption of the 2022 and 2023 notes, including to pay accrued interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption and any make-whole premiums. The balance of the net proceeds from the offering of the non-SMR notes, if any, may be used for general corporate purposes, which may include paying down a portion of the amounts outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program. As a result, after giving effect to (i) the offering of the SMR notes, our anticipated issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program and/or borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, cash on hand or other immediately available funds and anticipated borrowings under a new senior unsecured term loan facility to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition (excluding any adjustments thereto and the payment of related fees and expenses) and (ii) the offering of the non-SMR notes and the use of the net proceeds thereof, together with cash on hand or other immediately available funds, if necessary, to fund the redemption of the 2022 and 2023 notes, including to pay accrued interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption and any make-whole premiums (with the balance of the net proceeds from the offering of the non-SMR notes, if any, to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include paying down a portion of the amounts outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program), but without giving effect to the expected prepayment of the $1.15 billion of borrowings outstanding under Black Knights term loan facility and assumption of $1 billion of Black Knights outstanding senior notes in connection with closing of the Black Knight Acquisition, we expect that our total debt will increase by an aggregate of approximately $9.1 billion. See Description of Other Indebtedness. |
(5) | We currently expect to issue commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program to fund a portion of the cash purchase price for the Black Knight Acquisition and do not expect to borrow funds under the Revolving Credit Agreement. However, if conditions in the commercial paper markets change or if we require additional funds closer to the closing date of the Black Knight Acquisition, we may borrow amounts under the Revolving Credit Agreement. |
(6) | We currently expect to borrow $2 billion under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and issue approximately an additional $1.9 billion of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program to fund a portion of the cash purchase price for the Black Knight Acquisition. However, these amounts are subject to change, based on market conditions and other factors. |
(7) | Total debt on an as adjusted basis does not reflect the $1 billion of senior notes that we expect to assume from Black Knight in connection with closing of the Black Knight Acquisition or any debt we may incur to prepay Black Knights outstanding borrowings under its term loan facility. |
S-13
General
Unless otherwise specified, for purposes of this section, the terms ICE, we, us and our refer to Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries. Each series of notes will be issued under an indenture (the Senior Indenture) between us and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee), and a supplemental indenture thereto (a Supplemental Indenture), which together set forth the terms of each series of notes offered hereby. We refer to the Senior Indenture and each Supplemental Indenture collectively in this section as the Indenture and we refer to each person in whose name a note is registered in the note register for a series of notes in this section as a holder and, collectively, as the holders.
The following is a summary of material provisions of the Indenture. This summary does not include all of the provisions of the Indenture. We urge you to read the Indenture because it defines your rights. The terms of the notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the TIA).
Principal, Maturity and Interest
Principal and Maturity
We will issue:
$1,250,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025 (the 2025 notes),
$1,500,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2027 (the 2027 notes),
$1,250,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.350% Senior Notes due 2029 (the 2029 notes),
$1,500,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.600% Senior Notes due 2033 (the 2033 notes),
$1,500,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.950% Senior Notes due 2052 (the 2052 notes), and
$1,000,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 5.200% Senior Notes due 2062 (the 2062 notes and, together with the 2025 notes, the 2027 notes, the 2029 notes, the 2033 notes and the 2052 notes, the notes) in this offering.
The 2025 notes will mature on May 23, 2025, the 2027 notes will mature on September 15, 2027, the 2029 notes will mature on June 15, 2029, the 2033 notes will mature on March 15, 2033, the 2052 notes will mature on June 15, 2052 and the 2062 notes will mature on June 15, 2062.
Interest
Interest on the 2025 notes will accrue at the rate of 3.650% per annum, interest on the 2027 notes will accrue at the rate of 4.000% per annum, interest on the 2029 notes will accrue at the rate of 4.350% per annum, interest on the 2033 notes will accrue at the rate of 4.600% per annum, interest on the 2052 notes will accrue at the rate of 4.950% per annum and interest on the 2062 notes will accrue at the rate of 5.200% per annum. Interest on the 2025 notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each May 23 and November 23 (each, a 2025 interest payment date), beginning on November 23, 2022, to the persons who are holders at the close of business on the May 9 and November 9, whether or not a Business Day. Interest on the 2027 notes and the 2033 notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each March 15 and September 15 (each, a 2027 and 2033 interest payment date), beginning on September 15, 2022, to the persons who are holders at the close of business on the March 1 and September 1, whether or not a Business Day, in each case, immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date. Interest on the 2029 notes, the 2052 notes and the 2062 notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 15 and
S-14
December 15 (together with the 2025 interest payment dates and the 2027 and 2033 interest payment dates, each, an interest payment date), beginning on December 15, 2022, to the persons who are holders at the close of business on the June 1 and December 1, whether or not a Business Day, in each case, immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date. Interest on each series of notes will accrue from May 23, 2022. Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
If any interest payment date would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, the interest payment date will be postponed to the immediately succeeding day that is a Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made on that interest payment date and no interest on such payment will accrue from and after such due date.
Interest on the notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including the issue date. If any redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, payment of interest, principal and premium, if any, with respect to such notes will be made on the next Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the due date and no interest on such payment will accrue from and after such due date. For this purpose, Business Day means any weekday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or obligated by law or regulation to be closed.
Each series of notes will constitute a separate series under the Indenture. We may from time to time without notice to, or the consent of, any holder, create and issue additional series of notes under the Indenture. In addition, we may from time to time without notice to, or the consent of, any holder, create and issue additional notes of any series of notes under the Indenture (additional notes) having the same terms as the notes of such series, except for public offering price, issue date and, if applicable, the initial interest accrual date and first interest payment date. To the extent we do so, any additional notes, together with the notes of the same series, will constitute a single series under the Indenture and will vote together as one class on all matters with respect to the notes of such series; provided, however, that any additional notes that are not fungible with existing notes of the same series for U.S. federal income tax purposes will have a separate CUSIP, ISIN and other identifying number than the applicable series of notes offered hereby.
We will issue the notes in fully registered form in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund.
We will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any bankruptcy law) on overdue payments of the principal, purchase price and redemption price of the notes from time to time on demand at the rate then borne by the notes offered hereby, and will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any bankruptcy law) on overdue installments of interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace periods), on the notes offered hereby from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful.
We will pay interest, principal and premium, if any, on the notes in U.S. dollars.
Ranking
The notes will be general unsecured obligations of ICE and will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of ICE that are not, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The notes will be effectively subordinated to all of ICEs future secured indebtedness and other secured obligations to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness or other obligations. In addition, the notes will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes. ICE is a holding company and does not have any material assets other than its ownership interest in its subsidiaries.
As of March 31, 2022, as adjusted to give effect to this offering, our anticipated issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program and/or borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, cash on hand or
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other immediately available funds and anticipated borrowings under a new senior unsecured term loan facility to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of the Black Knight Acquisition (excluding any adjustments thereto and the payment of related fees and expenses) and the redemption of the $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.35% Senior Notes due 2022, the $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 3.45% Senior Notes due 2023, the $1.0 billion of our 0.700% Senior Notes due June 15, 2023 and the $800.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.00% Senior Notes due 2023, including to pay accrued interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption and any make-whole premiums (with the balance of the net proceeds from the offering of the 2033 notes and the 2052 notes, if any, to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include paying down a portion of the amounts outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program), as if each had occurred on March 31, 2022, the senior unsecured indebtedness of ICE that would rank equally with the notes consisted of the following:
| $3.2 billion aggregate principal amount of borrowings under our Commercial Paper Program; |
| $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.75% Senior Notes due 2025; |
| $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.10% Senior Notes due 2027; |
| $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% Senior Notes due 2028; |
| $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.10% Senior Notes due 2030; |
| $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.85% Senior Notes due 2032; |
| $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.65% Senior Notes due 2040; |
| $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Senior Notes due 2048; |
| $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.00% Senior Notes due 2050; and |
| $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.00% Senior Notes due 2060. |
For a summary of the terms of such other indebtedness, see Description of Other Indebtedness.
Redemption
Special Mandatory Redemption
In the event that we do not consummate the Black Knight Acquisition on or prior to May 4, 2023 (subject to two automatic extensions of three months each, to August 4, 2023 and to November 4, 2023, respectively, if U.S. antitrust clearance or a related law, injunction, order or other judgment, in each case whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits the consummation of the Merger (as defined in SummaryBlack Knight Acquisition) (a Restraint) remains outstanding and all other conditions to closing are satisfied (or in the case of conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the closing, are capable of being satisfied if the closing were to occur on such date) at each extension date (the outside date)), or the Merger Agreement is terminated at any time prior to the outside date, we will be required to redeem all of the outstanding 2025 notes, 2027 notes, 2029 notes and 2062 notes (collectively, the SMR notes) on a special mandatory redemption date at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the SMR notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the special mandatory redemption date. The special mandatory redemption date will be a date selected by ICE that is a business day and will be no earlier than three business days and no later than 30 days following the transmission of a notice of special mandatory redemption as described below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on the SMR notes that are due and payable on an interest payment date falling on or prior to the special mandatory redemption date will be payable on such interest payment date to the registered holders as of the close of business on the relevant record date in accordance with the SMR notes and the indenture.
We will cause the notice of special mandatory redemption to be delivered, with a copy to the Trustee, within five business days after the occurrence of the event triggering the special mandatory redemption to each holder of the SMR notes. If funds sufficient to pay the special mandatory redemption price of the SMR notes to be redeemed
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on the special mandatory redemption date are deposited with the Trustee or a paying agent on or before such special mandatory redemption date, and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such special mandatory redemption date, the SMR notes will cease to bear interest.
Optional Redemption
Prior to the applicable Par Call Date, we may redeem the notes, at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) 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 15 basis points in the case of the 2025 notes, 20 basis points in the case of the 2027 notes, 25 basis points in the case of the 2029 notes, 30 basis points in the case of the 2033 notes, 30 basis points in the case of the 2052 notes and 35 basis points in the case of the 2062 notes, in each case, less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and |
(2) | 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, |
plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.
On or after the applicable Par Call Date, we may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, 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 thereon to the redemption date.
