Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-280584

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and they are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 7, 2024

Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus dated June 28, 2024

 

 

LOGO

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

$    % Senior Notes due 20 

 

 

We are offering $    aggregate principal amount of  % senior notes due 20 (the “notes”). Interest on the notes will be payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on       and       of each year, beginning on      , 2025. The notes will mature on      , 20 .

We may redeem the notes at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, at the applicable redemption prices and at the times specified under “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption.” If we experience a change of control repurchase event, we may be required to offer to purchase the notes from holders of the notes. See “Description of Notes—Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event.”

We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to repay the $1,000 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 5.550% senior notes due 2024 (the “2024 notes”) and pay accrued interest, related premiums, fees, and expenses in connection therewith. Pending the final application of the net proceeds of this offering, we may use such proceeds temporarily for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness, including our other outstanding senior notes. The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

 

 

Investing in the notes involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-5 and in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement (as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our public filings).

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the related prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     Initial public
offering price (1)
     Underwriting
discounts
     Proceeds, before
expenses, to us
 
     Per Note     Total      Per Note     Total      Per Note     Total  

20  Notes

          $                 $                 $      

 

(1)

Plus accrued interest from     , 2024 if settlement occurs after that date.

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to purchasers in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), including its participants Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream”) and Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”), against payment in New York, New York on or about    , 2024.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC   BofA Securities   Morgan Stanley

The date of this prospectus supplement is    , 2024


Table of Contents

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page  

About this Prospectus Supplement

     S-iii  

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statement

     S-iv  

Where You Can Find More Information

     S-v  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     S-v  

Summary

     S-1  

Risk Factors

     S-5  

Use of Proceeds

     S-8  

Capitalization

     S-9  

Description of Notes

     S-10  

Book-Entry; Delivery of Notes

     S-23  

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders

     S-25  

Underwriting

     S-28  

Legal Matters

     S-34  

Experts

     S-34  

Prospectus

 

     Page  

About this Prospectus

     ii  

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statement

     iii  

Where You Can Find More Information

     v  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     vi  

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

     1  

Risk Factors

     2  

Use of Proceeds

     3  

Description of Our Capital Stock

     4  

Description of Debt Securities

     8  

Description of Warrants

     20  

Description of Units

     20  

Plan of Distribution

     21  

Legal Matters

     22  

Experts

     22  

Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized any other person to give any information not contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus relating to this offering prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus relating to this offering prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you constitute an offer to sell only the notes offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus relating to this offering prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you is current only as of the respective dates of such documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

S-i


Table of Contents

It is expected that delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about     , 2024, which is the  business day following the date of the pricing of the notes. Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day unless the parties to that trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes on any date prior to the settlement date will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+ , to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed settlement and should consult their own advisors.

 

S-ii


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should rely only on the information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which describes more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Neither we nor any underwriter has authorized anyone to provide you with additional information or information different from that contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus filed with the SEC and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus incorporate by reference important business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information below under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.” The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated herein or therein by reference, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus supplement to the “Company,” “GE HealthCare,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

References herein to “$” and “dollars” are to the lawful currency of the United States. The financial information presented or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus has been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS

“GE HealthCare” and the GE Monogram Logo are trademarks of General Electric Company. Certain logos, trademarks, service marks, trade names, and copyrights referred to or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement belong to us or are licensed for our use. Solely for convenience, we refer to our intellectual property assets in this prospectus without the ®, and © symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our intellectual property assets. Other logos, trademarks, service marks, trade names, and copyrights which may be referred to or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners, and our use or display of same should not be construed to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, such other parties. In particular, Edison is a trademark licensed to us from the Charles Edison Fund.

INDUSTRY INFORMATION

This prospectus supplement contains or incorporates by reference various historical and projected information concerning our industry, the markets in which we participate, and our positions in these markets. Some of this information is from industry publications and other third-party sources, and other information is from our own analysis of data received from these third-party sources, our own internal data, and market research that our management team commissions for our own evaluations and planning. All of this information involves a variety of assumptions, limitations and methodologies and is inherently subject to uncertainties, and therefore you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates.

 

S-iii


Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and other written or oral statements that we make from time to time contain, or will contain, certain forward-looking statements regarding business strategies, market potential, future financial performance, and other matters. The words “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” and similar expressions, among others, generally identify “forward-looking statements,” which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated, or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should read this prospectus, and any accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference herein, completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from expectations. All forward-looking statements made in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein are qualified by these cautionary statements. In particular, information included in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, or the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus under headings such as “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business” contain forward-looking statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of our management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

   

operating in highly competitive markets;

 

   

our ability to successfully complete strategic transactions;

 

   

the actions or inactions of third parties with whom we partner and the various collaboration, licensing, and other partnerships and alliances we have with third parties;

 

   

demand for our products, services, or solutions and factors that affect that demand;

 

   

management of our supply chain and our ability to cost-effectively secure the materials we need to operate our business;

 

   

disruptions in our operations;

 

   

changes in third-party and government reimbursement processes, rates, contractual relationships, and mix of public and private payers, including related to government shutdowns;

 

   

our ability to attract and/or retain key personnel and qualified employees;

 

   

global geopolitical and economic instability, including as a result of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, and the actions in the Red Sea region;

 

   

public health crises, epidemics, and pandemics and their effects on our business;

 

   

maintenance and protection of our intellectual property rights, as well as maintenance of successful research and development efforts with respect to commercially successful products and technologies;

 

   

the impact of potential information technology, cybersecurity, or data security breaches;

 

   

compliance with the various legal, regulatory, tax, privacy, and other laws to which we are subject, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws globally, and related changes, claims, inquiries, investigations, or actions;

 

S-iv


Table of Contents
   

our ability to control increases in healthcare costs and any subsequent effect on demand for our products, services, or solutions;

 

   

the impacts related to our increasing focus on and investment in cloud, edge, artificial intelligence, and software offerings;

 

   

the impact of potential product liability claims;

 

   

environmental, social, and governance matters;

 

   

our ability to operate effectively as an independent, publicly traded company; and

 

   

our level of indebtedness, as well as our general ability to comply with covenants under our debt instruments, and any related effect on our business.

These and other factors are more fully discussed in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, or the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus under headings such as “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Those cautionary statements are not exclusive and are in addition to other factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. There may be other factors not presently known to us or which we currently consider to be immaterial that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus is part of the registration statement but the registration statement includes additional information and exhibits. We file annual, quarterly, and special reports and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

Our SEC filings are also available to the public free of charge on the investor relations portion of our website located at https://investor.gehealthcare.com. Information on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference herein and is not otherwise intended to be part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus certain information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we disclose important information by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in documents filed earlier with the SEC or contained in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below and any future filings that we may make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Unless specifically listed below, the information contained on the SEC website is not intended to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below (other than any portions of such documents that are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 6, 2024;

 

S-v


Table of Contents
   

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on April  30, 2024 and July 31, 2024, respectively;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February  5, 2024, February  16, 2024, March  14, 2024, April  15, 2024, and May 23, 2024, and

 

   

the information responsive to part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 provided in our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 4, 2024.

Any information contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus provided to you by us modifies or supersedes the original statement.

The reports and documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are available to the public free of charge on the investor relations portion of our website located at https://investor.gehealthcare.com. The information provided on, or accessible through, our Internet website is not part of this prospectus supplement and, therefore, is not incorporated herein by reference.

We also hereby undertake to provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the reports or documents that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits have been specifically incorporated by reference thereto. Requests for such copies should be directed to our Investor Relations department, at the following address:

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

500 W. Monroe Street

Chicago, Illinois 60661

Attention: Investor Relations

 

S-vi


Table of Contents

SUMMARY

The following summary highlights certain of the information contained elsewhere in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including any information incorporated by reference, which are described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” herein and in the accompanying prospectus. In particular, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the headings “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” included in this prospectus supplement and “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our public filings (the “2023 Form 10-K”).

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

GE HealthCare is a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator. We have approximately 51,000 colleagues dedicated to our mission to create a world where healthcare has no limits. We operate at the center of the healthcare ecosystem, enabling precision care by increasing health system capacity, enhancing productivity, digitizing healthcare delivery, and improving clinical outcomes while serving patients’ demand for greater efficiency, access, and personalized medicine.

GE HealthCare is a Delaware corporation with corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Our corporate headquarters is located at 500 W. Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and our telephone number is 833-735-1139. Our Internet website is www.gehealthcare.com. The information provided on, or accessible through, our Internet website is not a part of this prospectus supplement and, therefore, is not incorporated herein by reference.

Recent Developments

Effective July 1, 2024, the Image Guided Therapy (“IGT”) subsegment, previously part of the Imaging segment, was realigned to the Ultrasound segment to better match its clinical usage and realize stronger business and customer impact by providing the right image guidance in the right care setting. Following this realignment, the Company continues to have four reportable segments. Beginning with the Form 10-Q filing for the period ending September 30, 2024, any historical segment financial information will be recast to conform to the new reportable segments structure.

 

S-1


Table of Contents

THE OFFERING

The following summary contains basic information about the notes and is not intended to be complete. It does not contain all the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of the notes, please refer to “Description of Notes.” As used in this section, the terms “us,” “we” and “our” refer only to GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries.

 

Issuer

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

 

Notes Offered

$     aggregate principal amount of  % senior notes due 20 .

 

Maturity Date

    , 20 .

 

Interest Rates

 % per annum.

 

Interest Payment Dates

We will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on       and       of each year, commencing     , 2025.

 

Ranking

The notes will rank pari passu in right of payment to all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness, including our other outstanding senior notes.

 

  As of June 30, 2024, we had approximately $9,297 million of outstanding indebtedness on a consolidated basis that would rank equally with the notes.

 

Optional Redemption

We may, at our option, redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, prior to     , 20  (  months prior to the maturity date (the “Par Call Date”)), at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed and the applicable “make-whole” amount calculated as described in this prospectus supplement, in each case, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to but excluding, the redemption date.

 

  At any time on or after the Par Call Date, we may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest hereon to, but excluding, the redemption date. See “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption.”

 

Change of Control Repurchase Event

If we experience a change of control repurchase event (as defined in “Description of Notes—Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event”), each holder may require us to repurchase some or all of our notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the repurchase date. See “Description of Notes—Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event.”

 

S-2


Table of Contents

Certain Covenants

The indenture governing the notes contains certain restrictions, including restrictions on our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to create or incur secured indebtedness. These restrictions are subject to a number of exceptions. See “Description of Notes.”

 

Form and Denomination

The notes will be issued in fully registered form in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

DTC Eligibility

The notes will be represented by global certificates deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, including its participants Clearstream and Euroclear, or their nominees. See “Book-Entry; Delivery and Form.”

 

No Trading Market

The notes constitute a new issue of securities, for which there is no existing trading market. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list any of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation on any automated quotation system. We cannot provide you with any assurance regarding whether trading markets for the notes will develop, the ability of holders of the notes to sell their notes or the prices at which holders may be able to sell their notes. If no active trading markets develop, you may be unable to resell the notes at any price or at their fair market value or at all.

