As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2016
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FMC CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 94-0479804 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
FMC Corporation
1735 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 299-6000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
Andrea E. Utecht
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
FMC Corporation
1735 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 299-6000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | x | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller Reporting Company | ¨ |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered |
Amount to be Registered(1)(2) |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit(1)(2) |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2) |
Amount of Registration Fee(3) | ||||
Common stock; preferred stock; debt securities; warrants; depositary shares; stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units |
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(1) | Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E. |
(2) | An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered hereunder at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units or represented by depositary shares. |
(3) | In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee. |
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2016.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
FMC CORPORATION
Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities
Warrants, Depositary Shares,
Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units
FMC Corporation, from time to time, may offer, issue and sell, together or separately:
| shares of our common stock; |
| shares of our preferred stock; |
| debt securities, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; |
| warrants to purchase our debt securities, shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, depositary shares or securities of third parties or other rights; |
| depositary shares representing an interest in our preferred stock; |
| stock purchase contracts to purchase shares of our common stock; and |
| stock purchase units, each representing ownership of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third-parties, including U.S. treasury securities or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders obligation to purchase our common stock or other securities under the stock purchase contracts. |
Each time securities are offered under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement and attach it to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain more specific information about the terms of the offering and the offered securities. A prospectus supplement also may modify or supersede information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the applicable offering.
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol FMC.
Investing in these Securities involves certain risks. See Risk Factors on page 1 of this Prospectus.
You should read this prospectus and the applicable supplement, together with the documents incorporated by reference, carefully before you invest in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulator has approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is February 26, 2016.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference as described under Where You Can Find More Information, and any free writing prospectus that we prepare and distribute. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If you receive any other information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is truthful or complete at any date other than the date appearing on the cover page of those documents. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer it not permitted.
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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS |
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You should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption Risk Factors in our periodic reports referred to in Documents Incorporated by Reference below and, if included in a prospectus supplement, under the caption Risk Factors in the prospectus supplement.
All references in this prospectus to FMC Corporation, we, our, and us refer to FMC Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities under this shelf registration, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also modify or supersede the information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information referred to below under Where You Can Find More Information.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder, or the Exchange Act. You may read and copy any document that we file at the SECs public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC filings also are available to you at the SECs web site at www.sec.gov.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information. 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 at the SECs public reference room in Washington, D.C., as well as through the SECs web site.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information we file with the SEC. This enables us to disclose important information to you by referring you to these documents. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and the information we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update, modify and, where applicable, supersede any information included in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules). The SEC file number for these documents is 1-2376.
| Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016; and |
| The description of our common stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on May 12, 1986 pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act and all amendments thereto and reports filed for the purposes of updating such description. |
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We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of securities under this prospectus. To the extent that any information contained in any current report on Form 8-K, or any exhibit to the report, was furnished to, rather than filed with the SEC, the information or exhibit is specifically not incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Any statement made in a document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement made in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a settlement contained in any subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
To obtain a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, you may write or telephone us at the following address and telephone number:
FMC Corporation
1735 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: Treasurer
(215) 299-6000
Exhibits to the documents will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference into such document.
SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may contain statements that are forward-looking and provide information other than historical information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. These factors include, among other things, the risk factors listed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In some cases, we have identified forward-looking statements by such words or phrases as will likely result, is confident that, expect, expects, should, could, may, will continue to, believe, believes, anticipates, predicts, forecasts, estimates, projects, potential, intends or similar expressions identifying forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including the negative of those words and phrases. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions regarding future events, future business conditions and the outlook for the company based on currently available information. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. We wish to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.
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FMC CORPORATION
FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, consumer and industrial markets globally with innovative solutions, applications and market-leading products. We operate in three distinct business segments: FMC Agricultural Solutions, FMC Health and Nutrition and FMC Lithium. Our FMC Agricultural Solutions segment develops, markets and sells all three major classes of crop protection chemicals insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. These products are used in agriculture to enhance crop yield and quality by controlling a broad spectrum of insects, weeds and disease, as well as in non-agricultural markets for pest control. The FMC Health and Nutrition segment focuses on nutritional ingredients, health excipients and functional health ingredients. Nutritional ingredients are used to enhance texture, color, structure and physical stability. Health excipients are used for binding, encapsulation and disintegrant applications. Functional health ingredients are used as active ingredients in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets. Our FMC Lithium segment manufactures lithium for use in a wide range of lithium products, which are used primarily in energy storage, specialty polymer and chemical synthesis application.
We were incorporated in 1928 under Delaware law and have our principal executive offices at 1735 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. Our telephone number is (215) 299-6000.
Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, acquisitions, repurchases of common stock, capital expenditures and the repayment of indebtedness.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
For the Years Ended December 31, |
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2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
(0.4) | 6.3 | 11.2 | 10.8 | 10.7 | |||||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(1) |
(0.4) | 6.3 | 11.2 | 10.8 | 10.7 |
(1) | As of the dates for which the information is presented in the above table, no preferred stock was issued and outstanding. |
The Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units that we may offer and sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. However, at the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus together with the accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms of the securities being offered, including the specific types, amounts, prices and detailed terms of any of these securities.
The following description of our common stock and preferred stock will apply generally to any future common stock or preferred stock that we may offer, but is not complete. We will describe the particular terms of any class or series of these securities in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. For more information regarding the common stock and preferred stock that may be offered by this prospectus, please refer to our restated certificate of incorporation and our restated by-laws, as amended, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The summary below and that contained in any prospectus supplement are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to our restated certificate of incorporation and restated by-laws, as amended. The terms of these securities also may be affected by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL.
Description of Common Stock
Our authorized common stock consists of 260 million shares of common stock, $0.10 par value. As of December 31, 2015, there were 133,655,777 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. In addition, up to 29.0 million shares of unissued common stock have been reserved for stock options and awards under our incentive compensation plans as of December 31, 2015. The shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol FMC. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Shareowner Services, is the transfer agent and registrar of the shares of common stock.
The common stock is not redeemable, does not have any conversion rights and is not subject to call. Holders of shares of common stock have no preemptive rights to maintain their percentage of ownership in future offerings or sales of our stock. Holders of shares of common stock have one vote per share in all elections of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. The holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as and when declared from time to time by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for distribution. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of common stock will be entitled to participate equally and ratably, in proportion to the number of shares held, in our net assets available for distribution to holders of common stock. The shares of common stock offered hereby, upon issuance against full payment of the purchase price therefor, will be fully paid and nonassessable.
Certain Certificate of Incorporation Provisions
General
We have adopted a number of provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation that might discourage certain types of transactions that involve an actual or threatened change in control of FMC Corporation. The provisions may make it more difficult and time-consuming to change majority control of our Board of Directors and thus reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited offer, particularly an offer that does not contemplate the acquisition of all of our outstanding shares.
These provisions are intended to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of FMC Corporation to initiate such an acquisition through arms-length negotiations with our management and Board of Directors. Additionally, such provisions provide management with the time and information necessary to evaluate a takeover proposal and to study alternative proposals. Nonetheless, the provisions could have the effect of discouraging a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of FMC Corporation, even though such an attempt might be beneficial to us and our stockholders.
Business Combination
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that significant asset sales, dispositions of stock, liquidations, mergers and certain other business combinations involving us and persons beneficially owning 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding shares of common stock must be approved by the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock. The restated certificate of incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of 80% or more of the outstanding voting stock to amend, alter or repeal, or to adopt any provisions inconsistent with, such provisions.
Stockholders Meetings
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that special meetings of the stockholders may only be called pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the Board of Directors. This limitation prevents a stockholder or group of stockholders from forcing us to conduct a stockholders meeting at any time not sanctioned by the Board of Directors, regardless of the number of shares of common stock held by such stockholder or group of stockholders.
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No Action by Stockholder Consent
Our restated certificate of incorporation prohibits action that is required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of our stockholders from being taken by the written consent of stockholders without a meeting. This provision may be altered, amended or repealed only if the holders of 80% or more of our outstanding voting stock vote in favor of such action.
Description of Preferred Stock
Our authorized preferred stock consists of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, in one or more series and with rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, that may be fixed or designated by our Board of Directors pursuant to a certificate of designation without any further vote or action by our stockholders.
As of the date of this prospectus, no shares of preferred stock are issued or outstanding.
The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of FMC Corporation. Preferred stock, upon issuance against full payment of the purchase price therefor, will be fully paid and nonassessable. The specific terms of a particular series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. The description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock set forth in the related prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the certificate of designation relating to that series. The related prospectus supplement will contain a description of certain United States federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of the series of preferred stock described in such prospectus supplement.