Par Call Date means May 23, 2025 (the maturity date of the 2025 notes), in the case of the 2025 notes, August 15, 2027 (one month prior to the maturity date of the 2027 notes), in the case of the 2027 notes, April 15, 2029 (two months prior to the maturity date of the 2029 notes), in the case of the 2029 notes, December 15, 2032 (three months prior to the maturity date of the 2033 notes), in the case of the 2033 notes, December 15, 2051 (six months prior to the maturity date of the 2052 notes), in the case of the 2052 notes and December 15, 2061 (six months prior to the maturity date of the 2062 notes), in the case of the 2062 notes.
Treasury Rate means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by ICE in accordance with the following two paragraphs.
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by ICE 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 securitiesTreasury constant maturitiesNominal (or any successor caption or heading). In determining the Treasury Rate, ICE shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the Remaining Life); or (2) 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 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 (3) 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.
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If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 or any successor designation or publication is no longer published, ICE 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, as applicable. 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 the applicable Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the applicable Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the applicable Par Call Date, ICE shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the applicable 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, ICE 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.
Our 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 mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the depositarys procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed.
In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate and fair. 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.
Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
On or before the applicable redemption date, we will deposit with a paying agent or the Trustee money sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price of and accrued interest on, the notes to be redeemed on that date.
If we redeem any notes of a series, then we may prevent holders from transferring or exchanging such notes for certain periods. We may do this during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders so we can prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of notes selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any note being partially redeemed.
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Certain Covenants
The Indenture contains, among others, the following covenants:
Limitations on Liens
We may not, and may not permit any of our Significant Subsidiaries (as defined below) to, create or permit to exist any Lien (as defined below) on any Principal Property (as defined below) of ours or any of our Significant Subsidiaries (or on any capital stock of a Significant Subsidiary), whether owned on the date of issuance of the notes or thereafter acquired, to secure any Indebtedness (as defined below), unless we contemporaneously secure the notes (together with, if we so determine, any other Indebtedness of, or guaranteed by, us or such Significant Subsidiary then existing or thereafter created which is not subordinated to the notes) equally and ratably with (or, at our option, prior to) that obligation.
Lien means any lien, mortgage, deed of trust, hypothecation, pledge, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind.
Indebtedness means any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium, interest or other amounts) for or in respect of any borrowed money, or evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other instruments for money borrowed, or under any lease required to be capitalized under GAAP as in effect on the issue date, or any liability under or in respect of any bankers acceptance (other than a daylight overdraft).
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time.
We will not, however, be required to secure the notes if the Lien consists of Permitted Liens (as defined below), it being understood that the definition of Permitted Liens is not intended to broaden the interpretation or otherwise expand the scope of the first paragraph of this covenant.
Under the Indenture, Permitted Liens of any person are defined as:
(a) | Liens imposed by law or any governmental authority for taxes, assessments, levies or charges that are not yet overdue by more than 60 days or are being contested in good faith (and, if necessary, by appropriate proceedings) or for commitments that have not been violated; |
(b) | carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens, landlords and similar Liens imposed by law or which arise by operation of law and which are incurred in the ordinary course of business or where the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith (and, if necessary, by appropriate proceedings); |
(c) | Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made in compliance with workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations; |
(d) | Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, tenders, leases, statutory obligations, surety, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds, customer deposits and other obligations of a similar nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business; |
(e) | judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture; |
(f) | easements, zoning restrictions, minor title defects, irregularities or imperfections, restrictions on use, rights of way, leases, subleases and similar charges and other similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations (other than customary maintenance requirements) and which could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of us and our Subsidiaries taken as a whole; |
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(g) | Liens on (1) any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof (provided that such Lien may only extend to such property or asset) or (2) property of a Significant Subsidiary where (A) such Significant Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary after the issue date of the notes, (B) the Lien exists at the time such Significant Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, (C) the Lien was not created in contemplation of such Significant Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary and (D) the principal amount secured by the Lien at the time such Significant Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary is not subsequently increased or the Lien is not extended to any other assets other than those owned by the entity becoming a Subsidiary; |
(h) | any Lien existing on the issue date; |
(i) | Liens upon fixed, capital, real or tangible personal property acquired after the issue date (by purchase, construction, development, improvement, capital lease or otherwise) by us or any Significant Subsidiary, each of which was created for the purpose of securing Indebtedness representing, or incurred to finance, refinance or refund, the cost (including the cost of construction, development or improvement) of such property; provided that no such Lien shall extend to or cover any property other than the property so acquired and improvements thereon; |
(j) | Liens in favor of us or any Significant Subsidiary; |
(k) | Liens arising from the sale of accounts receivable for which fair equivalent value is received; |
(l) | any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part, of any Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (g), (h), (i), (j) and (k); provided that the principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby and not otherwise authorized as a Permitted Lien shall not exceed the principal amount of Indebtedness, plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal or replacement, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement; |
(m) | Liens securing our obligations or those of any of our Subsidiaries in respect of any swap agreements entered into (1) in the ordinary course of business and for non-speculative purposes or (2) solely in order to serve clearing, depositary, regulated exchange or settlement activities in respect thereof; |
(n) | Liens created in connection with any share repurchase program in favor of any broker, dealer, custodian, trustee or agent administering or effecting transactions pursuant to a share repurchase program; |
(o) | Liens consisting of an agreement to sell, transfer or dispose of any asset or property (to the extent such sale, transfer or disposition is not prohibited by the subsections Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions and Limitation on Mergers and Other Transactions); and |
(p) | Liens arising in connection with our operations or the operations of any of our Subsidiaries relating to clearing, depository, matched principal, regulated exchange or settlement activities, including, without limitation, Liens on securities sold by us or any Subsidiary in repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, sell buy back and buy sell back agreements, securities lending and borrowing agreements and any other similar agreement or transaction entered into in the ordinary course of clearing, depository, matched principal and settlement operations or in the management of liabilities. |
Principal Property means the land, improvements, buildings and fixtures (including any leasehold interest therein) constituting a corporate office, facility or other capital asset within the United States (including its territories and possessions) which is owned or leased by us or any of our Significant Subsidiaries unless the Board of Directors of ICE has determined in good faith that such office or facility is not of material importance to the total business conducted by ICE and its Significant Subsidiaries taken as a whole. With respect to any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction (as defined below) or series of related Sale and Lease-Back Transactions, the determination of whether any property is a Principal Property shall be determined by reference to all properties affected by such transaction or series of transactions.
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Significant Subsidiary means, with respect to any person, any Subsidiary of such person that satisfies the criteria for a Significant Subsidiary set forth in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.
Subsidiary means any corporation, limited liability company or other similar type of business entity in which we or one or more of our Subsidiaries together own more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the board of directors or similar governing body of such corporation, limited liability company or other similar type of business entity, directly or indirectly.
Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions
We will not, nor will we permit any of our Significant Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal Property, other than any such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction involving a lease for a term of not more than three years or any such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction between us and one of our Significant Subsidiaries or between our Significant Subsidiaries, unless: (a) we or such Significant Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the Principal Property involved in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction at least equal in amount to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, without equally and ratably securing the notes, pursuant to the covenant described above under the caption Limitations on Liens; or (b) the proceeds of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction are at least equal to the fair market value of the affected Principal Property (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of ICE or such Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be) and we apply an amount equal to the net proceeds of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction within 365 days of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction to any (or a combination) of (i) the prepayment or retirement of the notes, (ii) the prepayment or retirement (other than any mandatory retirement, mandatory prepayment or sinking fund payment or by payment at maturity) of other Indebtedness of ours or of one of our Significant Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness that is subordinated to the notes or Indebtedness owed to us or one of our Significant Subsidiaries) that matures more than 12 months after its creation or (iii) the purchase, construction, development, expansion or improvement of other comparable property.
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction means any arrangement with any person providing for the leasing by us or any of our Significant Subsidiaries of any Principal Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which Principal Property has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or such Significant Subsidiary to such person.
Attributable Debt with regard to a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal Property means, at the time of determination, the present value of the total net amount of rent required to be paid under such lease during the remaining term thereof (including any period for which such lease has been extended), discounted at the rate of interest set forth or implicit in the terms of such lease (or, if not practicable to determine such rate, the weighted average interest rate per annum borne by the securities of all series then outstanding under the Indenture) compounded semi-annually. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall be the lesser of (x) the net amount determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the net amount shall also include the amount of the penalty, but shall not include any rent that would be required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) or (y) the net amount determined assuming no such termination.
Excepted Indebtedness
Notwithstanding the limitations on Liens and Sale and Lease-Back Transactions described above, and without limiting our or any Significant Subsidiarys ability to issue, incur, create, assume or guarantee Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens, we and any Significant Subsidiary will be permitted to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien or may enter into a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, in either case, without regard to the restrictions contained in the preceding two sections entitled Limitations on Liens and Limitation on Sale and
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Lease-Back Transactions, if at the time the Indebtedness is incurred and after giving effect to such Indebtedness and to the retirement of Indebtedness which is concurrently being retired, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness secured by Liens that are restricted by, and not otherwise permitted by, the provisions described under Limitations on Liens and (b) the aggregate amount of Attributable Debt of all our Sale and Lease-Back Transactions not otherwise permitted by the provisions described under Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions, does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Worth (as defined below).
Consolidated Net Worth means, the consolidated stockholders equity of ICE and its Subsidiaries, as defined according to GAAP.
Limitation on Mergers and Other Transactions
ICE will not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any person and will not convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the assets of it and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, unless:
| either (a) ICE is the surviving person or (b) the person surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or the person to which such conveyance, transfer or lease has been made expressly assumes ICEs obligations on the notes and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and agreements of the Indenture to be performed or observed by ICE and the person so assuming ICEs obligations is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; and |
| immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default (and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default) shall have happened and be continuing. |
Upon compliance with these provisions and the assumption of ICEs obligations by another person in connection with such a consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or conveyance, transfer or lease, ICE (except in the case of a lease) would be relieved of its obligations under the Indenture and the notes.
This Limitation on Mergers and Other Transactions covenant will not apply to any conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of assets between or among ICE and its Subsidiaries.
