Preliminary Prospectus Supplement
Table of Contents

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 we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-226538

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 13, 2018

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated August 2, 2018)

$1,050,000,000

 

LOGO

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

Common Shares

 

 

We expect to enter into forward sale agreements with affiliates of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, which affiliates we refer to as the forward purchasers. Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as agents for their respective affiliated forward purchasers, whom we refer to in such capacity as the forward sellers, intend to borrow from third parties and have agreed to sell to the underwriters an aggregate of $1,050,000,000 of our common shares in connection with the forward sale agreements between us and the forward purchasers (the “offering”). If the forward purchasers determine, in their commercially reasonable judgment, that the forward sellers are unable to borrow and deliver for sale on the anticipated closing date of the offering such number of our common shares, or that the forward sellers would incur a stock loan cost greater than a specified amount in order to do so, then we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters a number of shares equal to the number of shares that the forward sellers do not borrow and sell. In certain such cases, we may terminate the forward sale agreements on or before the closing date of this offering, in which case we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters all of the common shares in connection with the offering.

We will not initially receive any proceeds from the offering, except in certain circumstances described in this prospectus supplement. Although we expect to physically settle the forward sale agreements entirely by delivering our common shares in exchange for cash proceeds, we may elect cash or net share settlement for all or a portion of our obligations under the forward sale agreements if we conclude that it is in our best interests to do so. If we elect to cash settle the forward sale agreements, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common shares in the offering and we may either receive a cash payment from, or owe a cash payment to, the forward purchasers. If we elect to net share settle the forward sale agreements, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common shares in the offering, and we may either receive common shares from, or owe common shares to, the forward purchasers. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Forward Sale Agreements” beginning on page S-18 of this prospectus supplement for a description of the forward sale agreements.

Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ED.” On November 12, 2018, the closing price of our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $79.37 per share. On October 18, 2018, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.715 per share payable on December 17, 2018 to shareholders of record on November 14, 2018. Purchasers of common shares in this offering will not be entitled to receive the dividend payable on December 17, 2018 with respect to shares purchased in this offering.

 

 

Investing in our common shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

     Per
Share
     Total  

Initial Price to Public

   $            $        

Underwriting Discount

   $        $    

Proceeds, Before Expenses, to Us(1)

   $        $    

 

(1)

We expect to receive net proceeds, before expenses, of $                 in connection with the offering only upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements, which we expect will occur by December 27, 2019. For the purpose of calculating the net proceeds to us in connection with the offering, we have assumed the forward sale agreements are fully physically settled based on the initial forward sale price of $                 per share. The forward sale price is subject to adjustment pursuant to the forward sale agreements, and the actual proceeds under the forward sale agreements, if any, will be calculated as described in this prospectus supplement. As a result of such adjustment, we may receive an amount in cash upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements that is less than the amount calculated based on the initial forward sale price. Although we expect to settle the forward sale agreements entirely by the full physical delivery of common shares in exchange for cash proceeds, we may elect cash settlement or net share settlement for all or a portion of the forward sale agreements. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Forward Sale Agreements” for a description of the forward sale agreements.

We have granted the underwriters an over-allotment option for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase directly from the forward sellers, who will borrow from third parties and sell to the underwriters, up to an additional $115,000,000 of shares of our common shares at the per share price to public less the per share underwriting discount set forth above. To the extent the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, we expect to enter into additional forward sale agreements with the forward purchasers in respect of the number of shares so borrowed and sold by the forward sellers. If the forward purchasers determine, in their commercially reasonable judgment, that the forward sellers are unable to borrow and deliver for sale, on the anticipated closing date of the over-allotment option, such number of our common shares in respect of which the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised, or that the forward sellers would incur a stock loan cost greater than a specified amount in order to do so, then we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters a number of shares equal to the number of shares that the forward sellers do not borrow and sell. Unless the context requires otherwise, the term “forward sale agreements” as used in this prospectus supplement includes any additional forward sale agreements that we elect to enter into in connection with the exercise, by the underwriters, of their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of our common shares.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The common shares will be ready for delivery on or about                     , 2018.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Citigroup       Barclays   J.P. Morgan

The date of this prospectus supplement is                     , 2018.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

Prospectus Supplement Summary

     S-1  

Where You Can Find More Information

     S-6  

Incorporation By Reference

     S-7  

Risk Factors

     S-8  

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

     S-10  

Use of Proceeds

     S-11  

Accounting Treatment

     S-12  

Certain United States Federal Income and Estate Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders

     S-13  

Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)

     S-17  

Notices to Investors

     S-22  

Legal Matters

     S-25  

Experts

     S-25  

Prospectus

 

Risk Factors

     2  

About This Prospectus

     2  

Where You Can Find More Information

     2  

Incorporation By Reference

     3  

Con Edison

     3  

Use of Proceeds

     4  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     4  

Description of Debt Securities

     5  

Description of Common Shares

     11  

Plan of Distribution

     13  

Legal Matters

     13  

Experts

     13  

 

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the common shares subject to the offering and certain other matters relating to us and our financial condition. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information about securities we may offer from time to time, some of which does not apply to the common shares subject to the offering. Generally, when we refer to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To the extent information in this prospectus supplement differs from information in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), and in any communication from us or the underwriters specifying the final terms of the offering. We have not, and the forward purchasers, the forward sellers and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone else to provide you with any different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the forward purchasers, the forward sellers and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus supplement is current only as of the date of this prospectus supplement.

 

i


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

In this prospectus supplement, the words “Con Edison,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Consolidated Edison, Inc.

The following summary contains basic information about the offering. It may not contain all of the information that is important to you. The “Description of Common Shares” section of the accompanying prospectus contains more detailed information regarding the common shares. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus.

Con Edison

Con Edison, incorporated in New York State in 1997, is a holding company that owns all of the outstanding common stock of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (“CECONY” or “Con Edison of New York”), Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (“O&R”), Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc. and Con Edison Transmission, Inc. Our principal executive offices are located at 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003, and our telephone number is (212) 460-4600.

Con Edison seeks to provide shareholder value through continued dividend growth, supported by earnings growth in regulated utilities and contracted assets. The company invests to provide reliable, resilient, safe and clean energy critical for New York City’s growing economy. The company is an industry-leading owner and operator of contracted, large-scale solar generation in the United States. Con Edison is a responsible neighbor, helping the communities it serves become more sustainable.

CECONY

CECONY provides electric service to approximately 3.4 million customers in all of New York City (except a part of Queens) and most of Westchester County, an approximately 660 square mile service area with a population of more than nine million. CECONY delivers gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and most of Westchester County. CECONY operates the largest steam distribution system in the United States by producing and delivering approximately 20,840 million pounds of steam annually to approximately 1,600 customers in parts of Manhattan.

O&R

O&R and its utility subsidiary, Rockland Electric Company, provide electric service to approximately 0.3 million customers in southeastern New York and northern New Jersey, an approximately 1,300 square mile service area. O&R delivers gas to over 0.1 million customers in southeastern New York.

Clean Energy Businesses

Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Consolidated Edison Development, Inc., Consolidated Edison Energy, Inc. and Consolidated Edison Solutions, Inc., develops, owns and operates renewable and energy infrastructure projects and provides energy-related products and services to wholesale and retail customers.

On September 20, 2018, one of our subsidiaries agreed to purchase Sempra Solar Holdings, LLC, a Sempra Energy subsidiary, (the “Acquisition”) for $1,540 million, subject to closing adjustments, including working capital. Sempra Solar Holdings, LLC has ownership interests in 981 megawatts (AC) of operating renewable electric production projects, including its 379 megawatts (AC) share of projects in which its subsidiaries have a

 

S-1


Table of Contents

50 percent ownership interest and our subsidiaries have the remaining ownership interests, and certain development rights with respect to solar electric production and energy storage projects. Most of the operating projects that are not jointly owned have tax equity investors to which a percentage of earnings, tax attributes and cash flows are allocated. Sempra Solar Holdings, LLC subsidiaries have $576 million of existing project debt. Our subsidiaries have $506 million of existing project debt associated with their share of the jointly-owned projects. We have been accounting for our subsidiaries’ interests in the jointly-owned projects under the equity method. Upon the closing of the Acquisition, we expect to account for these projects and the other projects acquired on a consolidated basis. The Acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among other things, expiration or early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the approvals of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Department of Energy. We have guaranteed the obligations of our subsidiary under the purchase and sale agreement for the Acquisition, including the payment of the purchase price for the Acquisition. Affiliates of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC have committed to provide bridge financing for the Acquisition, subject to certain customary conditions (the “Bridge Facility”). See “—The Offering —Use of Proceeds,” “Use of Proceeds” and “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) —Other Relationships.”