 

Use of Proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $    million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to repay the $1,000 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of the 2024 notes, and pay accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses in connection therewith. Pending the final application of the net proceeds of this offering, we may use such proceeds temporarily for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.” Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may hold some of the 2024 notes being repaid and, accordingly, may receive a portion of the net proceeds of this offering. See “Underwriting.”

 

Additional Issuances

We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of the notes, create and issue additional notes ranking equally and ratably with the notes in all respects, or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of those additional notes; provided that, if such additional notes are not fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes with the notes, such additional notes will have a different CUSIP, ISIN and/or any other identifying number. Any such additional notes will have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the notes.

 

Governing Law

The notes will be, and the related indenture is, governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon.

 

S-3


Table of Contents

Risk Factors

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement to read about important factors you should consider before buying the notes.

 

S-4


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

An investment in the notes involves a number of risks. You should carefully consider all the information set forth in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and incorporated by reference herein before deciding to invest in the notes. In particular, we urge you to consider carefully the factors set forth below and in the 2023 Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein (as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our public filings). Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. While we believe we have identified and discussed below and in the documents incorporated by reference herein the material risks affecting our business, there may be additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we do not currently believe to be material that may adversely affect such business, financial condition and results of operations in the future.

Risks Related to the Notes

The notes are obligations of GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. only and our operations are conducted through, and a substantial portion of our consolidated assets is held by, our subsidiaries.

The notes are obligations of GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. A substantial portion of our consolidated assets are held by our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our ability to service our debt, including the notes, depends on the results of operations of our subsidiaries and upon the ability of such subsidiaries to provide us with cash, whether in the form of dividends, loans or otherwise, to pay amounts due on our obligations. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make payments on the notes or to make any funds available for that purpose. In addition, dividends, loans or other distributions to us from those subsidiaries may be subject to contractual and other restrictions and are subject to other business considerations.

Despite our substantial indebtedness, we may still be able to incur significantly more debt, including secured debt, which could intensify the risks associated with our indebtedness.

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial indebtedness in the future. Although the terms of the indenture governing the notes and the terms of the credit agreements governing our credit facilities contain restrictions on our and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. For example, we may incur substantial additional indebtedness to finance acquisitions, mergers, investments, joint ventures or other expansions of our operations. The restrictions in our debt documents also will not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness. As of June 30, 2024, we had $3.5 billion available for borrowing under our revolving credit facilities. The covenants under the indenture and the credit agreement governing our credit facilities allow us, and the covenants under any other of our existing or future debt instruments could allow us, to incur a significant amount of additional indebtedness and, subject to certain limitations, such additional indebtedness could be secured. Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, including any future debt that we may incur, will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future from operations, financings, or asset sales. Our ability to generate cash is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, and other factors that are beyond our control.

Ratings of the notes may not reflect all risks of your investment in the notes, and changes in ratings of the notes after issuance may affect the market price and marketability of the notes.

Any credit ratings assigned to the notes are limited in scope, and do not address all material risks relating to an investment in the notes, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating is issued.

 

S-5


Table of Contents

There can be no assurance that such credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the applicable rating agencies, if, in such rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. It is also possible that such ratings may be lowered in connection with future events, such as regulatory action taken against us or future acquisitions, mergers, investments, joint ventures or other expansions of our operations. Any lowering, suspension or withdrawal of such ratings with respect to the notes or the anticipation of such changes may have an adverse effect on the market price or marketability of such notes. In addition, any decline in the ratings of the notes may make it more difficult for us to raise capital on acceptable terms.

Agency credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other agency’s rating. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under further review for a downgrade, could affect the market value of the notes and increase our corporate borrowing costs.

If an active trading market does not develop for the notes, you may be unable to sell your notes or to sell your notes at prices that you deem sufficient.

The notes constitute a new issue of securities, for which there is no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a trading market for the notes will ever develop or will be maintained. If a trading market does not develop or is not maintained, you may find it difficult or impossible to resell the notes. Further, there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any market that may develop for the notes, your ability to sell such notes or the price at which you will be able to sell the notes. Future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, our financial condition and results of operations, the then-current ratings assigned to the notes and the markets for similar securities. Any trading market that develops would be affected by many factors independent of and in addition to the foregoing, including the time remaining to the maturity of the notes, the outstanding amount of the notes, the terms related to redemption of the notes, and the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally.

Redemption may adversely affect your return on the notes.

The notes are redeemable at our option and, therefore, we may choose to redeem the notes at times when prevailing interest rates are relatively low. As a result, if we were to decide to redeem the notes prior to the maturity date, you may not obtain your expected return on the notes and may not be able to reinvest the proceeds received from any such redemption of the notes in a comparable security at an interest rate as high as the interest rate on your notes being redeemed. In addition, our right to redeem the notes prior to the maturity date may affect the market value of the notes at any time when potential purchasers believe we are likely to redeem the notes.

The notes will be subject to a change of control provision, and we may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to fulfill our obligations under the notes following a change of control repurchase event.

We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to fulfill the obligations under the notes following a “change of control repurchase event,” which includes the occurrence of both a “change of control” and a “ratings event,” each as defined in “Description of Notes—Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event.” Under the indenture, upon the occurrence of a change of control repurchase event, we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. However, we may not have sufficient funds at the time of the change of control repurchase event to make the required repurchase of the notes. Our failure to make or complete a change of control repurchase event offer would place us in default under the indenture governing the notes. In addition, certain change of control repurchase events will be an event of default under our credit facilities, so we would need to repay any debt then outstanding thereunder or obtain the requisite consents from the lenders thereunder. However, there can be no assurance that we would be able to repay such debt or obtain such consents at such time.

 

S-6


Table of Contents

We may issue additional notes.

Under the terms of the indenture that governs the notes, we may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of the notes, create and issue additional notes, which will be equal in rank to the outstanding notes in all material respects so that the new notes may be consolidated and form a single series with the notes and have the same terms and conditions as to status, redemption or otherwise (except for the issue date, the public offering price and, in some cases, the first interest payment date, as described under “Description of the Notes—Additional Issues”) as the notes. If the additional notes, if any, are not fungible with the notes offered hereby for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number.

An increase in market interest rates could result in a decrease in the market value of the notes.

The condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future, which could have an adverse effect on the market prices of the notes. In general, as market interest rates rise, debt securities bearing interest at fixed rates of interest decline in value. Consequently, if you purchase notes bearing interest at fixed rates of interest and market interest rates increase, the market values of those notes may decline. We cannot predict the future level of market interest rates.

 

S-7


Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $    million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to repay the $1,000 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of the 2024 notes, and pay accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses in connection therewith. Pending the final application of the net proceeds of this offering, we may use such proceeds temporarily for general corporate purposes.

Certain of the underwriters or their respective affiliates may hold some of the 2024 notes being repaid and, accordingly, may receive a portion of the net proceeds of this offering. See “Underwriting.”

 

S-8


Table of Contents

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and our capitalization, in each case as of June 30, 2024, (i) on an actual basis, and (ii) as adjusted to give effect to this offering and the use of proceeds therefrom. You should read this table in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

 

     As of June 30, 2024  
($ in millions)    Actual      As Adjusted (1)  

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

   $ 2,015      $       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Indebtedness:

     

5-Year Revolving Credit Facility

     —      

364-Day Revolving Credit Facility

     —      

5.550% senior notes due November 15, 2024

     1,000     

5.600% senior notes due November 15, 2025

     1,500     

5.650% senior notes due November 15, 2027

     1,750     

5.857% senior notes due March 15, 2030

     1,250     

5.905% senior notes due November 22, 2032

     1,750     

6.377% senior notes due November 22, 2052

     1,000     

   % senior notes due 20  offered hereby

     

Floating rate Term Loan Facility due January 2, 2026

     1,000     

Other borrowings

     47     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total indebtedness

     9,297     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

     177     

Equity

     

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 456,654,068 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024

     5     

Additional paid-in capital

     6,540     

Retained earnings

     2,101     

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) – net

     (845   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interest

     16     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     7,817     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 17,291      $    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Assumes that the proceeds from the notes offered hereby, net of underwriting discount and expenses payable by us, together with cash on hand, will be used to repay the $1,000 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of the 2024 notes, and pay accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses in connection therewith.

 

S-9


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

The following summary of the provisions of the indenture and the notes does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture and the notes. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of the notes. For purposes of this description, references to the “Company,” “Issuer,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer only to GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. and not to our subsidiaries.

General

The notes are to be issued under an indenture dated November 22, 2022 (the “base indenture”), as supplemented by a supplemental indenture, to be dated    , 2024 (the “supplemental indenture” and together with the base indenture, the “indenture”), between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

We will initially issue a total of $    aggregate principal amount of % senior notes that will mature on     , 20 (the “notes”). The notes are unsecured and will rank equally with our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

The notes will be issued only in fully registered, book-entry form, in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

By “business day” we mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in New York, New York, United States.

Ranking

The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes will:

 

   

rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of the Issuer;

 

   

rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the Issuer;

 

   

be effectively subordinated to all future secured indebtedness of the Issuer, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and

 

   

be structurally subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of each subsidiary of the Issuer.

A substantial portion of the Issuer’s assets are owned through its subsidiaries, many of which have liabilities of their own, which will be structurally senior to the notes. None of the Issuer’s subsidiaries will have any obligations with respect to the notes. Therefore, the Issuer’s rights and the rights of the Issuer’s creditors, including holders of notes, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon any such subsidiary’s liquidation may be subject to the prior claims of such subsidiary’s creditors.

Interest and Principal

The notes will bear interest from    , 2024 at rate of % per annum. We will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on     and     of each year, with the first payment on    , 2025, to the persons in whose names such notes are registered at the close of business on    and     , as the case may be (in each case, whether or not a business day), immediately preceding the related interest payment date.

 

S-10


Table of Contents

In each case, interest payable on the maturity date of the notes or any redemption date of the notes shall be payable to the person to whom the principal of such notes shall be payable. Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. We will make payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest through the Trustee to DTC.

Interest payable on any interest payment date, redemption date or maturity date shall be the amount of interest accrued from, and including, the next preceding interest payment date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or from and including the original issue date, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for with respect to the notes) to, but excluding, such interest payment date, redemption date or maturity date, as the case may be. If any interest payment date falls on a day that is not a business day, the interest payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, but no additional interest will accrue as a result of the delay in payment. If the maturity date or any redemption date of the notes falls on a day that is not a business day, the related payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest will be made on the next succeeding business day as if it were made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the amounts so payable for the period from and after such date to the next succeeding business day.