The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series will be fixed by the certificate of designation relating to such series. A prospectus supplement, relating to each series, will specify the terms of the preferred stock as follows:
| The maximum number of shares to constitute the series and the distinctive designation thereof; |
| The annual dividend rate, if any, on shares of the series, whether such rate is fixed or variable or both, the date or dates from which dividends will begin to accrue or accumulate and whether dividends will be cumulative; |
| The price at and the terms and conditions on which the shares of the series may be redeemed, including the time during which shares of the series may be redeemed and any accumulated dividends thereon that the holders of shares of the series shall be entitled to receive upon the redemption thereof; |
| The liquidation preference, if any, and any accumulated dividends thereon, that the holders of shares of the series shall be entitled to receive upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of FMC Corporation; |
| Whether or not the shares of the series will be subject to operation of a retirement or sinking fund, and, if so, the extent and manner in which any such fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares of the series for retirement or for other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relating to the operation of such fund; |
| The terms and conditions, if any, on which the shares of the series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of our capital stock of or a third party or of any other series of the same class, including the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same and whether such conversion is mandatory or optional; |
| The stated value of the shares of such series; |
| The voting rights, if any, of the shares of the series; and |
| Any or all other preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. |
In the event of any voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of FMC Corporation, the holders of any series of any class of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive in full out of our assets, including its capital, before any
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amount shall be paid or distributed among the holders of the common stock or any other shares ranking junior to such series, the amounts fixed by the Board of Directors with respect to such series and set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement plus an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs. After payment to the holders of the preferred stock of the full preferential amounts to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred stock, as such, shall have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
If liquidating distributions shall have been made in full to all holders of preferred stock, our remaining assets shall be distributed among the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their respective numbers of shares. Our merger or consolidation into or with any other corporation, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our assets, shall not constitute a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of FMC Corporation.
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
We are a Delaware corporation. Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a 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. The term business combination is broadly defined to include mergers, consolidations, sales and other dispositions of assets having an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of the consolidated assets of the corporation, and other specified transactions resulting in financial benefits to the interest stockholder. Under Section 203, an interested stockholder generally is defined as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within the three prior years did own) 15% or more of the corporations outstanding voting stock.
This prohibition is effective unless:
| the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved by the corporations board of directors prior to the time the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder; |
| upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation, other than stock held by directors who are also officers or by specified employee stock plans; or |
| at or after the time the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by a majority of the board of directors and, at an annual or special meeting, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
In general, the prohibitions do not apply to business combinations with persons who were interested stockholders before we became subject to Section 203.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that none of our directors will be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability
| for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, |
| for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, |
| under Section 174 of the DGCL (relating to unlawful payments of dividends or stock repurchases), or |
| for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
In addition, our restated by-laws provide for indemnification, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, of every officer and director and certain other persons made or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that the person is, or was a director, officer or agent of ours or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent for another enterprise, against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding and specifies procedures to be followed by us and any person requesting indemnification in connection with any claim.
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Transfer Agent and Registrar
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Shareowner Services, serves as the registrar and transfer agent for our common stock.
Stock Exchange Listing
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the trading symbol FMC.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
In this section, references to holders mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names on the books that we or the trustee maintains for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities should read the section below entitled Denominations, Registrations and Transfer.
General
The debt securities offered by this prospectus will be either senior or subordinated debt. We will issue senior debt under a senior debt indenture dated November 15, 2009 between FMC Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. We will issue subordinated debt under a subordinated debt indenture to be entered into between FMC Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. We sometimes refer to the senior debt indenture and the subordinated debt indenture individually as an indenture and collectively as the indentures. We have filed the indentures as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You can obtain copies of the indentures by following the directions outlined in Where You Can Find More Information, and by contacting the trustee.
The following summary briefly describes the material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities, other than pricing and related terms, which will be disclosed for a particular issuance in the applicable prospectus supplement. The summary is not complete. You should read the more detailed provisions of the applicable indenture, including the defined terms, for provisions that may be important to you. The summary below and that contained in any prospectus supplement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable indenture. You should also read the particular terms of a series of debt securities, which will be described in more detail in an applicable prospectus supplement. Throughout the summary we have included parenthetical references to the indenture sections, which, except for subordination provisions addressed only in the subordinated debt, are the same in each document, to help you locate the provisions being discussed.