Reports to Holders
The Indenture provides that any document or report that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act will be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after such document or report is filed with the SEC. The Indenture provides further that any document or report that we have filed with the SEC and that is publicly accessible on the SECs EDGAR system will be deemed filed with the Trustee for purposes of this provision; provided that the Trustee will have no responsibility whatsoever to monitor whether any such filing has occurred.
Events of Default
The following events will be defined in the Indenture as Events of Default with respect to a series of notes:
(1) | the failure to pay interest on any note of such series when the same becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days; |
(2) | the failure to pay the principal (or premium, if any) of any note of such series, when such principal becomes due and payable, at maturity, upon acceleration, upon redemption or otherwise; |
(3) | a default in the performance or breach of ICE of any covenant or warranty contained in the Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance or the breach of which is expressly included in the Indenture solely for the benefit of a particular series of debt securities other than the notes) which default continues for a period of 90 days after ICE receives written notice specifying the default (and demanding that such default be remedied) from the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of debt securities of all affected series under the Indenture; |
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(4) | a default on any indebtedness of ICE or a Significant Subsidiary of ICE having an aggregate amount of at least $250,000,000, constituting a default either of payment of principal or which results in acceleration of the indebtedness unless the default has been cured or waived or the indebtedness discharged in full within 60 days after we have been notified of the default by the Trustee or holders of 25% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of debt securities of all affected series under the Indenture; |
(5) | one or more final judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $250,000,000 above available insurance or indemnity coverage shall be rendered against ICE or of a Significant Subsidiary of ICE and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, but only if such judgment is an event of default at that time under the Revolving Credit Agreement; and |
(6) | certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency (or involving equivalent concepts applicable outside the United States) affecting ICE or Significant Subsidiaries of ICE. |
A default or Event of Default with respect to one series of notes will not necessarily be a default or Event of Default with respect to another series of notes.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (6) above with respect to ICE) shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of debt securities of all affected series under the Indenture (voting together as a single class) may declare the principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all notes to be due and payable by notice in writing to us and the Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in clause (6) above with respect to ICE occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all notes of a series shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holder.
The Indenture provides that at any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to a series of notes as described in the second preceding paragraph has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series, by written notice to us and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(1) | we have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay |
(a) | all overdue interest on the notes of such series, |
(b) | the principal of (and premium, if any, on) the notes of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon and |
(c) | all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee as a result and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and |
(2) | all Events of Default with respect to the notes of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal, which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived. |
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of then outstanding debt securities of all affected series under the Indenture (voting together as a single class) may waive a past default with respect to such series, except a payment default on a note or a default in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or
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amended without consent of each holder. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it had not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on a note or a default in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder, without your individual approval.
The Trustee, subject to its duties during default to act with the required standard of care, may require indemnification by the holders of the series of notes with respect to which a default has occurred before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indenture at the request of the holders of such series of notes. Subject to such right of indemnification and to certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series under the Indenture (voting together as a single class) may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the series of notes.
No holder may institute any action against ICE under the Indenture unless (i) the holder has given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the notes specifying an Event of Default, as required under the Indenture, (ii) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series under the Indenture (voting together as a single class) shall have requested the Trustee to institute such action and offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, (iii) the Trustee shall not have instituted such action within 60 days of such request and (iv) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period. However, a holder is entitled at any time to bring an individual lawsuit for the payment of the money due on such holders notes on or after their due date.
Every year ICE will give to the Trustee a written statement of one of our officers certifying that to the best of his or her knowledge we are in compliance with the Indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.
Full Defeasance
We can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the notes of a series, called full defeasance, if we put in place the following arrangements for holders of such series of notes to be repaid:
| We must deposit in trust for the benefit of the holders of such series of notes a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to make interest, principal and any other payments on the applicable series of notes to maturity. |
| We must obtain an opinion of counsel that, based on a change in current federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ruling, the above deposit will not cause beneficial owners of such series of notes to be taxed on such notes any differently than if we had not made the deposit and repaid such notes ourselves. |
If we accomplish full defeasance, as described above, holders of the applicable series of notes would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment on their notes and holders of the applicable series of notes could not look to us for repayment in the event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent.
We will indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on the U.S. government obligations we deposited with the Trustee or against the principal and interest received on these obligations.
Covenant Defeasance
Under current federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described under Full Defeasance above and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the notes of a series. This is called covenant defeasance. In that event, holders of the applicable series of notes would lose the protection of those restrictive
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covenants but would gain the protection of having money and notes set aside in trust to repay the applicable series of notes. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
| deposit in trust for the benefit of holders of the applicable series of notes a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the applicable series of notes to maturity; and |
| deliver to the Trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that under current federal income tax law we may make the above deposit without causing beneficial owners of the applicable series of notes to be taxed on such notes any differently than if we did not make the deposit and repaid such notes ourselves. |
If we accomplished covenant defeasance with respect to a series of notes, the following provisions of the Indenture and such series of notes would no longer apply:
| Any covenants applicable to such series of notes described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. |
| The Events of Default with respect to such series of notes relating to breach of covenants and acceleration of the maturity of other debt. |
If we accomplish covenant defeasance with respect to a series of notes, holders of such series of notes can still look to us for repayment of such notes if a shortfall in the trust deposit occurs. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the notes of such series became immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, holders of such series of notes may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The Indenture will at our request be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights or registration of transfer or exchange of the notes, as expressly provided for in the Indenture) as to all outstanding notes of a series, when:
(1) | either: |
(A) | all notes of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed notes which have been replaced or paid and notes of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by us and thereafter repaid to us or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or |
(B) | all notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (1) have become due and payable or (2) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in our name, and at our expense, and we have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of notes of such series that have become due and payable) or to the maturity date or redemption date, as the case may be; |
(2) | we have paid all other sums payable under the Indenture with respect to such series of notes by us; and |
(3) | we have delivered to the Trustee an officers certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent under the Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to such series of notes have been complied with. |
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Modification of the Indenture and Waiver of Rights of Holders
Under certain circumstances, we can make changes to the Indenture and the notes. Some types of changes require the approval of each holder of notes affected, some require approval by a vote of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series under the Indenture (voting together as a single class), and some changes do not require any approval at all.
Changes Requiring Approval of Each Affected Holder
First, there are changes that cannot be made to the notes without specific approval of each holder of notes affected. These include changes that:
(1) | reduce the percentage of holders of notes who must consent to a waiver or amendment of the Indenture; |
(2) | reduce the rate of interest on any note or change the time for payment of interest; |
(3) | reduce the principal or premium due on the notes or change the stated maturity date of the notes; |
(4) | change the place or currency of payment on a note; |
(5) | change the right of holders of notes to waive an existing default by majority vote; |
(6) | modify the provisions of the Indenture with respect to the ranking of the notes in a manner adverse to holders; |
(7) | impair holders right to sue for payment; |
(8) | modify the redemption provisions of the notes in a manner adverse to you; or |
(9) | make any change to this list of changes that requires each affected holders specific approval. |
Changes Requiring a Majority Vote
The second type of change to the Indenture and the notes requires a vote in favor by holders owning a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series under the Indenture (voting together as a single class). Most changes fall into this category, except for clarifying changes and certain other specified changes that would not adversely affect holders of the notes in any material respect, which do not require any vote of the holders. A majority vote is required to waive any past default, except a failure to pay principal or interest and default in certain covenants and provisions of the Indenture that cannot be amended without the consent of the holder of each note of an affected series.
Governing Law
The Indenture provides that it and each series of notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
The Trustee
The Indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an Event of Default of which a responsible officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge, the Trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Indenture. During the existence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of notes of which a responsible officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge, the Trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of its own affairs.
The Indenture and the provisions of the TIA contain certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payments of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received in
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respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. Subject to the TIA, the Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; provided that if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest as described in the TIA, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.
Book-Entry Settlement
We will issue each series of the notes in the form of one or more permanent global notes in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form. The global notes will be deposited with or on behalf of DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, or will remain in the custody of the Trustee in accordance with arrangements between DTC and the Trustee.
If you wish to hold notes through the DTC system, you must either be a direct participant in DTC or hold through a direct participant in DTC. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations that have accounts with DTC. For those holders of notes outside the United States, Euroclear and Clearstream (both described below) participate in DTC through their New York depositaries (each, a U.S. Depositary). Indirect participants are securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that do not have an account with DTC, but that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant. Thus, indirect participants have access to the DTC system through direct participants or through other indirect participants that have access through direct participants.
DTC may grant proxies or authorize its participants (or persons holding beneficial interests in the global notes through these participants) to exercise any rights of a holder or take any other actions that a holder is entitled to take under the Indenture or the notes. The ability of Euroclear or Clearstream to take actions as a holder of the notes under the Indenture will be limited by the ability of their respective U.S. Depositaries to carry out such actions for them through DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream will take such actions only in accordance with their respective rules and procedures.
The information in this section, including the subsections below, concerning DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream and their book-entry systems has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, but we make no representation or warranty with respect to this information. DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform the procedures described below, and they may modify or discontinue them at any time. We and the Trustee will not be responsible for DTCs, Euroclears or Clearstreams performance of their obligations under their rules and procedures, or for the performance by direct or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures of the clearance systems.
Transfers within DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream will be in accordance with the usual rules and operating procedures of the relevant system. Cross-market transfers between investors who hold or who will hold any notes through DTC and investors who hold or will hold any notes through Euroclear or Clearstream will be effected in DTC through the respective U.S. Depositaries of Euroclear and Clearstream.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the Indenture and under the notes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note will not be entitled to have notes represented by that global note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture or under the notes for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the Trustee. Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that holder is not a direct or indirect participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of that holder under the Indenture or the global note of the applicable series of notes.
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Neither we nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the notes by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to the notes.
Payments on the notes represented by the global notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner thereof. We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment on the notes represented by a global note, will credit participants accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the global note as shown in the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global note held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case with notes held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. The participants will be responsible for those payments.
The laws of some states require certain purchasers of notes to take physical delivery of the notes in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global note or notes to such purchasers. DTC can act only on behalf of its direct participants, who in turn act on behalf of indirect participants and certain banks. Thus, your ability to pledge a beneficial interest in the global note or notes to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, and to take other actions, may be limited because you will not possess a physical certificate that represents your interest.
