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PPL Corp — Prospectus 2010
Jun 21, 2010
30176_prs_2010-06-21_5385f230-e9bf-4c23-b6df-ab1edcb7b12d.zip
Prospectus
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The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(B)(5) File No. 333-158200
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 21, 2010
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated March 25, 2009)
90,000,000 Shares
PPL Corporation Common Stock
We are offering 90,000,000 shares of our common stock. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PPL. The last reported sale price of our common stock on June 18, 2010 was $26.06 per share.
Investing in our common stock involves certain risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement, page 3 of the accompanying prospectus and in Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
| Per Share | |
|---|---|
| Public offering price | $ $ |
| Underwriting discounts and commissions | $ $ |
| Proceeds, before expenses, to us | $ $ |
We have granted to the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase from us on a pro rata basis up to 13,500,000 additional shares of our common stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions, solely to cover over-allotments.
Concurrently with this offering, we are offering, by means of a separate prospectus supplement, 20,000,000 equity units (or 23,000,000 equity units if the underwriters of that offering exercise in full their over-allotment option) at a price of $50 per equity unit. This offering of common stock is not contingent on the offering of equity units and the offering of equity units is not contingent upon this offering of common stock. See Concurrent Equity Units Offering in this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about June , 2010.
Joint Book-Running Managers
BofA Merrill Lynch Credit Suisse
Citi Morgan Stanley Wells Fargo Securities Senior Co-Managers
Barclays Capital J.P. Morgan UBS Investment Bank
The date of this prospectus supplement is , 2010.
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We have authorized only the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus to be delivered to you. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information and you should not assume we have verified any such information and we take no responsibility for it. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date after the date of this prospectus supplement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOC
| Prospectus Supplement | |
| About This Prospectus Supplement | S-iii |
| Where You Can Find More Information | S-iv |
| Forward Looking Information | S-v |
| Summary | S-1 |
| The Offering | S-5 |
| Risk Factors | S-6 |
| Use of Proceeds | S-9 |
| Capitalization | S-10 |
| Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends | S-11 |
| Concurrent Equity Units Offering | S-12 |
| Certain United States Federal Income and Estate | |
| Tax Consequences to Non-US Holders | S-13 |
| Certain ERISA Considerations | S-16 |
| Underwriting | S-17 |
| Experts | S-21 |
| Legal Matters | S-21 |
| Prospectus | |
| About This Prospectus | 2 |
| Risk Factors | 3 |
| Forward-Looking Information | 3 |
| PPL Corporation | 5 |
| PPL Capital Funding, Inc. | 6 |
| PPL Energy Supply | 6 |
| PPL Electric Utilities Corporation | 6 |
| Use of Proceeds | 7 |
| Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined | |
| Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends | 7 |
| Where You Can Find More Information | 8 |
| Experts | 10 |
| Validity of the Securities and the PPL Guarantees | 10 |
/TOC
As used in this prospectus supplement, the terms we, our and us refer to PPL Corporation.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that PPL Corporation has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we are offering to sell our common stock, using this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement describes the specific terms of this offering. The accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference therein describe our business and give more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer only to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts combined. You should read this prospectus supplement together with the accompanying prospectus before making a decision to invest in our common stock. If the information in this prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede that information in the accompanying prospectus.
Certain affiliates of PPL Corporation, specifically PPL Capital Funding Inc., PPL Energy Supply, LLC and PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, have also registered their securities on the shelf registration statement referred to above.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Available Information
PPL Corporation files reports and other information with the SEC. You may obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Further information on the operation of the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
PPL Corporation maintains an Internet Web site at www.pplweb.com. On the Investor Center page of that Web site, PPL Corporation provides access to its SEC filings free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC. The information on PPL Corporations Web site is not incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus supplement. PPL Corporations filings are also available at the SECs Web site (www.sec.gov).
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the securities offered hereby. This prospectus supplement does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement.
PPL Corporation Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (symbol: PPL), and reports, proxy statements and other information concerning PPL Corporation can also be inspected at the offices of the NYSE at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. In addition, proxy statements, reports and other information concerning PPL Corporation can be inspected at its offices at Two North Ninth Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101-1179.
Incorporation by Reference
PPL Corporation will incorporate by reference information into this prospectus supplement by disclosing important information to you by referring you to another document that it files separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus supplement, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have been previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about PPL Corporation.
| SEC Filings | Period/Date |
|---|---|
| Annual Report on Form 10-K (including information specifically | |
| incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K | |
| from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with | |
| the SEC on April 9, 2010) | Year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the SEC on February 26, |
| 2010 | |
| Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q | Quarter ended March 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on May 6, 2010 |
| Current Reports on Form 8-K | Filed with the SEC on May 24, 2010; June 14, 2010 and |
| June 21, 2010 |
Additional documents that PPL Corporation files with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), between the date of this prospectus supplement and the termination of this offering of common stock are also incorporated herein by reference. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information that we disclose under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K that we have furnished or may from time to time furnish with the SEC is or will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this prospectus supplement.
PPL Corporation will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement has been delivered, a copy of any and all of its filings with the SEC. You may request a copy of these filings by writing or telephoning PPL Corporation at:
Two North Ninth Street
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101-1179
Attention: Investor Services Department
Telephone: 1-800-345-3085
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FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
Statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. In addition to the specific factors discussed in Risk Factors set forth below and in the accompanying prospectus, in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and in Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the following are among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.
| | fuel supply cost and availability; |
|---|---|
| | weather conditions affecting generation, customer energy use and |
| operating costs; | |
| | operation, availability and operating costs of existing |
| generation facilities; | |
| | transmission and distribution system conditions and operating |
| costs; | |
| | potential expansion of alternative sources of electricity |
| generation; | |
| | potential laws or regulations to reduce emissions of |
| greenhouse gases; | |
| | collective labor bargaining negotiations; |
| | the outcome of litigation against PPL and its subsidiaries; |
| | potential effects of threatened or actual terrorism, war or |
| other hostilities, or natural disasters; | |
| | the commitments and liabilities of PPL and its subsidiaries; |
| | market demand and prices for energy, capacity, emission |
| allowances and delivered fuel; | |
| | competition in retail and wholesale power markets; |
| | liquidity of wholesale power markets; |
| | defaults by counterparties under energy, fuel or other power |
| product contracts; | |
| | market prices of commodity inputs for ongoing capital |
| expenditures; | |
| | capital market conditions, including the availability of capital |
| or credit, changes in interest rates, and decisions regarding | |
| capital structure; | |
| | stock price performance of PPL; |
| | the fair value of debt and equity securities and the impact on |
| defined benefit costs and resultant cash funding requirements | |
| for defined benefit plans; | |
| | interest rates and their effect on pension, retiree medical and |
| nuclear decommissioning liabilities; | |
| | the impact of the financial and economic market conditions in |
| general; | |
| | the effect of electricity price deregulation beginning in 2010 |
| in PPL Electric Utilities Corporations (PPL | |
| Electric) service territory; | |
| | the profitability and liquidity, including access to capital |
| markets and credit facilities, of PPL and its subsidiaries; | |
| | new accounting requirements or new interpretations or |
| applications of existing requirements; |
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| | changes in securities and credit ratings; |
|---|---|
| | foreign currency exchange rates; |
| | current and future environmental conditions, regulations and |
| other requirements and the related costs of compliance, | |
| including environmental capital expenditures, emission allowance | |
| costs and other expenses; | |
| | political, regulatory or economic conditions in states, regions |
| or countries where PPL or its subsidiaries conduct business; | |
| | receipt of necessary governmental permits, approvals and rate |
| relief; | |
| | new state, federal or foreign legislation, including new tax |
| legislation; | |
| | state, federal and foreign regulatory developments; |
| | the outcome of any rate cases by PPL Electric at the |
| Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; | |
| | the impact of any state, federal or foreign investigations |
| applicable to PPL and its subsidiaries and the energy industry; | |
| | the effect of any business or industry restructuring; |
| | development of new projects, markets and technologies; |
| | performance of new ventures; and |
| | business or asset acquisitions and dispositions, including |
| PPLs pending acquisition of E.ON U.S. LLC and the | |
| satisfaction of all conditions precedent to the completion of | |
| that acquisition. |
Any such forward-looking statements should be considered in light of such important factors and in conjunction with other documents of PPL on file with the SEC.
New factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for PPL to predict all such factors, or the extent to which any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and PPL undertakes no obligation to update the information contained in such statement to reflect subsequent developments or information.
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SUMMARY
The following summary contains information about the offering of the common stock. It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you in making a decision to purchase the common stock. For a more complete understanding of PPL Corporation and the offering of the common stock, we urge you to read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein carefully, including the Risk Factors sections and our financial statements and the notes to those financial statements.
PPL Corporation
PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, PA, is an energy and utility holding company that was incorporated in 1994. Through its subsidiaries, PPL generates electricity from power plants in the northeastern and western U.S., markets wholesale or retail energy primarily in the northeastern and western portions of the U.S. and delivers electricity to approximately 4 million customers in Pennsylvania and the U.K. PPLs significant subsidiaries are shown below:
Pending Acquisition of the Kentucky Utility Group
On April 28, 2010, we, E.ON US Investments Corp., a Delaware corporation (E.ON U.S. Investments), and E.ON AG, a German corporation, entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the Agreement) providing for the sale to us of E.ON U.S. LLC (E.ON U.S.), a wholly owned subsidiary of E.ON U.S. Investments.
E.ON U.S., through its public utility subsidiaries Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Company (KU and together with LG&E, the Kentucky Utility Group), provides electric service to 941,000 customers, primarily in Kentucky, with some customers in Virginia and Tennessee. LG&E also distributes and sells natural gas to 321,000 customers in Kentucky. The Kentucky Utility Group has 3,100 employees and owns and operates approximately 8,100 MW of regulated electric generation capacity. On a pro forma basis in 2009, we would have had approximately $10 billion of annual revenues, served five million electricity customers in the United States and the United Kingdom, and owned or controlled approximately 20,000 MW of electricity generating capacity in the United States.
Pursuant to the Agreement, at closing, we will acquire all of the outstanding limited liability company interests of E.ON U.S. for cash consideration of approximately $2.1 billion (the Acquisition). In addition, pursuant to the Agreement, we agreed to assume approximately $925 million of pollution control bonds and to repay indebtedness owed by E.ON U.S. and its subsidiaries to E.ON U.S. Investments and its affiliates. Such affiliate indebtedness is currently estimated to be approximately $4.6 billion. The aggregate consideration payable by us on closing, approximately $7.6 billion (including the assumed indebtedness), is subject to adjustment for specified incremental investment in E.ON U.S. that will potentially be made by E.ON U.S. Investments and its affiliates prior to closing.
We and E.ON U.S. Investments have made customary representations and warranties and covenants in the Agreement. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended (the HSR Act), receipt of required regulatory approvals (including state regulators in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)) and the absence of injunctions or restraints
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imposed by governmental entities. Subject to receipt of required approvals, the transaction is expected to close by the end of 2010.
The Agreement also contains certain customary termination rights for both E.ON U.S. Investments and us, including a termination right for either party if the closing does not occur by April 28, 2011 (provided that either party may postpone such date to October 28, 2011 in the event that the only closing condition that remains to be satisfied is the receipt of regulatory approvals). In addition, E.ON U.S. Investments has the right to terminate the Agreement if we have failed to consummate the transaction when we were otherwise obligated to do so. Upon such termination, subject to certain conditions, we may be required to pay to E.ON U.S. Investments a termination fee of $450 million.
Concurrently and in connection with entering into the Agreement, we entered into a $6.5 billion 364-day unsecured bridge facility (the Bridge Facility), the proceeds of which may be used to fund the consideration for the Acquisition and to pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the Acquisition. The Bridge Facility will be used as a backstop in the event that alternative forms of financing, including proceeds from this offering and the concurrent equity units offering, are not available at or prior to the closing of the Acquisition. We do not currently intend to draw under the Bridge Facility but instead plan to finance the Acquisition through proceeds of this offering, the concurrent equity units offering and the subsequent issuance of debt.
Acquisition Rationale
The Acquisition is consistent with our stated strategy of rebalancing our asset portfolio and growing regulated earnings. We believe the acquisition provides us with significant benefits:
The acquisition of the Kentucky Utility Group rebalances our business mix and improves our credit profile
The Acquisition will significantly and immediately rebalance our business mix to more regulated operations while allowing us to retain upside to recovery in power markets. In addition, we expect to have a stronger and more stable credit profile resulting from an improved regulated and unregulated earnings mix, greater geographic diversification and the constructive regulatory framework in Kentucky. LG&E and KU are fully regulated utilities operating primarily in Kentucky. On a combined basis, the Acquisition will increase our total assets by approximately 38% and more than double our regulated rate base. The percentage of our EBITDA derived from regulated operations is expected to increase from 30% in 2010 to between 55% and 60% in 2011 on a combined basis. As a result, we believe the Acquisition will significantly reposition our business profile.
LG&E and KU have tangible growth opportunities
LG&E and KU are expected to experience significant rate base growth over the next five years. Capital expenditures at LG&E and KU are anticipated to total approximately $3.4 billion between 2010 and 2014, resulting in expected rate base growth of approximately $1.3 billion over that period. A significant portion of the planned capital expenditures is expected to be recovered through the environmental cost recovery mechanism, a mechanism based on Kentucky law that generally provides timely recovery of regulatory approved costs associated with environmental compliance for coal-fired generation. This mechanism includes construction work in progress and a separate return on equity between general rate cases, currently set at 10.63%.
Future Combined Business
The combination creates a geographically diverse utility holding company with pro forma 2009 revenues of over $10 billion. The combined company will serve approximately 5.2 million electricity customers in the United States and the United Kingdom, and own an unregulated generation business with a total capacity of over 11,000 MW with a diverse mix of fuel supply. We believe we will benefit from a well-balanced business mix with
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significant scale, positioned in attractive regulated and competitive markets, with visible growth opportunities while preserving the upside potential of higher energy prices. Our pro forma structure is shown below:
Regulated Operations
PPL Electric Utilities
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, or PPL Electric, serves approximately 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania and enjoys attractive rate base investment opportunities to support its infrastructure and maintain reliability. PPL Electrics rate base is expected to grow by approximately $2.2 billion between 2009 and 2014, with an estimated compound annual growth rate of approximately 7% in its distribution rate base and approximately 22% in its transmission rate base. PPL Electrics transmission development projects include the construction of the 150-mile, 500 kV Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line that is part of Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Marylands (PJM) Regional Transmission Expansion Program. PPL Electrics portion of the line is expected to cost $510 million. The FERC tariff for this project includes an approved 12.93% ROE.
Western Power Distribution (WPD)
Our U.K. electricity distribution business, Western Power Distribution, or WPD, which is an indirect subsidiary of PPL Energy Supply, LLC, delivers electricity to approximately 2.6 million end users in the United Kingdom. WPDs regulatory asset base, or RAB, is expected to increase from $2.6 billion to $3.3 billion between 2010 and 2014. WPD is allowed an average increase in total revenues, before inflationary adjustments, of 6.9% for the five year period from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2015 based on the outcome of the most recent 5-year review of WPDs cost structure by the U.K. regulatory authority. The utility has earned the U.K. Customer Excellence Award for 18 consecutive years.