Optional Redemption

The notes will be redeemable at any time and from time to time prior to the Par Call Date, as a whole or in part, at our option, on at least 10 days’, but not more than 60 days’, prior notice delivered to each holder of the notes to be redeemed (or otherwise sent in accordance with the procedures of DTC), at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

   

100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed; and

 

   

the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus basis points, less interest accrued to the date of redemption;

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, we may redeem all or a portion of the notes at our option at any time and from time to time on or after the Par Call Date at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Any redemption or notice of any redemption may, at our discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of any equity offering or change of control, issuance of indebtedness or other transaction or event. Notice of any redemption in respect thereof will be given prior to the completion thereof, may be partial as a result of only some of the conditions being satisfied, may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion) and may be rescinded at any time if the Issuer determines in its sole discretion that any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied (or waived). We may provide in such notice that payment of the applicable redemption price and the performance of our obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another person.

If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of all of the notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Trustee or paying agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, then on and after such redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on such notes (or such portion thereof) called for redemption.

For purposes of the notes:

 

   

“Par Call Date” means    , 20 .

 

S-11


Table of Contents
   

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by us in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by us after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities—Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, we shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields—one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life— and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date, on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.

If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, we shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date, but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date, and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, we shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date, or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, we shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

We may at any time, and from time to time, purchase the notes at any price or prices in the open market or otherwise.

Our actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

Except as set forth in this prospectus supplement, the notes will not be redeemable by us prior to maturity and will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

 

S-12


Table of Contents

Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event

If a change of control repurchase event occurs, which includes the occurrence of both a change of control and a ratings event (each as defined below), unless we have exercised our right to redeem the notes as described above under “— Optional Redemption,” we will be required to make an offer to each holder of the notes to repurchase all or any part (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that holder’s notes, at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

Within 30 days following any change of control repurchase event or, at our option, prior to any change of control, but after the public announcement of the change of control, we will electronically deliver or mail a notice to each holder, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the change of control repurchase event and offering to repurchase the notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is electronically delivered or mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice shall, if electronically delivered or mailed prior to the date of consummation of the change of control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on a change of control repurchase event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice. We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a change of control repurchase event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the change of control repurchase event provisions of the notes, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the change of control repurchase event provisions of the notes by virtue of such conflict.

On the repurchase date following a change of control repurchase event, we will, to the extent lawful:

 

  (1)

accept for payment all the notes or portions of the notes (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) properly tendered pursuant to the offer;

 

  (2)

deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the change of control payment in respect of all the notes or portions of the notes properly tendered; and

 

  (3)

deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the notes properly accepted, together with an officer’s certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes being purchased.

The paying agent will promptly deliver to each holder of notes properly tendered the payment for the notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any notes surrendered.

We will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the notes upon a change of control repurchase event if a (i) third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and such third party purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer or (ii) we have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all of the outstanding notes as described under “—Optional Redemption”.

If holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the notes validly tender and do not withdraw such notes in an offer to repurchase the notes upon a change of control repurchase event and we, or any third party making an offer to repurchase the notes upon a change of control repurchase event in lieu of us, as described above, purchases all of the notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such holders, we will have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the Change of Control Payment Date, to redeem all notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a

 

S-13


Table of Contents

redemption price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such date of redemption specified in the notice (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

The change of control repurchase event feature of the notes may in certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a sale or takeover of us and, thus, the removal of incumbent management. The change of control repurchase event feature is a result of negotiations between us and the underwriters. We have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a change of control, although it is possible that we could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, we could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations that would not constitute a change of control under the indenture but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital structure or the credit ratings of the notes. Restrictions on our ability to incur liens are contained in the covenant described under “—Limitation on Liens.” Except for the limitations contained in such covenant and the covenant relating to repurchases upon the occurrence of a change of control repurchase event, however, the indenture will not contain any covenants or provisions that may afford holders of the notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

The phrase “all or substantially all,” as used with respect to our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries in the definition of “change of control,” is subject to interpretation under applicable state law, and its applicability in a given instance would depend upon the facts and circumstances. As a result, there may be a degree of uncertainty in ascertaining whether a sale or transfer of “all or substantially all” of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries has occurred in a particular instance, in which case a holder’s ability to obtain the benefit of these provisions could be unclear.

We may not have sufficient funds to repurchase all the notes upon a change of control repurchase event. In addition, even if we have sufficient funds, we may be prohibited from repurchasing the notes under the terms of our future debt instruments. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Notes—The notes will be subject to a change of control provision, and we may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to fulfill our obligations under the notes following a change of control repurchase event.”

For purposes of the foregoing discussion of a repurchase at the option of holders, the following definitions are applicable:

 

   

“change of control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to us or one of our subsidiaries; (2) the adoption of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution; or (3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above), including any group defined as a person for the purpose of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then-outstanding number of shares of our voting stock, provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed beneficial owner of, or to own beneficially, (A) any securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such person or any of such person’s affiliates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange thereunder, or (B) any securities if such beneficial ownership (i) arises solely as a result of a revocable proxy delivered in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, and (ii) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D (or any successor schedule) under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be considered to be a change of control if (a) we become a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of another person and (b) immediately following that transaction, a majority of the voting stock of such person is held by the direct or indirect holders of our voting stock immediately prior to such transaction and in substantially the same proportion as immediately prior to such transaction.

 

S-14


Table of Contents
   

“change of control repurchase event” means the occurrence of both a change of control and a ratings event.

 

   

“investment grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Moody’s); a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P); and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any additional rating agency or rating agencies selected by us.

 

   

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service Inc., and its successors.

 

   

“rating agency” means, (1) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if either of Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the notes or fails to make a rating of the notes publicly available, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by us as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both, as the case may be.

 

   

“ratings event” means, during the period commencing on the date of our first public announcement of any change of control (or pending change of control) (the “rating date”) and ending 60 days following consummation of such change of control (which 60-day period will be extended so long as the rating of the notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the rating agencies but no longer than 180 days), the rating of the notes shall be reduced by both rating agencies and the notes are rated below investment grade by both rating agencies and are not, within such period, subsequently upgraded by both rating agencies to an investment grade rating; provided, however, that a ratings event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular change of control (and thus will not be deemed a ratings event for purposes of the definition of change of control repurchase event) if the rating agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or confirm to us in writing at our request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable change of control (whether or not the applicable change of control has occurred at the time of the ratings event).

 

   

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and its successors.

 

   

“voting stock” of any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) as of any date means the capital stock of such person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such person.

Limitation on Liens

We will not incur, nor will we permit any of our wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries to incur, any Liens upon any Principal Property of ours or any of our wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter created or acquired, in order to secure indebtedness of us or any of our wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries, in each case, unless prior to or at the same time, the notes are equally and ratably secured with (or, at our option, senior to) such secured indebtedness until such time as such indebtedness is no longer secured by such Lien.

The foregoing restriction does not apply to:

 

  (1)

Liens on any Principal Property existing with respect to any person at the time such person becomes our subsidiary or a subsidiary of any of our subsidiaries, provided that such Lien was not incurred in anticipation of such person becoming a subsidiary;

 

  (2)

Liens on any Principal Property existing at the time of acquisition by us or any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries of such Principal Property (which may include any Principal Property previously leased by us or any of our subsidiaries and leasehold interests on such Principal Property) or Liens on any Principal Property to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price of such Principal Property, or Liens on any Principal Property to secure any indebtedness incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 12 months after, the latest of the acquisition of such Principal Property or the completion

 

S-15


Table of Contents
  of construction, the completion of improvements or the commencement of substantial commercial operation of such Principal Property for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of the Principal Property and related costs and expenses, the construction or the making of the improvements;

 

  (3)

Liens securing our indebtedness or the indebtedness of any of our subsidiaries owing to us or any of our subsidiaries;

 

  (4)

Liens existing on the date of the initial issuance of the notes (other than any additional notes);

 

  (5)

Liens on any Principal Property or assets of a person existing at the time such person is merged into or consolidated with us or any of our subsidiaries or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of a person to us or any of our subsidiaries, provided that such Lien was not incurred in anticipation of the merger, consolidation, sale, lease, other disposition or other such transaction;

 

  (6)

Liens created in connection with or to secure a non-recourse obligation or a project financed thereby;

 

  (7)

Liens created to secure the notes;

 

  (8)

Liens imposed by law or arising by operation of law, including, without limitation, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, suppliers’, vendors’, and landlords’ Liens and other similar Liens, Liens for master’s and crew’s wages and other similar laws, arising in the ordinary course of business, Liens arising out of judgments or awards against a person with respect to which such person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired and Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution;

 

  (9)

Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

  (10)

Liens to secure the performance of obligations with respect to statutory or regulatory requirements, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance or return-of-money bonds and other obligations of a like nature;

 

  (11)

Liens arising in connection with contracts and subcontracts with or made at the request of the United States, any state thereof, or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or any state thereof;

 

  (12)

Permitted Liens; or

 

  (13)

any extensions, renewals or replacements of any Lien referred to in clauses (1) through (12) without increase of the principal amount of the indebtedness secured by such Lien (except to the extent of any fees or other costs associated with any such extension, renewal or replacement); provided, however, that any Liens permitted by any such clauses shall not extend to or cover any of our Principal Properties or the Principal Properties of any of our subsidiaries, as the case may be, other than the Principal Property specified in such clauses and improvements to such Principal Property.

Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in the preceding paragraph, we and our wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries will be permitted to incur indebtedness secured by Liens which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions without equally and ratably securing the notes, provided that, after giving effect to such indebtedness, the aggregate amount of all indebtedness secured by Liens on Principal Properties (not including Liens permitted under clauses (1) through (13) above) does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Total Assets calculated as of the date of the creation or incurrence of the Lien. We and our wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries may also, without equally and ratably securing the notes, create or incur Liens that renew, substitute or replace (including successive renewals, substitutions or replacements), in whole or in part, any Lien permitted pursuant to the preceding sentence.

 

S-16


Table of Contents

For purposes of the foregoing discussion, the following definition is applicable:

“Consolidated Subsidiary” means as of the time of determination and with respect to any person, any subsidiary of that person whose financial data is, in accordance with GAAP, reflected in that person’s consolidated financial statements.

“Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of the time of determination, total assets of us and our Consolidated Subsidiaries as reflected on our most recent consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP contained in an annual report on Form 10-K or a quarterly report on Form 10-Q or any amendment thereto pursuant to the Exchange Act filed by us prior to the time as of which “Consolidated Total Assets” is being determined or, if we are not required to so file, as reflected on our most recent consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect from time to time.

“Lien” means any lien, security interest, pledge, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give any security interest).

“Principal Property” means all real property and improvements thereon, including, without limitation, any manufacturing facility or plant or any portion thereof, office facility, including our principal corporate offices, warehouse, research facility or distribution center located within the United States (other than its territories or possessions) and owned by the Issuer or any of its wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries, the gross book value (without deduction of any depreciation reserves) of which on the date as of which the determination is being made exceeds 1% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Issuer, except any such property which the Issuer’s board of directors, in its good faith opinion, determines is not of material importance to the business conducted by the Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as evidenced by a board resolution.