Con Edison Transmission

Con Edison Transmission, Inc. invests in electric and gas transmission projects through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Consolidated Edison Transmission, LLC (“CET Electric”) and Con Edison Gas Pipeline and Storage, LLC (“CET Gas”). CET Electric owns a 45.7 percent interest in New York Transco LLC, which owns and is proposing to build additional electric transmission assets in New York. CET Gas owns, through subsidiaries, a 50 percent interest in Stagecoach Gas Services, LLC, a joint venture that owns, operates and will further develop an existing gas pipeline and storage business located in northern Pennsylvania and southern New York. Also, CET Gas and CECONY own 71.2 percent and 28.8 percent interests, respectively, in Honeoye Storage Corporation which operates a gas storage facility in upstate New York. In addition, CET Gas owns interests in two Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC joint venture projects: a 12.5 interest in a 300-mile gas transmission project being constructed in West Virginia and Virginia and a 6.375 percent interest in a proposed 70-mile gas pipeline system in Virginia and North Carolina.

 

S-2


Table of Contents

The Offering

 

Common shares offered in the offering (1)

$1,050,000,000 of shares ($1,165,000,000 of shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares is exercised in full).

 

Common shares outstanding immediately after the offering, prior to any settlement of the forward sale agreements(1)

311,476,414 shares.

 

 

 

 

Common shares to be outstanding after settlement of the forward sale agreements assuming full physical settlement (1)

324,705,594 shares (326,154,504 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares is exercised in full).

 

 

 

Use of proceeds (2)

This offering is being made in connection with the Acquisition but is not conditioned upon completion of the Acquisition. We expect that the net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $         million, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of the over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares in the offering and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. We expect to receive the net proceeds upon the full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements (which we expect to occur by December 27, 2019), subject to certain adjustments under the forward sale agreements, and, if applicable, from our sale of common shares to the underwriters. We expect to use the net proceeds to fund payment of a portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition, to invest in our subsidiaries for funding of their capital requirements and for our other general corporate purposes, including repayment of outstanding commercial paper obligations. We expect to fund the payment of the remaining portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition with the net proceed from an anticipated issuance of up to $825 million of long-term debt secured by ownership interests in the projects being acquired (or, pending the issuance of such debt, other borrowings). If the Acquisition is not completed, we may use the entire net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes or elect cash settlement or net share settlement for a portion of the forward sale agreements. As of November 12, 2018, the weighted average annualized yield for our commercial paper was 2.41 percent. See “Prospectus Supplement Summary—Con Edison—Clean Energy Businesses,” “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Forward Sale Agreements” and “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Conflicts of Interest.”

 

 

The forward sale price is subject to adjustment pursuant to the forward sale agreements, and the actual proceeds under the forward sale agreements, if any, will be calculated as described in this prospectus supplement. As a result of such adjustment, we may receive an amount in cash upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements that is less than the amount calculated based on the initial forward sale price. Although we expect to settle the forward sale agreements entirely by the full physical delivery of common

 

S-3


Table of Contents
 

shares in exchange for cash proceeds, we may elect cash settlement or net share settlement for all or a portion of the forward sale agreements. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Forward Sale Agreements” for a description of the forward sale agreements.

 

  We will not initially receive any proceeds from the offering unless: (1) an event occurs that requires us to sell our common shares to the underwriters in lieu of the forward sellers selling our common shares to the underwriters or (2) the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of our common shares in full and, if the forward sellers are unable to borrow and deliver for sale on the anticipated closing date for the exercise of such option the number of shares of our common shares with respect to which such option has been exercised, or if the forward purchasers determine, in their commercially reasonable judgment, that the forward sellers are unable to borrow, at a stock loan rate not greater than a specified amount, and deliver for sale on the anticipated closing date for the exercise of such option the number of shares of our common shares with respect to which such option has been exercised, in which case we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters a number of shares equal to the number of shares that the forward sellers do not borrow and sell. In the case of certain such events described in (1) above, we may terminate the forward sale agreements on or prior to the closing date of this offering, in which case we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters all of the common shares offered hereunder.

 

Accounting Treatment

Before the issuance of our common shares, if any, upon settlement of the forward sale agreements, the forward sale agreements will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of our common shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of our common shares that would be issued upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements over the number of our common shares that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price during the period) using the proceeds due upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period). Consequently, prior to physical or net share settlement of the forward sale agreements and subject to the occurrence of certain events, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share except during periods when the average market price of our common shares is above the applicable adjusted forward sale price, which is initially $             per share, subject to increase or decrease based on the overnight bank funding rate, less a spread, and subject to decrease by amounts related to expected dividends on our common shares during the term of the forward sale agreements. Any issuance and delivery of our common shares by us upon physical or net share settlement of the forward sale agreements, however, will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.

 

New York Stock Exchange symbol

“ED.”

 

S-4


Table of Contents

Risk Factors

Investing in our common shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement.

 

Conflicts of Interest

All of the proceeds of the offering (excluding proceeds paid to us with respect to any of our common shares that we may issue and sell directly to the underwriters in lieu of the forward sellers selling our common shares to the underwriters) will be paid to the forward purchasers (or their affiliates).
  Because affiliates of the underwriters will receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering, not including underwriting compensation, the underwriters are deemed to have a conflict of interest within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). In addition, the underwriters or their affiliates may hold a portion of the commercial paper that we may repay using the net proceeds that we receive upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements. Accordingly, the underwriters are required to conduct the offering in compliance with the applicable provisions of FINRA Rule 5121. Pursuant to that rule, the appointment of a “qualified independent underwriter” is not required in connection with the offering, as our common shares have a “bona fide public market” (as defined in FINRA Rule 5121). See “Use of Proceeds” and “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Conflicts of Interest.”

 

 

(1) The forward sellers intend to acquire the common shares to be sold under the forward sale agreements in the offering through borrowings from third-party stock lenders. Subject to the occurrence of certain events, we will not be obligated to deliver any of our common shares under the forward sale agreements until final settlement of the forward sale agreements, which we expect to occur by December 27, 2019. Except in certain circumstances, we have the right to elect cash settlement or net share settlement for all or a portion of the forward sale agreements. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Forward Sale Agreements” for a description of the forward sale agreements.

The number of our common shares to be outstanding after the offering is based on 311,476,414 common shares outstanding as of November 12, 2018 and excludes any additional common shares we may issue pursuant to our employee stock and dividend reinvestment plans from and after November 12, 2018 through final settlement of the forward sale agreements. We provide these numbers assuming no event occurs that would require us to sell any of our common shares to the underwriters in lieu of the forward sellers selling our common shares to the underwriters in the offering. If such an event occurs, then (a) the number of our common shares to be outstanding immediately after the offering would be increased by such number of shares and (b) the number of our common shares issuable pursuant to physical settlement of the forward sale agreements would be reduced by such number of shares. In the case of certain such events, we may terminate the forward sale agreements on or prior to the closing date of this offering, in which case no common shares would be issued in settlement of those agreements.

The number of our common shares to be outstanding after settlement of the forward sale agreements assuming full physical settlement assumes that we will receive total proceeds of $1,050 million from the sale of common shares pursuant to the forward sale agreements (or $1,165 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares is exercised in full), that the forward sale price will be $79.37 per share, the closing price of our common shares as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, before deducting expenses. A ten percent increase (decrease) in the assumed total proceeds we receive from the sale of common shares pursuant to the forward sale agreements would increase (decrease) the number of common shares to be outstanding after settlement of the forward sale agreements assuming full physical settlement by approximately 1,322,918 shares (or approximately 1,467,809 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), assuming no change in the assumed forward sale price per share. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed forward sale price would result in an approximately 164,604 share decrease or an approximately 168,804 share increase, respectively, in the number of common shares to be outstanding after settlement of the forward sale agreements assuming full physical settlement (or an approximately 182,632 share decrease or an approximately 187,292 share increase, respectively, if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), assuming no change in the assumed total proceeds we receive from the sale of shares pursuant to the forward sale agreements (or if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full).

(2) Calculated as of November     , 2018 (assuming no exercise by the underwriters of the over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares in the offering and assuming that the forward sale agreements are fully physically settled based on the initial forward sale price of $                 per share by the delivery of                      common shares). The forward sale price is subject to adjustment pursuant to the forward sale agreements, and the actual proceeds are subject to settlement of the forward sale agreements.

 

S-5


Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission and these filings are publicly available through the Commission’s website (http://www.sec.gov).

This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, which includes information incorporated by reference (see “Incorporation by Reference,” below), is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we have filed with the Commission relating to the common shares offered hereby. As permitted by the Commission’s rules, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the Commission. You should read the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules for more complete information about us and our common shares.

The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are also available through the Commission’s website.

You may obtain a free copy of our filings with the Commission by writing or telephoning us at our principal executive offices: Corporate Secretary, Consolidated Edison, Inc., 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003 (Telephone No.: 212-460-3192). The filings are also available through the Investor Information section of our website: www.conedison.com. The information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus by reference, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus.

 

S-6


Table of Contents

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus information we file with the Commission. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to documents that we have previously filed with the Commission or documents that we will file with the Commission in the future. The information we incorporate by reference is considered to be an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information that we file later with the Commission that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will automatically update and supersede this information.

We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the following Con Edison documents that we have filed with the Commission:

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017;

 

   

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018, and September 30, 2018; and

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated January 8, 2018, January 17, 2018, May 7, 2018, May 21, 2018, June 20, 2018, June 21, 2018, and September 20, 2018.