LG&E and KU
LG&E and KU are vertically integrated utility companies. LG&E delivers electricity and gas to approximately 717,000 customers in Kentucky and KU delivers electricity to approximately 545,000 customers in Kentucky and Virginia. We believe the companies operate in a constructive and fair regulatory environment that is generally viewed as balancing the interests of consumers and investors, generally providing timely recovery of approved environmental investments, as well as timely recovery for fuel costs and gas supply. These regulatory mechanisms, together with periodic rate case filings, provide the utilities the opportunity to earn their allowed ROEs. LG&E and KU also have strong customer service records as demonstrated by their first place J.D. Power regional awards for customer service in seven of the last ten years. The utilities have among the lowest operating costs in the United
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States and overall rates that are among the lowest rates in the nation, with 2009 electric retail rates 30% below the Midwest average and 32% below the overall U.S. average, according to the Edison Electric Institute.
Competitive Electric Generation Operations
PPL Energy Supply
PPL Energy Supply owns a highly attractive baseload-oriented competitive generation portfolio, with competitively positioned gas, nuclear, hydro and efficient coal assets. Our coal and nuclear fleet accounts for a total of 55% of 2010 installed capacity and 83% of expected 2010 generation. Our nuclear and hydro uprate / expansion projects are expected to add an additional 239 MW by 2013. Approximately 40% of our current generation output emits low or no carbon dioxide to the air and, as a result, PPL Energy Supply could be a potential net beneficiary of certain carbon emission regulation. The underlying value of PPL Energy Supply is strongly and positively correlated to a recovery in natural gas prices because gas-fired generation generally establishes the marginal clearing price for electricity in the PJM Regional Transmission Interconnection Area where PPL Energy Supply has significant generation capacity. PPL Energy Supplys disciplined multi-year hedging program is designed to mitigate against further weakness in energy prices in the near term. As of March 31, 2010, expected baseload volumes are hedged 100% for 2010, 96% for 2011 and 61% for 2012.
Concurrent Equity Units Offering
Concurrently with this offering, we are offering, by means of a separate prospectus supplement, 20,000,000 equity units (or 23,000,000 equity units if the underwriters of that offering exercise in full their over-allotment option). This offering of common stock is not contingent on the offering of equity units and the offering of equity units is not contingent upon this offering of common stock. See Concurrent Equity Units Offering.
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THE OFFERING
| Issuer | PPL Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation |
|---|---|
| Common stock offered by us | 90,000,000 shares |
| Over-allotment option | 13,500,000 shares |
| Common stock to be outstanding after this offering | 468,687,931 shares (or 482,187,931 shares if the |
| underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) | |
| Use of proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to partially |
| finance the Acquisition. See Use of Proceeds. | |
| Dividend Policy | We have paid quarterly cash dividends on our common stock in |
| every year since 1946. The annual dividends declared per share | |
| in 2009 and in 2008 were $1.38 and $1.34, respectively. In March | |
| 2010, we declared an increase to our dividend level to an | |
| annualized rate of $1.40 per share ($0.35 per share on quarterly | |
| basis) and paid the dividend on April 1, 2010. Future | |
| dividends, declared at the discretion of our board of directors, | |
| will be dependent upon future earnings, cash flows and other | |
| factors. | |
| Listing | Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under |
| the symbol PPL. | |
| Risk factors | An investment in our common stock involves various risks, and |
| prospective investors should carefully consider the matters | |
| discussed under the caption entitled Risk Factors | |
| beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement, beginning on page 3 of the | |
| accompanying prospectus and in Item 1A in our Annual Report | |
| on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. |
Unless we indicate otherwise, the number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering excludes shares of common stock issuable upon the settlement under the equity units to be offered in the concurrent equity units offering. See Concurrent Equity Units Offering. In addition, unless we indicate otherwise, the information in this prospectus supplement assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option with respect to this offering or under the concurrent equity units offering.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, you should consider carefully the following factors relating to us and our common stock before making an investment in our common stock offered hereby. In addition to the risk factors set forth below, please read the information included or incorporated by reference under Risk Factors in the accompanying prospectus, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. If any of the following risks or those incorporated by reference actually occur, our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows or prospects could be materially adversely affected, which in turn could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. As a result, you may lose all or part of your original investment. You should carefully review the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus about all of these securities. As used in this section, we, our, us, PPL and the Company refer to PPL Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.
Risk Factors Relating to Our Common Stock
We have issued securities that contain provisions that could restrict our payment of dividends.
We currently have outstanding $500,000,000 principal amount of our junior subordinated notes and pursuant to our concurrent equity units offering expect to issue $1 billion principal amount of our junior subordinated notes (or $1.15 billion principal amount if the underwriters of that offering exercise in full their over-allotment option), and we may in the future issue additional junior subordinated notes or similar securities, that in certain circumstances, including the failure to pay current interest, would limit our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. While we currently do not anticipate that any of these circumstances will occur, no assurance can be given that these circumstances will not occur in the future.
There may be future sales or other dilution of our equity, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Except as described under Underwriting, we are not restricted from issuing additional shares of our common stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, our common stock. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of shares of our common stock or sales of such other securities made after this offering or the perception that such sales could occur.
The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.
The price of our common stock on the NYSE constantly changes. We expect that the market price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate.
Our stock price may fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include:
| | periodic variations in our operating results or the quality of
our assets; |
| --- | --- |
| | operating results that vary from the expectations of securities
analysts and investors; |
| | changes in expectations as to our future financial performance; |
| | announcements of innovations, new products, strategic
developments, significant contracts, acquisitions, divestitures
and other material events by us or our competitors; |
| | the operating and securities price performance of other
companies that investors believe are comparable to us; |
| | future sales of our equity or equity-related securities; and |
| | changes in U.S. and global financial markets and economies and
general market conditions, such as interest or foreign exchange
rates, stock, commodity or real estate valuations or volatility. |
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In addition, in recent years, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including for reasons unrelated to their operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect our stock price regardless of our operating results.
Risks Relating to the Acquisition
We may be unable to obtain the approvals required to complete the Acquisition or may be subject to material restrictions or conditions.
Governmental agencies may not approve the Acquisition or may impose conditions on the completion, or require changes to the terms of the Acquisition, including restrictions on the business, operations or financial performance of the companies to be acquired. These conditions or changes could also delay or impose additional costs on the Acquisition or limit the revenues of the acquired companies and the benefits we expect to achieve from it.
If completed, the Acquisition may not achieve its intended results.
PPL has entered into the Agreement with the expectation that the Acquisition will result in various benefits. Achieving the anticipated benefits is subject to a number of uncertainties, including whether the businesses to be acquired can be operated in the manner PPL intends and whether PPLs costs to finance the Acquisition will be consistent with our expectations. Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues generated by the combined company and diversion of managements time and energy.
The Acquisition will expose us to additional risks and uncertainties with respect to the acquired businesses and their operations.
We expect that the Acquisition will rebalance our business mix to a greater percentage of regulated operations. While we believe this should mitigate our exposure to downturns in the wholesale power markets, it will increase our coal-based generation portfolio and our dependence on rate-of-return regulation. Although we are already exposed to risks relating to use of coal and rate-of-return regulation, the Acquisition will increase these risks.
The acquired businesses will generally be subject to similar risks that we are subject to in our existing businesses, particularly our supply and distribution segments (as the acquired businesses are integrated and both generate and distribute power). In addition, they will be subject to the following additional risks:
| | Their profitability will depend largely on their ability to
recover costs from customers and changes in circumstances or in
the regulatory environment that may impair their ability to
recover costs from customers or achieve a certain rate of
return. For example, the Kentucky utilities currently have
pending rate cases which have not yet been approved and to which
there may be political and legal opposition in Kentucky. |
| --- | --- |
| | Rising energy prices could negatively impact these businesses.