The indentures provide that our unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities may be issued in one or more series, with different terms, in each case as we authorize from time to time. We also have the right, from time to time, to issue debt securities of any series previously issued. (Section 3.01)
Information in the Prospectus Supplement
The prospectus supplement for any offered series of debt securities will describe the following terms, as applicable:
| the title or designation; |
| whether the debt is senior or subordinated; |
| the aggregate principal amount offered and authorized denominations; |
| the initial public offering price; |
| the maturity date or dates; |
| any sinking fund or other provision for payment of the debt securities prior to their stated maturity; |
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| whether the debt securities are fixed rate debt securities or floating rate debt securities or original issue discount debt securities; |
| if the debt securities are fixed rate debt securities, the yearly rate at which the debt security will bear interest, if any; |
| if the debt securities are floating rate debt securities, the method of calculating the interest rate; |
| if the debt securities are original issue discount debt securities, their yield to maturity; |
| the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or how such date or dates will be determined, and the interest payment dates and any related record dates; |
| if other than in U.S. Dollars, the currency or currency unit in which payment will be made; |
| any provisions for the payment of additional amounts for taxes; |
| the denominations in which the currency or currency unit of the securities will be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof; |
| whether the debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be convertible; |
| the terms and conditions on which the debt securities may be redeemed at our option; |
| any obligation we may have to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities at the option of a holder upon the happening of any event and the terms and conditions of redemption, purchase or repayment; |
| the names and duties of any co-indenture trustees, depositaries, auction agents, authenticating agents, calculation agents, paying agents, transfer agents or registrars for the debt securities; |
| any material provisions of the applicable indenture described in this prospectus that do not apply to the debt securities; |
| the ranking of the specific series of debt securities relative to other outstanding indebtedness, including subsidiaries debt; |
| if the debt securities are subordinated, the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness, as of a recent date, that is senior to the subordinated securities, and any limitation on the issuance of additional senior debt; |
| the place where we will pay principal and interest; |
| additional provisions, if any, relating to the defeasance of the debt securities; |
| any United States federal income tax consequences relating to the offered securities, if material; |
| the dates on which premiums, if any, will be paid; |
| our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of this deferral period; |
| any listing of the debt securities on a securities exchange; and |
| any other specific terms of the debt securities. |
We will issue the debt securities only in registered form. (Section 3.02) As currently anticipated, debt securities of a series will trade in book-entry form, and global securities will be issued in physical (paper) form.
We will issue senior debt securities under the senior debt indenture. These senior debt securities will rank on an equal basis with all our other unsecured debt and unsubordinated debt.
We will issue subordinated debt securities under the subordinated debt indenture. Subordinated debt will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the subordinated debt indenture, to all our senior indebtedness (both secured and unsecured). (Section 15.01)
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In general, the holders of all senior debt securities are first entitled to receive payment of the full amount unpaid on senior indebtedness before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive a payment on account of the principal or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities in certain events.
If we default in the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, or interest or other monetary amounts on any senior indebtedness when it becomes due and payable after any applicable grace period, then, unless and until the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, we cannot make a payment on account of or redeem or otherwise acquire the subordinated debt securities. (Section 15.04)
If there is any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or other similar proceeding relating to us or our property, then all senior indebtedness must be paid in full before any payment may be made to any holders of subordinated debt securities. (Section 15.02)
Furthermore, if we default in the payment of the principal of and accrued interest on any subordinated debt securities that are declared due and payable upon an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture, holders of all our senior indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash before holders of such subordinated debt can receive any payments. (Section 15.03)
Senior indebtedness means:
| the principal, interest and any other amounts owing in respect of our indebtedness for borrowed money or indebtedness of others that we guarantee and indebtedness evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other similar instruments or letters of credit issued by us, including any senior debt securities issued under any senior debt security or letters of credit; |
| all capitalized lease obligations; |
| all hedging obligations; |
| all obligations representing the deferred purchase price of property; and |
| all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of obligations of the type referred to above; |
but senior indebtedness does not include:
| subordinated debt securities; and |
| any indebtedness that by its terms is subordinated to, or ranks on an equal basis with, our subordinated debt securities. |
Covenants
Merger and Sale of Assets
We may not, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions:
| consolidate or merge with or into any other person or permit any other person to consolidate or merge with or into us; or |
| transfer, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, |
unless, in either such case:
| in a transaction in which we do not survive or in which we sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, the successor entity to us is organized under the laws of the United States, or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes, by supplemental indentures, all of our obligations under the indentures; |
| immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default on the debt securities exists; and |
| an officers certificate and an opinion of counsel concerning certain matters are delivered to the trustee. (Section 8.01) |
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Other Covenants
In addition, any offered series of debt securities may have additional covenants which will be described in the prospectus supplement.