The Depository Trust Company
DTC has advised us as follows:
| DTC 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 under Section 17A of the Exchange Act; |
| DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC and facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates; |
| direct participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations; |
| DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by NYSE Euronext and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; |
| access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly; and |
| the rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC. |
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTCs procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures. Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the notes described herein, cross-market transfers between the participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear and Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTCs rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its respective U.S. Depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the
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transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective U.S. Depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant global note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the U.S. Depositaries for Euroclear or Clearstream.
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, Luxembourg 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.
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 includes 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 (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.
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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.
Certificated Notes
We will issue certificated notes of a series to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of the notes represented by the global notes of such series upon surrender by DTC of the global notes of such series only if:
| DTC notifies us that it is no longer willing or able to act as a depositary for the global notes of such series, or DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in each case we have not appointed a successor depositary within 90 days of that notice; or |
| an Event of Default with respect to such series of notes has occurred and is continuing and a holder of notes of such series requests the issuance of certificated notes of such series. |
We and the Trustee will not be liable for any delay by DTC, its nominee or any direct or indirect participant in identifying the beneficial owners of the related notes. We and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes, including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the notes to be issued.
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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
Set forth below is a summary of certain of our outstanding indebtedness and other financing arrangements. The following summary is not a complete description of the terms of these debt obligations and financing arrangements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable governing agreements, which are included as exhibits to our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. See Where You Can Find Additional Information.
Revolving Credit Agreement
ICE is a party to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2014 (as amended by (i) the First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2015, (ii) the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, (iii) the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2015, (iv) the Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2017, (v) the Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2017, (vi) the Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2018, (vii) the Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2020, (viii) the Eighth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2020, (ix) the Ninth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2021 and (x) the Tenth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2021, the Existing Revolving Credit Agreement), among ICE, as borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and swingline lender, providing for a senior unsecured revolving credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of $3.775 billion.
On May 11, 2022, ICE agreed with the lenders under the Existing Revolving Credit Agreement to amend the terms of the Existing Revolving Credit Agreement (the Eleventh Amendment) to make certain changes, including (i) increasing the ratio level in the maximum total leverage ratio covenant from 3.75:1.00 to (i) 5.25:1.00 for each of the two fiscal quarters immediately following the consummation of the Black Knight Acquisition (or the three fiscal quarters immediately following the consummation of the Black Knight Acquisition if the Effective Date occurs in the second half of the fiscal quarter) (the First Step Down Date), (ii) 5.00:1.00 for each of the first and second fiscal quarters following the First Step Down Date, (iii) 4.75:1.00 for each of the third and fourth fiscal quarters following the First Step Down Date, (iv) 4.50:1.00 for each of the fifth and sixth fiscal quarters following the First Step Down Date, (v) 4.25:1.00 for each of the seventh and eighth fiscal quarters following the First Step Down Date, (vi) 4.00:1.00 for each of the ninth and tenth fiscal quarters following the First Step Down Date, and (vii) 3.75:1.00 for each of the fiscal quarters ending thereafter, and (ii) modifying the conditions precedent so that, as a one-time event, ICE is permitted to make a single borrowing in a principal amount not to exceed the aggregated unutilized commitments at such time solely for the purpose of (x) financing a portion of the Cash Consideration, (y) refinancing certain of the existing indebtedness of Black Knight and its subsidiaries, and/or (z) paying fees, costs, commissions and expenses in connection with the Black Knight Acquisition and related transactions, subject to only those conditions precedent set forth therein for such single borrowing.
Following the effectiveness of the Eleventh Amendment, ICE anticipates entering into a further amendment to the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement (as defined below) with the lenders to amend the terms of the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement (the Twelfth Amendment) to make certain changes, including (i) extending the maturity date thereunder to a date that is the fifth anniversary of the effectiveness of the Twelfth Amendment and (ii) increasing the available commitments thereunder from $3.775 billion to $3.9 billion.
The Existing Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended by the Eleventh Amendment is referred to herein as the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement. The Amended Revolving Credit Agreement, as is expected to be amended by the Twelfth Amendment is referred to herein as the Revolving Credit Agreement, and the credit facility thereunder is referred to herein as the Revolving Credit Facility.
The Amended Revolving Credit Agreement provides for a $3.775 billion multi-currency revolving facility (or, in the event that the commitment increase described above in connection with the Twelfth Amendment becomes
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effective, the Revolving Credit Agreement shall provide for up to an approximately $3.9 billion multi-currency revolving facility), with sub-limits for non-dollar borrowings and letters of credit and with a swingline facility available on same day basis. The Amended Revolving Credit Agreement includes, and the Revolving Credit Agreement shall include, an option for ICE to propose an increase in the aggregate amount available for borrowing by up to $1.0 billion, subject to the consent of the lenders funding the increase and certain other conditions. The commitments under the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement mature on October 15, 2026, or if the Twelfth Amendment shall have become effective, the commitments under the Revolving Credit Agreement shall mature on the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the Twelfth Amendment. Amounts borrowed under the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement or the Revolving Credit Agreement may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty, and borrowings thereunder shall bear interest at term SOFR (or other equivalent benchmarks for other currencies) plus a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points or a base rate, at ICEs option, plus an applicable ratings-based margin ranging from 0.875% to 1.500% for term SOFR loans (subject to certain margin adjustments for certain other benchmarks), or 0.000% to 0.500% for base rate loans.
The amounts available under the Revolving Credit Agreement are available to ICE to use for working capital and general corporate purposes including, but not limited to, acting as a backstop to the amounts issued under ICEs Commercial Paper Program described below.
The Amended Revolving Credit Agreement and the Revolving Credit Agreement shall contain customary representations and warranties, covenants and events of default, including (i) a leverage ratio maintenance covenant, (ii) limitations on liens on the assets of ICE or its subsidiaries, (iii) limitations on indebtedness of ICEs subsidiaries, (iv) limitations on the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of ICE and its subsidiaries, (v) limitations on fundamental changes and (vi) other matters. The representations and warranties, covenants and events of default under the Revolving Credit Agreement are expected to be consistent with the representations and warranties, covenants and events of default under the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement, except that the Revolving Credit Agreement is expected to also include a negative covenant setting forth limitations on dividends and distributions by ICE (subject to certain expectations) for so long as any loans made under the Bridge Facility (if applicable and described below) have not been reduced or repaid, as applicable, such that the amount thereof does not exceed $2.0 billion in the aggregate. As of March 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants under the Existing Revolving Credit Agreement. The documentation for the Twelfth Amendment has not been finalized and become effective and, accordingly, the actual terms of the Twelfth Amendment may differ from that described in this prospectus supplement.
No amounts were outstanding under the Existing Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2022. Of the $3.775 billion that was available for borrowing under the Existing Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2022, $1.3 billion was required to back-stop the amount outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program as of March 31, 2022 and $171 million was required to support certain broker-dealer and other subsidiary commitments. The amount required to back-stop our Commercial Paper Program will fluctuate as we increase or decrease our commercial paper borrowings. The remaining $2.3 billion as of March 31, 2022 was available to us to use for working capital and general corporate purposes, and any portion of the Revolving Credit Facility no longer necessary in the future to be reserved for the foregoing purposes will be available to us to use for working capital and general corporate purposes. Any incremental amount of commercial paper that we issue under our Commercial Paper Program to fund a portion of the cash purchase price for the Black Knight Acquisition or otherwise will increase the amount required to back-stop our commercial paper and thus effectively reduce the amount available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
Bridge Facility Commitment Letter
On May 4, 2022, ICE, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC (collectively, the Commitment Parties) entered into a financing commitment letter (the Commitment Letter) for a 364-day senior unsecured bridge facility (the Bridge Facility) in an aggregate initial principal amount of $14.0 billion consisting of a $8.225 billion tranche
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backstopping a combination of the notes in this offering and operating internal cash generation prior to the Effective Time, a $3.775 billion tranche backstopping the Amended Revolving Credit Agreement, and a $2.0 billion tranche backstopping the Term Loan Credit Agreement (as defined and described below). On May 11, 2022, the Commitment Parties signed a joinder agreement to the Commitment Letter. The commitments under the Bridge Facility (i) were reduced by $3.775 billion on May 11, 2022 when we entered into the Eleventh Amendment to the Credit Agreement, and (ii) will be reduced by the gross proceeds received by us from this offering (other than an amount of gross proceeds from this offering not to exceed $2.725 billion to be used to refinance the 2022 and 2023 notes). In addition, the commitments under the Bridge Facility will be reduced by the commitments we receive from lenders with respect to the proposed Term Loan Facility.
If ICE has not obtained permanent financing sufficient to consummate the Black Knight Acquisition and commitments under the Bridge Facility have not been reduced to zero as anticipated, the proceeds of the loans extended thereunder will to be used to finance (a) a portion of the cash purchase price for the Black Knight Acquisition, (b) the refinancing of certain existing indebtedness of Black Knight and its subsidiaries, and (c) the payment of fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Black Knight Acquisition and related transactions.
If funded, each loan under the Bridge Facility will, at ICEs option, bear interest on the principal amount outstanding at either (a) term SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points plus an applicable margin rate or (b) a base rate plus an applicable margin rate. The applicable margin rate will range from 0.875% to 1.500% on term SOFR loans and from 0.0% to 0.500% for base rate loans based on a ratings-based pricing grid; provided that the applicable margin for each ratings tier shall permanently increase by 25 basis points on the 90th day after the Effective Time, and on each subsequent 90th day thereafter, in each case, if any bridge loan remains outstanding on such date. The Bridge Facility will include customary provisions relating to mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions with proceeds of (i) non-ordinary course sales or other dispositions received by ICE or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, (ii) debt for borrowed money or incurrence of loans under any credit facility received by ICE or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, (iii) borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement and commercial paper financings received by ICE, and (iv) equity issuances received by ICE, in each case, subject to specified exceptions and baskets. Further, ICE will have the right to prepay the outstanding loans under the Bridge Facility, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.
The Bridge Facility will contain affirmative and negative covenants and events of default that are substantially similar to those in the Revolving Credit Facility. The Bridge Facility will also contain other customary representations, warranties and covenants.