Higher fuel costs could significantly impact results of
operations, particularly if requests for cost-recovery are
unsuccessful or there is a reduction in customer demand or an
increase in bad debt expense, which could also have a material
impact on their results of operations. |
| | Their natural gas distribution activities involve numerous risks
that may result in accidents and other operating costs. There
are inherent in natural gas distribution activities a variety of
hazards and operating risks, such as leaks, fires and mechanical
problems, which could cause financial losses and exposure,
significant damage to property, environmental pollution and
impairment of operations. |
| | Environmental costs and liabilities associated with aspects of
the acquired businesses may differ from those of our existing
business, including with respect to natural gas distribution and
certain former operations, as well as with governmental and
other third party proceedings. |
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We will be subject to business uncertainties while the Acquisition is pending.
The preparation required to complete the Acquisition may place a significant burden on management and internal resources. The additional demands on management and any difficulties encountered in completing the Acquisition and with the transition and integration process could affect our financial results.
Failure to complete the Acquisition could negatively affect PPLs stock price as well as our future business and financial results.
If the Acquisition is not completed, PPL will be subject to a number of risks, including:
| | We may be required to pay E.ON U.S. Investments, under specified
circumstances set forth in the Agreement, a termination fee of
$450 million. |
| --- | --- |
| | We must pay costs related to the Acquisition including, among
others, legal, accounting, financial advisory, filing and
printing costs, as well as fees and expenses with respect to the
committed Bridge Facility, whether the Acquisition is completed
or not. |
| | We could be subject to litigation related to the failure to
complete the Acquisition or other factors, which may adversely
affect our business, financial results and stock price. |
In addition, if the Acquisition is not completed, PPL intends to use the net proceeds of this offering and the concurrent equity units offering to repurchase its securities, including common stock, and for general corporate purposes. We would be subject to significant earnings per share dilution if we do not repurchase all or a portion of the newly issued securities, including common stock, or find other attractive investment opportunities.
We will incur significant transaction and Acquisition-related costs in connection with the financing of the Acquisition, and may be unable to complete alternative financing before closing.
We expect to incur, until the closing of the Acquisition, significant non-recurring costs associated with the financing of the Acquisition, including obtaining and maintaining the committed bridge financing that assures our ability to pay the Acquisition purchase price. In addition, we will be subject to numerous market risks in connection with our plan to raise alternative financing to fund the purchase price of the Acquisition prior to closing, including risks related to general economic conditions, changes in the costs of capital and of the demand for securities of the types we will seek to offer to raise the alternative financing, including the securities being offered hereunder. In the event less than all of the Acquisition purchase price is available to us at the time of closing, we will be required to draw under the Bridge Facility in order to complete the Acquisition, and the costs to do so are likely to be significant.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We expect that net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, from the sale of the shares of common stock will be approximately $2.27 billion (approximately $2.62 billion if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) based on the last reported sale price of $26.06 per share on June 18, 2010.
In addition, we expect to receive net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, of approximately $970 million from our concurrent equity units offering (approximately $1.12 billion if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full).
We will use the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent equity units offering to partially finance the Acquisition and pay certain fees and expenses relating to the Acquisition. Pending that application of funds, we intend to invest the proceeds from this offering in United States government obligations, bank deposits or other highly-rated investments.
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the historical unaudited consolidated cash and cash equivalents and capitalization of PPL Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries as of March 31, 2010:
| | on an actual basis; and |
|---|---|
| | on an as-adjusted basis to reflect the issuance and sale of the: |
| | the common stock offered hereby (assuming no exercise of the
underwriters over-allotment option); and |
| --- | --- |
| | the equity units, including the junior subordinated notes
included therein, offered in the concurrent equity units
offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters
over-allotment option for the equity units offering). |
This table should be read in conjunction with the section of this prospectus supplement entitled Use of Proceeds; the consolidated financial statements of PPL Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries and the notes related thereto; and the financial and operating data incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our current report on Form 8-K filed June 21, 2010 for the unaudited historical consolidated financial data of E.ON US and unaudited pro forma combined financial data and accompanying disclosures.
| As of March 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | |||
| Actual | As Adjusted | ||
| (In millions) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents(1) | $ 1,724 | $ 4,968 | |
| Long-term debt, including current portion | $ 7,652 | $ 7,652 | |
| % Junior subordinated notes due 2018(2) | | 1,000 | |
| Total long-term debt | 7,652 | 8,652 | |
| Noncontrolling interests | 319 | 319 | |
| Shareowners common equity | 5,892 | 8,001 | (3) |
| Total equity | 6,211 | 8,320 | |
| Total capitalization | $ 13,863 | $ 16,972 |
| (1) | The as adjusted cash and cash equivalents amount includes net
proceeds of approximately $2.27 billion from this offering
based on the last reported sale price of $26.06 per share
on June 18, 2010 and net proceeds of approximately
$970 million from the concurrent equity units offering. An
increase in our common stock price and/or an increase in the
number of shares offered would increase the as adjusted cash and
cash equivalents amount by the corresponding increase in net
proceeds from this offering. Similarly, a decrease in our common
stock price and/or a decrease in the number of shares offered
would decrease the as adjusted cash and cash equivalents amount
by the corresponding decrease in net proceeds from this
offering. In addition, an increase or decrease in the number of
equity units offered in our concurrent equity units offering
will result in a slight decrease or increase, respectively, of
our shareowners common equity to reflect the change in the
present value of contract adjustment payments relating to the
purchase contract component of the equity units. |
| --- | --- |
| (2) | The % junior subordinated
notes due 2018 are a component of the equity units. As adjusted
amount will be $1.15 billion if the underwriters exercise
their over-allotment option in full. |
| (3) | Reflects an adjustment of approximately $140 million
representing the estimated present value of the contract
adjustments payable in connection with the equity units. |
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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol PPL. The following table sets forth on a per share basis the high and low sales prices for consolidated trading in our common stock as reported on the NYSE and dividends for the quarters indicated. The closing price of our common stock on June 18, 2010 was $26.06.
| Price Range of — Common Stock | Dividend Paid | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| High | Low | per Share | |
| Fiscal Year 2008 | |||
| First Quarter | $ 55.23 | $ 44.72 | $ 0.305 |
| Second Quarter | $ 54.00 | $ 46.04 | $ 0.335 |
| Third Quarter | $ 53.78 | $ 34.95 | $ 0.335 |
| Fourth Quarter | $ 37.88 | $ 26.84 | $ 0.335 |
| Fiscal Year 2009 | |||
| First Quarter | $ 33.54 | $ 24.25 | $ 0.335 |
| Second Quarter | $ 34.42 | $ 27.40 | $ 0.345 |
| Third Quarter | $ 34.21 | $ 28.27 | $ 0.345 |
| Fourth Quarter | $ 33.05 | $ 28.82 | $ 0.345 |
| Fiscal Year 2010 | |||
| First Quarter | $ 32.77 | $ 27.47 | $ 0.345 |
| Second Quarter (through June 18, 2010) | $ 28.80 | $ 23.75 | $ 0.350 |
The number of registered shareholders of our common stock at June 10, 2010, was 72,216. We expect to continue our policy of paying regular cash dividends, although there is no assurance as to future dividends because they are dependent on future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and any contractual restriction or restrictions that may be imposed by our existing or future debt instruments.