Modification of the Indentures
Under the indentures, we and the relevant trustee may amend the indentures, without the consent of any holder of the debt securities to:
| evidence the succession of another obligor to the company and the assumption of the covenants in the indentures and in the debt securities by such successor; |
| add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of debt securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any rights or power conferred upon us; |
| add any additional events of default; |
| add or change any provision of the indentures to permit the issuance of the debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, with or without interest coupons; |
| add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indentures in respect of one or more series of debt securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination (i) will neither apply to any debt security created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture nor adversely affect the rights of the holders thereof in any material respect or (ii) will become effective only when no such debt securities are outstanding; |
| secure the debt securities; |
| establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted in the indentures; |
| establish provisions with respect to conversion rights, if any; |
| reflect our consolidation or merger with or into any other person or permit the consolidation or merger of any other person with or into us, or the transfer, sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, in conformity with the limitations set forth in the indentures; |
| permit the issuance of uncertificated debt securities in addition to, or in place of, certificated debt securities; |
| appoint a successor trustee under either indenture; |
| cure ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, provided that the amendment may not adversely affect the interests of holders of debt securities in any material respect; |
| conform any provisions of the indentures to the Description of Debt Securities contained in this prospectus or any similar provision in an applicable prospectus supplement; or |
| maintain the qualification of the indentures under the Trust Indenture Act. (Section 9.01) |
We and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of a series or such other percentage as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, modify the applicable indenture or the rights of the holders of the securities of such series. However, no such modification may, without the consent of each holder of an affected debt security:
| change the fixed maturity of any such debt securities or the date on which any payment of interest on the debt securities is due and payable; |
| reduce the principal amount or interest rate on any debt security; |
| reduce the premium payable upon any redemption of the debt securities; |
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| reduce the amount of principal payable on the acceleration of any securities issued originally at a discount; |
| change the place of payment of, or type of currency for payment of, debt securities; |
| impair the right to sue for the enforcement of any payment of principal, any installment of interest or premium on or after the maturity (including in connection with a redemption, on or after the redemption date) of the debt securities; |
| adversely affect the right, if any, to convert such debt securities, or modify the provisions of the indentures with respect to the ranking of the debt securities in a manner adverse to the holder thereof; |
| reduce the percentage of debt securities of a series whose holders need to consent to a modification or a waiver; |
| modify any of the provisions in the applicable indentures related to modifications that require the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of a series or provisions in the applicable indentures related to the waiver of past defaults by the holders of debt securities, except to increase any such percentage or provide that certain other provisions may not be modified without the consent of each holder of the debt securities; |
| adversely affect any right of repayment or repurchase at the option of the holder of debt securities; or |
| reduce or postpone any sinking fund. (Section 9.02) |
Defaults
Each indenture provides that events of default regarding any series of debt securities will be:
| our failure to pay interest on any debt security of such series for 30 days when due; |
| our failure to pay principal on any debt security of such series when due; |
| our failure to make any deposit of any sinking fund payment when due on debt securities of such series; |
| our failure to perform for 60 days after notice given by the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities any other covenant in the relevant indenture other than a covenant (i) included in the relevant indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than such series or (ii) expressly excluded from events giving rise to a default, including the obligation to file SEC filings with the trustee; |
| our failure to pay beyond any applicable grace period, or the acceleration (which is not rescinded or cured within 30 days of notice of acceleration) of, indebtedness in excess of $50,000,000; |
| certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, whether voluntary or not, with respect to us or any material subsidiary; and |
| the rendering of any judgment in excess of $50,000,000 against us or any material subsidiary if either an enforcement proceeding is commenced or such judgment remains outstanding for 60 days after such judgment becomes final and is not discharged, paid, waived or stayed. (Section 5.01) |
In addition, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe any other event of default set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If an event of default regarding debt securities of any series issued under the indentures should occur and be continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in the principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series may declare the principal amount, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, if any, of each debt security of that series due and payable. If an event of default regarding debt securities results from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to us or any material subsidiary, such amount with respect to the debt securities will be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the holders of outstanding debt securities or the trustee. (Section 5.02)
No event of default regarding one series of debt securities issued under an indenture is necessarily an event of default regarding any other series of debt securities.
