0000731802 false 0000731802 2021-10-01 2021-10-01 0000731802 stpr:VA 2021-10-01 2021-10-01

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 8-K

 

 

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

October 1, 2021

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Texas AND Virginia   1-10042   75-1743247
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

1800 THREE LINCOLN CENTRE,
5430 LBJ FREEWAY, DALLAS, Texas
  75240
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(972) 934-9227

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common stock   No Par Value   ATO   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging Growth Company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On October 1, 2021, Atmos Energy Corporation (“Atmos Energy”) completed a public offering of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.850% Senior Notes due 2052 (the “Notes”). The offering has been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-257504) of Atmos Energy and the Prospectus Supplement dated September 21, 2021, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act on September 23, 2021. Atmos Energy received net proceeds from the offering, after the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by it, of approximately $589.6 million.

The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of March 26, 2009 (the “Base Indenture”) between Atmos Energy and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and an officers’ certificate delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 301 of the Base Indenture (the “Officers’ Certificate,” and the Base Indenture, as modified by the Officers’ Certificate, is referred to herein as the “Indenture”). The Notes are represented by two global securities executed by Atmos Energy on October 1, 2021 (each, a “Global Security”) and are unsecured senior obligations that rank equally in right of payment with all of Atmos Energy’s other existing and future unsubordinated debt. The Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 2.850%, payable by Atmos Energy on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2022, and mature on February 15, 2052.

Atmos Energy may redeem the Notes at its option at any time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the Indenture. The Indenture includes covenants that limit the ability of Atmos Energy and its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, among other things, (i) grant specified liens, (ii) engage in specified sale and leaseback transactions, (iii) consolidate or merge with or into other companies or (iv) sell all or substantially all of Atmos Energy’s assets. The restrictive covenants are subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications set forth in the Indenture. The Indenture provides for events of default, including (i) interest payment defaults, (ii) breaches of covenants, (iii) certain payment defaults at final maturity or acceleration of other indebtedness and (iv) the occurrence of events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. If any event of default occurs and is continuing, subject to certain exceptions, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, together with any accrued and unpaid interest.

The above descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the Base Indenture, the Officers’ Certificate, and the Global Securities. The Base Indenture has been previously filed, the Officers’ Certificate is filed as Exhibit 4.1, and the Global Securities are filed as Exhibits 4.2 and 4.3, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and are each incorporated herein by reference.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

4.1    Officers’ Certificate dated October 1, 2021
4.2    Global Security for the 2.850% Senior Notes due 2052
4.3    Global Security for the 2.850% Senior Notes due 2052
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File. The cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document (contained in Exhibit 101).


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION
   

(Registrant)

DATE: October 1, 2021     By:  

/s/ Daniel M. Meziere

      Daniel M. Meziere
      Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer

Exhibit 4.1

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

Officers’ Certificate Pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture

October 1, 2021

Each of the undersigned, Daniel M. Meziere, Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer, and Karen E. Hartsfield, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Atmos Energy Corporation (the “Company”) certifies, pursuant to the authority delegated to each of them, as an officer of the Company, pursuant to the resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) on August 3, 2021 (copies of which resolutions are attached hereto as Exhibit I), that pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture dated as of March 26, 2009 (the “Indenture”) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), a series of debt securities of the Company is hereby established with the following terms and provisions (unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein have the meaning given thereto in the Indenture):

1. The title of the series of the securities to be issued is the 2.850% Senior Notes due 2052 (the “Notes”).

2. The Notes are unsubordinated and will rank equally with all of the Company’s other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Subordinated debt will rank junior to the Notes and the Company’s other senior debt.

3. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes that initially may be issued under the Indenture, in connection with the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2021, among the Company and certain underwriters named therein, is $600,000,000, and the Stated Maturity of the Notes is February 15, 2052. The Notes shall be offered to the public at a price representing 99.357% of their principal amount.

4. The Notes shall bear interest at the rate of 2.850% per annum. Interest on the Notes will be payable in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning February 15, 2022. Interest payable on each Interest Payment Date will include interest accrued from and including October 1, 2021, or from and including the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, as the case may be, to but excluding such Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Holder in whose name the Notes are registered at the close of business on the February 1 or August 1 (whether or not a Business Day) preceding the respective Interest Payment Date. The payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Notes shall be payable to the Holders of the Notes on a Special Record Date established therefor pursuant to the Indenture, or shall be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.

5. Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, or at such other office or agency of the


Company as may be maintained for such purpose, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. So long as the Notes remain in book-entry form, all payments of principal and interest will be made by the Company in immediately available funds.

6. The Company may redeem the Notes prior to maturity at the Company’s option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part. Prior to the Par Call Date (as defined below), the Redemption Price will be equal to the greater of:

(a) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, and

(b) as determined by the Quotation Agent (as defined below), the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments (as defined below) of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed that would be due if the Notes matured on the Par Call Date, discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months at the Adjusted Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 20 basis points; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed to the Redemption Date.

At any time on or after the Par Call Date, the Redemption Price shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

“Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, for any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price of the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that Redemption Date;

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) that would be used, at the time of a selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed;

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, for any Redemption Date, the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that Redemption Date;

“Par Call Date” means August 15, 2051;

“Quotation Agent” means any Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the Company to act as a quotation agent;

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of BNP Paribas Securities Corp. and any Primary Treasury Dealer (as defined below) selected by Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp. and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. or any of such parties’ successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer (each, a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Company will substitute therefor another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Treasury Dealer;

 

2


“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed, in each case, as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, by such Reference Treasury Dealer on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date; and

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each Note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal and interest on such Note that would be due after the related Redemption Date but for such redemption; provided, however, that if such Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment on such Note will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued on such Note to such Redemption Date.

7. In the case of a partial redemption of the Notes, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee in accordance with the procedures of the Depository from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. Notice of any redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. If any Notes are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption will state the portion of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the Holder of the Note upon surrender for the cancellation of the original Note. A partial redemption will not reduce the portion of any Note not being redeemed to a principal amount of less than $2,000. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of the Notes called for redemption.

8. Section 703 of the Indenture is replaced with the following in its entirety for purposes of the Notes only:

The Company shall:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company has filed the same with the Commission, unless such reports are available on the Commission’s EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto), copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe), which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then the Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

 

3


(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3) transmit to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Subsections (1) and (2) of this Section 703 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

9. The Company has no obligation to redeem, purchase or repay the Notes pursuant to any mandatory redemption or sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof.

10. The entire principal amount of the Notes shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Notes pursuant to the Indenture.

11. The defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of Article Fourteen of the Indenture shall apply to the Notes.

12. The Trustee, the initial Paying Agent and the initial Security Registrar for the Notes shall be U.S. Bank National Association. The Security Register for the Notes shall be initially maintained at, and the place where such Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be, the Trustee’s Corporate Trust Office located at 1349 West Peachtree Street, Suite 1050, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.

13. The Notes will be issued in registered permanent global form and evidenced by global securities (the “Global Securities”) in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit II, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Indenture, and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends or endorsements, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing the Global Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Global Securities. The beneficial owners of interests in the Global Securities may exchange such interests for Notes in certificated form (the “Definitive Notes”) only in limited circumstances as provided in the Indenture. In the event that Definitive Notes are issued in exchange for a Global Security, the form of certificate evidencing each Definitive Note shall be in substantially the form of the attached Global Securities, with such changes as are necessary to evidence the Notes in definitive form rather than as a Global Security. The Company initially appoints DTC to act as Depository with respect to the Notes.

 

4


14. The Notes are issuable in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

15. The Events of Default set forth in the Indenture shall apply to the Notes.

16. The Company will not pay Additional Amounts on the Notes held by any Holder who is not a United States person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted.

17. The Company may, at any time, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, create and issue additional securities having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms as the Notes. Any such additional securities shall be consolidated and form the same series of the Notes having the same terms as to status, redemption and otherwise as the Notes under the Indenture.

Each of us further certifies that the form and terms of the Notes as established in this certificate have been established pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture and comply with the Indenture.

[Signature page follows]

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this certificate as of the date first written above.

 

By:  

/s/ Daniel M. Meziere

  Name:   Daniel M. Meziere
  Title:   Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this certificate as of the date first written above.