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CONCURRENT EQUITY UNITS OFFERING
Concurrently with this offering of common stock, under a separate prospectus supplement dated the date hereof, we are offering 20,000,000 equity units (23,000,000 equity units if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full) in an underwritten public offering. Each equity unit will have a stated amount of $50 and will consist of a contract to purchase shares of our common stock and, initially, a 1/20, or 5%, undivided beneficial ownership interest in $1,000 principal amount of our % junior subordinated notes due 2018. The purchase contracts obligate the holder to purchase, and us to sell, on July 1, 2013, for a price of $50 in cash, a number of shares of our common stock calculated based on the market price of our common stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustments as provided in such purchase contracts. The equity units offering is not contingent on the completion of this offering and this offering is not contingent upon the completion of the equity units offering. We plan to use the proceeds from the equity units offering and the proceeds of this offering to finance the Acquisition. See Use of Proceeds.
The foregoing description and other information regarding the equity units offering is included herein solely for informational purposes. Nothing in this prospectus supplement should be construed as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any equity units included in the equity units offering.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-US HOLDERS
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with common stock that is held as a capital asset by a non-U.S. holder.
A non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of our common stock (other than a partnership) that is not for U.S. federal income tax purposes any of the following:
| | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
|---|---|
| | a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for |
| U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or | |
| under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the | |
| District of Columbia; | |
| | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income |
| taxation regardless of its source; or | |
| | a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of |
| a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons | |
| have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the | |
| trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under | |
| applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. | |
| person. |
This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences different from those summarized below. This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxes and does not deal with foreign, state, local or other tax considerations that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders in light of their personal circumstances. In addition, it does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws (including if you are a U.S. expatriate, controlled foreign corporation, passive foreign investment company or a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes). We cannot assure you that a change in law will not alter significantly the tax considerations that we describe in this summary.
If a partnership holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our common stock, you should consult your tax advisors.
If you are considering the purchase of our common stock, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the particular U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to you of the ownership of the common stock, as well as the consequences to you arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
Dividends
Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the non-U.S. holder within the U.S. (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment) are not subject to the withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
A non-U.S. holder of our common stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below, for dividends will be required (a) to complete Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a U.S. person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits or (b) if our common stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable U.S. Treasury regulations.
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Special certification and other requirements apply to certain non-U.S. holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.
A non-U.S. holder of our common stock eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service.
Gain on Disposition of Common Stock
Any gain realized on the disposition of our common stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:
| | the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of
the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income
tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of
the non-U.S. holder); |
| --- | --- |
| | the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for
183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition,
and certain other conditions are met; or |
| | we are or have been a United States real property holding
corporation for United States federal income tax purposes. |
An individual non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. An individual non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States. If a non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation falls under the first bullet point immediately above, it will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if it were a U.S. person as defined under the Code and, in addition, may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
We have not determined whether we are a United States real property holding corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are or become a United States real property holding corporation, so long as our common stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market, only a non-U.S. holder who holds or held (at any time during the shorter of the five year period preceding the date of disposition or the holders holding period) more than 5% of our common stock will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the disposition of our common stock. If, however, our common stock ceases to be regularly traded on an established securities market, a non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the disposition of our common stock.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax
Common stock held by an individual non-U.S. holder at the time of death will be included in such holders gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
We must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
A non-U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a U.S. person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
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Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of our common stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Additional Withholding Requirements
Under recently enacted legislation, the relevant withholding agent may be required to withhold 30% of any dividends and the proceeds of a sale of our common stock paid after December 31, 2012 to (i) a foreign financial institution unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S. accountholders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity that is the beneficial owner of the payment unless such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner and such entity meets certain other specified requirements.
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CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Our common stock may be acquired by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA) and by individual retirement accounts or other plans, accounts or arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) (each, an ERISA Plan). A fiduciary of an ERISA Plan must determine that the purchase of our common stock is consistent with its fiduciary duties under ERISA. The fiduciary of an ERISA plan, as well as any other plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code or any laws that are similar to the prohibited transaction provisions of ERSIA or the Code (Similar Laws), must also determine that its purchase of our common stock does not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or any applicable Similar Law. Each purchaser which is acquiring our common stock with the assets of an ERISA Plan or a plan, account or other arrangement which is subject to Similar Law (each, a Plan, and each Plan and ERISA Plan referred to herein a Plan Investor) will be deemed to have represented by its acquisition of our common stock that its acquisition of our common stock does not constitute or give rise to a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or to a violation of any applicable Similar Law. The sale of common stock to any Plan Investor is in no respect a representation by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by Plan Investors generally or any particular Plan Investor, or that such an investment is appropriate for Plan Investors generally or any particular Plan Investor.
The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering purchasing our common stock on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan Investor, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be applicable to the purchase of our common stock.
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UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated , 2010, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, for whom Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC are acting as representatives, the following respective numbers of shares of common stock:
| Number of | |
|---|---|
| Underwriter | Shares |
| Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated | |
| Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC | |
| Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | |
| Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated | |
| Wells Fargo Securities, LLC | |
| Barclays Capital Inc. | |
| J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. | |
| UBS Securities LLC | |
| Total | 90,000,000 |
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares of common stock in the offering if any are purchased, other than those shares covered by the over-allotment option described below. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated.
We have granted to the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase on a pro rata basis up to 13,500,000 additional shares from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The option may be exercised only to cover any over-allotments of common stock.
Concurrently with this offering of common stock, we are offering, by means of a separate prospectus supplement, 20,000,000 equity units (or 23,000,000 equity units if the underwriters of that offering exercise in full their over-allotment option). This offering of common stock is not contingent on the offering of equity units and the offering of equity units is not contingent upon this offering of common stock.
The underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock initially at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to selling group members at that price less a selling concession of $ per share. The underwriters and selling group members may allow a discount of $ per share on sales to other broker/dealers. After the initial public offering the underwriters may change the public offering price and concession and discount to broker/dealers.
The following table summarizes the compensation and estimated expenses we will pay:
| Without | With | |
|---|---|---|
| Over-allotment | Over-allotment | |
| Underwriting Discounts and Commissions paid by us | $ | $ |
| Expenses payable by us | $ | $ |
We have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (BofA Merrill Lynch) and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (Credit Suisse), on behalf of the underwriters, we will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, directly or indirectly, (i) register, offer, issue, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any equity units, purchase contracts or shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for equity units, purchase contracts or common stock (collectively, the Lock-Up Securities), or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the
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economic consequences of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities, (iii) establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position in Lock-Up Securities within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (iv) file with the Commission a registration statement under the Act relating to securities, or publicly disclose the intention to take any such action, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of Lock-Up Securities or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (a) the equity units or purchase contracts to be issued in the transactions contemplated in the prospectus supplement related thereto (see Concurrent Equity Units Offering) (b) the issuance by us of shares of common stock pursuant to, or the grant of options under our existing stock option, employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plans, or the filing of a registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of common stock issued or reserved for issuance under such plans, or (c) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the repurchase of common stock, provided that such plan does not provide for repurchases during the restricted period. However, in the event that either (1) during the last 17 days of the restricted period, we release earnings results or material news or a material event relating to us occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the restricted period, then in either case the expiration of the restricted period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the release of the earnings results or the occurrence of the material news or event, as applicable, unless BofA Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse waive, in writing, such an extension.
Our officers and directors have agreed that they will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock or make any public announcement of an intention thereof or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock, whether any such transaction described in (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or make any public announcement of an intention thereof. The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to transactions relating to shares of common stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the public offering. In addition, such officers and directors have agreed that, without the prior written consent of BofA Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse, on behalf of the underwriters, they will not, during such period make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock. However, in the event that either (1) during the last 17 days of the restricted period, we release earnings results or material news or a material event relating to us occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the restricted period, then in either case the expiration of the restricted period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the release of the earnings results or the occurrence of the material news or event, as applicable, unless BofA Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse waive, in writing, such an extension.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in that respect.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PPL.