Term Loan Credit Facility
In connection with the Black Knight Acquisition, ICE expects to enter into a new delayed draw term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $2.0 billion (the Term Loan Facility), pursuant to a term loan credit agreement (the Term Loan Credit Agreement) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders that shall be signatories thereto. The proceeds of the loans to be extended under the Term Loan Facility are expected to be used (i) to (A) finance a portion of the cash purchase price for the Black Knight Acquisition, (B) refinance a portion of the loans made under the Bridge Facility (if any), (C) refinance certain of the existing indebtedness of Black Knight and its subsidiaries, and/or (D) pay fees, costs, commissions and expenses in connection with the Black Knight Acquisition and related transactions, and (ii) to provide for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Term Loan Facility will have no required amortization and mature on the second anniversary after the funding date thereunder. The commitments under the Term Loan Facility shall reduce the commitments under a portion of the Bridge Facility on a dollar-for dollar-basis.
It is anticipated that each loan under the Term Loan Facility will, at ICEs option, bear interest on the principal amount outstanding at either (a) term SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points plus an applicable
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margin rate or (b) a base rate plus an applicable margin rate. The applicable margin rate is expected to range from 0.625% to 1.125% on term SOFR loans and from 0.000% to 0.125% for base rate loans based on a ratings-based pricing grid. ICE will have the right to prepay the outstanding loans under the Term Loan Facility, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.
The Term Loan Credit Agreement is expected to contain affirmative and negative covenants and events of default that are substantially similar to those in the Revolving Credit Facility. The Term Loan Credit Agreement is also expected to include other customary representations, warranties and covenants. The documentation for the Term Loan Facility has not been finalized and become effective and, accordingly, the actual terms of the Term Loan Facility may differ from that described in this prospectus supplement.
Commercial Paper Program
ICE maintains a U.S. dollar commercial paper program (the Commercial Paper Program) for the issuance of unsecured commercial paper in the U.S. capital markets. The Commercial Paper Program is currently backed by the borrowing capacity available under the Revolving Credit Agreement. The effective interest rate of commercial paper issuances does not materially differ from short term interest rates. The fluctuation of these rates due to market conditions may impact our interest expense.
Commercial paper notes of $1.3 billion with original maturities ranging from one to 43 days were outstanding as of March 31, 2022 under our Commercial Paper Program.
Senior Notes
In August 2020, we issued $1.00 billion aggregate principal amount of 0.700% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due June 2023 (the 0.700% Senior Notes due 2023), $1.50 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.850% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due September 2032 (the 1.850% Senior Notes due 2032), $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.650% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due September 2040 (the 2.650% Senior Notes due 2040) and $1.50 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.000% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due September 2060 (the 3.000% Senior Notes due 2060). We used the net proceeds from the offering, together with the issuance of commercial paper under the Commercial Paper Program and borrowings under a senior unsecured term loan facility, to finance the cash portion of the purchase price of our acquisition of Ellie Mae, Inc. and to pay related fees and expenses. We intend to redeem in full the 0.700% Senior Notes due 2023 using the net proceeds from the offering of the non-SMR notes. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a notice of redemption. See Use of Proceeds.
In May 2020, we issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.10% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due June 2030 (the 2.10% Senior Notes due 2030) and $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.00% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due June 2050 (the 3.00% Senior Notes due 2050). We used the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including to fund the redemption of $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of our 2.75% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due December 2020 and to pay down a portion of the amounts outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program.
In August 2018, we issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 3.45% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due September 2023 (the 3.45% Senior Notes due 2023), $600 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due September 2028 (the 3.75% Senior Notes due 2028) and $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due September 2048 (the 4.25% Senior Notes due 2048). We used the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including to fund the redemption of $600 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.50% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due October 2018 and to pay down a portion of the amounts outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program. We intend to redeem in full the 3.45% Senior Notes due 2023 using the net proceeds from the offering of the non-SMR notes. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a notice of redemption. See Use of Proceeds.
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In August 2017, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2.35% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due September 2022 (the 2.35% Senior Notes due 2022) and $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.10% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due September 2027 (the 3.10% Senior Notes due 2027). We used the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including to fund the redemption of NYSE Holdings LLCs (NYSE) $850 million aggregate principal amount of 2.00% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due October 2017 and to pay down a portion of the amounts outstanding under our Commercial Paper Program. We intend to redeem in full the 2.35% Senior Notes due 2022 using the net proceeds from the offering of the non-SMR notes. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a notice of redemption. See Use of Proceeds.
In November 2015, we issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.75% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due December 2025 (the 3.75% Senior Notes due 2025). We used the net proceeds from the offering, together with borrowings under our Commercial Paper Program, to finance the $4.1 billion cash portion of the purchase price of our acquisition of Interactive Data Corporation.
In October 2013, we issued $800 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% senior unsecured fixed rate notes due October 2023 (the 4.00% Senior Notes due 2023 and, together with the 2.35% Senior Notes due 2022, the 3.45% Senior Notes due 2023, the 3.75% Senior Notes due 2025, the 3.10% Senior Notes due 2027, the 3.75% Senior Notes due 2028, the 2.10% Senior Notes due 2030, the 4.25% Senior Notes due 2048 and the 3.00% Senior Notes due 2050, the Senior Notes). We used the net proceeds from the offering, together with available cash and borrowings under a senior unsecured revolving credit facility, to finance the $2.7 billion cash portion of the purchase price of our acquisition of NYSE. We intend to redeem in full the 4.00% Senior Notes due 2023 using the net proceeds from the offering of the non-SMR notes. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a notice of redemption. See Use of Proceeds.
Future Capital Requirements
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the rate of growth across our trading and clearing and data and listings segments, strategic plans and acquisitions, including the pending Black Knight Acquisition and other acquisitions we may consummate in the near term, available sources for financing activities, required technology and clearing initiatives, regulatory requirements, the timing and introduction of new products and enhancements to existing products, the geographic mix of our business, potential stock repurchases, and the continuing market acceptance of our electronic trading and clearing platforms.
We regularly explore and evaluate strategic acquisitions in the United States and abroad that could provide us with opportunities to further grow our business and enhance our competitive position, any of which, individually or in the aggregate, may be material to our business. We continue to engage actively in discussions with industry participants regarding potential business combination transactions, the nature, size and timing of which are uncertain. We have a variety of funding sources available to finance any acquisitions announced in the near term, including the issuance of additional equity or debt securities or available cash. Business combination transactions, including the pending Black Knight Acquisition, involve a number of risks, including, among others, challenges of integrating multiple businesses. For a more complete discussion of these risks, see the section entitled Risk Factors in this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. The occurrence of any of such risks could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, businesses or results of operations and could adversely affect our debt credit ratings.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This section describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes we are offering. This discussion applies to you only if you acquire notes in the offering at the offering price and you hold your notes as capital assets for tax purposes (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances. This discussion does not address the effect of any applicable state, local, non-U.S. or other tax laws, including gift and estate tax laws and tax consequences arising under the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income or the alternative minimum tax. This section does not apply to you if you are a member of a class of investors subject to special rules, such as:
| a dealer in securities; |
| a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting for your securities holdings; |
| a bank, thrift or other financial institution; |
| a life insurance company; |
| a regulated investment company or real estate investment trust; |
| a tax-exempt organization; |
| a person that owns notes that are a hedge or that are hedged against interest rate risks; |
| a person that owns notes as part of a straddle or conversion transaction for tax purposes; |
| a person that purchases or sells notes as part of a wash sale for tax purposes; |
| a U.S. expatriate or former long-term resident; or |
| a U.S. holder (as defined below) whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar. |
If you purchase notes at a price other than the offering price identified on the cover, the rules under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) regarding market discount or amortizable bond premium may also apply to you. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the application of these rules.
This section is based on the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Code, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These laws and guidance are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes holds the notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner in a partnership holding the notes should consult its tax advisor with regard to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in the notes.
Please consult your own tax advisor concerning the consequences of owning these notes in your particular circumstances under the Code and the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
U.S. Holders
This subsection describes the tax consequences to a U.S. holder. You are a U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of a note and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, |
| a domestic corporation, |
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| an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or |
| a trust if a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trusts administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust. |
If you are not a U.S. holder, this subsection does not apply to you and you should refer to Non-U.S. Holders below.
As described elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the amount and timing of payments on the SMR notes are subject to contingency in the event that the Black Knight Acquisition is not consummated on or prior to the outside date or the Merger Agreement is terminated at any time prior to the outside date. See Description of NotesRedemptionSpecial Mandatory Redemption. This contingency may implicate the provisions of the Treasury regulations relating to contingent payment debt instruments. Under these regulations, however, a contingency will generally be disregarded for this purpose and not cause a debt instrument to be treated as a contingent payment debt instrument if, as of the issue date, such contingency is remote or incidental or if it is significantly more likely than not that the contingency will not occur. We believe that it is significantly more likely than not that the contingent payment described above will not be paid and we therefore intend to take the position that such contingency will not cause the SMR notes to be treated as contingent payment debt instruments. You may not take a contrary position unless you disclose such contrary position in the proper manner to the IRS. You should consult your own tax advisors with respect to the contingency described herein. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes, including the SMR notes, will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments.
Payments of Interest. You will be taxed on interest on your note as ordinary income at the time you receive the interest or when it accrues, depending on your method of accounting for tax purposes. It is expected, and this discussion assumes, that the notes will be issued with less than de minimis original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Notes. You will generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or retirement of your note equal to the difference between the amount you realize on the sale, exchange or retirement, excluding any amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest (which will be treated as interest payments), and your tax basis in your note. Your tax basis in a note is generally your cost of the note. Capital gain of a noncorporate U.S. holder is generally taxed at preferential rates if the property is held for more than one year.
Non-U.S. Holders
This subsection describes the tax consequences to a Non-U.S. holder. You are a Non-U.S. holder if you are the beneficial owner of a note and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| a nonresident alien individual, |
| a foreign corporation or |
| an estate or trust that in either case is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis on income or gain from a note. |
If you are a U.S. holder, this subsection does not apply to you.