We are also incorporating by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus any additional documents that we may file with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than those “furnished” pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 in any Current Report on Form 8-K or other information deemed to have been “furnished” rather than filed in accordance with the Commission’s rules) prior to the termination of the offering.

 

S-7


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

Our businesses are influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, that are often beyond our control and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual operating results, cash flows and financial condition. These risk factors include those described in the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (see “Incorporation by Reference,” above), and could include additional uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider to be material. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as any other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Risks Related to the Forward Sale Agreements

Settlement provisions contained in the forward sale agreements subject us to certain risks.

Each forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate its forward sale agreement (with respect to all or any portion of the transaction under the forward sale agreement that such forward purchaser determines is affected by such event) and require us to settle on a date specified by such forward purchaser if:

 

   

such forward purchaser determines it is unable, after using commercially reasonable efforts, to borrow (or maintain a borrowing of) a number of our common shares equal to the number of our common shares underlying the forward sale agreements at a rate that is equal to or less than the borrow cost specified in the forward sale agreements;

 

   

such forward purchaser determines that it has an excess Section 13 ownership position or an excess regulatory ownership position (as such terms are defined in the forward sale agreements) with respect to certain ownership restrictions and related filing requirements under the federal securities laws, the New York business corporation law or certain other laws and regulations, as applicable;

 

   

we declare or pay certain dividends or distributions on our common shares with a cash value in excess of a specified amount, an ex-dividend date that occurs earlier than a specified date or certain non-cash dividends;

 

   

there occurs the announcement of any event or transaction that, if consummated, would result in a merger event, tender offer, nationalization, delisting or change in law (in each case, as determined pursuant to the terms of such forward sale agreement); or

 

   

certain other events of default, termination events or other specified events occur, including, among other things, any material misrepresentation made by us in connection with entering into such forward sale agreement or a market disruption event during a specified period that lasts for more than eight consecutive scheduled trading days (in each case, as determined pursuant to the terms of such forward sale agreement).

Each forward purchaser’s decision to exercise its right to accelerate the settlement of its forward sale agreements will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver our common shares under the physical settlement provisions, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. We expect that each forward sale agreement will settle by December 27, 2019; however, such forward sale agreement may be settled earlier in whole or in part at our option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. A forward sale agreement will be physically settled by delivery of our common shares, unless we elect to cash settle or net share settle the forward sale agreement, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Upon physical settlement or, if we so elect, net share settlement of such forward sale agreement, issuance and delivery of our common shares in connection with such physical settlement or, to the extent we are obligated to issue and deliver our common shares, net share settlement will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. If we elect cash settlement or net share settlement with respect to all or a portion of the common shares underlying such forward sale agreement, we expect the

 

S-8


Table of Contents

relevant forward purchaser to purchase in secondary market transactions a number of our common shares necessary to satisfy its or its affiliate’s obligation to return the common shares borrowed from third parties in connection with sales of our common shares under this prospectus supplement. In addition, the purchase of our common shares in connection with such forward purchaser or its affiliate unwinding its hedge positions could result in an increase (or a reduction in the amount of any decrease) in the price of our common shares over such time, thereby increasing the amount of cash we would owe to such forward purchaser (or decreasing the amount of cash such forward purchaser would owe us) upon a cash settlement of such forward sale agreement or increasing the number of our common shares we would deliver to such forward purchaser (or decreasing the number of our common shares such forward purchaser would deliver to us) upon net share settlement of relevant forward sale agreement. The forward sale price we expect to receive upon physical settlement of each forward sale agreement will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the overnight bank funding rate less a spread, and will be decreased on certain dates by amounts related to expected dividends on our common shares during the term of each forward sale agreement. If the overnight bank funding rate is less than the spread on any day, the interest factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, the overnight bank funding rate was more than the spread. If the market value of our common shares during the unwind period under the forward sale agreements are above the forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would pay each forward purchaser under its forward sale agreement an amount in cash equal to the difference or, in the case of net share settlement, we would deliver to such forward purchaser a number of our common shares having a value equal to the difference. Thus, we could be responsible for a potentially substantial cash payment. If the market value of our common shares during the unwind period under the forward sale agreements is below the relevant forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would be paid the difference in cash by each forward purchaser under its forward sale agreement or, in the case of net share settlement, we would receive from such forward purchaser a number of our common shares having a value equal to the difference. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Forward Sale Agreements” for information on the forward sale agreements.

In certain bankruptcy or insolvency events, the forward sale agreements will automatically terminate, and we would not receive the expected proceeds from physical settlement of the forward sale agreements.

If we institute, or an appropriate regulatory or other authority having jurisdiction over us institutes against us, or we consent to, a proceeding seeking a judgment in bankruptcy or insolvency or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or we or such regulator present a petition for our winding-up or liquidation or we consent to such a petition or any other proceeding commences with respect to us under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the forward sale agreements will automatically terminate. If the forward sale agreements so terminate, we would not be obligated to deliver to the relevant forward purchaser any of our common shares not previously delivered, and such forward purchaser would be discharged from its obligation to pay the forward sale price per share in respect of any of our common shares not previously settled. Therefore, to the extent there are any of our common shares with respect to which the forward sale agreements have not been settled at the time of any such bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or any such petition, we would not receive the forward sale price per share in respect of those common shares.

 

S-9


Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein contains forward-looking statements that are intended to qualify for the safe-harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations and not facts. Words such as “forecasts,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “plans,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect information available and assumptions at the time the statements are made, and speak only as of that time. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements because of various factors such as those identified in reports Con Edison has filed with the Commission, including that:

 

   

its subsidiaries are extensively regulated and are subject to penalties;

 

   

its utility subsidiaries’ rate plans may not provide a reasonable return;

 

   

it may be adversely affected by changes to the utility subsidiaries’ rate plans;

 

   

the intentional misconduct of employees or contractors could adversely affect it;

 

   

the failure of, or damage to, its subsidiaries’ facilities could adversely affect it;

 

   

a cyber-attack could adversely affect it;

 

   

it is exposed to risks from the environmental consequences of its subsidiaries’ operations;

 

   

a disruption in the wholesale energy markets or failure by an energy supplier could adversely affect it;

 

   

it has substantial unfunded pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities;

 

   

its ability to pay dividends or interest depends on dividends from its subsidiaries;

 

   

it requires access to capital markets to satisfy funding requirements;

 

   

changes to tax laws could adversely affect it;

 

   

its strategies may not be effective to address changes in the external business environment;

 

   

when the Acquisition will be completed, if at all; and

 

   

it also faces other risks that are beyond its control.

 

S-10


Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

This offering is being made in connection with the Acquisition but is not conditioned upon completion of the Acquisition. We expect that the net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $         million, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of the over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares in the offering and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. We expect to receive the net proceeds upon the full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements (which we expect to occur by December 27, 2019), subject to certain adjustments under the forward sale agreements, and, if applicable, from our sale of common shares to the underwriters. We expect to use the net proceeds to fund payment of a portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition, to invest in our subsidiaries for funding of their capital requirements and for our other general corporate purposes, including repayment of outstanding commercial paper obligations. We expect to fund the payment of the remaining portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition with the net proceed from an anticipated issuance of up to $825 million of long-term debt secured by ownership interests in the projects being acquired (or, pending the issuance of such debt, other borrowings). If the Acquisition is not completed, we may use the entire net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes or elect cash settlement or net share settlement for a portion of the forward sale agreements. As of November 12, 2018, the weighted average annualized yield for our commercial paper was 2.41 percent. See “Prospectus Supplement Summary—Con Edison—Clean Energy Businesses,” “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Forward Sale Agreements” and “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Conflicts of Interest.”

The forward sale price is subject to adjustment pursuant to the forward sale agreements, and the actual proceeds under the forward sale agreements, if any, will be calculated as described in this prospectus supplement. As a result of such adjustment, we may receive an amount in cash upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements that is less than the amount calculated based on the initial forward sale price. Although we expect to settle the forward sale agreements entirely by the full physical delivery of common shares in exchange for cash proceeds, we may elect cash settlement or net share settlement for all or a portion of the forward sale agreements. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Forward Sale Agreements” for a description of the forward sale agreements.

We will not initially receive any proceeds from the offering unless: (1) an event occurs that requires us to sell our common shares to the underwriters in lieu of the forward sellers selling our common shares to the underwriters or (2) the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of our common shares in full and, if the forward sellers are unable to borrow and deliver for sale on the anticipated closing date for the exercise of such option the number of shares of our common shares with respect to which such option has been exercised, or if the forward purchasers determine, in their commercially reasonable judgment, that the forward sellers are unable to borrow, at a stock loan rate not greater than a specified amount, and deliver for sale on the anticipated closing date for the exercise of such option the number of shares of our common shares with respect to which such option has been exercised, in which case we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters a number of shares equal to the number of shares that the forward sellers do not borrow and sell. In the case of certain such events described in (1) above, we may terminate the forward sale agreements on or prior to the closing date of this offering, in which case we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters all of the common shares offered hereunder.

