UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): December 19, 2007
UST INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE
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0-17506
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06-1193986 |
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State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(Commission
File Number)
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I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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6 High Ridge Park, Building A, Stamford, Connecticut
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06905 |
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code) |
(203) 817-3000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy
the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 19, 2007, UST Inc. (the Company) entered into a new $200 million six-month credit
agreement (the New Credit Agreement), by and among the Company and Morgan Stanley Bank and
Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., as the initial Lenders. The New Credit Agreement provides the Company
with the capacity to borrow up to an aggregate amount of $200 million in as many as four separate
term loans at any time prior to April 30, 2008. Such borrowings will primarily be used to fund a
portion of the Companys ongoing repurchases of its common shares under its share repurchase
program. The Company shall repay the unpaid principal amount of any borrowings under the New
Credit Agreement by June 19, 2008. The Company currently intends to fund the repayment of any
borrowings under the New Credit Agreement with proceeds from an anticipated long-term debt
issuance.
As defined and described therein, amounts outstanding under the New Credit Agreement bear interest,
at the Companys option, based on either (1) the higher of the Prime Lending Rate or the Federal
Funds Rate, or (2) an adjusted London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin equal to 0.225%
to 0.550%, calculated on the basis of the Companys long-term senior unsecured non-credit-enhanced
debt ratings (the Rating). The Company will pay a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion
of the credit facility equal to 0.045% to 0.100%, calculated on the basis of the Rating. In
addition, on April 30, 2008, the Company will pay a fee to each Lender equal to 0.075% of each
Lenders commitment on such date, if the anticipated long-term debt issuance has not occurred.
The New Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, as well as customary
negative and affirmative covenants, all of which are substantially similar to those included in the
Companys existing five-year revolving credit agreement (the Existing Credit Agreement), a
description of which was contained in the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3,
2007.
The description of the New Credit Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information set forth above in Item 1.01 regarding the description of the New Credit Agreement
is incorporated herein by reference.
At December 19, 2007, the Company had no direct borrowings under the New Credit Agreement, and an
aggregate principal amount of $150 million outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement. The
Company utilized borrowings under the Existing Credit Agreement in connection with its previously
announced plans to spend up to $350 million in the fourth quarter of 2007 on share repurchases
under its current share repurchase program.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
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Exhibit 10.1
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$200,000,000 Bridge Credit Agreement, dated as of December
19, 2007, among UST Inc., as the Borrower, various financial
institutions and other persons from time to time parties
thereto, as the Lenders, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.,
as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Lehman
Brothers Inc., as Syndication Agent, with Morgan Stanley
Senior Funding, Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc. as Joint Lead
Arrangers and Joint Book Runners, excluding exhibits and
schedules. |