“Permitted Liens” means:

 

  (1)

Liens securing hedging obligations designed to protect us from fluctuations in interest rates, currencies, equities or the price of commodities and not for speculative purposes;

 

  (2)

Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities or financial institutions in respect of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

 

  (3)

Liens arising by reason of pledges or deposits necessary to qualify us or any subsidiary to conduct business, maintain self-insurance, or obtain the benefit of, or comply with, any law, including Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other forms of governmental insurance or benefits;

 

  (4)

Liens of any landlord on fixtures located on premises leased by us or a subsidiary, and tenants’ rights under leases, easements and similar Liens not materially impairing the use or value of the property involved;

 

  (5)

easements, zoning restrictions, building restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances or charges on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties of a similar character;

 

  (6)

Liens in connection with bankers’ acceptance financing or used in the ordinary course of trade practices, statutory lessor and vendor privilege Liens and Liens in connection with good faith bids, tenders and deposits;

 

  (7)

Liens arising under consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods;

 

S-17


Table of Contents
  (8)

Good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts or leases, or deposits to secure our public or statutory obligations, or deposits for the payment of rent;

 

  (9)

Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any person securing such person’s obligations in respect of banker’s acceptances issued or credited for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or goods;

 

  (10)

Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit in the ordinary course of business that encumber cash, documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and proceeds thereof;

 

  (11)

Liens in favor of us or any of our wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries; and

 

  (12)

customary Liens granted in favor of a trustee to secure fees and other amounts owing to such trustee under an indenture.

Additional Issues

We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of the notes, create and issue additional notes ranking equally and ratably with the notes in all respects, or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of those additional notes; provided that, if such additional notes are not fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes with the notes, such additional notes will have a different CUSIP, ISIN and/or any other identifying number. Any such additional notes will have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the notes.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

Under the indenture, the Issuer may not consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any person (as defined below), referred to as a “successor person,” unless

 

   

the successor person expressly assumes the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the notes and the indenture,

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the indenture shall have occurred and be continuing, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing, and

 

   

we have delivered to the Trustee, the certificates, opinions or supplemental agreements required under the indenture.

Upon any such consolidation, merger, conveyance, or transfer (other than a lease) described above, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for the predecessor entity with the same effect as if it had been an original party to such indenture. As a result, the successor entity may exercise rights and powers of its predecessor under such indenture, and such predecessor will be released from further liabilities and obligations thereunder.

The term “person” is defined in the indenture to mean any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, association, joint stock company, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or agency or political subdivision thereof or any similar entity.

Events of Default

Each of the following will be an event of default under the indenture with respect to the notes:

 

   

failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on the notes when such principal or premium, if any, becomes due,

 

S-18


Table of Contents
   

failure to pay any interest or additional interest on the notes for 30 days after such interest becomes due,

 

   

failure to deposit any sinking fund payment for 30 days after such payment is due by the terms of the notes,

 

   

a failure to perform by us or a breach by us, in any material respect, of any other covenant or warranty in the indenture, for 90 days after either the Trustee has given us or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes have given us and the Trustee written notice of such failure to perform or breach in the manner required by the indenture,

 

   

specified events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us,

provided, however, that no event described in the fourth bullet point above will be an event of default until an officer of the Trustee responsible for the administration of the indenture receives written notice of the event at its corporate trust office.

Other Terms Applicable to the Notes

After any declaration of acceleration of notes, but before a judgment or decree for payment has been obtained, the event of default giving rise to the declaration of acceleration will, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences will, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled if:

 

   

We have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

 

   

all overdue interest,

 

   

the principal and premium, if any, due otherwise than by the declaration of acceleration and any interest on such amounts,

 

   

any interest on overdue interest, to the extent legally permitted,

 

   

all amounts due to the Trustee under the indenture, and

 

   

all events of default with respect to the notes, other than the nonpayment of the principal which became due solely by virtue of the declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will generally have no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders offer reasonable indemnity to the Trustee. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes will generally have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, provided that:

 

   

the direction is not in conflict with any law or the indenture,

 

   

the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper which is not inconsistent with the direction, and

 

   

the Trustee will generally have the right to decline to follow the direction if an officer of the Trustee determines, in good faith, that the proceeding would involve the Trustee in personal liability or would otherwise be contrary to applicable law.

A holder of a debt security may only pursue a remedy under the indenture if:

 

   

the holder gives the Trustee written notice of a continuing event of default,

 

   

holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes make a written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings with respect to such event of default,

 

   

the holders offer reasonable indemnity to the Trustee,

 

S-19


Table of Contents
   

the Trustee fails to pursue that remedy within 60 days after receipt of the notice, request and offer of indemnity, and

 

   

during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

However, these limitations do not apply to a suit by a holder of a note demanding payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on a note on or after the date the payment is due.

We will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement by some of our officers regarding our performance or observance of any of the terms of the indenture and specifying all of our known defaults, if any.

Defeasance

When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. If we deposit with the Trustee funds or government securities sufficient to make payments on the notes on the dates those payments are due and payable and comply with all other conditions to defeasance set forth in the indenture, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

   

we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the notes (“legal defeasance”), or

 

   

we will no longer have any obligation to comply with the restrictive covenants under the indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply to us, but some of our other obligations under the indenture and the notes, including our obligation to make payments on those notes, will survive (“covenant defeasance”).

If we legally defease the notes, the holders of the notes affected will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for:

 

   

the rights of holders of notes to receive, solely from a trust fund, payments in respect of such notes when payments are due,

 

   

our obligation to register the transfer or exchange of the notes,

 

   

our obligation to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes, and

 

   

our obligation to maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust.

We may legally defease the notes notwithstanding any prior exercise of our option of covenant defeasance.

We will be required to deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the beneficial owners of the notes to recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes and that the beneficial owners would be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related defeasance had not occurred. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

Actions Not Requiring Consent of Holders

We may enter into one or more supplemental indentures with the Trustee without the consent of the holders of the notes in order to:

 

   

evidence the succession of another person to us, or successive successions, and the assumption of our covenants, agreements and obligations by the successor,

 

   

add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of notes or to surrender any of our rights or powers,

 

S-20


Table of Contents
   

add any additional events of default for the benefit of the holders of notes,

 

   

add to or change any provision of the indenture to the extent necessary to issue notes in uncertificated form,

 

   

add to, change or eliminate any provision of the indenture, provided that if such action adversely affects the interests of any holder of notes in any material respect, such addition, change or elimination will become effective only when no such security remains outstanding,

 

   

convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us by the indenture,

 

   

establish the forms or terms of the notes,

 

   

provide for uncertificated securities in addition to certificated securities,

 

   

evidence and provide for successor Trustees and to add to or change any provisions of the indenture to the extent necessary to appoint a separate Trustee or Trustees for the notes,

 

   

correct any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency under the indenture,

 

   

make other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture, provided that, such action does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the notes in any material respect,

 

   

supplement any provisions of the indenture necessary to defease and discharge the notes, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the notes in any material respect,

 

   

comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any notes are listed or traded,

 

   

secure the notes,

 

   

add to, change or eliminate any provisions of the indenture in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, provided that such action does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of notes in any material respect,

 

   

provide for the payment by us of additional amounts in respect of taxes imposed on certain holders and for the treatment of such additional amounts as interest and for all matters incidental thereto, or

 

   

add guarantors with respect to the notes or release a guarantor from its obligations under its guarantee or the indenture in accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture.

Actions Requiring Consent of Holders

We may enter into one or more supplemental indentures with the Trustee in order to add to, change or eliminate provisions of the indenture or to modify the rights of the holders of the notes if we obtain the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes. However, without the consent of the holders of each outstanding note affected by the supplemental indenture, we may not enter into a supplemental indenture that:

 

   

changes the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any note, or reduces the principal amount of, or any premium or rate of interest on, any note or make any changes to any guarantee that would adversely affect holders,

 

   

reduces the amount of principal of an original issue discount note or any other note payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof,

 

   

changes the place or currency of payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest,

 

   

impairs the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after such payment becomes due for any note,

 

S-21


Table of Contents
   

reduces the percentage in principal amount of outstanding notes the consent of whose holders is required for modification of the indenture, for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults of the indenture,

 

   

makes certain modifications to the provisions for modification of the indenture and for certain waivers, except to increase the principal amount of notes necessary to consent to any such change or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holders of each outstanding note affected by such change, or

 

   

changes the terms and conditions pursuant to which any notes are secured in a manner adverse to the holders of such notes in any material respect.

Satisfaction and Discharge

We may discharge our obligations under the indenture while securities remain outstanding if (1) all outstanding notes issued under the indenture have become due and payable, (2) all outstanding notes issued under the indenture will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year of the date of deposit or (3) all outstanding notes issued under the indenture are scheduled for redemption in one year, and in each case, we have deposited with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay and discharge all outstanding notes issued under the indenture on the date of their scheduled maturity or the scheduled date of the redemption and paid all other amounts payable under the indenture.

 

S-22


Table of Contents

BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM

The notes will be issued in registered global form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess of that amount. The notes will initially be represented by one or more fully registered global notes, which we refer to collectively as the “global notes.” Each such global note will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee for the notes as custodian for DTC in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below.

Transfers of beneficial interests in the global notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.

The following are summaries of certain rules and operating procedures of DTC that affect the payment of principal and interest and the transfers of interests in the global notes. The notes will be issued only in the form of definitive global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Unless and until they are exchanged in whole or in part for notes in definitive form under the limited circumstances described below, a global note may not be transferred except as a whole (1) by DTC to a nominee, (2) by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or (3) by DTC or any such nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor. Accountholders in the Euroclear or Clearstream clearance systems may hold beneficial interests in the notes through the accounts that each of these systems maintain as participants in DTC.

Ownership of beneficial interests in the global notes will be limited to persons that have accounts with DTC for such global notes, who we refer to as participants, or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of the global notes, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the notes represented by such global notes beneficially owned by such participants.

Ownership of beneficial interests in the global notes will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of participants). Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the participant through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the global notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interest in the global notes, except as described below. The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may limit or impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the global notes.

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of the global notes, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by such global notes for all purposes under the indenture governing the notes. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in the global notes will not be entitled to have notes represented by such global notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the indenture governing the notes. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the global notes must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture governing the notes.

We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in any of the global notes desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture governing the notes, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant

 

S-23


Table of Contents

beneficial interests to give or take such action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to give or to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial owners may wish to take certain steps to augment the transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the global notes, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults, and proposed amendments to the note documents.

Principal and interest payments on interests represented by the global notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of such global notes. None of us, the Trustee, any of our other agents or any agents of the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any facet of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership of interests. We expect that DTC, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest in respect of the global notes, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in such global notes as shown on the records of DTC. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global notes held through such participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practice, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participants.

If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global notes, and we fail to appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days, we will issue the notes in definitive form in exchange for the global notes. Any notes issued in definitive form in exchange for such global notes will be registered in such name or names, and will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, as DTC shall instruct the Trustee. It is expected that such instructions will be based upon directions received by DTC from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global notes.

DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the Banking Law of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold the securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives) directly or indirectly own DTC. Access to the DTC book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers and dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

All payments of principal and interest on the notes will be made by us in immediately available funds. The notes will trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity, and secondary market trading activity in the notes will therefore be required by DTC to settle in immediately available funds.