 

S-11


Table of Contents

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

Before the issuance of our common shares, if any, upon settlement of the forward sale agreements, the forward sale agreements will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of our common shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of our common shares that would be issued upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements over the number of our common shares that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price during the period) using the proceeds due upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period). Consequently, prior to physical or net share settlement of the forward sale agreements and subject to the occurrence of certain events, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share except during periods when the average market price of our common shares is above the applicable adjusted forward sale price, which is initially $                per share, subject to increase or decrease based on the overnight bank funding rate, less a spread, and subject to decrease by amounts related to expected dividends on our common shares during the term of the forward sale agreements. Any issuance and delivery of our common shares by us upon physical or net share settlement of the forward sale agreements, however, will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.

 

S-12


Table of Contents

CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES

FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following summary discusses certain material U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to “non-U.S. holders” relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common shares. As used herein, a non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of our common shares that is not a “U.S. Person” (as defined below) or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This summary is based upon the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will agree with the statements herein. A “U.S. Person” means a beneficial owner of our common shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or any entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) was in existence on August 20, 1996, was treated as a U.S. domestic trust immediately prior to that date, and has validly elected to continue to be treated as a U.S. domestic trust.

This summary deals only with our common shares held as capital assets within the meaning of section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This summary does not address all of the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-U.S. holder in light of such holder’s own particular circumstances, nor does it deal with special situations, such as:

 

   

tax consequences to non-U.S. holders who may be subject to special tax treatment, such as holders of more than 5 percent of our outstanding common shares, dealers in securities, banks, insurance companies, partnerships or other entities treated as pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, certain former citizens or residents of the United States, “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid federal income tax, tax-exempt entities, common trust funds, certain trusts, hybrid entities, foreign governments, international organizations and dealers or traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;

 

   

tax consequences to persons holding our common shares as part of a hedging, integrated, constructive sale or conversion transaction or a straddle;

 

   

any gift tax consequences;

 

   

the Medicare tax imposed on certain investment income;

 

   

alternative minimum tax consequences, if any; or

 

   

any U.S. state, local or foreign tax consequences.

If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership) holds our common shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the status and activities of the partnership. Prospective investors that are partnerships (or entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) should consult their own tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations to them and their partners of holding our common shares.

 

S-13


Table of Contents

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES ONLY. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON SHARES, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISERS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION, THE EFFECT OF ANY CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAW, AND YOUR ENTITLEMENT TO BENEFITS UNDER AN APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

Dividends on Common Shares

If we make a distribution of cash or other property (other than certain pro rata distributions of our common shares) in respect of our common shares, the distribution will be treated as a dividend to the extent it is paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). If the amount of a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess first will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common shares, and thereafter will be treated as capital gain. Distributions treated as dividends on our common shares held by a non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent, or at a lower rate if provided by an applicable income tax treaty and the non-U.S. holder has provided the documentation required to claim benefits under such treaty. Generally, to claim the benefits of an income tax treaty, a non-U.S. holder will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or appropriate substitute or successor form) certifying its entitlement to benefits under the treaty.

If, however, a dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the non-U.S. holder (and, if an applicable tax treaty so provides, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States), the dividend will not be subject to the 30 percent U.S. federal withholding tax (provided the non-U.S. holder has provided the appropriate documentation, generally an IRS Form W-8ECI, to the withholding agent), but the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in respect of the dividend on a net income basis, and at graduated rates, in substantially the same manner as U.S. Persons. Dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and which are effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30 percent (or a lower rate if provided by an applicable tax treaty).

A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for a refund together with the required information with the IRS.

Sale or Other Disposition of Common Shares

Subject to the below discussions of backup withholding and FATCA, a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale or other disposition of our common shares unless:

 

   

such non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of such sale or disposition, and certain other conditions are met;

 

   

such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States (and, if an applicable tax treaty so provides, is attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States); or

 

   

we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” which we refer to as a “USRPHC,” under section 897 of the Code at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition and the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for its shares of our common shares.

 

S-14


Table of Contents

Gain realized by such non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet above will be subject to a flat 30 percent tax (or such lower tax rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses.

Gain realized by a non-U.S. holder that is effectively connected with such non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis, and at graduated rates, in substantially the same manner as a U.S. Person (except as provided by an applicable tax treaty). In addition, if such non-U.S. holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30 percent (or a lower rate if provided by an applicable tax treaty).

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds 50 percent of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business (all as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Given the lack of clear guidance in this area, there can be no assurances that we are not or will not become a USRPHC. If, however, we were a USRPHC during the applicable testing period, non-U.S. holders owning (directly or indirectly) more than 5 percent of our common shares will be subject to different tax consequences and should consult their own tax advisers. U.S. federal income tax will not apply to gain realized on the sale or disposition of our common shares by a non-U.S. holder that owns (directly or indirectly) 5 percent or less of our common shares so long as our common shares are “regularly traded on an established securities market” (such as the NYSE) as defined under applicable Treasury regulations. However, we can provide no assurance that our common shares will remain regularly traded.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Dividends and proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition of our common shares are potentially subject to backup withholding at the applicable rate (currently 24 percent). In general, backup withholding will not apply to dividends on, or proceeds from the disposition of, our common shares paid by us or our paying agents, in their capacities as such, to a non-U.S. holder if the holder has provided the required certification (generally on Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E) that it is a non-U.S. holder and neither we nor our paying agent has actual knowledge (or reason to know) that the holder is a U.S. Person.

Generally, the amount of dividends on our common shares paid to a non-U.S. holder and the amount of any tax withheld from such dividends must be reported annually to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holder. Copies of these information returns may be made available by the IRS to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder is a resident under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty or agreement.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will 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 furnished on a timely basis to the IRS.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

FATCA

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act and Treasury regulations thereunder, commonly referred to as “FATCA”, generally, will impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30 percent on certain types of payments, including payments of U.S. source interest or dividends and gross proceeds from the sale of certain securities producing such U.S. source interest or dividends made to (i) “foreign financial institutions” unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders or (ii) certain “non-financial foreign entities” unless they certify that they do not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnish

 

S-15


Table of Contents

identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner (generally by providing an IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E). In certain circumstances, the relevant foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity may qualify for an exemption from these rules, which exemption is typically evidenced by providing appropriate documentation (such as an IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E). In addition, an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the jurisdiction of a foreign financial institution may modify the information reporting and related rules under FATCA.

The withholding obligations described above generally will apply to payments of dividends on the common shares, and to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the common shares occurring on or after January 1, 2019. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding FATCA and the application of these requirements to their investment in the common shares.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax

Common shares owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specifically defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes and may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

 

S-16


Table of Contents

UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are acting as representatives (the “representatives”) of the underwriters named below.

We, the forward sellers and the forward purchasers have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the forward sellers have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below the number of common shares set forth opposite that underwriter’s name in the table below, we have agreed to issue and sell directly to the underwriters the number of such shares, if any, the forward sellers do not sell and the underwriters have agreed to purchase such common shares. See “Forward Sale Agreements,” below.

 

Name

   Number of Shares  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

                           

Barclays Capital Inc.

  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  
  

 

 

 

Total

  
  

 

 

 

The underwriters must purchase all of the common shares offered by this prospectus supplement if any of these shares are purchased. Sales of our common shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters. See “Notices to Investors.”

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters, the forward sellers and the forward purchasers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters, the forward sellers or the forward purchasers may be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.

The expenses of the offering (excluding the underwriting discount) are estimated to be approximately $         and are payable by us.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted the underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase directly from the forward sellers, who will borrow from third parties and sell to the underwriters, up to              shares of our common shares at the per share price to public less the per share underwriting discount set forth on the cover page and the per share amount of any dividends or distributions payable on the shares originally sold in this offering and not payable on the shares subject to the over-allotment option, to cover over-allotments.

The underwriters may exercise this option, in whole or in part until 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement. When the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to the conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares of our common shares proportionate to the number of shares initially purchased by that underwriter as reflected in the above table.

To the extent the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, we expect to enter into additional forward sale agreements with the forward purchasers in respect of the number of shares so borrowed and sold by the forward sellers. If the forward purchasers determine, in their commercially reasonable judgment, that the forward sellers are unable to borrow and deliver for sale, on the anticipated closing date of the over-allotment option, such number of our common shares in respect of which the over-allotment option is exercised, or that the forward sellers would incur a stock loan cost greater than a specified amount in order to do so, then we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters a number of shares equal to the number of shares that the forward sellers do not borrow and sell.

 

S-17


Table of Contents

Commissions and Discounts

In connection with the offering, we expect that the net proceeds will be approximately $         million, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of the over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares in the offering and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. We expect to receive the net proceeds upon the full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements, which we expect to occur by December 27, 2019, subject to certain adjustments under the forward sale agreements. If the forward sale agreements are cash settled or net share settled we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common shares in the offering and we may have to make a cash payment (if we elect cash settlement of the forward sale agreements) or a delivery of common shares (if we elect net share settlement of the forward sale agreements) to the forward purchasers. The forward sale price is subject to adjustment pursuant to the forward sale agreements, and the actual proceeds under the forward sale agreements, if any, will be calculated as described in this prospectus supplement. As a result of such adjustment, we may receive an amount in cash upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements that is less than the amount calculated based on the initial forward sale price. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Forward Sale Agreements.”