Under U.S. federal income tax law, and subject to the discussions of effectively connected income, FATCA withholding and backup withholding below, if you are a Non-U.S. holder of a note:
| we and other U.S. payors generally will not be required to deduct U.S. withholding tax from payments of principal and interest to you if, in the case of payments of interest: |
| you do not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of ICE entitled to vote, |
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| you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us actually or constructively through stock ownership, and |
| either: |
| you have furnished to the U.S. payor an IRS Form W-8BEN, an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or an acceptable substitute form upon which you certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are a non-United States person, |
| in the case of payments made outside the United States to you at an offshore account (generally, an account maintained by you at a bank or other financial institution at any location outside the United States), you have furnished to the U.S. payor documentation that establishes your identity and your status as the beneficial owner of the payment for U.S. federal income tax purposes and as a non-United States person, |
| the U.S. payor has received a withholding certificate (furnished on an appropriate IRS Form W-8 or an acceptable substitute form) from a person claiming to be: |
| a withholding foreign partnership (generally a foreign partnership that has entered into an agreement with the IRS to assume primary withholding responsibility with respect to distributions and guaranteed payments it makes to its partners), |
| a qualified intermediary (generally a non-U.S. financial institution or clearing organization or a non-U.S. branch or office of a United States financial institution or clearing organization that is a party to a withholding agreement with the IRS), or |
| a U.S. branch of a non-U.S. bank or one of certain other non-U.S. financial institutions, |
and the withholding foreign partnership, qualified intermediary or U.S. branch has received documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a non-United States person that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the beneficial owner of the payment on the notes in accordance with Treasury regulations (or, in the case of a qualified intermediary, in accordance with its agreement with the IRS),
| the U.S. payor receives a statement from a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business, |
| certifying to the U.S. payor under penalties of perjury that an IRS Form W-8BEN, an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or an acceptable substitute form has been received from you by it or by a similar financial institution between it and you, and |
| to which is attached a copy of the IRS Form W-8BEN, an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or acceptable substitute form, or |
| the U.S. payor otherwise possesses documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a non-United States person that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the beneficial owner of the payments on the notes in accordance with Treasury regulations; and |
| no deduction for any U.S. withholding tax will be made from any gain that you realize on the sale or exchange of your note. |
If you do not satisfy the requirements above, subject to the discussion of effectively connected income below, interest paid to you generally will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax. However, in this case, you generally will be entitled to a reduction in or an exemption from withholding on interest if you provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E claiming an exemption from or reduction of the withholding tax under the benefit of a tax treaty between the United States and your country of residence.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if interest or gain on a note is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S.
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permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by you), you will generally be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. holder (see U.S. Holders above). In this case, you will be exempt from withholding tax on interest, although you will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI in order to claim an exemption from withholding. You are urged to consult your tax advisor 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.
FATCA Withholding
Pursuant to provisions of the Code commonly known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), a 30% withholding tax (FATCA withholding) may be imposed on certain payments to you or to certain foreign financial institutions, investment funds and other non-U.S. persons receiving payments on your behalf if you or such persons fail to comply with certain information reporting requirements. Interest that you receive in respect of the notes could be affected by this withholding if you are subject to the FATCA information reporting requirements and fail to comply with them or if you hold notes through a non-U.S. person (e.g., a foreign bank or broker) that fails to comply with these requirements (even if payments to you would not otherwise have been subject to FATCA withholding). Certain countries have entered into, and other countries are expected to enter into, agreements with the United States to facilitate the information reporting required under FATCA. You should consult your own tax advisors regarding the relevant U.S. law and other official guidance on FATCA withholding.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, if you are a noncorporate U.S. holder, we and other payors are required to report to the IRS all payments of principal and interest on your note. In addition, we and other payors are required to report to the IRS any payment of proceeds of the sale of your note before maturity within the United States. Additionally, backup withholding may apply to any payments if you fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number, or (in the case of interest payments) you are notified by the IRS that you have failed to report all interest and dividends required to be shown on your U.S. federal income tax returns.
In general, if you are a Non-U.S. holder, we and other payors are required to report payments of interest on your notes on IRS Form 1042-S. Payments of principal will not be subject to information reporting and backup withholding and payments of interest to you will otherwise not be subject to backup withholding, provided that the certification requirements described above under Non-U.S. Holders are satisfied or you otherwise establish an exemption. In addition, payment of the proceeds from the sale of notes effected at a U.S. office of a broker will not be subject to backup withholding and information reporting if either (i) you have furnished to the payor or broker an appropriate IRS Form W-8, an acceptable substitute form or other documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a non-United States person or (ii) you otherwise establish an exemption.
In general, payment of the proceeds from the sale of a note effected at a foreign office of a broker will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, a sale effected at a foreign office of a broker could be subject to information reporting and, in the case of U.S. holders, backup withholding in the same manner as a sale within the United States (and in certain cases may be subject to backup withholding as well) if (i) the broker has certain connections to the United States, (ii) the proceeds or confirmation are sent to the United States or (iii) the sale has certain other specified connections with the United States. You generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed your income tax liability by timely filing a refund claim with the IRS.
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BofA Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a firm commitment underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite its name below.
Underwriters | Principal Amount of 2025 Notes |
Principal Amount of 2027 Notes |
Principal Amount of 2029 Notes |
Principal Amount of 2033 Notes |
Principal Amount of 2052 Notes |
Principal Amount of 2062 Notes |
||||||||||||||||||
BofA Securities, Inc. |
$ | 225,000,000 | $ | 270,000,000 | $ | 225,000,000 | $ | 270,000,000 | $ | 270,000,000 | $ | 180,000,000 | ||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC |
225,000,000 | 270,000,000 | 225,000,000 | 270,000,000 | 270,000,000 | 180,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
225,000,000 | 270,000,000 | 225,000,000 | 270,000,000 | 270,000,000 | 180,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
MUFG Securities Americas Inc. |
93,750,000 | 112,500,000 | 93,750,000 | 112,500,000 | 112,500,000 | 75,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
87,500,000 | 105,000,000 | 87,500,000 | 105,000,000 | 105,000,000 | 70,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC |
87,500,000 | 105,000,000 | 87,500,000 | 105,000,000 | 105,000,000 | 70,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
BBVA Securities Inc. |
55,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 55,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 44,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
BMO Capital Markets Corp. |
55,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 55,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 44,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Fifth Third Securities, Inc. |
55,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 55,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 44,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mizuho Securities USA LLC |
55,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 55,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 44,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
PNC Capital Markets LLC |
55,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 55,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 44,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
SG Americas Securities, LLC |
31,250,000 | 37,500,000 | 31,250,000 | 37,500,000 | 37,500,000 | 25,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 1,250,000,000 | $ | 1,500,000,000 | $ | 1,250,000,000 | $ | 1,500,000,000 | $ | 1,500,000,000 | $ | 1,000,000,000 | ||||||||||||
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Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the notes sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these notes are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and their controlling persons against certain liabilities in connection with this offering, including liabilities under 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 approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the notes, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers certificates and legal opinions. 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 representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the notes to the public at the public offering prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of 0.250% of the principal amount of the 2025 notes, 0.350% of the
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principal amount of the 2027 notes, 0.375% of the principal amount of the 2029 notes, 0.400% of the principal amount of the 2033 notes, 0.525% of the principal amount of the 2052 notes and 0.525% of the principal amount of the 2062 notes. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount to certain other dealers not in excess of 0.150% of the principal amount of the 2025 notes, 0.250% of the principal amount of the 2027 notes, 0.250% of the principal amount of the 2029 notes, 0.250% of the principal amount of the 2033 notes, 0.350% of the principal amount of the 2052 notes and 0.350% of the principal amount of the 2062 notes. After the initial offering, the public offering prices, concessions or any other terms of the offering may be changed.
The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discounts, are estimated at $13 million and are payable by us.
New Issues 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 inclusion 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 a discount from their initial offering prices, depending on prevailing interest rates, the markets for similar securities, our operating performance and financial condition, general economic conditions and other factors.
Settlement Cycle
It is expected 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 seventh business day following the date of the pricing of the notes. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than two business days prior to the scheduled settlement date will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+7, to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
No Sales of Similar Securities
ICE has agreed that it will not, for a period commencing on the date of the underwriting through the closing date of the offering of the notes, without first obtaining the prior written consent of the representatives, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, offer to contract or grant any option to sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of, any debt securities or securities exchangeable for or convertible into debt securities, except for the notes sold to the underwriters pursuant to the underwriting agreement.
Short Positions
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales and purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater principal amount of notes than they are required to purchase in the offering. The underwriters must close out any short position by purchasing notes in the open market. A short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the prices of the notes in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market prices of the notes or preventing or retarding a decline in the
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market prices of the notes. As a result, the prices of the notes may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the prices of the notes. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Other Relationships
An affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC acts as administrative agent and an affiliate of BofA Securities, Inc. acts as syndication agent under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is expected to act as administrative agent under the Term Loan Credit Agreement. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and affiliates of certain of the underwriters are expected to be lenders under the Term Loan Credit Agreement. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and its affiliates and affiliates of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are also parties to the Commitment Letter for the Bridge Facility pursuant to which they have committed to provide us with back-up financing for the Black Knight Acquisition. See Description of Other Indebtedness. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates are dealers under the Commercial Paper Program. An affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is also a trustee for the notes and our Senior Notes. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may be holders of the 2022 and 2023 notes and may therefore receive a portion of the proceeds of this offering. In addition, some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their 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 accounts and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such 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 affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the 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 (the 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 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 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.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in the 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. 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 by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EUWA); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (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 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 by virtue of the EUWA. 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 United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and any other material in relation to the notes are only being distributed to and are only directed at persons in the United Kingdom that are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the Order), or (ii) high net worth entities or other persons falling within Articles 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons. The notes are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons.
In addition, in the United Kingdom, the notes may not be offered other than by an underwriter that:
1. has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA is complied with or does not apply; and
2. has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
This prospectus supplement is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the notes described herein. The notes may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, 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.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
The notes may be sold in Canada 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.
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Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission 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 purchasers province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchasers 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.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Taiwan
The notes have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant 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.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Korea
The notes have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Services Commission of Korea under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea. Accordingly, the notes have not been and will not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to, or for the account or benefit of, any resident of Korea (as defined in the Foreign Exchange Transactions Law of Korea and its Enforcement Decree) or to others for re-offering or resale, except as otherwise permitted by applicable Korean laws and regulations. Furthermore, the purchaser of the notes shall comply with all applicable regulatory requirements in connection with the purchase of the notes.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The notes have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Accordingly, none of the notes nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, 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 Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.