 

S-24


Table of Contents

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of notes. This discussion does not address specific tax consequences that may be relevant to particular persons in light of their individual circumstances (including, for example, entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes or partners or members therein, banks or other financial institutions, broker-dealers, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, tax exempt entities, common trust funds, U.S. expatriates, controlled foreign corporations, dealers in securities or currencies, and persons in special situations, such as those who hold the notes as part of a straddle, hedge, synthetic security, conversion transaction or other integrated investment comprised of the notes and one or more other investments). This discussion is limited to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) that purchase the notes in the initial offering at the issue price listed on the cover of this prospectus supplement and that hold such notes as capital assets (generally, property held for investment purposes) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, this discussion does not describe any tax consequences arising under U.S. federal gift and estate tax, Medicare contribution tax or other U.S. federal tax laws or under the laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction. This discussion is based upon the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Treasury Regulations”), and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning or disposing of the notes.

Prospective purchasers of the notes are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of acquiring, owning and disposing of the notes, as well as the application of other U.S. federal tax laws and state, local and foreign tax laws.

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of notes who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is not (i) a citizen or individual resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is created or organized under the laws of the United States, or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust (A) if a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) that validly elects to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes is the beneficial owner of notes, the treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder of notes that is a partnership and partners in such a partnership are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of notes.

Interest

Subject to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act discussion below, a non-U.S. holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on payments of interest on the notes provided that (i) such interest is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the non-U.S. holder (or, if certain tax treaties apply, if such interest is not attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base within the United States by the non-U.S. holder) and (ii) the non-U.S. holder (A) does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock, (B) is not a controlled foreign corporation related to us directly or constructively through stock ownership, and (C) satisfies certain certification requirements. Such certification requirements will be met if (x) the non-U.S. holder provides to the applicable payor its name and address, and certifies on an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or successor form), under penalties of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person or (y) a securities

 

S-25


Table of Contents

clearing organization or one of certain other financial institutions holding the note on behalf of the non-U.S. holder certifies on IRS Form W-8IMY, under penalties of perjury, that the certification referred to in clause (x) has been received by it and furnishes the applicable payor with a copy thereof. In addition, the applicable payor must not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner of the notes is a U.S. person.

If interest on the notes is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by a non-U.S. holder but such non-U.S. holder cannot satisfy the other requirements outlined in the preceding paragraph, interest on the notes generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax (currently imposed at a 30% rate, or a lower applicable treaty rate).

If interest on the notes is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by a non-U.S. holder and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States, then the non-U.S. holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest in the same manner as if such holder were a U.S. person and, in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation, may also be subject to the branch profits tax (currently imposed at a rate of 30%, or a lower applicable treaty rate). Any such interest will not also be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, however, if the non-U.S. holder delivers to the applicable payor a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or appropriate substitute form) in order to claim an exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax.

Disposition of the Notes

Except with respect to accrued but unpaid interest, which will generally be taxed as described above under “Interest,” a non-U.S. holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax (or any withholding thereof) with respect to gain, if any, recognized upon the sale, exchange, retirement at maturity, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note (collectively, a “Disposition”) unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the non-U.S. holder and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base within the United States, or (ii) in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a nonresident alien individual, such holder is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year and certain other conditions are satisfied.

In the case of (i) above, any gain or loss recognized by the non-U.S. holder on the Disposition of the notes will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person and, in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation, may also be subject to the branch profits tax discussed above. In the case of (ii) above, the non-U.S. holder will generally be subject to a 30% tax on any capital gain recognized on the Disposition of the notes (after being offset by certain U.S. source capital losses). These holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the U.S. tax consequences of the ownership and Disposition of the notes.

Additional Withholding Requirements under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Withholding at a rate of 30% will generally be required in certain circumstances on interest payable on the notes held by or through certain financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution (i) enters into, and complies with, an agreement with the IRS to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution that are owned by certain U.S. persons or by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments, or (ii) if required under an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, reports such information to its local tax authority, which will exchange such information with the U.S. authorities. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which the notes are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, interest payable on the notes held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will generally be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies to the applicable payor that such entity does

 

S-26


Table of Contents

not have any “substantial United States owners” or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which will in turn be provided to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. If an interest payment is both subject to withholding under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and subject to the withholding tax discussed above under “—Interest,” an applicable withholding agent may credit the withholding under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these rules on an investment in the notes.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Interest paid to a non-U.S. holder and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments generally will be reported to the IRS. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which such non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

In general, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments on the notes that we make to such non-U.S. holder, provided that the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such non-U.S. holder is a U.S. person as defined under the Code, and such withholding agent has received from such non-U.S. holder the certification described above in the penultimate sentence of the first paragraph under “—Interest.”

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale or other disposition of notes within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless a non-U.S. holder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such non-U.S. holder is a U.S. person as defined under the Code), or such non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

S-27


Table of Contents

UNDERWRITING

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. and the underwriters for the offering named below, for whom Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as representatives, have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, each underwriter has severally, and not jointly, agreed to purchase the principal amount of the notes indicated in the following table.

 

Underwriter

   Principal amount of
notes to be purchased
 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

   $       

BofA Securities, Inc.

  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

  
  
  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $    
  

 

 

 

The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the notes being offered, if any are taken.

Notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any notes sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price of up to  % of the principal amount of the notes. Any such securities dealers may resell any notes purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount from the initial public offering price of up to  % of the principal amount of the notes. If all the notes are not sold at the initial public offering price of the notes, the underwriters may change the offering price of the notes and the other selling terms. The offering of the notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

It is expected that delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about     , 2024, which is the  business day following the date of the pricing of the notes. Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day unless the parties to that trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes on any date prior to the settlement date will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T + , to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed settlement and should consult their own advisors.

To the extent any underwriter that is not a U.S.-registered broker-dealer intends to effect sales of notes in the United States, it will do so through one or more U.S.-registered broker-dealers in accordance with the applicable U.S. securities laws and regulations and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the notes. The underwriters, however, are not obligated to do so, and any market-making activity with respect to the notes may be discontinued at any time without notice.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of notes than they are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the notes while the offering is in progress.

 

S-28


Table of Contents

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the other underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

These activities by the underwriters, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the notes. As a result, the price of the notes may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding the underwriting discounts, will be approximately $    million.

Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may hold some of the 2024 notes being repaid and, accordingly, may receive a portion of the net proceeds of this offering.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under certain circumstances to contribute to payments which the underwriters may be required to make in that respect.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, engaged, and may in the future engage in, various investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and commissions. Certain affiliates of the underwriters for this offering are lenders under our revolving credit facility.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

The notes are offered globally for sale only in those jurisdictions in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere where it is lawful to make such offers. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering or sale of the notes in some jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who receive this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus should inform themselves about and observe any applicable restrictions. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by any person in any jurisdiction in which that offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make that offer or solicitation.

 

S-29


Table of Contents

Canada

The notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

European Economic Area

The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID”) II; (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; and (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the “EU Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by the Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of the notes in any Member State of the EEA (each, a “Relevant State”) will be made pursuant to an exemption under the EU Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of notes. Accordingly, any person making or intending to make any offer in that Relevant State of the notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to produce a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the EU Prospectus Regulation in relation to such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do we or they authorize, the making of any offer of notes in circumstances in which an obligation arises for us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.

United Kingdom

The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in United Kingdom. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended, the “EUWA”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act

 

S-30


Table of Contents

2000 (the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA. Consequently, no key information document required by the Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of the notes in the United Kingdom will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulations as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”) from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of notes. Accordingly, any person making or intending to make any offer in the United Kingdom of the notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to produce a prospectus pursuant to the UK Prospectus Regulation in relation to such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do we or they authorize, the making of any offer of notes in circumstances in which an obligation arises for us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are only being distributed to and are only directed at: (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (e) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The notes are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire the notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any of their contents.

Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of the notes may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to GE HealthCare.

All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

France

Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the notes described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or by the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The notes have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the notes has been or will be:

 

  (a)

released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or

 

  (b)

used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the notes to the public in France.

Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:

 

  (a)

to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, articles L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier;

 

S-31


Table of Contents
  (b)

to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or

 

  (c)

in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1”-or-2”-or 3” of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à l’épargne).

The notes may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.

Hong Kong

The notes (i) have not and may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the “SFO”) and any rules made thereunder, or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (the “C(WUMP)O”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the C(WUMP)O, and (ii) no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

Japan

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any notes, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Korea

The notes may not be offered, sold and delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and the decrees and regulations thereunder. The notes have not been registered with the Financial Services Commission of Korea for public offering in Korea. Furthermore, the notes may not be resold to Korean residents unless the purchaser of the notes complies with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to government approval requirements under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and its subordinate decrees and regulations) in connection with their purchase.

Singapore

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes, may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in

 

S-32


Table of Contents

Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA or (ii) to an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA.

Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification

Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA and the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulation 2018 (the “CMP Regulations 2018”), we have determined, and hereby notify all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the notes are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Switzerland

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the notes. The notes may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”) and no application has or will be made to admit the notes to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes constitutes a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Taiwan

The notes have not been, and will not be, registered or filed with, or approved by, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and/or any other regulatory authorities of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations of Taiwan and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances that constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer within the meaning of the Taiwan Securities and Exchange Act or relevant laws and regulations of Taiwan that requires a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and/or any other regulatory authorities of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer or sell the notes in Taiwan.

United Arab Emirates

The notes have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws, regulations and rules of the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai International Financial Centre governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai International Financial Centre) and are not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

 

S-33


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the notes offered hereby will be passed upon for GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, and will be passed upon for the underwriters by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for the each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the effectiveness of GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

S-34


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

 

 

By this prospectus, the securities listed above may be offered and sold by us from time to time. Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) and trades under the symbol “GEHC”.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to the securities that we may offer. Each time we offer any securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide you with the specific information about the offering and the specific terms, amounts, and offering prices of the securities being offered in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated and deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus, carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus.

We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through agents, dealers, or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. We reserve the sole right to accept, and together with any agents, dealers, and underwriters, reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities. If any agents, dealers, or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds from the sale of securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2, and, if applicable, any risk factors included in the applicable prospectus supplement and in the periodic reports and other information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a discussion of certain risks you should consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

Prospectus dated June 28, 2024.


Table of Contents


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we have filed with the SEC as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under the shelf registration process, we may, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, sell common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, and units up to an indeterminate total dollar amount under this prospectus.

The exhibits to our registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer, you should review the full text of these documents. The registration statement and the exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information”.

This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities offered pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of the offering, including the specific amounts, prices, and terms of the securities offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate information by reference into this prospectus. This information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before making an investment decision.