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Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will be entitled to control certain actions of the trustee under the indentures and to waive certain past defaults regarding such series. (Sections 5.12 and 5.13) The trustee generally cannot be required by any of the holders of debt securities to take any action, unless one or more of such holders shall have provided to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. (Section 6.01)
If an event of default occurs and is continuing regarding a series of debt securities, the trustee may use any sums that it holds under the relevant indenture for its own reasonable compensation and expenses incurred prior to paying the holders of debt securities of such series. (Section 5.06)
Before any holder of any series of debt securities may institute action for any remedy, the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of that series outstanding must request the trustee to take action. Holders must also offer reasonable indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against liabilities incurred by the trustee for taking such action, and the trustee must have failed to institute any proceeding within 60 days after receiving such notice and offer of indemnity. These limitations do not apply if the holders of a majority of debt securities of the applicable series give an inconsistent direction. (Section 5.07) In addition, these limitations also do not apply, however, to a suit by a holder of any series of debt securities to enforce payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, and the right to convert such debt security, if applicable. (Section 5.08)
Each trustee will, within 90 days after any default occurs, give notice of the default to the holders of the debt securities of that series, unless the default was already cured or waived. Unless there is a default in paying principal, interest or any premium when due, the trustee can withhold giving notice to the holders if it determines in good faith that the withholding of notice is in the interest of the holders. (Section 6.05)
We are required to furnish to each trustee an annual statement as to compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture. (Section 10.05)
Defeasance
After we have irrevocably deposited with the trustee cash or U.S. government securities, in trust for the benefit of the holders, sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of such series when due, and satisfied certain other conditions described below, we may elect to have our obligations under the applicable indenture discharged with respect to the outstanding debt securities of any series (legal defeasance and discharge). Legal defeasance and discharge means that we will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding debt securities of such series under the applicable indenture, except for:
| the rights of holders of the debt securities to receive principal, interest and any premium when due from amounts deposited with the trustee, which will be held in trust funds for the purpose of such payments; |
| our obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning issuing temporary debt securities, registration of transfer of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and the maintenance of an office or agency where securities may be presented for payment, transfer, exchange or, if applicable, conversion for security payments held in trust; |
| the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee; and |
| the defeasance provisions of the indenture. |
Alternatively, we may elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain covenants in the applicable indenture (covenant defeasance). The released obligations include:
| our obligations regarding delivery of reports to the trustee and holders of debt securities; |
| our obligations relating to a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets; and |
| our obligation to present and keep in full force and effect our corporate existence. |
Any omission to comply with these obligations so released will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series. In the event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events relating to these
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obligations, as well as the failure to deposit a sinking fund payment when due and the failure to pay or acceleration of indebtedness in excess of $50,000,000, as described above under Events of Default, will no longer constitute an event of default for that series.
In order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to outstanding debt securities of any series, we must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds cash or specified United States government obligations in an amount, in each case, sufficient without reinvestment, in the written opinion of an nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants, to pay and discharge all of the principal, interest and any premium at due date or maturity. In addition:
| in the case of legal defeasance, we must have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel confirming that (i) we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service, a ruling or (ii) since the date of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case, to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge did not occur; |
| in the case of covenant defeasance and discharge, we must have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that, under then applicable federal income tax law, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and covenant defeasance to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit and covenant defeasance did not occur; |
| no default with respect to the outstanding debt securities of that series may have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect to the deposit or, in the case of legal defeasance and discharge, no default relating to bankruptcy or insolvency may have occurred and be continuing at any time on or before the 90th day after the date of such deposit, it being understood that this condition is not deemed satisfied until after the 90th day; |
| the legal defeasance and discharge or covenant defeasance must not cause the trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, assuming all debt securities of a series were in default within the meaning of such Act; |
| the legal defeasance and discharge or covenant defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which we are a party; |
| we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that any trust arising from such deposit does not require registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; |
| no event or condition may exist that, under the defeasance provisions of the indentures, would prevent us from making payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the applicable debt securities on the date of deposit or at any time on or before the 90th day after the date of such deposit, it being understood that this condition is not deemed satisfied until after the 90th day; and |
| we must deliver to the trustee an officers certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent with respect to the legal defeasance and discharge or covenant defeasance have been complied with. (Article XIII) |
Governing Law
Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities and the indentures will be governed by New York law. (Section 1.13)
Concerning our Relationship with the Trustee
U.S. Bank National Association also acts as the trustee for certain securities issued by us. We have and may continue to have banking and other business relationships with U.S. Bank National Association, or any subsequent trustee, in the ordinary course of business.
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Payment and Paying Agents
Distributions on the debt securities other than those represented by global securities will be made in the designated currency against surrender of the debt securities at the principal corporate trust office or agency of the trustee in New York, New York. Payment will be made to the registered holder at the close of business on the record date for such payment. Interest payments will be made at the principal corporate trust office or agency of the trustee in New York, New York, or by a check mailed to the holder at his registered address. Payments in any other manner will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Calculation Agents
Calculations relating to floating rate debt securities will be made by the calculation agent, an institution that we appoint as our agent for this purpose. We may appoint one of our affiliates as calculation agent. We may appoint a different institution to serve as calculation agent from time to time after the original issue date of the debt security without your consent and without notifying you of the change. The initial calculation agent will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Denominations, Registrations and Transfer
Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities will be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of a nominee for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC. In such case, each holders beneficial interest in the global securities will be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial interests will only be effected through DTCs records.