Notice to Prospective Investors in 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 Hong Kong (the SFO) and any rules made under that Ordinance; 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 Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance; 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
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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 under that Ordinance.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, each underwriter has not offered or sold any notes or caused such notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell such notes or cause such notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus supplement or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of such notes, 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 transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA, except:
(i) | to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A), or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA; |
(ii) | where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; |
(iii) | where the transfer is by operation of law; |
(iv) | as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or |
(v) | as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore. |
Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, we have determined, and hereby notify 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).
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The validity of the notes offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, New York, New York, and for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.
The consolidated financial statements of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and its subsidiaries appearing in ICEs Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the effectiveness of ICEs internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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PROSPECTUS
INTERCONTINENTAL EXCHANGE, INC.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Units
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) may, from time to time, in one or more series, offer to sell the securities identified above. This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the applicable offering.
One or more selling stockholders may use this prospectus in connection with their resales of shares of common stock from time to time in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of the applicable offering. Information about any selling stockholder and its resale of shares of common stock, including the relationship between such selling stockholder and ICE and the amounts, prices and other terms of the applicable offering, will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement, if required.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ICE.
We may offer and sell the securities directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods.
You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the documents incorporated by reference, before you make your investment decision.
Investing in the securities involves certain risks. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the documents incorporated by reference, before you make your investment decision. See Risk Factors beginning on page 4 in ICEs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference, as well as any additional risk factors included in, or incorporated by reference into, the applicable prospectus supplement for a description of the factors you should consider before deciding to invest in any of our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus dated March 3, 2021
Neither ICE nor any selling stockholder has authorized anyone to provide you with information other than the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference herein as described under Where You Can Find More Information, or any free writing prospectus that ICE files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither ICE nor any selling stockholder takes any responsibility for, or can provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and any such free writing prospectus may be used only for the purposes for which they have been published. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover page of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects may change after such date. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that the registrant has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, ICE or one or more selling stockholders may offer the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. Each time ICE sells securities, it will provide a prospectus supplement along with this prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The specific manner in which shares of common stock may be offered by selling stockholders will be described in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus, if required. The accompanying prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If information varies between this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under Where You Can Find More Information.
Unless the context otherwise requires, in this prospectus, we, our or us refers to ICE.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
ICE is required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our filings with the SEC are available to the public through the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov or on our Internet site at http://www.theice.com. Except for the documents referred to under this caption Where You Can Find More Information in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement which are specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, information contained on ICEs website or that can be accessed through its website is not incorporated into and does not constitute a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. ICE has included its website address only as an inactive textual reference and does not intend it to be an active link to its website.
The registrant has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to a contract or other document of ours, please be aware that the reference is only a summary and that you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement through the SECs Internet site.
The SECs rules allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the applicable offering of securities by means of this prospectus will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents or information filed by us with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):
1) | Annual Report of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed on February 4, 2021 (File No. 001-36198); |
2) | Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on March 26, 2020 (but only the information set forth therein that is incorporated by reference into Part III of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019); |
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3) | Current Reports of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. on Form 8-K filed on January 4, 2021, January 11, 2021 and March 2, 2021 (File No. 001-36198); and |
4) | All documents filed by Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), on or after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the applicable offering. |
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You can request those documents from Investor Relations, 5660 New Northside Drive, Atlanta, GA 30328, telephone (770) 857-4700.
We have included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained or incorporated by reference herein that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and are based on our beliefs and assumptions, as well as the information available to us. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance, cash flows, financial position or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. Forward-looking statements may be introduced by or contain terminology such as may, will, should, could, would, targets, goal, expect, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, continue, or the antonyms of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, cash flows, financial position or achievements. Accordingly, we caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements we may make. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any of these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring, except as required by the federal securities laws. New factors may emerge and it is not possible to predict all factors that may affect our business and prospects. See Risk Factors below for information regarding important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those in our forward-looking statements.
Together with our consolidated subsidiaries, we are a provider of marketplace infrastructure, data services and technology solutions to a broad range of customers including financial institutions, corporations and government entities. These products, which span major asset classes including futures, equities, fixed income and U.S. residential mortgages, provide our customers with access to mission critical workflow tools that are designed to increase asset class transparency and workflow efficiency. We report our results in three segments Exchanges, Fixed Income and Data Services, and Mortgage Technology:
| In our Exchanges segment, we operate regulated marketplaces for the listing, trading and clearing of a broad array of derivatives contracts and financial securities. |
| In our Fixed Income and Data Services segment, we provide fixed income pricing, reference data, indices and execution services as well as global credit default swaps clearing and multi-asset class data delivery solutions. |
| In our Mortgage Technology segment, we provide an end-to-end technology platform that offers customers comprehensive, digital workflow tools that aim to address the inefficiencies that exist in the U.S. residential mortgage market. |
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We operate marketplaces and provide data services in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada and Singapore, and offer technology and data solutions to the U.S. mortgage industry. The majority of our identifiable assets are located in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Our principal executive offices are located at 5660 New Northside Drive, 3rd Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. Our main telephone number is (770) 857-4700, and our website is www.theice.com.
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Investing in securities issued by ICE involves risks. Before you invest in any of our securities, in addition to the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, you should carefully consider the risk factors contained in Item 1A under the caption Risk Factors and elsewhere in the Annual Report of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference. See Where You Can Find More Information above for information about how to obtain a copy of these documents. You should also carefully consider the risks and other information that may be contained in, or incorporated by reference into, any prospectus supplement relating to specific offerings of securities.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sales of the securities in the manner set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, which may include general corporate purposes.
ICE will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by any selling stockholder.
We may use this prospectus to offer securities from time to time in one or more offerings. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the amounts, prices and detailed terms of the securities and may describe risks associated with an investment in the securities. We will also include in the prospectus supplement, where applicable, information about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities. Terms used in this prospectus will have the meanings described in this prospectus unless otherwise specified.
We may offer and sell the securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers. We, as well as any agents acting on our behalf, reserve the sole right to accept or to reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of our securities. Each prospectus supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of our securities described in that prospectus supplement and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.
This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.
Common Stock
We or any selling stockholder may sell shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
The following summary is a description of the material terms of ICEs capital stock. You should also refer to (1) the fifth amended and restated certificate of incorporation of ICE, which is also referred to as the certificate of incorporation, (2) the eighth amended and restated bylaws of ICE, which is also referred to as the bylaws, and (3) the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Pursuant to the certificate of incorporation, ICEs authorized capital stock consists of one billion six hundred million (1,600,000,000) shares, each with a par value of $0.01 per share, of which:
| one hundred million (100,000,000) shares are designated as preferred stock; and |
| one billion five hundred million (1,500,000,000) shares are designated as common stock. |
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All outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock offered hereby will be, when issued and sold, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
Holders of ICEs common stock have the following rights, privileges and limitations:
| Voting: Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share, provided that for so long as ICE directly or indirectly controls a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act (each such national securities exchange so controlled, an Exchange), no person, either alone or together with its related persons (as that term is defined in Article V of the certificate of incorporation), is entitled to vote or cause the voting of shares of ICE stock representing in the aggregate more than 10% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on such matter. ICE will disregard any votes cast in excess of the 10% voting limitation unless the ICE board of directors expressly permits a person, either alone or together with its related persons, to exercise a vote in excess of the voting limitation and the SEC approves such vote. |
| Ownership: For so long as ICE directly or indirectly controls an Exchange, no person, either alone or together with its related persons, may beneficially own shares of stock representing in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter. The 20% ownership limitation will apply unless the ICE board of directors expressly permits a person, either alone or together with its related persons, to own shares in excess of limitation and the SEC approves such exception. If no such permission is granted and approved, any person who owns shares of ICE stock in excess of the 20% ownership threshold will be obligated to sell, and ICE will be obligated to purchase, at par value the number of shares held by such person above the ownership limitation. |
| Dividends and distributions: The holders of shares of ICE common stock have the right to receive dividends and distributions, whether payable in cash or otherwise, as may be declared from time to time by the ICE board of directors from legally available assets or funds. |
| Liquidation, dissolution or winding-up: In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of ICE, holders of the shares of common stock are entitled to share equally, share-for-share, in the assets available for distribution after payment of all creditors and the liquidation preferences of any ICE preferred stock. |
| Restrictions on transfer: Neither the certificate of incorporation nor the bylaws contain any restrictions on the transfer of shares of ICE common stock, although restrictions on transfer may be imposed under applicable securities laws. |
| Redemption, conversion or preemptive rights: Holders of shares of common stock have no redemption or conversion rights or preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for ICE securities. |
| Other provisions: There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock, nor is the common stock subject to calls or assessments by ICE. |
The rights, preferences, and privileges of the holders of shares of ICE common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that ICE may designate and issue in the future. As of the date of this prospectus, there are no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters
The certificate of incorporation provides that no ICE director will be liable to ICE or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except in those cases in which liability is mandated by the Delaware General Corporation Law, and except for liability for breach of the directors duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit. The bylaws provide for
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indemnification, to the fullest extent permitted by law, of any person made or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or senior officer of ICE or, at the request of ICE, serves or served as a director, officer, partner, member, employee or agent of any other enterprise, against all expenses, liabilities, losses and claims actually incurred or suffered by such person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding. The bylaws also provide that, to the extent authorized from time to time by the ICE board of directors, ICE may provide to any one or more other persons rights of indemnification and rights to receive payment or reimbursement of expenses, including attorneys fees.
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
ICE is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner or a certain level of stock is acquired upon consummation of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder. A business combination includes, among other things, a merger, asset sale or a transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or, in certain cases, within three years prior, did own) 15% or more of the corporations outstanding voting stock. Under Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, a business combination between ICE and an interested stockholder is prohibited during the relevant three-year period unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:
| prior to the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the ICE board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
| on consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of ICE voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding, for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and officers); or |
| the business combination is approved by the ICE board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of ICE outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Certain Anti-Takeover Matters
The certificate of incorporation and bylaws include a number of provisions that may have the effect of encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with the ICE board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include:
Board of Directors
Vacancies and newly created seats on the ICE board may be filled only by the ICE board of directors. Generally, only the ICE board of directors may determine the number of directors on the ICE board of directors. However, if the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors, then the number of directors elected by the holders of such stock will be determined according to the terms of the stock and pursuant to the resolutions relating to the stock. The inability of stockholders to determine the number of directors or to fill vacancies or newly created seats on the board makes it more difficult to change the composition of the ICE board of directors. These provisions are designed to promote a continuity of existing management.