We are responsible for the information incorporated by reference or contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us that we have referred to you. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We do not take any responsibility for, or provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should not assume that the information provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents, as applicable. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized, or in which the person is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “GE HealthCare,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

 

ii


Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and other written or oral statements that we make from time to time contain, or will contain, certain forward-looking statements regarding business strategies, market potential, future financial performance, and other matters. The words “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” and similar expressions, among others, generally identify “forward-looking statements,” which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated, or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should read this prospectus, and any accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference herein, completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from expectations. All forward-looking statements made in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein are qualified by these cautionary statements. In particular, information included in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, or the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus under headings such as “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business” contain forward-looking statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of our management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

   

operating in highly competitive markets;

 

   

our ability to successfully complete strategic transactions;

 

   

the actions or inactions of third parties with whom we partner and the various collaboration, licensing, and other partnerships and alliances we have with third parties;

 

   

demand for our products, services, or solutions and factors that affect that demand;

 

   

management of our supply chain and our ability to cost-effectively secure the materials we need to operate our business;

 

   

disruptions in our operations;

 

   

changes in third-party and government reimbursement processes, rates, contractual relationships, and mix of public and private payers, including related to government shutdowns;

 

   

our ability to attract and/or retain key personnel and qualified employees;

 

   

global geopolitical and economic instability, including as a result of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, and the actions in the Red Sea region;

 

   

public health crises, epidemics, and pandemics and their effects on our business;

 

   

maintenance and protection of our intellectual property rights, as well as maintenance of successful research and development efforts with respect to commercially successful products and technologies;

 

   

the impact of potential information technology, cybersecurity, or data security breaches;

 

   

compliance with the various legal, regulatory, tax, privacy, and other laws to which we are subject, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws globally, and related changes, claims, inquiries, investigations, or actions;

 

   

our ability to control increases in healthcare costs and any subsequent effect on demand for our products, services, or solutions;

 

iii


Table of Contents
   

the impacts related to our increasing focus on and investment in cloud, edge, artificial intelligence, and software offerings;

 

   

the impact of potential product liability claims;

 

   

environmental, social, and governance matters;

 

   

our ability to operate effectively as an independent, publicly traded company; and

 

   

our level of indebtedness, as well as our general ability to comply with covenants under our debt instruments, and any related effect on our business.

These and other factors are more fully discussed in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, or the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus under headings such as “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Those cautionary statements are not exclusive and are in addition to other factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

iv


Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus is part of the registration statement but the registration statement includes additional information and exhibits. We file annual, quarterly, and special reports and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

Our SEC filings are also available to the public free of charge on the investor relations portion of our website located at https://investor.gehealthcare.com. Information on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference herein and is not otherwise intended to be part of this prospectus.

 

v


Table of Contents

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus certain information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we disclose important information by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in documents filed earlier with the SEC or contained in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below and any future filings that we may make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Unless specifically listed below, the information contained on the SEC website is not intended to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below (other than any portions of such documents that are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 6, 2024;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2024;

 

   

the description of our capital stock contained in the information statement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our registration statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on December 2, 2022; and

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February  5, 2024; February  16, 2024; March  14, 2024; April  15, 2024; and May 23, 2024.

Any information contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus provided to you by us modifies or supersedes the original statement.

The reports and documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are available to the public free of charge on the investor relations portion of our website located at https://investor.gehealthcare.com.

We also hereby undertake to provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the reports or documents that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits have been specifically incorporated by reference thereto. Requests for such copies should be directed to our Investor Relations department, at the following address:

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

500 W. Monroe Street

Chicago, Illinois 60661

Attention: Investor Relations

 

vi


Table of Contents

GE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES INC.

GE HealthCare is a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator. We have approximately 51,000 colleagues dedicated to our mission to create a world where healthcare has no limits. We operate at the center of the healthcare ecosystem, enabling precision care by increasing health system capacity, enhancing productivity, digitizing healthcare delivery, and improving clinical outcomes while serving patients’ demand for greater efficiency, access, and personalized medicine.

GE HealthCare is a Delaware corporation with corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Our corporate headquarters is located at 500 W. Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and our telephone number is 833-735-1139.

 

1


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in our updates to those Risk Factors in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in all other information appearing in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, or incorporated by reference herein or therein. Material risks and uncertainties that management believes affect the Company will be described in those documents. In addition to those risk factors, there may be additional risks and uncertainties which we unaware of that could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. This prospectus is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.

 

2


Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities to which this prospectus relates will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment and refinancing of debt, acquisitions, additions to working capital, capital expenditures, stock repurchase programs, and investments in our subsidiaries. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested prior to use.

 

3


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

The following is a summary of the material terms of our capital stock contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. The summaries and descriptions below do not purport to be complete statements of the relevant provisions of our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to such documents, which you must read (along with the applicable provisions of Delaware law) for complete information on our capital stock. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) may establish the rights and preferences of the preferred stock from time to time. As of April 23, 2024, we had 456,465,369 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

Dividends

Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board at its discretion out of funds legally available for that purpose, subject to the preferential rights of any preferred stock that may be outstanding. The timing, declaration, amount, and payment of future dividends will depend on our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, and debt service obligations, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, and other factors that the Board deems relevant. Additionally, the terms of our indebtedness may limit our ability to pay cash dividends. The Board will make all decisions regarding our payment of dividends from time to time in accordance with applicable law.

Voting Rights

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. The holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights.

Other Rights

Subject to the preferential liquidation rights of any preferred stock that may be outstanding, upon our liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders.

Fully Paid

The issued and outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. Any additional shares of common stock that we may issue in the future will also be fully paid and non-assessable. The holders of our common stock will not have preemptive rights or preferential rights to subscribe for shares of our capital stock.

Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the Board to designate and issue from time to time one or more series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. The Board may fix and determine the designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights of each series of preferred stock.

 

4


Table of Contents

Certain Provisions of Delaware Law, Our Certificate of Incorporation, and Our Bylaws

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws summarized below may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter, or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interests, including attempts that might result in a premium being paid over the market price for the shares held by stockholders. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board and in the policies formulated by the Board and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control.

 

   

Vacancies. Our certificate of incorporation provides that any vacancies created on the Board resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancies in the Board resulting from death, retirement, disqualification, resignation, removal from office, or other cause will be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. Any director elected to fill a vacancy on the Board will hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.

 

   

Blank Check Preferred Stock. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the Board to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting the series and the designations, powers (including voting powers), preferences, and relative participating, optional, or other rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations, or restrictions, if any, of the shares of such series. The ability to issue such preferred stock could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control.

 

   

No Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our certificate of incorporation expressly excludes the right of our stockholders to act by written consent. Stockholder action must take place at an annual meeting or at a special meeting of our stockholders.

 

   

Special Stockholder Meetings. Our bylaws provide that the Board or a stockholder of record who is acting on behalf of one or more beneficial owners who collectively hold at least 25% of our outstanding shares is able to call a special meeting of stockholders.

 

   

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals. Under our bylaws, stockholders of record are able to nominate persons for election to the Board or bring other business constituting a proper matter for stockholder action only by providing proper notice to our secretary. In the case of annual meetings, proper notice must be given between 90 and 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting; however, if (A) the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting, or (B) no annual meeting was held during the prior year, the notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received (1) no earlier than 120 days before such annual meeting and (2) no later than the later of 90 days before such annual meeting and the tenth day after the earlier of the day on which the notice of such annual meeting was first made by mail or public disclosure. In the case of special meetings, proper notice must be given no earlier than 120 days prior to the relevant meeting and no later than the later of 90 days prior to such meeting and the tenth day after the earlier of the day on which the notice of such annual meeting was first made by mail or public disclosure. Such notice must include information specified in the bylaws with respect to each stockholder nominating persons for election to the Board or proposing other business and certain related persons, information with respect to such person’s nominees to the Board (if applicable), and certain representations and undertaking relating to the nomination or proposal, in each case as specified in our bylaws.

 

   

Proxy Access. Our bylaws allow one or more stockholders (up to 20, collectively), owning at least 3% of our outstanding shares continuously for at least three years, to nominate for election to the Board and to be included in our proxy materials up to the greater of two individuals or 20% of the Board, only by sending proper notice to our secretary.

 

5


Table of Contents
   

Cumulative Voting. Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless a company’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

 

   

Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The DGCL provides that the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of a company’s voting stock then outstanding is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, unless the certificate of incorporation specifies a higher threshold. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for a higher threshold. The DGCL also provides that a board of directors may be granted authority to amend a corporation’s bylaws if so stated in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, and our certificate of incorporation provides that the Board may amend our bylaws. Under the DGCL, stockholders also have the power to amend bylaws, and our bylaws provide that they may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon.

Delaware Takeover Statute

We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder.

Limitation on Liability of Directors and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Delaware law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors and officers to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ and officers’ fiduciary duties as directors or officers, as applicable, and our certificate of incorporation includes such an exculpation provision. Our bylaws include provisions that indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the DGCL, the personal liability of directors or officers for monetary damages for actions taken as a director or officer of GE HealthCare, or for serving at our request as a director, officer, employee, or agent at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. Our bylaws also provide that we must indemnify and advance expenses to our directors, officers, and employees, subject to our receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the DGCL.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that are included in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, respectively, may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. However, these provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care. The provisions do not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws. In addition, investment in our common stock may be adversely affected to the extent that, in a class action or direct suit, we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding against any of our directors, officers, or employees for which indemnification is sought.

Exclusive Forum

Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery located within the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, employee, agent, or stockholder to us or our stockholders, any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation, or the bylaws, or any

 

6


Table of Contents

action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. However, if the Court of Chancery within the State of Delaware lacks jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, the action may be brought in another court of the State of Delaware or, if no court of the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, then in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Additionally, our certificate of incorporation states that the foregoing provision will not apply to claims arising under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal securities laws for which there is exclusive federal or concurrent federal and state jurisdiction. Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. The exclusive forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder as a result of our exclusive forum provisions.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “GEHC.”

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each issue of common stock. Each prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the common stock offered through that prospectus supplement.

 

7


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

General

The debt securities offered by this prospectus will be issued under the indenture, dated as of November 22, 2022 (the “indenture”), between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. We have incorporated by reference the indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The debt securities will be obligations of the Company. We have summarized selected provisions of the indenture and the debt securities below. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the indenture. References to section numbers in this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, are references to section numbers of the indenture. For purposes of this summary, the terms “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refer only to the Company and not to any of its subsidiaries.

We may issue debt securities at any time and from time to time in one or more series under the indenture. The indenture gives us the ability to reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of the same series, subject to compliance with the applicable requirements set forth in the indenture. The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities or other secured or unsecured debt that we or our subsidiaries may issue. We will describe the particular terms of each series of debt securities we offer in a supplement to this prospectus. If any particular terms of the debt securities described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described in this prospectus, then the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement will supersede the terms described in this prospectus. The terms of our debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. You should carefully read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture that may be important to you before investing in our debt securities.

Ranking

The debt securities offered by this prospectus will:

 

   

be general obligations,

 

   

rank equally with all other unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company (except to the extent such other indebtedness is secured by collateral that does not also secure the senior debt securities offered by this prospectus), and

 

   

with respect to the assets and earnings of our subsidiaries, effectively rank below all of the liabilities of our subsidiaries.