In connection with the offering the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids.
| | Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying
security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a
specified maximum. |
| --- | --- |
| | Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of shares in
excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to
purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short
position may be either a covered short position or a naked short
position. In a covered short position, the number of shares
over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number
of shares that they may purchase in the over-allotment option.
In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is
greater than the number of |
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shares in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing shares in the open market.
| | Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the common
stock in the open market after the distribution has been
completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In
determining the source of shares to close out the short
position, the underwriters will consider, among other things,
the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as
compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through
the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more shares
than could be covered by the over-allotment option, a naked
short position, the position can only be closed out by buying
shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely
to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could
be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open
market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who
purchase in the offering. |
| --- | --- |
| | Penalty bids permit the representatives to reclaim a selling
concession from a syndicate member when the common stock
originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a
stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate
short positions. |
These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock. As a result the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on The New York Stock Exchange or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the web sites maintained by one or more of the underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering and one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses electronically. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters and selling group members that will make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.
Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have from time to time in the past and may in the future perform various financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business, for which they received and may receive customary fees and expenses. In particular, affiliates of each of the representatives and certain other underwriters are lenders and/or agents under our credit facilities and our Bridge Facility.
European Economic Area
Each of the underwriters has represented and agreed that:
(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) to persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling with Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 or in circumstances in which section 21 of FSMA does not apply to the company; and
(b) it has complied with, and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State), each Underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the Relevant Implementation Date) it has not made and will not make an offer of common stock to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the common stock which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of common stock to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time,
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(a) to legal entities which are authorised or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorised or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;
(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than 43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than 50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; or
(c) in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the Issuer of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an offer of common stock to the public in relation to any common stock in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the common stock, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.
Notice to Investors in the United Kingdom
Each of the underwriters severally represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) to persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling with Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 or in circumstances in which section 21 of FSMA does not apply to the company; and
(b) it has complied with, and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
This document as well as any other material relating to the common stock which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement does not constitute an issue prospectus pursuant to Articles 652a and/or 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations. The common stock will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and, therefore, the documents relating to the common stock, including, but not limited to, this document, do not claim to comply with the disclosure standards of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange and corresponding prospectus schemes annexed to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. The common stock are being offered in Switzerland by way of a private placement, i.e. to a small number of selected investors only, without any public offer and only to investors who do not purchase the common stock with the intention to distribute them to the public. The investors will be individually approached by the Issuer from time to time. This document as well as any other material relating to the common stock is personal and confidential and does not constitute an offer to any other person. This document may only be used by those investors to whom it has been handed out in connection with the offering described herein and may neither directly nor indirectly be distributed or made available to other persons without express consent of the Issuer. It may not be used in connection with any other offer and shall in particular not be copied and/or distributed to the public in (or from) Switzerland.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus supplement relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). This prospectus supplement is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus supplement. The shares to which this prospectus supplement relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
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EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of PPL Corporation appearing in PPL Corporations Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the effectiveness of PPL Corporations internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The audited historical financial statements of E.ON U.S. LLC included in PPL Corporations Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 21, 2010 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for PPL Corporation by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York, and Frederick C. Paine, Esq., Senior Counsel of PPL Services Corporation. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP will rely on the opinion of Mr. Paine as to matters involving the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As to matters involving the law of the State of New York, Mr. Paine will rely on the opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
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PROSPECTUS
PPL Corporation
PPL Capital Funding, Inc.
PPL Energy Supply, LLC
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation
Two North Ninth Street
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101-1179
(610) 774-5151
PPL Corporation
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
Stock Purchase Contracts, Stock Purchase Units and Depositary Shares
PPL Capital Funding, Inc.
Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities
Guaranteed by PPL Corporation as described
in a supplement to this prospectus
PPL Energy Supply, LLC
Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities and Preferred Securities
PPL Electric Utilities Corporation
Preferred Stock, Preference Stock, Depositary Shares and Debt Securities
We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the supplements carefully before you invest.
We may offer the securities directly or through underwriters or agents. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any particular plan of distribution.
Investing in the securities involves certain risks. See Risk Factors on page 3.
PPL Corporations common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol PPL.
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission, nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is March 25, 2009.
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TOC
| ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS | 2 |
|---|---|
| RISK FACTORS | 3 |
| FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION | 3 |
| PPL CORPORATION | 5 |
| PPL CAPITAL FUNDING, INC. | 6 |
| PPL ENERGY SUPPLY, LLC | 6 |
| PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES CORPORATION | 6 |
| USE OF PROCEEDS | 7 |
| RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS | |
| TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS | 7 |
| WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | 8 |
| EXPERTS | 10 |
| VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES AND THE PPL | |
| GUARANTEES | 10 |
/TOC
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that PPL Corporation, PPL Capital Funding, Inc. (PPL Capital Funding), PPL Energy Supply, LLC (PPL Energy Supply) and PPL Electric Utilities Corporation (PPL Electric) have each filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using the shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell combinations of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain a description of the securities we will offer and specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under Where You Can Find More Information.
We may use this prospectus to offer from time to time:
| | shares of PPL Corporation Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(PPL Common Stock); |
| --- | --- |
| | shares of PPL Corporation Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per
share (PPL Preferred Stock); |
| | contracts or other rights to purchase shares of PPL Common Stock
or PPL Preferred Stock (PPL Stock Purchase
Contracts); |
| | stock purchase units, each representing (1) a PPL Stock
Purchase Contract and (2) debt securities or preferred
trust securities of third parties (such as debt securities or
subordinated debt securities of PPL Capital Funding, preferred
trust securities of a subsidiary trust or United States Treasury
securities) that are pledged to secure the stock purchase unit
holders obligations to purchase PPL Common Stock or PPL
Preferred Stock under the PPL Stock Purchase Contracts
(PPL Stock Purchase Units); |
| | PPL Corporations Depositary Shares, issued under a deposit
agreement and representing a fractional interest in PPL
Preferred Stock; |
| | PPL Capital Fundings unsecured and unsubordinated debt
securities (PPL Capital Funding Debt Securities); |
| | PPL Capital Fundings unsecured and subordinated debt
securities (PPL Capital Funding Subordinated Debt
Securities); |
| | PPL Energy Supplys unsecured and unsubordinated debt
securities; |
| | PPL Energy Supplys unsecured and subordinated debt
securities; |
| | PPL Energy Supplys preferred limited liability company
membership interests; |
| | PPL Electrics Series Preferred Stock (PPL
Electric Preferred Stock); |
| | PPL Electrics Preference Stock (PPL Electric
Preference Stock); |
| | PPL Electrics Depositary Shares, issued under a deposit
agreement and representing a fractional interest in PPL Electric
Preferred Stock or PPL Electric Preference Stock; and |
| | PPL Electrics senior secured debt securities issued under
PPL Electrics 2001 indenture, as amended (PPL
Electric Secured Debt Securities), which will be secured
by the lien of the 2001 indenture on PPL Electrics
electric distribution and certain transmission properties
(subject to certain exceptions to be described in a prospectus
supplement). |
We sometimes refer to the securities listed above collectively as the Securities.
PPL Corporation will fully and unconditionally guarantee the payment of principal, premium and interest on the PPL Capital Funding Debt Securities and PPL Capital Funding Subordinated Debt Securities as will be described in supplements to this prospectus. We sometimes refer to PPL Corporations guarantees of PPL Capital Funding Debt Securities as PPL Guarantees and PPL Corporations guarantees of PPL Capital Funding Subordinated Debt Securities as the PPL Subordinated Guarantees.
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Information contained herein relating to each registrant is filed separately by such registrant on its own behalf. No registrant makes any representation as to information relating to any other registrant or Securities or guarantees issued by any other registrant, except that information relating to PPL Capital Fundings Securities is also attributed to PPL Corporation.