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Advance Notice Requirements
The bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of ICE stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of such stockholder proposals must be timely given in writing to the ICE secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at the principal executive offices of ICE not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year. The notice must contain certain information specified in the bylaws.
Proxy Access
The bylaws provide that qualified stockholders can nominate candidates for election to the board of directors if such stockholders comply with the requirements contained in our bylaws within the designated time periods. Under the proxy access provisions of our bylaws, any stockholder (or group of up to 20 stockholders) owning 3% or more of our common stock continuously for at least three years may nominate up to two individuals or 20% of our board of directors, whichever is greater, as director candidates for election to the board of directors, and require us to include such nominees in our annual meeting proxy statement if the stockholders and nominees satisfy the requirements contained in our bylaws. These procedures provide that notice of such stockholder proposals must be timely given in writing to the ICE secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at the principal executive offices of ICE no earlier than the close of business 150 calendar days and no later than the close of business 120 calendar days before the anniversary date that we mailed our proxy materials for the annual meeting for the preceding year. The notice must contain certain information specified in the bylaws.
Adjournment of Meetings of Stockholders Without a Stockholder Vote
The bylaws permit the chairman of the meeting of stockholders, who is appointed by the board of directors, to adjourn any meeting of stockholders for a reasonable period of time without a stockholder vote.
Special Meetings of Stockholders
The bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called by the board of directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, or at the request of holders of at least 50% of the shares of common stock outstanding at the time that would be entitled to vote at the meeting.
No Written Consent of Stockholders
The certificate of incorporation requires all stockholder actions to be taken by a vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting. The certificate of incorporation does not permit holders of shares of ICE common stock to act by written consent without a meeting.
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless a corporations certificate of incorporation imposes a higher vote requirement, a corporation may amend its certificate of incorporation upon the submission of a proposed amendment to stockholders by the board of directors and the subsequent receipt of the affirmative vote of a majority of its outstanding voting shares and the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class. Under the certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of common stock and all other outstanding shares of stock of ICE entitled to vote on such matter is required to amend, modify in any respect or repeal any provision of the certificate of incorporation related to: (i) considerations of the board of directors in
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taking any action; (ii) limitations on stockholder action by written consent; (iii) the required quorum at meetings of the stockholders; (iv) the amendment of the bylaws by the stockholders; (v) the location of stockholder meetings and records; (vi) limitations on voting and ownership of ICE common stock and (vii) the provisions in Article X requiring such a supermajority vote.
Subject to certain exceptions, the ICE board of directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal any or all of the bylaws of ICE at any time. ICE stockholders may adopt, amend or repeal any of the ICE bylaws by an affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding ICE common stock entitled to vote on the matter.
For so long as ICE shall control, directly or indirectly, any Exchange, before any amendment or repeal of any provision of the bylaws or the certificate of incorporation may become effective, it must be submitted to the boards of directors of each Exchange. If any of these boards of directors determines that the amendment or repeal must be filed with, or filed with and approved by, the SEC under Section 19 of the Exchange Act, then the amendment or repeal shall not be effectuated until filed with, or filed with and approved by, as applicable, the SEC.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
The certificate of incorporation provides for one hundred million (100,000,000) authorized shares of preferred stock. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable the board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of ICE by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, the ICE board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal is not in the best interests of ICE, the board of directors could cause shares of preferred stock to be issued without stockholder approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder or stockholder group. In this regard, the certificate of incorporation grants the ICE board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. The issuance may also adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of such holders and may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control. The ownership limitations described above under Common Stock are applicable to holders of preferred stock, and, to the extent holders of shares of preferred stock are entitled to vote on a matter, the voting limitations described above under Common Stock would also be applicable to holders of preferred stock. The board of directors currently does not intend to seek stockholder approval prior to any issuance of shares of preferred stock, unless otherwise required by law.
Listing
ICEs common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ICE.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for ICE common stock is Computershare Investor Services.
Preferred Stock; Depositary Shares
Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series. To establish a series of preferred stock, our board must set the terms thereof. We may sell shares of our preferred stock, par value of $0.01 per share, in one or more series. In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the specific designation, the aggregate number of shares offered, the dividend rate or manner of calculating the dividend rate, the dividend periods or manner of calculating the
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dividend periods, the ranking of the shares of the series with respect to dividends, liquidation and dissolution, the liquidation preference of the shares of the series, the voting rights of the shares of the series, if any, whether and on what terms the shares of the series will be convertible or exchangeable, whether and on what terms we can redeem the shares of the series, whether we will offer depositary shares representing shares of the series and if so, the fraction or multiple of a share of preferred stock represented by each depositary share, whether we will list the preferred stock or depositary shares on a securities exchange and any other specific terms of the series of preferred stock.
Debt SecuritiesSenior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities
We may sell debt securities, including senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated in priority of payment. We will provide a prospectus supplement that describes the ranking, whether senior or subordinated, the level of seniority or subordination (as applicable), the specific designation, the aggregate principal amount, the purchase price, the maturity, the redemption terms, the interest rate or manner of calculating the interest rate, the time of payment of interest, if any, the terms for any conversion or exchange, including the terms relating to the adjustment of any conversion or exchange mechanism, the listing, if any, on a securities exchange and any other specific terms of any debt securities that we may issue from time to time.
As required by U.S. federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, our debt securities will be governed by a document called an indenture. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture, in each case, with the specific terms and conditions set forth in a supplemental indenture or company order. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our senior debt securities will be issued in one or more series under the senior debt indenture, dated as of August 13, 2018, between ICE and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association will also be appointed to act as the paying agent, conversion agent, registrar and custodian with regard to the senior debt securities. The indenture relating to our senior debt securities is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our subordinated debt securities will be issued in one or more series under an indenture, to be entered into between ICE and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, or a different trustee named in such indenture. The form of indenture relating to our subordinated debt securities is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the applicable indenture is unlimited. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series as may be authorized from time to time. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of such debt securities. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series or any other series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the applicable indenture.
United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
ICE expects the debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons. Subject to the limitations provided in the applicable indenture and in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the designated corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
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Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The debt securities and the indentures under which the debt securities will be issued will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.
Warrants
We may sell warrants to purchase our debt securities, shares of preferred stock or shares of our common stock. In a prospectus supplement, we will inform you of the exercise price and other specific terms of the warrants, including whether our or your obligations, if any, under any warrants may be satisfied by delivering or purchasing the underlying securities or their cash value.
Purchase Contracts
We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from, or to sell to, us, and obligating us to sell to, or to purchase from, the holders, a specified number of shares of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares and the number of shares of each may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the purchase contracts, including, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements.
Units
We may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts and beneficial interests in any of our securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, securing the holders obligations to purchase the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares under the purchase contracts. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the units, including, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements.
We or any selling stockholder may sell securities from time to time to purchasers directly, through broker-dealers acting as agents, dealers, or underwriters or through a combination of any of those methods of sale or as otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, if required.
The distribution of the securities may be made from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to these prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, New York, New York.
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The consolidated financial statements of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and subsidiaries appearing in ICEs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the effectiveness of ICEs internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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INTERCONTINENTAL EXCHANGE, INC.
$1,250,000,000 3.650% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2025
$1,500,000,000 4.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2027
$1,250,000,000 4.350% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029
$1,500,000,000 4.600% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2033
$1,500,000,000 4.950% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2052
$1,000,000,000 5.200% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2062
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Joint Book-Running Managers | ||||
BofA Securities | Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | Wells Fargo Securities | ||
MUFG | Citigroup | Credit Suisse | ||
BBVA | BMO Capital Markets | Fifth Third Securities | ||
(for the 2027 notes) | (for the 2033 notes) | (for the 2029 notes) | ||
Mizuho Securities | PNC Capital Markets LLC | |||
(for the 2052 notes) | (for the 2062 notes) | |||
Senior Co-Managers | ||||
BBVA | BMO Capital Markets | Fifth Third Securities | ||
Mizuho Securities | PNC Capital Markets LLC | |||
Co-Manager | ||||
SOCIETE GENERALE |
May 12, 2022
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
424(b)(2)
(Form Type)
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities
Security Type | Security Class Title |
Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule |
Amount Registered |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
Fee Rate | Amount of Registration Fee |
Carry Forward Form Type |
Carry Forward File Number |
Carry Forward Initial effective date |
Filing Fee Previously Paid In Connection with Unsold Securities to be Carried Forward |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Newly Registered Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fees to Be Paid |
Debt | |
3.650 Senior Notes due 2025 |
%
|
457(r) | $1,250,000,000 | 99.890% | $1,248,625,000 | 0.0000927 | $115,747.54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | |
4.000 Senior Notes due 2027 |
%
|
457(r) | $1,500,000,000 | 99.735% | $1,496,025,000 | 0.0000927 | $138,681.52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | |
4.350 Senior Notes due 2029 |
%
|
457(r) | $1,250,000,000 | 99.894% | $1,248,675,000 | 0.0000927 | $115,752.17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | |
4.600 Senior Notes due 2033 |
%
|
457(r) | $1,500,000,000 | 99.947% | $1,499,205,000 | 0.0000927 | $138,976.30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | |
4.950 Senior Notes due 2052 |
%
|
457(r) | $1,500,000,000 | 98.610% | $993,280,000 | 0.0000927 | $137,117.21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | |
5.200 Senior Notes due 2062 |
%
|
457(r) | $1,000,000,000 | 99.328% | $1,248,625,000 | 0.0000927 | $92,077.06 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carry Forward Securities |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carry Forward Securities |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Offering Amounts | $ | 7,964,960,000.00 | $ | 738,351.79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Fees Previously Paid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Fee Offsets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Fee Due |
738,351.79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
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