 

By:  

/s/ Karen E. Hartsfield

  Name:   Karen E. Hartsfield
  Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Officers’ Certificate Pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture

Exhibit 4.2

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND SUCH CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

2.850% Senior Notes due 2052

 

No. 1    CUSIP NO. 049560 AW5
   ISIN NO. US049560AW50

Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas and Virginia corporation (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor entity under the Indenture, hereinafter defined), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns the principal sum of FIVE-HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($500,000,000) on February 15, 2052 (the “Maturity Date”), at the office or agency of the Company referred to below, and to pay interest thereon from October 1, 2021, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 in each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning February 15, 2022 at 2.850% per annum until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for.

Any payment of principal or interest required to be made on a day that is not a Business Day need not be made on such day, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such day and no interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment. Interest payable on each Interest Payment Date will include interest accrued from and including October 1, 2021 or from and including the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, as the case may be, to but excluding such Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.


The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the person (the “Holder”) in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the February 1 and August 1 (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date (a “Regular Record Date”). Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for (“Defaulted Interest”) will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and either may be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special record date (the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee (referred to herein), notice whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Security not less than ten days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.

For purposes of this Security, “Business Day” means any day that, in the city of the principal Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and in the City of New York, is neither a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, or at such other office or agency of the Company as may be maintained for such purpose, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. So long as this Security remains in book-entry form, all payments of principal and interest will be made by the Company in immediately available funds.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been duly executed by the Trustee by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company, designated as the 2.850% Senior Notes due 2052 (the “Securities”), issued under an Indenture dated as of March 26, 2009, as it may be supplemented from time to time (referred to herein as the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (referred to herein as the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture with respect to the series of which this Security is a part). A reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties, obligations and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered, except as otherwise provided herein.

The Securities are initially limited to $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount. The Company may, at any time, without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, issue additional securities having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms (except for the issue date, public offering price and, if applicable, the first interest payment date) as the Securities. Any such additional securities shall be consolidated and form the same series of the Securities having the same terms as to status, redemption and otherwise as the Securities under the Indenture.


Events of Default. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all the Securities may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

Optional Redemption. The Securities will be redeemable prior to maturity at the Company’s option, at any time on or after August 15, 2051, in whole or from time to time in part. The Redemption Price shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

In the event that less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed at any time, selection of such Securities for redemption will be made by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) during any period the Securities are issued in the form of a global security registered in the name of DTC or a nominee thereof; provided that during any period the Securities are issued in certificated form, the selection of such Securities for redemption will be made by the Trustee by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem fair and appropriate (or, in the case of Securities issued in global form, by such method as the depositary may require) and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal of the Securities. Notice of any redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at its address as shown in the Security Register. If any Securities are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption will state the portion of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed. A new Security in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon surrender for cancellation of the original Security. A partial redemption will not reduce the portion of any Security not being redeemed to a principal amount of less than $2,000. On and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on Securities or portions thereof called for redemption unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price.

Sinking Fund. This Security does not have the benefit of any sinking fund obligations.

Modification and Waivers; Obligations of the Company Absolute. The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities. Certain limited amendments may be effected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of any Holders of the Securities. Certain other amendments affecting the Securities may only be effected under the Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Outstanding Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture affecting the Securities. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture permit the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities to waive on


behalf of all of the Holders of all Outstanding Securities certain past defaults under the Indenture in respect of the Securities and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by or on behalf of the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance. The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a) the entire indebtedness of the Company represented by this Security and (b) certain restrictive covenants and the related Defaults and Events of Default, upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions apply to this Security.

Authorized Denominations. The Securities are issuable only in registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Registration of Transfer or Exchange. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. At the date of the original issuance of this Security such office or agency of the Company is maintained by U.S. Bank National Association, 1349 West Peachtree Street, Suite 1050, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes or other governmental charges payable in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange.

Prior to the time of due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.


Defined Terms. All capitalized terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

Governing Laws. This Security and the Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles that would apply any other law.