As used in this prospectus, the terms we, our and us generally refer to:
| | PPL Corporation with respect to Securities, PPL Guarantees or
PPL Subordinated Guarantees issued by PPL Corporation or PPL
Capital Funding; |
| --- | --- |
| | PPL Energy Supply with respect to Securities issued by PPL
Energy Supply; and |
| | PPL Electric, with respect to Securities issued by PPL Electric. |
For more detailed information about the Securities, the PPL Guarantees and the PPL Subordinated Guarantees, you can read the exhibits to the registration statement. Those exhibits have been either filed with the registration statement or incorporated by reference to earlier SEC filings listed in the registration statement.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in the Securities involves certain risks. You are urged to read and consider the risk factors relating to an investment in the Securities described in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K of PPL Corporation, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric, as applicable, for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2009 and incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones affecting PPL Corporation, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric. The prospectus supplement applicable to each type or series of Securities we offer may contain a discussion of additional risks applicable to an investment in us and the particular type of Securities we are offering under that prospectus supplement.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including statements concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In addition to the specific factors discussed in the Risk Factors section in this prospectus and our reports that are incorporated by reference, the following are among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements:
| | fuel supply availability; |
|---|---|
| | weather conditions affecting generation production, customer |
| energy use and operating costs; | |
| | operation, availability and operating costs of existing |
| generation facilities; | |
| | transmission and distribution system conditions and operating |
| costs; | |
| | collective labor bargaining negotiations; |
| | the outcome of litigation against us; |
| | potential effects of threatened or actual terrorism or war or |
| other hostilities | |
| | our commitments and liabilities; |
| | market demand and prices for energy, capacity, emission |
| allowances and delivered fuel; |
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| | competition in retail and wholesale power markets; |
|---|---|
| | liquidity of wholesale power markets; |
| | defaults by our counterparties under our energy, fuel or other |
| power product contracts; | |
| | market prices of commodity inputs for ongoing capital |
| expenditures; | |
| | capital market conditions, including the availability of capital |
| or credit, changes in interest rates, and decisions regarding | |
| capital structure; | |
| | stock price performance of PPL Corporation; |
| | the fair value of debt and equity securities and the impact on |
| defined benefit costs and resultant cash funding requirements | |
| for defined benefit plans; | |
| | interest rates and their affect on pension, retiree medical and |
| nuclear decommissioning liabilities; | |
| | the impact of the current financial and economic downturn; |
| | volatility in financial or commodity markets; |
| | profitability and liquidity, including access to capital markets |
| and credit facilities; | |
| | new accounting requirements or new interpretations or |
| applications of existing requirements; | |
| | securities and credit ratings; |
| | foreign currency exchange rates; |
| | current and future environmental conditions and requirements and |
| the related costs of compliance, including environmental capital | |
| expenditures, emission allowance costs and other expenses; | |
| | political, regulatory or economic conditions in states, regions |
| or countries where we conduct business; | |
| | receipt of necessary governmental permits, approvals and rate |
| relief; | |
| | new state, federal or foreign legislation, including new tax |
| legislation; | |
| | state, federal and foreign regulatory developments; |
| | the impact of any state, federal or foreign investigations |
| applicable to us and the energy industry; | |
| | the effect of any business or industry restructuring; |
| | development of new projects, markets and technologies; |
| | performance of new ventures; and |
| | asset acquisitions and dispositions. |
Any such forward-looking statements should be considered in light of such important factors and in conjunction with other documents we file with the SEC.
New factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors, or the extent to which any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update the information contained in such statement to reflect subsequent developments or information.
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PPL CORPORATION
PPL Corporation, incorporated in 1994 and headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is an energy and utility holding company. Through its subsidiaries, PPL Corporation generates electricity from power plants in the northeastern and western United States; markets wholesale or retail energy primarily in the northeastern and western portions of the United States and delivers electricity to approximately 4 million customers in Pennsylvania and the United Kingdom.
PPL Corporations principal subsidiaries are shown below:
Energy Supply
PPL Corporation, through its indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries, PPL Generation, LLC (PPL Generation) and PPL EnergyPlus, LLC (PPL EnergyPlus) owns and operates electricity generating power plants and markets this electricity and other purchased power to deregulated wholesale and retail markets. Both of these subsidiaries are direct, wholly owned subsidiaries of PPL Energy Supply. As of December 31, 2008, PPL Corporation owned or controlled, through its subsidiaries, 12,002 megawatts, or MW, of electric power generation capacity and has plans to implement capital projects primarily at certain of its existing generation facilities in Pennsylvania and Montana to provide 148 MW of additional capacity by 2013. See PPL Energy Supply, LLC below for more information.
Energy Delivery
PPL Corporation provides energy delivery services in its service territory in Pennsylvania through its regulated public utility subsidiary, PPL Electric, and in the United Kingdom through its subsidiary, PPL Global. PPL Electric delivers electricity to approximately 1.4 million customers in eastern and central Pennsylvania. See PPL Electric Utilities Corporation below for more information. Through its subsidiaries, PPL Global delivers electricity to approximately 2.6 million customers in the United Kingdom. PPL Global is a wholly owned subsidiary of PPL Energy Supply, LLC. See PPL Energy Supply, LLC below for more information.
PPL Corporations subsidiaries, including PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric, are separate legal entities, and are not liable for the debts of PPL Corporation, and PPL Corporation is not liable for the debts of its subsidiaries (other than under the PPL Guarantees of PPL Capital Funding Debt Securities and PPL Subordinated Guarantees of PPL Capital Funding Subordinated Debt Securities). Neither PPL Energy Supply nor PPL Electric will guarantee or provide other credit or funding support for the Securities to be offered by PPL Corporation pursuant to this prospectus.
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PPL CAPITAL FUNDING, INC.
PPL Capital Funding is a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of PPL Corporation. PPL Capital Fundings primary business is to provide PPL Corporation with financing for its operations. PPL Corporation will fully and unconditionally guarantee the payment of principal, premium and interest on the PPL Capital Funding Debt Securities pursuant to the PPL Guarantees and the PPL Capital Funding Subordinated Debt Securities pursuant to the PPL Subordinated Guarantees, as will be described in supplements to this prospectus.
PPL ENERGY SUPPLY, LLC
PPL Energy Supply, formed in 2000 and headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is an energy company engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the generation and marketing of power in the northeastern and western power markets of the United States and in the delivery of electricity in the United Kingdom. PPL Energy Supplys major operating subsidiaries are PPL Generation, PPL EnergyPlus and PPL Global. PPL Energy Supply is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of PPL Corporation. See PPL Corporation above for more information.
Energy Supply: PPL Generation and PPL EnergyPlus
As of December 31, 2008, PPL Energy Supply owned or controlled, through its subsidiaries, 12,002 MW of electric power generation capacity. PPL Generation subsidiaries own and operate power plants in Pennsylvania, Montana, Illinois, Connecticut, New York and Maine. PPL Energy Supplys generating capacity includes power obtained through PPL EnergyPlus tolling or power purchase agreements. In addition, PPL Generation has current plans to implement capital projects at certain of its existing generation facilities primarily in Pennsylvania and Montana to provide 148 MW of additional generating capacity by 2013. PPL Generations plants are fueled by uranium, coal, natural gas, oil and water. The electricity from these plants is sold to PPL EnergyPlus under FERC-jurisdictional power purchase agreements.
PPL EnergyPlus markets or brokers the electricity produced by PPL Generations subsidiaries, along with purchased power, financial transmission rights, natural gas, oil, emission allowances and renewable energy credits in competitive wholesale and deregulated retail markets. PPL EnergyPlus also provides energy-related products and services, such as engineering and mechanical contracting, construction and maintenance services, to commercial and industrial customers.