The underwriters have advised us that they propose initially to offer our common shares to the public at the initial price to public set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. If all of such common shares are not sold at the price to public set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the price to public and other selling items may be changed by the underwriters.

The following table shows the initial price to public, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares in the offering.

 

     Per Share      No Exercise of
Option to Purchase
Additional Shares
     Full Exercise of
Option to Purchase
Additional Shares
 

Initial Price to Public

   $                            $                                $                            

Underwriting Discount

   $           $        $    

Proceeds, Before Expenses, to Us

   $           $        $    

Lock-Up Agreement

We have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, without the prior written consent of the underwriters and the forward sellers, we will not, directly or indirectly, during the 90-day period after the date of the underwriting agreement, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, offer or contract to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of, our common shares. This agreement does not apply to issuances pursuant to the underwriting agreement, upon conversions of our outstanding securities in accordance with their terms, or in connection with the forward sale agreements or our employee stock or dividend reinvestment plans.

Electronic Prospectus

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made available in electronic format on the website maintained by the underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares to the selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters to the selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

Forward Sale Agreements

We expect to enter into forward sale agreements on the date of this prospectus supplement with affiliates of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as the forward purchasers, relating to an aggregate of                  of our common shares (or                  shares of our common shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares in full). In connection

 

S-18


Table of Contents

with the execution of the forward sale agreements and at our request, the forward sellers are borrowing from third parties and selling in the offering an aggregate of                  of our common shares (or                  shares of our common shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares in full). If the forward sellers do not borrow and sell all of the common shares to be sold by them pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement, we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters the number of common shares not borrowed and delivered by the forward sellers, and the number of common shares underlying the forward sale agreements will be decreased in respect of the number of common shares we issue and sell. If the number of common shares the forward sellers are able to borrow is below a specified level, then we may terminate the forward sale agreements on or before the closing date of the offering, in which case we will issue and sell directly to the underwriters all of the common shares offered hereunder, and we will have no further obligation to the forward purchasers. Under any such circumstance, the commitment of the underwriters to purchase our common shares from the forward sellers as described above, will be replaced with the commitment to purchase from us the relevant number of common shares not borrowed and delivered by the forward sellers. In such event, we or the underwriters may postpone the closing date by up to three business days to effect any necessary changes to the documents or arrangements.

We will receive an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of the common shares at the forward sale price, subject to certain adjustments described below pursuant to the forward sale agreements, to the forward purchasers upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements. We will only receive such proceeds if we elect to fully physically settle the forward sale agreements.

We expect the forward sale agreements to settle by December 27, 2019. We or the forward purchasers may accelerate the forward sale agreements upon the occurrence of certain events. On a settlement date, if we decide to physically settle the forward sale agreements, we will issue our common shares to the forward purchasers under the forward sale agreements at the then-applicable forward sale price. The forward sale price initially will be equal to $                per share. The forward sale agreements provide that the forward sale price will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the overnight bank funding rate less a spread and will be subject to decrease on each of certain dates by amounts related to expected dividends on our common shares during the term of the forward sale agreements. If the overnight bank funding rate is less than the spread on any day, the interest factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, the overnight bank funding rate was more than the spread.

Before the issuance of our common shares, if any, upon settlement of the forward sale agreements, the forward sale agreements will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of our common shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of our common shares that would be issued upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements over the number of our common shares that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price during the period) using the proceeds due upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period). Consequently, prior to physical or net share settlement of the forward sale agreements and subject to the occurrence of certain events, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share except during periods when the average market price of our common shares is above the applicable adjusted forward sale price, which is initially $                per share, subject to increase or decrease based on the overnight bank funding rate, less a spread, and subject to decrease by amounts related to expected dividends on our common shares

during the term of the forward sale agreements. Any issuance and delivery of our common shares by us upon physical or net share settlement of the forward sale agreements, however, will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.

The forward sale agreements will be physically settled, unless we elect cash or net share settlement under the forward sale agreements (which we have the right to do, subject to certain conditions, other than in the limited circumstances described below and set forth in the forward sale agreements). Although we expect to settle the forward sale agreements entirely by delivering our common shares in connection with full physical

 

S-19


Table of Contents

settlement, we may, subject to certain conditions, elect cash settlement or net share settlement for all or a portion of our obligations if we conclude it is in our interest to cash settle or net share settle. For example, we may conclude it is in our interest to cash settle or net share settle if we have no then current use for all or a portion of the net proceeds we would receive upon physical settlement. In the event we elect to cash settle or net share settle, the settlement amount will be generally related to (1)(a) the market value of our common shares during the unwind period under the relevant forward sale agreement minus (b) the applicable forward sale price; multiplied by (2) the number of common shares underlying the relevant forward sale agreement subject to such cash settlement or net share settlement. If this settlement amount is a negative number, the relevant forward purchaser will pay us the absolute value of that amount or deliver to us a number of our common shares having a value equal to the absolute value of such amount. If this settlement amount is a positive number, we will pay the relevant forward purchaser that amount or deliver to such forward purchaser a number of our common shares having a value equal to such amount. In connection with any cash settlement or net share settlement, we would expect the relevant forward purchaser or its affiliate to purchase our common shares in secondary market transactions for delivery to third-party stock lenders in order to close out its, or its affiliate’s, hedge position in respect of its forward sale agreement. The purchase of our common shares in connection with a forward purchaser or its affiliate unwinding its hedge positions could result in an increase (or a reduction in the amount of any decrease) in the price of our common shares over such time, thereby increasing the amount of cash we owe to the relevant forward purchaser (or decreasing the amount of cash such forward purchaser owes us) upon cash settlement or increasing the number of our common shares we are obligated to deliver to such forward purchaser (or decreasing the number of our common shares such forward purchaser is obligated to deliver to us) upon net share settlement. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Forward Sale Agreements.”

Each forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate its forward sale agreement (with respect to all or any portion of the transaction under the forward sale agreement that the forward purchaser determines is affected by such event) and require us to settle on a date specified by such forward purchaser if (1) such forward purchaser determines it is unable, after using commercially reasonable efforts, to borrow (or maintain a borrowing of) a number of our common shares equal to the number of common shares underlying its forward sale agreement at a rate that is equal to or less than the borrow cost specified in such forward sale agreement; (2) such forward purchaser determines that it has an excess Section 13 ownership position or an excess regulatory ownership position (as such terms are defined in such forward sale agreement) with respect to certain ownership restrictions and related filing requirements under the federal securities laws, the New York business corporation law or certain other laws and regulations, as applicable; (3) we declare or pay certain dividends or distributions on our common shares with a cash value in excess of a specified amount, an ex-dividend date that occurs earlier than a specified date or certain non-cash dividends; (4) there occurs the announcement of any event or transaction that, if consummated, would result in a merger event, tender offer, nationalization, delisting or change in law (in each case, as determined pursuant to the terms of such forward sale agreement); or (5) certain other events of default, termination events or other specified events occur, including, among other things, any material misrepresentation made by us in connection with entering into such forward sale agreement or a market disruption event during a specified period that lasts for more than eight consecutive scheduled trading days (in each case, as determined pursuant to the terms of such forward sale agreement). Each forward purchaser’s decision to exercise its right to accelerate the settlement of its forward sale agreement will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver common shares under the physical settlement provisions, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity. In addition, upon certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency relating to us, the relevant forward sale agreement will terminate. Following any such termination, we may not issue any common shares and we would not receive any proceeds pursuant to the applicable forward sale agreement. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Forward Sale Agreements.”

Stabilization and Short Positions

Until the distribution of the common shares offered hereby is completed, Commission rules may limit the underwriters and selling group members from bidding for or purchasing our common shares. However, the

 

S-20


Table of Contents

underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common shares, such as bids or purchases that peg, fix or maintain the price of the common shares.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may make short sales of our common shares. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters, at the time of the offering, of a greater number of common shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. Short sales may be “naked short sales,” which are short positions in excess of that amount. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing common shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the purchases by the underwriters to cover short positions may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common shares. As a result, the price of our common shares may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued at any time.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter is required to repay to the underwriting syndicate a portion of the underwriting discount received by such underwriter because the other underwriters have repurchased common shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the common shares. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

NYSE Listing

Our common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “ED.” We intend to list on the NYSE any shares we deliver to physically settle the forward sale agreements and, if applicable, any shares we sell directly to the underwriters.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include, among other activities, securities trading and underwriting, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, corporate trust, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. In the ordinary course of its business, the underwriters and/or their affiliates have in the past and may in the future provide us and our affiliates with financial advisory and other services for which they have and in the future will receive customary fees.

In addition, in the ordinary course of its business activities, the underwriters and/or their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of its customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates.

Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates have lending relationships with us. In particular, affiliates of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC have provided us with the Bridge Facility and their affiliates and affiliates of certain other underwriters participate in our revolving credit arrangements. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. has served as our lead financial advisor in connection with the Acquisition.

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.