A holder of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial interest in a global security for certificated securities registered in the holders name if:
| DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue serving as the depositary for the relevant global securities or DTC ceases to maintain certain qualifications under the Exchange Act and no successor depositary has been appointed for 90 days; or |
| We determine, in our sole discretion, that the global security shall be exchangeable. |
If debt securities are issued in certificated form, they will only be issued in the minimum denomination specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of such denomination. Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be registered at the trustees corporate office or at the offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by us under the Indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different denominations may also be made at such locations. Holders will not have to pay any service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with such registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities. (Section 3.05)
This section describes the general terms and provisions of our warrants to acquire our securities that we may issue from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrant agreements and the warrants issuable thereunder. If any particular terms of the warrants described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.
We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and they may be attached to or separate from the other securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as detailed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation, or agency or trust relationship, with you. We will
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file a copy of the warrant and warrant agreement with the SEC each time we issue a series of warrants, and these warrants and warrant agreements will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A holder of our warrants should refer to the provisions of the applicable warrant agreement and prospectus supplement for more specific information.
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of those warrants, including, when applicable:
| the offering price; |
| the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of the warrants may be payable; |
| the number of warrants offered; |
| the securities underlying the warrants, including the securities of third parties or other rights, if any, to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| the exercise price and the amount of securities you will receive upon exercise; |
| the procedure for exercise of the warrants and the circumstances, if any, that will cause the warrants to be automatically exercised; |
| the rights, if any, we have to redeem the warrants; |
| the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the warrants will expire; |
| the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security; |
| the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| the material U.S. federal income tax consequences; |
| the name of the warrant agent; and |
| any other material terms of the warrants. |
After your warrants expire they will become void. All warrants will be issued in registered form. The prospectus supplement may provide for the adjustment of the exercise price of the warrants.
Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.
The applicable warrant agreement may be amended or supplemented without the consent of the holders of the warrants to which it applies to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of warrants will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the applicable warrants then outstanding approve the amendment. Every holder of an outstanding warrant at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the warrant, will be bound by the applicable warrant agreement as amended. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of warrants may provide that certain provisions of the warrants, including the securities for which they may be exercisable, the exercise price and the expiration date, may not be altered without the consent of the holder of each warrant.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do so, we may issue receipts for depositary shares that each represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us, which we refer to as the bank depositary. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.
We have summarized some common provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The forms of the depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC each time we issue depositary shares, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. If any particular terms of the depositary agreements and the related depositary receipts described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.
Dividends and Other Distributions
If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the bank depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the bank depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the bank depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the bank depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the bank depositary may determine.
Voting the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the bank depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, may instruct the bank depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holders depositary shares. The bank depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will take all action that the bank depositary deems necessary in order to enable the bank depositary to do so. The bank depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.
Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the bank depositary and us. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the bank depositary or us only if
| all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or |
| there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts. |
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Charges of Bank Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the bank depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be for their accounts.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
Except as may be provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the bank depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the bank depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.
Miscellaneous
The bank depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the bank depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.
Neither the bank depositary nor we will be liable if we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of the bank depositary and us under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of our duties thereunder, and we will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary
The bank depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the bank depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor bank depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor bank depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company meeting the requirements of the depositary agreement.
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and obligating us to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or other securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as stock purchase contracts. The price per share of the securities and the number of shares of the securities may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts, and may be subject to adjustment under anti-dilution formulas. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase
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contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, any other securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders obligations to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as stock purchase units. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner.
The stock purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase contracts or the stock purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. This description is not complete and the description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference is made to the stock purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, which will be filed with the SEC each time we issue stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. If any particular terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement. Material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the stock purchase units and the stock purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may offer and sell the securities from time to time as follows:
| through agents; |
| to dealers; |
| to underwriters; |
| directly to other purchasers; or |
| through a combination of any of these methods of sale. |
The distribution of the securities may be made from time to time in one or more transactions; either:
| at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
| at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| at prices related to prevailing market prices; |
| at prices determined by an auction process; or |
| at negotiated prices. |
Through Agents
We and the agents designated by us may solicit offers to purchase securities. Agents that participate in the distribution of securities may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act. Any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment, unless we indicate differently in the prospectus supplement.
To Dealers
The securities may be sold to a dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices determined by it at the time of resale. The dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act.
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To Underwriters
We may sell securities to one or more underwriters under an underwriting agreement that we enter into with them at the time of sale. The names of the underwriters will be set forth in the prospectus supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.
In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle such sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of a derivative transaction to close out any related open borrowings of stock. We otherwise may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities, in either case using this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.
Direct Sales
We may sell securities directly to you, without the involvement of underwriters or agents.
General Information
Any underwriters or agents will be identified and their compensation described in a prospectus supplement.