A substantial portion of our assets are owned through our subsidiaries, many of which have significant debt or other liabilities of their own which will be structurally senior to the debt securities. None of our subsidiaries will have any obligations with respect to the debt securities. Therefore, the Company’s rights and the rights of the Company’s creditors, including holders of debt securities, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon any such subsidiary’s liquidation may be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s other creditors.

Subject to the exceptions, and subject to compliance with the applicable requirements set forth in the indenture, we may discharge our obligations under the indenture with respect to our debt securities as described below under “—Defeasance.”

Terms

We will describe the specific terms of the series of debt securities being offered in a supplement to this prospectus. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the title of the debt securities,

 

8


Table of Contents
   

any limit on the total principal amount of the debt securities,

 

   

the currency in which the debt securities will be issued (if other than U.S. Dollars),

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates,

 

   

any interest rate on the debt securities, any date from which interest will accrue, any interest payment dates and regular record dates for interest payments, or the method used to determine any of the foregoing, and the basis for calculating interest if other than a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months,

 

   

the place or places where payments on the debt securities will be payable, the debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, and notices and demands to or upon us relating to the debt securities may be made, if other than the corporate trust office of the Trustee,

 

   

any provisions for redemption of the debt securities,

 

   

any provisions that would allow or obligate us to redeem or purchase the debt securities prior to their maturity pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of the holder,

 

   

the denominations in which we will issue the debt securities, if other than denominations of an integral multiple of $1,000,

 

   

any provisions that would determine payments on the debt securities by reference to an index or a formula,

 

   

any foreign currency, currencies, or currency units in which payments on the debt securities will be payable and the manner for determining the equivalent amount in U.S. Dollars (to the extent such debt securities are denominated in U.S. Dollars),

 

   

any provisions for payments on the debt securities in one or more currencies or currency units other than those in which the debt securities are stated to be payable,

 

   

the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities that will be payable if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated, if other than the entire principal amount,

 

   

if the principal amount to be paid at the stated maturity of the debt securities is not determinable as of one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount that will be deemed to be the principal amount as of any such date for any purpose,

 

   

any variation of the defeasance and covenant defeasance sections of the indenture and the manner in which our election to defease the debt securities will be evidenced, if other than by a board resolution,

 

   

whether we will issue the debt securities in the form of temporary or permanent global securities, the depositaries for the global securities, and provisions for exchanging or transferring the global securities,

 

   

whether the interest rate of the debt securities may be reset,

 

   

whether the stated maturity of the debt securities may be extended,

 

   

any deletion or addition to or change in the events of default for the debt securities and any change in the rights of the Trustee or the holders of the debt securities arising from an event of default including, among others, the right to declare the principal amount of the debt securities due and payable,

 

   

any addition to or change in the covenants in the indenture,

 

   

any additions or changes to the indenture necessary to issue the debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons,

 

   

the appointment of any paying agents for the debt securities, if other than the Trustee,

 

   

the terms of any right to convert or exchange the debt securities into any other securities or property,

 

9


Table of Contents
   

the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the debt securities are secured,

 

   

any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities,

 

   

the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the debt securities may be guaranteed, and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities consistent with the indenture. (Section 301)

Any limit on the maximum total principal amount for any series of the debt securities may be increased by resolution of our Board. (Section 301) We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. If there are any special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities we sell at an original issue discount, we will describe them in the prospectus supplement. In addition, we will describe in the prospectus supplement any special U.S. federal income tax considerations and any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. Dollars.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities in registered form, without coupons. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will only issue debt securities in denominations of integral multiples of $1,000. (Section 302)

Holders generally will be able to exchange debt securities for other debt securities of the same series with the same total principal amount and the same terms but in different authorized denominations. (Section 305)

Holders may present debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent we designate for that purpose. The security registrar or designated transfer agent will exchange or transfer the debt securities if it is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We will not charge a service charge for any exchange or registration of transfer of debt securities. However, we and the security registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable for the registration of transfer or exchange. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will appoint the Trustee as security registrar. We will identify any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar in the prospectus supplement. (Section 305)

At any time we may:

 

   

designate additional transfer agents,

 

   

rescind the designation of any transfer agent, or

 

   

approve a change in the office of any transfer agent.

However, we are required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities at all times. (Sections 305 and 1002)

If we elect to redeem a series of debt securities, neither we nor the Trustee will be required:

 

   

to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities of that series during the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption for the series and ending at the close of business on the day the notice is mailed, or

 

   

to register the transfer or exchange of any debt security of that series so selected for redemption, except for any portion not to be redeemed. (Section 305)

Payment and Paying Agents

Under the indenture, we will pay interest on the debt securities to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for each interest payment. However,

 

10


Table of Contents

unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will pay the interest payable on the debt securities at their stated maturity to the persons to whom we pay the principal amount of the debt securities. The initial payment of interest on any series of debt securities issued between a regular record date and the related interest payment date will be payable in the manner provided by the terms of the series, which we will describe in the prospectus supplement. (Section 307)

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities at the offices of the paying agents we designate. However, except in the case of a global security, we may pay interest:

 

   

by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the security register, or

 

   

by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the place and account designated in writing at least fifteen days prior to the interest payment date by the person entitled to the payment as specified in the security register.

We will designate the Trustee as the sole paying agent for the debt securities unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement. If we initially designate any other paying agents for a series of debt securities, we will identify them in the prospectus supplement. At any time, we may designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agents. However, we are required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities at all times. (Sections 307 and 1002)

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent in trust for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities that remains unclaimed for one year after the date the payments became due, may be repaid to us upon our request. After we have been repaid, holders entitled to those payments may only look to us for payment as our unsecured general creditors. The Trustee and any paying agents will not be liable for those payments after we have been repaid. (Section 1003)

Restrictive Covenants

We will describe any restrictive covenants for any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Under the indenture, we may not consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any person (as defined below), referred to as a “successor person” unless:

 

   

the successor person expressly assumes our obligations with respect to the debt securities and the indenture,

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default shall have occurred and be continuing, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing, and

 

   

we have delivered to the Trustee the certificates and opinions required under the indenture. (Section 801)

As used in the indenture, the term “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, government or agency, or political subdivision thereof.

 

11


Table of Contents

Events of Default

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, each of the following will be an event of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities:

 

   

our failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on that series of debt securities when such principal or premium, if any, becomes due,

 

   

our failure to pay any interest on that series of debt securities for 30 days after such interest becomes due,

 

   

our failure to deposit any sinking fund payment for 30 days after such payment is due by the terms of that series of debt securities,

 

   

our failure to perform, or our breach, in any material respect, of any other covenant or warranty in the senior debt indenture with respect to that series of debt securities, other than a covenant or warranty included in the senior debt indenture solely for the benefit of another series of debt securities, for 90 days after either the Trustee has given us or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have given us and the Trustee written notice of such failure to perform or breach in the manner required by the senior debt indenture,

 

   

specified events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization, or

 

   

any other event of default we may provide for that series of debt securities, provided, however, that no event described in the fourth bullet point above will be an event of default until an officer of the Trustee responsible for the administration of the senior debt indenture has actual knowledge of the event or until the Trustee receives written notice of the event at its corporate trust office. (Section 501)

An event of default under one series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default under any other series of debt securities. If an event of default for a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series due and immediately payable by a notice in writing to us (and to the Trustee if given by the holders). Upon such declaration, we will be obligated to pay the principal amount of that series of debt securities.

The right described in the preceding paragraph does not apply if an event of default occurs as described in the sixth bullet point above which applies to all outstanding series of debt securities. If such an event of default occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all of the debt securities then outstanding, treated as one class, may declare the principal amount of all of the debt securities then outstanding to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to us (and to the Trustee if given by the holders). Upon such declaration, we will be obligated to pay the principal amount of the debt securities.

After any declaration of acceleration of a series of debt securities, but before a judgment or decree for payment has been obtained, the event of default giving rise to the declaration of acceleration will, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences will, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled if:

 

   

we have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

 

   

all overdue interest,

 

   

the principal and premium, if any, due otherwise than by the declaration of acceleration and any interest on such amounts,

 

   

any interest on overdue interest, to the extent legally permitted, and

 

   

all amounts due to the Trustee under the indenture, and

 

12


Table of Contents
   

all events of default with respect to that series of debt securities, other than the nonpayment of the principal which became due solely by virtue of the declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived. (Section 502)

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will generally have no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders offer reasonable indemnity to the Trustee. (Section 603) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will generally have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee for the debt securities of that series, provided that:

 

   

the direction is not in conflict with any law or the indenture,

 

   

the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper which is not inconsistent with the direction, and

 

   

the Trustee will generally have the right to decline to follow the direction if (i) the holders have failed to provide the Trustee with security or indemnity deemed by it to be sufficient in its sole discretion or (ii) an officer of the Trustee determines, in good faith, that the proceeding would involve the Trustee in personal liability or would otherwise be contrary to applicable law. (Section 512)

A holder of a debt security of any series may only pursue a remedy under the indenture if:

 

   

the holder gives the Trustee written notice of a continuing event of default for that series,

 

   

holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series make a written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings with respect to such event of default,

 

   

the holders offer reasonable indemnity to the Trustee,

 

   

the Trustee fails to pursue that remedy within 60 days after receipt of the notice, request, and offer of indemnity, and

 

   

during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request. (Section 507)

However, these limitations do not apply to a suit by a holder of a debt security demanding payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on a debt security on or after the date the payment is due. (Section 508)

We will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement by some of our officers regarding our performance or observance of any of the terms of the indenture and specifying all of our known defaults, if any. (Section 1004)

Modification and Waiver

When authorized by a board resolution, we may enter into one or more supplemental indentures with the Trustee without the consent of the holders of the debt securities in order to:

 

   

evidence the succession of another person to us or any guarantor, or successive successions, and the assumption of our covenants, agreements, and obligations by the successor or any guarantor,

 

   

add to our covenants or the covenants or any guarantor for the benefit of the holders of any series of debt securities or to surrender any of our rights or powers,

 

   

add any additional events of default for any series of debt securities for the benefit of the holders of any series of debt securities,

 

   

add to or change any provision of the indenture to the extent necessary to issue debt securities in uncertificated form,

 

13


Table of Contents
   

add to, change, or eliminate any provision of the indenture applying to one or more series of debt securities, provided that if such action adversely affects the interests of any holder of any series of debt securities in any material respect, such addition, change, or elimination will become effective with respect to that series only when no such security of that series remains outstanding,

 

   

convey, transfer, assign, mortgage, or pledge any property to or with the Trustee or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us or any guarantor by the indenture,

 

   

establish the forms or terms of any series of debt securities,

 

   

provide for uncertificated securities in addition to certificated securities,

 

   

evidence and provide for successor Trustees and to add to or change any provisions of the indenture to the extent necessary to appoint a separate Trustee or Trustees for a specific series of debt securities,

 