 

S-21


Table of Contents

Conflicts of Interest

All of the proceeds of this offering (excluding proceeds paid to us with respect to any of our common shares that we may issue and sell directly to the underwriters in lieu of the forward sellers selling our common shares to the underwriters) will be paid to the forward purchasers. Because affiliates of the underwriters will receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering, not including underwriting compensation, the underwriters are deemed to have a conflict of interest within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. In addition, the underwriters or their affiliates may hold a portion of the commercial paper that we may repay using the net proceeds that we receive upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements. Accordingly, the offering will be conducted in compliance with the applicable provisions of FINRA Rule 5121. Pursuant to that rule, the appointment of a “qualified independent underwriter” is not required in connection with the offering, as our common shares have a “bona fide public market” (as defined in FINRA Rule 5121). In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, the underwriters will not confirm any sales to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the specific written approval of the transaction from the account holder. In addition, the amount of the commitment under the Bridge Facility, subject to certain exclusions, will be reduced by the amount of net proceeds from the common shares offered hereby. See “Use of Proceeds” for additional information.

NOTICES TO INVESTORS

No Public Offering Outside the United States

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

European Economic Area

This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of common shares in any Member State of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of common shares. Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Member State of common shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for the issuer or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. Neither the issuer nor the underwriters have authorised, nor do they authorise, the making of any offer of common shares in circumstances in which an obligation arises for the issuer or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer. Neither the issuer nor the underwriters have authorised, nor do they authorise, the making of any offer of common shares through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters, which constitute the final placement of the common shares contemplated in this prospectus supplement.

In relation to each Member State of the EEA, each underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive was implemented in that Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of common shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement to the public in that Member State, except

 

S-22


Table of Contents

that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of such common shares to the public in that Member State:

(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

(b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant underwriter(s) nominated by the issuer for any such offer; or

(c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of common shares shall require the issuer or any underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

Each person in a Member State of the EEA who receives any communication in respect of, or who acquires any common shares under, the offers to the public contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with each underwriter and the issuer that:

(a) it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the law in that Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive; and

(b) in the case of any common shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, (i) the common shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Member State other than qualified investors, as that term is defined in the Prospectus Directive, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriter has been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where common shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Member State other than qualified investors, the offer of those common shares to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as having been made to such persons.

For the purposes of this provision: (a) the expression “an offer to the public” in relation to any common shares in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the common shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the common shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State; and (b) the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Member State concerned.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “FSMA”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the FSMA (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

Japan

Our common shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and

 

S-23


Table of Contents

ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the common shares may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the common shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The common shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

Canada

The common shares may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the common shares 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 (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 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) 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.

 

S-24


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the common shares offered hereby and certain other related legal matters will be passed upon for Con Edison by Elizabeth D. Moore, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Con Edison, and by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with the common shares will be passed upon for the underwriters, the forward purchasers and the forward sellers by Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, New York, New York. Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has from time to time performed and may perform legal services for affiliates of Con Edison.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in the Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

S-25


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

Debt Securities

Common Shares ($.10 par value)

We may offer and sell from time to time our unsecured debt securities (“Debt Securities”) and common shares ($.10 par value) (“Common Shares”). Our Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ED”.

We will establish the specific price and terms of the Debt Securities and the Common Shares we will offer (collectively, the “Securities”) and how they will be offered at the time we offer them, and we will describe them in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell our Securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement before you invest in the Securities.

 

 

Investing in the Securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus.

 

 

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

 

We may sell the 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.

The date of this prospectus is August 2, 2018.


Table of Contents

IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE “COMPANY,” “CON EDISON,” “WE,” “US” AND “OUR” REFER TO CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Risk Factors

     2  

About This Prospectus

     2  

Where You Can Find More Information

     2  

Incorporation By Reference

     3  

Con Edison

     3  

Use of Proceeds

     4  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     4  

Description of Debt Securities

     5  

Description of Common Shares

     11  

Plan of Distribution

     13  

Legal Matters

     13  

Experts

     13  

 

i


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

Our businesses are influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, that are often beyond our control and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect our actual operating results, cash flows and financial condition. These risk factors include those described in the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus (see “Incorporation by Reference,” below), and could include additional uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider to be material. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as any other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus or include in any applicable prospectus supplement.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement for the Securities that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) using a “shelf” registration process. We may use this prospectus to offer and sell from time to time any of the Securities in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities. Each time we offer Securities, we will file with the Commission a supplement to this prospectus that will describe the specific terms of that offering. The specific terms of the offered Securities may vary from the general terms of the Securities described in this prospectus, and accordingly the description of the Securities contained in this prospectus is subject to, and qualified by reference to, the specific terms of the offered Securities contained in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change the information contained in this prospectus, including information about us. If there is any inconsistency between this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. Before you invest, you should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the information contained in the documents we refer to in this prospectus under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement contain and incorporate by reference information that you should consider when making your investment decision. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any additional or different information. If anyone provides you with such additional, different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference therein and in any related written communication that we provide or authorize is accurate only as of the respective dates of such documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission and these filings are publicly available through the Commission’s website (http://www.sec.gov). You may read and copy materials that we have filed with the Commission at its public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330.

This prospectus, which includes information incorporated by reference (see “Incorporation by Reference,” below), is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we have filed with the Commission relating to the Securities. As permitted by the Commission’s rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the Commission. You should read the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules for more information about us and the Securities.

The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are also available at the Commission’s public reference room or through its Internet website.

 

2


Table of Contents

You may obtain a free copy of our filings with the Commission by writing or telephoning us at our principal executive offices: Corporate Secretary, Consolidated Edison, Inc., 4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003 (Telephone No.: 212-460-3192). The filings are also available through the “For Investors” section of our website: www.conedison.com. The information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus by reference, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information we file with them. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to documents that we have previously filed with the Commission or documents that we will file with the Commission in the future. The information we incorporate by reference is considered to be an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the Commission that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus will automatically update and supercede this information.

We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus the following Con Edison documents that we have filed with the Commission:

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017;

 

   

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018; and

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated January 8, 2018, January 17, 2018, May 7, 2018, May 21, 2018, June 20, 2018 and June 21, 2018.

We are also incorporating by reference into this prospectus any additional documents that we subsequently file with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (other than those “furnished” pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 in any Current Report on Form 8-K or other information deemed to have been “furnished” rather than filed in accordance with the Commission’s rules) prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

CON EDISON

Con Edison is a holding company that operates only through its subsidiaries. We were incorporated in New York State in 1997.

Our principal business operations are those of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc. and Con Edison Transmission, Inc.

Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. provides electric service in all of New York City (except a part of Queens) and most of Westchester County, an approximate 660 square mile service area with a population of more than nine million. Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. also provides gas service in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and most of Westchester County, and steam service in parts of Manhattan.

 

3


Table of Contents

Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc., along with its regulated utility subsidiary, delivers electricity and natural gas to customers primarily located in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey.

Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, owns and operates renewable and energy infrastructure projects and provides energy-related products and services to wholesale and retail customers.

Con Edison Transmission, Inc., through its subsidiaries, invests in electric and gas transmission projects.

Con Edison is a holding company that operates only through its subsidiaries and has no material assets other than its interests in its subsidiaries. Our ability to pay interest on the Debt Securities and dividends on the Common Shares is dependent on our receipt of dividends from these subsidiaries or proceeds from the sale by us of additional securities or assets. Our utility companies are subject to certain restrictions on the dividends that they may pay to us, as discussed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we inform you otherwise in a supplement to this prospectus, we anticipate using the net proceeds received by us from the sale of the Securities for general corporate purposes, including, among others, investment by us in our subsidiaries, repayment of our short-term debt and repurchase, retirement or refinancing of our other debt securities. We may temporarily invest net proceeds prior to their use.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the five most recently completed fiscal years and for the most recent year-to-date quarter-end period are included in the management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

4


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The Debt Securities are expected to be issued under an indenture, dated as of April 1, 2002, between Con Edison and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York (successor as trustee to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as JPMorgan Chase Bank))), as Trustee (“Trustee”), as amended and supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 1, 2009 (such Indenture, as amended and supplemented, is herein referred to as the “Indenture”), copies of which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The Debt Securities to be issued under the Indenture will be unsecured general obligations of Con Edison ranking equally and ratably in right of payment with the other unsecured debt securities of Con Edison issued under the Indenture that are not subordinated obligations of Con Edison (“Subordinated Securities”); provided, however, that if so provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of Debt Securities, the Debt Securities will be Subordinated Securities.

There is no requirement that future issues of Debt Securities of Con Edison be issued under the Indenture, and Con Edison will be free to employ other indentures or documentation, containing provisions different from those included in the Indenture or applicable to one or more issues of Debt Securities, in connection with future issues of such other Debt Securities. Any such other indenture or documentation would be described in a prospectus supplement or in a revision to this prospectus.

The Indenture does not specifically restrict the ability of Con Edison to engage in transactions which could have the effect of increasing the ratio of debt to equity capitalization of Con Edison or a successor corporation. For example, the Indenture does not limit the amount of indebtedness of Con Edison, the payment of dividends by Con Edison or the acquisition by Con Edison of any of the equity securities of Con Edison or Con Edison of New York. The Indenture also permits Con Edison to merge or consolidate or to transfer its assets, subject to certain conditions (see “Consolidation, Merger and Sale” below). Con Edison must obtain approvals from state and/or federal regulatory bodies to merge or consolidate.