We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The consolidated financial statements and schedule of FMC Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, have been incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, contains an explanatory paragraph that states that FMC Corporation acquired Cheminova A/S during 2015, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of FMC Corporations internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, Cheminova A/Ss internal control over financial reporting which represented 33% of FMC Corporations consolidated total assets (including amounts resulting from the purchase price allocation) and 14% of consolidated revenues as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015. The audit of internal control over financial reporting of FMC Corporation also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Cheminova A/S.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table lists the estimated expenses to be incurred by the registrant in connection with the offer and sale of securities registered under this registration statement.
SEC registration fee |
$ | * | ||
Legal fees and expenses |
** | |||
Accounting fees and expenses |
** | |||
Printing fees |
** | |||
Trustee fees and expenses |
** | |||
Rating Agency fees |
** | |||
Miscellaneous |
** | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | ** |
* | Deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933. |
** | These fees will be dependent on the type of securities offered and number of offerings and, therefore, cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The registrant is organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the DGCL), provides that a Delaware corporation has the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expense, liability or loss (including attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the persons conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action or suit brought by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification of any director, officer and other agent against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit is permitted if such person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; however, no indemnification is permitted in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery, or the court in which such action or suit was brought, shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. Article XI of the registrants Restated By-Laws provides for the indemnification of directors and officers of the registrant each of whom was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a Proceeding), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was a director or officer of the registrant or is or was serving at the request of the registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the registrant, whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and specifies procedures to be followed by the registrant and any person requesting indemnification in connection with any claim.
Under the DGCL, a Delaware corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee or other agent of the registrant or, if serving in such capacity at the request of the registrant, of another enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such persons status as such, whether or not the corporation has the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the DGCL. The registrant has purchased directors and officers liability insurance. A Delaware corporation also may, with certain limitations, set forth in its certificate of incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of a fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (1) for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the registrant or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law (3) under Section 174 of the DGCL (relating to unlawful payments of dividends or stock repurchases), or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Article Eighth of the registrants Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes such a provision.
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Item 16. Exhibits.
Reference is made to the Exhibit Index included herewith which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
(i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; and |
(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
Provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S3 or Form F3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
(A) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
(B) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document |
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incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
(5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
(i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
(ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
(iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
(iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) | For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and |
(2) | For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 26, 2016.
FMC CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Pierre R. Brondeau | |
Pierre R. Brondeau | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Each person in so signing also makes, constitutes and appoints Pierre R. Brondeau, Andrea E. Utecht, and each of them acting alone, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, to execute and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, any and all amendments and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement, with exhibits to such registration statements and amendments and other documents in connection therewith, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact or his or her substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ Eduardo E. Cordeiro |
Director | February 26, 2016 | ||
Eduardo E. Cordeiro | ||||
/s/ G. Peter DAloia |
Director | February 26, 2016 | ||
G. Peter DAloia | ||||
/s/ C. Scott Greer |
Director | February 26, 2016 | ||
C. Scott Greer | ||||
/s/ KLynne Johnson |
Director | February 26, 2016 | ||
KLynne Johnson | ||||
/s/ Dirk A. Kempthorne |
Director | February 26, 2016 | ||
Dirk A. Kempthorne | ||||
/s/ Paul J. Norris |
Director | February 26, 2016 | ||
Paul J. Norris |
[Signature Continued on next page]
[Signature Continued from previous page]
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ Robert C. Pallash |
Director | February 26, 2016 | ||
Robert C. Pallash | ||||
/s/ William H. Powell |
Director | February 26, 2016 | ||
William H. Powell | ||||
/s/ Vincent R. Volpe, Jr. |
Director | February 26, 2016 | ||
Vincent R. Volpe, Jr. | ||||
/s/ Pierre R. Brondeau |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (principal executive officer) | February 26, 2016 | ||
Pierre R. Brondeau | ||||
/s/ Paul W. Graves |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) | February 26, 2016 | ||
Paul W. Graves | ||||
/s/ Nicholas L. Pfeiffer |
Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer) | February 26, 2016 | ||
Nicholas L. Pfeiffer |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit |
Description | |
4.1 | Indenture, dated as of November 15, 2009, between the registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, relating to the Senior Debt (including the form of Senior Debt Security) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 1-02376) of the registrant filed with the SEC on November 30, 2009). | |
4.2 | Form of Indenture, between the registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, relating to the Subordinated Debt (including the form of Subordinated Debt Security). | |
5 | Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, as to the validity of the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units of FMC Corporation. | |
12 | Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges and ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends. | |
23.1 | Consent of KPMG LLP. | |
23.2 | Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (included in Exhibit 5 to this registration statement). | |
24 | Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement). | |
25.1 | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture relating to the Senior Debt Securities. | |
25.2 | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture relating to the Subordinated Debt Securities. |