International Energy Delivery: PPL Global
PPL Energy Supply provides electricity delivery services in the United Kingdom through its PPL Global subsidiary, which owns Western Power Distribution Holdings Limited and WPD Investment Holdings Limited, which together we refer to as WPD. WPD operates two electric distribution companies in the United Kingdom, serving a total of approximately 2.6 million customers.
Neither PPL Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates will guarantee or provide other credit or funding support for the securities to be offered by PPL Energy Supply pursuant to this prospectus.
PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES CORPORATION
PPL Electric, incorporated in 1920 and headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is a direct subsidiary of PPL Corporation and a regulated public utility. PPL Electric delivers electricity to approximately 1.4 million customers in eastern and central Pennsylvania. PPL Electric also provides electricity supply as a provider of last resort, or PLR, to retail customers in that territory that do not choose an alternative electricity provider.
Neither PPL Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates will guarantee or provide other credit or funding support for the securities to be offered by PPL Electric pursuant to this prospectus.
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The offices of PPL Corporation, PPL Capital Funding, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric are located at Two North Ninth Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101-1179, and they can be contacted through telephone number (610) 774-5151.
The information above concerning PPL Corporation, PPL Capital Funding, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric and, if applicable, their respective subsidiaries is only a summary and does not purport to be comprehensive. For additional information about these companies, including certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties involved in the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, you should refer to the information described in Where You Can Find More Information.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise described in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the PPL Capital Funding Debt Securities and the PPL Capital Funding Subordinated Debt Securities will be loaned to PPL Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. PPL Corporation and/or its subsidiaries are expected to use the proceeds of such loans, and the proceeds of the other Securities issued by PPL Corporation, for general corporate purposes, including repayment of debt. Except as otherwise described in a prospectus supplement, each of PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric is expected to use the proceeds of the Securities it issues for general corporate purposes, including repayment of debt.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
PPL Corporation
The following table sets forth PPL Corporations ratio of earnings to fixed charges and ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the periods indicated:
| Ended December 31, | |||||
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
| Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and ratio of earnings to | |||||
| combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(a) | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
(a) In calculating the earnings component, earnings exclude income taxes, minority interest, dividends on preferred securities of a subsidiary, discontinued operations and the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles. See PPL Corporations reports on file with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), as described under Where You Can Find More Information for more information. PPL Corporation had no preferred securities outstanding during the periods indicated; therefore, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
PPL Energy Supply
The following table sets forth PPL Energy Supplys ratio of earnings to fixed charges and ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred securities dividends for the periods indicated:
| Ended December 31, | |||||
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
| Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and ratio of earnings to | |||||
| combined fixed charges and preferred securities dividends(a) | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.9 |
(a) In calculating the earnings component, earnings exclude income taxes, minority interest, discontinued operations and the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles. See PPL Energy Supplys reports
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on file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act as described under Where You Can Find More Information for more information. PPL Energy Supply had no preferred securities outstanding during the periods indicated; therefore, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred securities dividends is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
PPL Electric
The following table sets forth PPL Electrics ratio of earnings to fixed charges and ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the periods indicated:
| Ended December 31, | |||||
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
| Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(a) | 3.4 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock | |||||
| dividends(a) | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
(a) In calculating the earnings component, earnings reflect income before income taxes. See PPL Electrics reports on file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act as described under Where You Can Find More Information for more information.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Available Information
PPL Corporation, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric each file reports and other information with the SEC. You may obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Further information on the operation of the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
PPL Corporations Internet Web site is www.pplweb.com. On the Investor Center page of that Web site PPL Corporation provides access to all SEC filings of PPL Corporation, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC. The information at PPL Corporations Internet Web site is not incorporated in this prospectus by reference, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus. Additionally, PPL Corporations, PPL Energy Supplys and PPL Electrics filings are available at the SECs Internet Web site (www.sec.gov).
PPL Corporation Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (symbol: PPL), and reports, proxy statements and other information concerning PPL Corporation can also be inspected at the offices of the NYSE at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
Certain securities of PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric are also listed on the NYSE and certain information concerning PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric may be inspected at the NYSE offices in New York.
In addition, reports, proxy statements and other information concerning PPL Corporation, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric can be inspected at their offices at Two North Ninth Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101-1179.
Incorporation by Reference
Each of PPL Corporation, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric will incorporate by reference information into this prospectus by disclosing important information to you by referring you to another document that it files separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have been previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about the registrants.
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PPL Corporation
| SEC Filings (File No. 1-11459) | Period/Date |
|---|---|
| Annual Report on Form 10-K | Year ended December 31, 2008 |
| Current Reports on Form 8-K | Filed on January 12, 2009, January 28, 2009, February 18, 2009, |
| February 24, 2009, March 4, 2009 and March 17, 2009 | |
| PPL Corporations Registration Statement on Form 8-B | Filed on April 27, 1995 |
| PPL Corporations 2008 Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy | |
| Statement | Filed on March 18, 2008 |
PPL Energy Supply
| SEC Filings (File No. 1-32944) | Period/Date |
|---|---|
| Annual Report on Form 10-K | Year ended December 31, 2008 |
| Current Reports on Form 8-K | Filed on February 18, 2009, February 24, 2009, March 4, 2009 and |
| March 17, 2009 |
PPL Electric
| SEC Filings (File No. 1-905) | Period/Date |
|---|---|
| Annual Report on Form 10-K | Year ended December 31, 2008 |
| Current Reports on Form 8-K | Filed on January 28, 2009 and February 24, 2009 |
Additional documents that PPL Corporation, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of the Securities are also incorporated herein by reference. In addition, any additional documents that PPL Corporation, PPL Energy Supply or PPL Electric file with the SEC pursuant to these sections of the Exchange Act after the date of the filing of the registration statement containing this prospectus, and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement are also incorporated herein by reference.
Each of PPL Corporation, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, a copy of any and all of its filings with the SEC. You may request a copy of these filings by writing or telephoning the appropriate registrant at:
Two North Ninth Street Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101-1179 Attention: Investor Services Department Telephone: 1-800-345-3085
No separate financial statements of PPL Capital Funding are included herein or incorporated herein by reference. PPL Corporation and PPL Capital Funding do not consider those financial statements to be material to holders of the PPL Capital Funding Debt Securities or PPL Capital Funding Subordinated Debt Securities because (1) PPL Capital Funding is a wholly owned subsidiary that was formed for the primary purpose of providing financing for PPL Corporation and its subsidiaries, (2) PPL Capital Funding does not currently engage in any independent operations and (3) PPL Capital Funding does not currently plan to engage, in the future, in more than minimal independent operations. See PPL Capital Funding. PPL Capital Funding has received a no action letter from the Staff of the SEC stating that the Staff would not raise any objection if PPL Capital Funding does not file periodic reports under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, PPL Corporation and PPL Capital Funding do not expect PPL Capital Funding to file those reports.
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EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of PPL Corporation, PPL Energy Supply, LLC and PPL Electric Utilities Corporation (the Companies) appearing in the Companies Annual Reports (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the effectiveness of PPL Corporations internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES AND THE PPL GUARANTEES
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, New York, New York or Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York and Michael A. McGrail, Esq., Deputy General Counsel of PPL Services Corporation, will pass upon the validity of the Securities, the PPL Guarantees and the PPL Subordinated Guarantees for PPL Corporation, PPL Capital Funding, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon the validity of the Securities, the PPL Guarantees and the PPL Subordinated Guarantees for any underwriters or agents. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP will rely on the opinion of Mr. McGrail as to matters involving the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As to matters involving the law of the State of New York, Mr. McGrail will rely on the opinion of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP or Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, as applicable.
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