The following summary of the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

General: The Indenture provides that the Debt Securities offered and other unsecured debt securities of Con Edison issued under the Indenture, without limitation as to aggregate principal amount (collectively the “Indenture Securities”), may be issued in one or more series, in each case as authorized from time to time by Con Edison.

Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to the Debt Securities offered for any of the following terms not provided herein:

 

  (1)

the title of the Debt Securities;

 

  (2)

the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities;

 

  (3)

the percentage of the principal amount representing the price for which the Debt Securities shall be issued;

 

  (4)

the date or dates on which the principal of, and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be payable;

 

  (5)

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined;

 

  (6)

if the amount of payments of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

5


Table of Contents
  (7)

the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the dates on which any such interest shall be payable and any record dates therefor and the basis for the computation of interest, if other than a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months;

 

  (8)

the place or places where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be payable;

 

  (9)

the period or periods, if any, within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of Con Edison;

 

  (10)

the obligation, if any, of Con Edison to redeem, purchase or repay the Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid pursuant to such obligation;

 

  (11)

whether the Debt Securities shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the identity of the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities;

 

  (12)

if other than $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Debt Securities shall be issued;

 

  (13)

if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Debt Securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Debt Securities;

 

  (14)

any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 of the Indenture pertaining to the Debt Securities;

 

  (15)

the provisions, if any, relating to the defeasance of Debt Securities of a series prior to the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 12.02 of the Indenture (see “Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance”);

 

  (16)

the terms, if any, upon which Con Edison may elect not to pay interest on an interest payment date;

 

  (17)

the provisions, if any, relating to the subordination of the Debt Securities pursuant to Article 14 of the Indenture (see “Subordination”); and

 

  (18)

any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture and not adversely affecting the rights of any other series of Indenture Securities then outstanding. (Section 2.03)

The terms of a series of Indenture Securities shall be established by or pursuant to a resolution of Con Edison’s Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in a supplemental indenture. The provisions of the Indenture described above permit Con Edison, in addition to issuing Indenture Securities with terms different from those of Indenture Securities previously issued, to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of Indenture Securities and to issue additional Indenture Securities of such series.

The Indenture Securities will be issued only in registered form without coupons and, unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of Indenture Securities, in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. (Section 2.02) Indenture Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities (see “Global Securities”). One or more Global Securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Indenture Securities of the series to be represented by such Global Security or Global Securities. (Section 2.01) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of Indenture Securities, but Con Edison may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (Section 2.05)

One or more series of the Indenture Securities may be issued with the same or various maturities at par or at a discount. Debt Securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below the

 

6


Table of Contents

market rate (“Original Issue Discount Securities”) will be sold at a discount (which may be substantial) below their stated principal amount. Federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount Securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

Subordination: If the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of Indenture Securities so provides, such securities will be Subordinated Securities and the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Subordinated Securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (defined below) to the extent set forth in the next paragraph. (Section 14.01)

In the event (a) of any distribution of assets of Con Edison in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceedings, or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of Con Edison, except for a distribution in connection with a consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease permitted under the Indenture (see “Consolidation, Merger and Sale”), or (b) the principal of any Senior Indebtedness shall have been declared due and payable by reason of an event of default with respect thereto and such event of default shall not have been rescinded, then the holders of Subordinated Securities will not be entitled to receive or retain any payment, or distribution of assets of Con Edison, in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Subordinated Securities until the holders of all Senior Indebtedness (or, in the circumstances described in the foregoing clause (b), all Senior Indebtedness due and payable by reason of such an event of default) receive payment of the full amount due in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Indebtedness or provision for such payment on the Senior Indebtedness shall have been made. (Section 14.02)

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the holders of the Subordinated Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until all amounts owing on the Subordinated Securities shall be paid in full. (Section 14.03)

“Senior Indebtedness” means all indebtedness of Con Edison for the repayment of money borrowed (whether or not represented by bonds, debentures, notes or other securities) other than the indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Securities and any indebtedness subordinated to, or subordinated on parity with, the Subordinated Securities. Senior Indebtedness does not include customer deposits or other amounts securing obligations of others to Con Edison. (Section 14.01)

The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of Senior Indebtedness that Con Edison may issue. As of June 30, 2018, $17.9 billion of Senior Indebtedness was outstanding, not including as “Senior Indebtedness” $2 billion of guarantees by Con Edison of certain obligations of its subsidiaries.

Redemption: If the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of Indenture Securities so provides, such securities will be subject to redemption at the option of Con Edison. Notice of any redemption of Indenture Securities shall be given to the registered holders of such securities not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. If less than all of a series of Indenture Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Indenture Securities of such series or portions thereof to be redeemed.

Global Securities: The Indenture Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Indenture Securities in definitive form, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. (Sections 2.01 and 2.05)

 

7


Table of Contents

The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any Indenture Securities of a series will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Con Edison anticipates that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security will credit, on its book entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the Indenture Securities represented by such Global Security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with such Depositary (“participants”). The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters through which such Indenture Securities were sold. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary for such Global Security or by participants or persons that hold through participants. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.

So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Indenture Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have Indenture Securities of the series represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Indenture Securities of such series in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture.

Payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Indenture Securities registered in the name of or held by a Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security representing such Indenture Securities. None of Con Edison, the Trustee or any paying agent for such Indenture Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security for such Indenture Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Con Edison expects that the Depositary for Indenture Securities of a series, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, in respect of a Global Security will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global Security as shown on the records of such Depositary. Con Edison also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participants.

If a Depositary for Indenture Securities of a series is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by Con Edison within 90 days, Con Edison will issue Indenture Securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for the Global Security or Global Securities representing the Indenture Securities of such series. In addition, Con Edison may at any time and in its sole discretion determine not to have any Indenture Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities and, in such event, will issue Indenture Securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for the Global Security or Global Securities representing such Indenture Securities. Further, if Con Edison so specifies with respect to the Indenture Securities of a series, each person specified by the Depositary of the Global Security representing Indenture Securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to Con Edison and the Depositary for such Global Security, receive Indenture Securities of the series in definitive form. In any such instance, each person so specified by the Depositary of the Global Security will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of Indenture Securities of the series represented by such Global Security equal in principal amount to such person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security.

 

8


Table of Contents

Payments and Paying Agents: Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payment of principal of and premium, if any, on Indenture Securities will be made against surrender of such Indenture Securities at The Bank of New York Mellon, Corporate Trust Division, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY 13057. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payment of any installment of interest on Indenture Securities will be made to the person in whose name such Indenture Security is registered at the close of business on the record date for such interest. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payments of such interest will be made at The Bank of New York Mellon, or by a check mailed to each holder of an Indenture Security at such holder’s registered address.

All moneys paid by Con Edison to a paying agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Indenture Security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest shall have become due and payable will be repaid to Con Edison and the holder of such Indenture Security entitled to receive such payment will thereafter look only to Con Edison for payment thereof. (Section 12.05) However, any such payment shall be subject to escheat pursuant to state abandoned property laws.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale: The Indenture permits Con Edison, without the consent of the holders of any of the Indenture Securities, to consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or sell, transfer or lease its properties as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any person, provided that: (i) the successor is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof; (ii) the successor assumes Con Edison’s obligations under the Indenture and the Indenture Securities; (iii) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default (see “Default and Certain Rights on Default”) and no event that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iv) certain other conditions are met. (Section 11.02) The Indenture does not restrict the merger of another corporation into Con Edison.

Modification of the Indenture: The Indenture contains provisions permitting Con Edison and the Trustee, without the consent of the holders of the Indenture Securities, to execute supplemental indentures to, among other things, establish the form and terms of any series of Indenture Securities issuable thereunder by one or more supplemental indentures and to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions to be observed by Con Edison and to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained in the Indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained therein or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the Indenture as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture and shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Indenture Securities. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting Con Edison and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of any series at the time outstanding, evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture with respect to Indenture Securities of such series, or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Indenture Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity, or the earlier optional date of maturity, if any, of any Indenture Security of a particular series or reduce the principal amount thereof or the premium thereon, if any, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or make the principal thereof or premium, if any, or interest thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Indenture Security, without the consent of the holder of each Indenture Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the principal amount of Indenture Securities of any series, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of all Indenture Securities of such series outstanding thereunder. (Sections 10.01 and 10.02)

Default and Certain Rights on Default: The Indenture provides that the Trustee or the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of Indenture Securities of a series outstanding thereunder may declare the principal of all Indenture Securities of such series to be due and payable immediately, if any Event of Default

 

9


Table of Contents

with respect to such series of Indenture Securities shall occur and be continuing. However, if all defaults with respect to Indenture Securities of such series (other than non-payment of accelerated principal) are cured, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of such series outstanding thereunder may waive the default and rescind the declaration and its consequences. Events of Default with respect to a series of Indenture Securities include (unless specifically deleted in the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution under which such series of Indenture Securities is issued, or modified in any such supplemental indenture):