   

correct any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency under the indenture,

 

   

make other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture, provided, that, in the case of any such cure, correction, supplement, matter, question, amendment, or modification to (or which results in any change to) a guarantee, shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any Securities then Outstanding, and in all other cases, such action does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any series of debt securities in any material respect,

 

   

supplement any provisions of the indenture necessary to defease and discharge any series of debt securities, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any series of debt securities in any material respect,

 

   

comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any debt securities are listed or traded,

 

   

add to, change, or eliminate any provisions of the indenture in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, provided that such action does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities in any material respect,

 

   

provide for the payment by us of additional amounts in respect of taxes imposed on certain holders and for the treatment of such additional amounts as interest and for all matters incidental thereto, or

 

   

to add guarantors with respect to the securities or release a guarantor from its obligations under its guarantee of securities or the indenture in accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture and the securities of the applicable series. (Section 901)

When authorized by a board resolution, we may enter into one or more supplemental indentures with the Trustee in order to add to, change or eliminate provisions of the indenture or to modify the rights of the holders of one or more series of debt securities under such indenture if we obtain the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by such supplemental indenture, treated as one class. However, without the consent of the holders of each outstanding debt security affected by the supplemental indenture, we may not enter into a supplemental indenture that:

 

   

except with respect to the reset of the interest rate or extension of maturity pursuant to the terms of a particular series, changes the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security, or reduces the principal amount of, or any premium or rate of interest on, any debt security,

 

   

reduces the amount of principal of an original issue discount security or any other debt security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof,

 

   

changes the place or currency of payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest,

 

   

impairs the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after such payment becomes due for any security,

 

14


Table of Contents
   

reduces the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification of the indenture, for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture, or for waiver of certain defaults of the indenture,

 

   

makes certain modifications to the provisions for modification of the indenture and for certain waivers, except to increase the principal amount of debt securities necessary to consent to any such change or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holders of each outstanding debt security affected by such change,

 

   

makes any change that adversely affects in any material respect the right to convert or exchange any convertible or exchangeable debt security or decreases the conversion or exchange rate or increases the conversion price of such debt security, unless such decrease or increase is permitted by the terms of such debt securities, or

 

   

changes the terms and conditions pursuant to which any series of debt securities are secured in a manner adverse to the holders of such debt securities in any material respect. (Section 902)

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive past defaults or noncompliance with restrictive provisions of the indenture. However, the consent of holders of each outstanding debt security of a series is required to:

 

   

waive any default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, or

 

   

waive any covenants and provisions of the indenture that may not be amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected. (Sections 513 and 1006)

In order to determine whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding debt securities have taken an action under the indenture as of a specified date:

 

   

the principal amount of an “original issue discount security” that will be deemed to be outstanding will be the amount of the principal that would be due and payable as of that date upon acceleration of the maturity to that date,

 

   

if, as of that date, the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of a debt security is not determinable, for example, because it is based on an index, the principal amount of the debt security deemed to be outstanding as of that date will be an amount determined in the manner prescribed for the debt security,

 

   

the principal amount of a debt security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be outstanding will be the U.S.-dollar equivalent, determined as of that date in the manner prescribed for the debt security, of the principal amount of the debt security or, in the case of a debt security described in the two preceding bullet points, of the amount described above, and

 

   

debt securities owned by us or any other obligor upon the debt securities or any of our or their affiliates will be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding.

An “original issue discount security” means a debt security issued under the indenture which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity. Some debt securities, including those for the payment or redemption of which money has been deposited or set aside in trust for the holders, and those which have been legally defeased under the indenture, will not be deemed to be outstanding.

We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for determining the holders of outstanding debt securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the indenture. In limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders of outstanding debt securities. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by holders of a particular series, the

 

15


Table of Contents

action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding debt securities of that series on the record date. To be effective, the action must be taken by holders of the requisite principal amount of debt securities within a specified period following the record date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such shorter period as we may specify, or the Trustee may specify, if it sets the record date. This period may be shortened or lengthened by not more than 180 days. (Section 104)

Conversion and Exchange Rights

The debt securities of any series may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities of the Company or another issuer or property or cash on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Defeasance

When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, if we deposit with the Trustee funds or government securities sufficient to make payments on the debt securities of a series on the dates those payments are due and payable and comply with all other conditions to defeasance set forth in the indenture, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

   

we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series (“legal defeasance”), or

 

   

we will no longer have any obligation to comply with the restrictive covenants under the indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply to us, but some of our other obligations under the indenture and the debt securities of that series, including our obligation to make payments on those debt securities, will survive (“covenant defeasance”).

If we legally defease a series of debt securities, the holders of the debt securities of the series affected will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for:

 

   

the rights of holders of that series of debt securities to receive, solely from a trust fund, payments in respect of such debt securities when payments are due,

 

   

our obligation to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities,

 

   

our obligation to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost, or stolen debt securities, and

 

   

our obligation to maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust.

We may legally defease a series of debt securities notwithstanding any prior exercise of our option of covenant defeasance in respect of such series.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will be required to deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the debt securities to recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes and that the holders would be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related defeasance had not occurred. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect. (Sections 1401-1404)

Satisfaction and Discharge

We may discharge our obligations under the indenture while securities remain outstanding if (1) all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture have become due and payable, (2) all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year of the

 

16


Table of Contents

date of deposit or (3) all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture are scheduled for redemption in one year, and in each case, we have deposited with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay and discharge all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture on the date of their scheduled maturity or the scheduled date of the redemption and paid all other amounts payable under the indenture. (Section 401).

Global Notes, Delivery and Form

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered Global Notes (as defined below) that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (the “Depository”) and registered in the name of the Depository’s nominee. Global Notes are not exchangeable for definitive note certificates except in the specific circumstances described below. For purposes of this prospectus, “Global Note” refers to the Global Note or Global Notes representing an entire issue of debt securities.

Except as set forth below, a Global Note may be transferred by the Depository, in whole and not in part, only to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository.

The Depository has advised us as follows:

 

   

The Depository is:

 

   

a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York,

 

   

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York banking law,

 

   

a member of the Federal Reserve System,

 

   

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

 

   

The Depository was created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants through electronic book entry changes in accounts of its participants, eliminating the need for physical movements of securities certificates.

 

   

The Depository participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and others, some of whom own the Depository.

 

   

Access to the Depository book-entry system is also available to others that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

 

   

Where we issue a Global Note in connection with the sale thereof to an underwriter or underwriters, the Depository will immediately credit the accounts of participants designated by such underwriter or underwriters with the principal amount of the debt securities purchased by such underwriter or underwriters.

 

   

Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note and the transfers of ownership will be effected only through records maintained by the Depository (with respect to participants), by the participants (with respect to indirect participants and certain beneficial owners) and by the indirect participants (with respect to all other beneficial owners). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery in definitive form of securities they purchase. These laws may limit your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note.

So long as a nominee of the Depository is the registered owner of a Global Note, such nominee for all purposes will be considered the sole owner or holder of such debt securities under the indenture. Except as provided below, you will not be entitled to have debt securities registered in your name, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form, and will not be considered the owner or holder thereof under the indenture.

 

17


Table of Contents

Each person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Note must rely on the procedures of the Depository and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the Depository would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through these participants to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

Redemption notices shall be sent to the Depository. If less than all of the debt securities within an issue are being redeemed, the Depository’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each participant in such issue to be redeemed.

We will make payment of principal of, and interest on, debt securities represented by a Global Note to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the Global Note representing those debt securities.

The Depository has advised us that upon receipt of any payment of principal of, or interest on, a Global Note, the Depository will immediately credit accounts of participants with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of that Global Note, as shown in the records of the Depository. Standing instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note held through those participants, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those participants, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements that may be in effect from time to time.

Neither we, the Trustee nor any of our respective agents will be responsible for any aspect of the records of the Depository, any nominee, or any participant relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Note or for maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any of the records of the Depository, any nominee, or any participant relating to those beneficial interests.

As described above, we will issue debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a Global Note only in the following situations:

 

   

if the Depository is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary, defaults in the performance of its duties as depositary, ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in each case, a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days after notice thereof, or

 

   

if, subject to the rules of the Depository, we choose to issue definitive debt securities.

In either instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note will be entitled to have debt securities equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest registered in its name and will be entitled to physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form. Debt securities in definitive form will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons. We will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, one or more offices or agencies where debt securities may be presented for payment and may be transferred or exchanged. You will not be charged a fee for any transfer or exchange of such debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Highly Leveraged Transaction

The general provisions of the indenture do not afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or other transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect holders of the debt securities.

 

18


Table of Contents

Notices

Holders will receive notices by mail at their addresses as they appear in the security register. (Section 106)

Title

We may treat the person in whose name a debt security is registered on the applicable record date as the owner of the debt security for all purposes, whether or not it is overdue. (Section 309)

Governing Law

New York law governs the indenture and the debt securities. (Section 112)

Regarding the Trustee

GE HealthCare and its affiliates maintain various commercial relationships with The Bank of New York Mellon and its affiliates in their ordinary course of business.

The Bank of New York Mellon acts as trustee, fiscal agent, and paying agent under the indenture and funding arrangements with GE HealthCare and its affiliates.

If an event of default occurs under the indenture and is continuing, the Trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of that person’s own affairs. The Trustee will become obligated to exercise any of its powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of any debt securities issued under the indenture only after those holders have offered the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it.

If the Trustee becomes one of our creditors, its rights to obtain payment of claims in specified circumstances, or to realize for its own account on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise will be limited under the terms of the indenture. (Section 613) The Trustee may engage in certain other transactions; however, if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (within the meaning specified under the Trust Indenture Act), it will be required to eliminate the conflict or resign. (Section 608)

 

19


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may sell warrants to purchase our debt securities, shares of preferred stock, or shares of our common stock. In a prospectus supplement, we will inform you of the exercise price and other specific terms of the warrants, including whether our or your obligations, if any, under any warrants may be satisfied by delivering or purchasing the underlying securities or their cash value.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprising two or more securities described in this prospectus in any combination. The particular terms of the units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, to the extent applicable, the designation and terms of the units and the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately, any provision for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units and whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

 

20


Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus in any of the following ways:

 

   

directly to one or more purchasers;

 

   

through agents;

 

   

through underwriters or dealers; or

 

   

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

The distribution of the securities may be made from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to these prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

A prospectus supplement with respect to each offering of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, agents, or direct purchasers and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;

 

   

the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale;

 

   

any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

   

any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; and

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

 

21


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023 incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the effectiveness of GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

 

22


Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

LOGO

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

$    % Senior Notes due 20 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

BofA Securities

Morgan Stanley

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is    , 2024

 

 

 


GE HealthCare Technologies (NASDAQ:GEHC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2024 to Aug 2024 Click Here for more GE HealthCare Technologies Charts.
GE HealthCare Technologies (NASDAQ:GEHC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2023 to Aug 2024 Click Here for more GE HealthCare Technologies Charts.