 

  (i)

failure to pay interest when due on any Indenture Security of such series, continued for 30 days;

 

  (ii)

failure to pay principal or premium, if any, when due on any Indenture Security of such series;

 

  (iii)

failure to perform any other covenant of Con Edison in the Indenture or the Indenture Securities of such series (other than a covenant included in the Indenture or the Indenture Securities solely for the benefit of series of Indenture Securities other than such series), continued for 60 days after written notice from the Trustee or the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of such series outstanding thereunder;

 

  (iv)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

 

  (v)

any other Event of Default as may be specified for such series. (Section 6.01)

The Indenture provides that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of any series outstanding thereunder may, subject to certain exceptions, direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to, or exercising any power or trust conferred upon, the Trustee with respect to Indenture Securities of such series and may on behalf of all holders of Indenture Securities of such series waive any past default and its consequences with respect to Indenture Securities of such series, except a default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Indenture Securities of such series. (Section 6.06)

Holders of Indenture Securities of any series may not institute any proceeding to enforce the Indenture unless the Trustee thereunder shall have refused or neglected to act for 60 days after a request and offer of satisfactory indemnity by the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Indenture Securities of such series outstanding thereunder. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture, however, the right of any holder of Indenture Securities of any series to enforce payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the holder’s Indenture Securities when due shall not be impaired. (Section 6.04)

The Trustee is required to give the holders of Indenture Securities of any series notice of defaults with respect to such series (Events of Default summarized above, exclusive of any grace period and irrespective of any requirement that notice of default be given) as to which it has received written notice within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, unless cured before the giving of such notice, but, except for defaults in payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Indenture Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as it determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of such holders. (Section 6.07)

Con Edison is required to deliver to the Trustee each year an Officers’ Certificate stating whether such officers have obtained knowledge of any default by Con Edison in the performance of certain covenants and, if so, specifying the nature thereof. (Section 4.06)

Concerning the Trustee: The Indenture provides that the Trustee shall, prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Indenture Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which have occurred, perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into the Indenture against the Trustee. During the existence of any Event of Default with respect to the Indenture Securities of any series, the

 

10


Table of Contents

Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it under the Indenture with respect to such series and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. (Section 7.01)

The Trustee may acquire and hold Indenture Securities and, subject to certain conditions, otherwise deal with Con Edison as if it were not Trustee under the Indenture. (Section 7.04)

The Bank of New York Mellon, which is the Trustee under the Indenture, is a participating bank under Con Edison’s revolving credit agreement and is a depository for funds and performs other services for, and transacts other banking business with, Con Edison in the normal course of business.

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance: The Indenture may be satisfied and discharged upon delivery of all outstanding Indenture Securities for cancellation or if all other Indenture Securities are to be paid within one year, at maturity or upon redemption, upon deposit with the Trustee of amounts sufficient for such payment and all other sums due under the Indenture. (Section 12.01) In addition, the Indenture provides that if, at any time after the date of the Indenture, Con Edison, if so permitted with respect to Indenture Securities of a particular series, shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the holders thereof, (i) funds sufficient to pay, or (ii) such amount of obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America as will, or will together with the income thereon without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay all sums due for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Indenture Securities of such series, as they shall become due from time to time, and certain other conditions are met, the Trustee shall cancel and satisfy the Indenture with respect to such series to the extent provided therein. (Section 12.02) The prospectus supplement describing the Indenture Securities of such series will more fully describe the provisions, if any, relating to such defeasance of the Indenture with respect to such series.

Reports Furnished Securityholders: Con Edison will furnish the holders of Indenture Securities copies of all annual financial reports distributed to its stockholders generally as soon as practicable after the mailing of such material to the stockholders. (Section 4.07)

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES

Con Edison’s authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 Common Shares ($0.10 par value per share), of which 311,102,989 shares were issued and outstanding as of July 31, 2018, and 6,000,000 preferred shares ($1.00 par value per share) (“Preferred Shares”), of which no shares have been issued. Con Edison’s Board of Directors is authorized from time to time to issue the Preferred Shares as Preferred Shares of any series and, in connection with the creation of each such series, to fix by the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance thereof the number of shares of such series and the designations, relative rights, preferences and limitations (including dividend, liquidation and voting rights, preferences and limitations) of such series to the full extent permitted by the law of the State of New York, except that holders of the Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to more than one vote for each Preferred Share held. The Preferred Shares will have no voting rights, except as so fixed or as required by applicable law.

The following description of the Common Shares does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to Con Edison’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Dividends. Subject to any prior rights of Preferred Shares (if any should become outstanding), Common Shares are entitled to dividends when, as and if declared by Con Edison’s Board of Directors, and Con Edison may purchase or otherwise acquire outstanding Common Shares out of funds legally available therefor.

Liquidation Rights. Subject to any prior rights of Preferred Shares (if any should become outstanding), upon liquidation of Con Edison, any remaining net assets of Con Edison are distributable pro rata to the holders of Common Shares.

 

11


Table of Contents

Voting Rights. Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each share. There are no cumulative voting rights. Holders of Preferred Shares shall have no voting rights unless, in connection with the issuance of Preferred Shares, Con Edison’s Board of Directors provides voting rights (in which event the voting rights shall not be more than one vote for each Preferred Share held) or unless otherwise required by law.

No Preemptive Rights. Holders of the Common Shares are not entitled to preemptive rights.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Shares is Computershare, P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170.

Certain provisions of Con Edison’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and by-laws and New York law may have the effect of encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or unilateral takeover proposals for Con Edison to negotiate with the Board of Directors and could thereby have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Con Edison. These provisions include:

Authorized But Unissued Shares. As of July 31, 2018, 165,686,311 Common Shares and 6,000,000 Preferred Shares were authorized but unissued and 23,210,700 Common Shares were held by Con Edison or Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. as treasury shares. Such shares could be issued without stockholder approval in transactions that might prevent or render more difficult or costly the completion of a takeover transaction. In this regard, Con Edison’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation grants the Board of Directors broad corporate power to establish the rights and preferences of preferred stock, one or more classes or series of which could be issued which would entitle holders to exercise rights which could have the effect of impeding a takeover, including rights to convert or exchange the stock into Common Shares or other securities or to demand redemption of the stock at a specified price under prescribed circumstances related to a change of control.

Advance Notice By-law. Under Con Edison’s by-laws, written notice of any proposal to be presented by any shareholder or any person to be nominated by any shareholder for election as a director must be received by Con Edison’s Secretary at Con Edison’s principal executive offices not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year, or if the date of the applicable annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, such notice shall be received by the Secretary no more than ten days following the date Con Edison publicly announces the date of the applicable annual meeting.

Section 912. Con Edison is subject to Section 912 of the New York Business Corporation Law. Accordingly, Con Edison may not engage in a business combination, such as a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, asset sale or disposition of stock, with any “interested shareholder” for a period of five years from the date that the interested shareholder first became an interested shareholder unless:

 

   

the business combination, or the acquisition of stock that resulted in the interested shareholder first becoming an interested shareholder, was approved by Con Edison’s Board of Directors prior to the interested shareholder becoming an interested shareholder;

 

   

the business combination is approved by the disinterested shareholders at a meeting of Con Edison’s shareholders called no earlier than five years after the date that the interested shareholder first became an interested shareholder; or

 

   

the business combination meets certain “fair price” valuation requirements.

An “interested shareholder” is any person that is the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of Con Edison or is an affiliate or associate of Con Edison that at any time during the prior five years was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of the then outstanding voting stock of Con Edison.

 

12


Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer the Securities (a) through agents; (b) through underwriters or dealers; (c) directly to one or more purchasers; or (d) through a combination of any of these or other methods of sale. Our Securities may also be offered in connection with forward sale agreements. We will identify the specific plan of distribution in a prospectus supplement, including: (1) the identity of any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and the amount of the Securities underwritten or purchased by them and their compensation; (2) the initial offering price of the Securities and the proceeds that we will receive from the sale of the Securities; and (3) any securities exchange on which the Securities will be listed.

It is anticipated that any underwriting agreement pertaining to any Securities will (1) entitle the underwriters to indemnification by Con Edison against certain civil liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribution for payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof, (2) provide that the obligations of the underwriters will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and (3) provide that the underwriters generally will be obligated to purchase all such Securities if any are purchased. The underwriters or affiliated companies may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, Con Edison and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

In connection with an offering made hereby, any underwriter may purchase and sell the Securities in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover short positions created by the underwriters in connection with an offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or delaying a decline in the market price of the Securities, and short positions created by the underwriters involve the sale by the underwriters of more Securities than they are required to purchase from Con Edison. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to broker-dealers in respect of the Securities sold in the offering may be reclaimed by the underwriters if such Securities are repurchased by the underwriters in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market; and these activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

The anticipated date of delivery of the Securities will be as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of the Securities.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, the validity of the Securities and certain other related legal matters will be passed upon for Con Edison by Elizabeth D. Moore, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Con Edison, and by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with the Securities will be passed upon for any underwriters by Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166. Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP from time to time has performed and may perform legal services for affiliates of Con Edison.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in the Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

13


Table of Contents

 

LOGO