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION
By:  

/s/Daniel M. Meziere

  Name:   Daniel M. Meziere
  Title:   Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer

 

Attest:
By:  

/s/ Karen E. Hartsfield

  Name:   Karen E. Hartsfield
  Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Note No. 1


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated: October 1, 2021     U.S. Bank National Association,
      as Trustee
    By:  

/s/ Felicia Powell

      Authorized Officer

Note No. 1


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Security to

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                    agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                             Signature:                                                                                       (sign exactly as name appears on the other side of this Security)

Signature guaranteed by: ______________________________

Exhibit 4.3

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND SUCH CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

2.850% Senior Notes due 2052

 

No. 2    CUSIP NO. 049560 AW5
   ISIN NO. US049560AW50

Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas and Virginia corporation (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor entity under the Indenture, hereinafter defined), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns the principal sum of ONE-HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($100,000,000) on February 15, 2052 (the “Maturity Date”), at the office or agency of the Company referred to below, and to pay interest thereon from October 1, 2021, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 in each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning February 15, 2022 at 2.850% per annum until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for.

Any payment of principal or interest required to be made on a day that is not a Business Day need not be made on such day, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such day and no interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment. Interest payable on each Interest Payment Date will include interest accrued from and including October 1, 2021 or from and including the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, as the case may be, to but excluding such Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.


The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the person (the “Holder”) in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the February 1 and August 1 (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date (a “Regular Record Date”). Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for (“Defaulted Interest”) will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and either may be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special record date (the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee (referred to herein), notice whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Security not less than ten days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.

For purposes of this Security, “Business Day” means any day that, in the city of the principal Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and in the City of New York, is neither a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, or at such other office or agency of the Company as may be maintained for such purpose, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. So long as this Security remains in book-entry form, all payments of principal and interest will be made by the Company in immediately available funds.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been duly executed by the Trustee by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company, designated as the 2.850% Senior Notes due 2052 (the “Securities”), issued under an Indenture dated as of March 26, 2009, as it may be supplemented from time to time (referred to herein as the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (referred to herein as the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture with respect to the series of which this Security is a part). A reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties, obligations and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered, except as otherwise provided herein.

The Securities are initially limited to $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount. The Company may, at any time, without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, issue additional securities having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms (except for the issue date, public offering price and, if applicable, the first interest payment date) as the Securities. Any such additional securities shall be consolidated and form the same series of the Securities having the same terms as to status, redemption and otherwise as the Securities under the Indenture.


Events of Default. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all the Securities may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

Optional Redemption. The Securities will be redeemable prior to maturity at the Company’s option, at any time on or after August 15, 2051, in whole or from time to time in part. The Redemption Price shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

In the event that less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed at any time, selection of such Securities for redemption will be made by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) during any period the Securities are issued in the form of a global security registered in the name of DTC or a nominee thereof; provided that during any period the Securities are issued in certificated form, the selection of such Securities for redemption will be made by the Trustee by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem fair and appropriate (or, in the case of Securities issued in global form, by such method as the depositary may require) and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal of the Securities. Notice of any redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at its address as shown in the Security Register. If any Securities are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption will state the portion of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed. A new Security in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon surrender for cancellation of the original Security. A partial redemption will not reduce the portion of any Security not being redeemed to a principal amount of less than $2,000. On and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on Securities or portions thereof called for redemption unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price.

Sinking Fund. This Security does not have the benefit of any sinking fund obligations.

Modification and Waivers; Obligations of the Company Absolute. The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities. Certain limited amendments may be effected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of any Holders of the Securities. Certain other amendments affecting the Securities may only be effected under the Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Outstanding Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture affecting the Securities. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture permit the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities to waive on


behalf of all of the Holders of all Outstanding Securities certain past defaults under the Indenture in respect of the Securities and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by or on behalf of the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance. The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a) the entire indebtedness of the Company represented by this Security and (b) certain restrictive covenants and the related Defaults and Events of Default, upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions apply to this Security.

Authorized Denominations. The Securities are issuable only in registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Registration of Transfer or Exchange. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. At the date of the original issuance of this Security such office or agency of the Company is maintained by U.S. Bank National Association, 1349 West Peachtree Street, Suite 1050, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes or other governmental charges payable in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange.

Prior to the time of due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.


Defined Terms. All capitalized terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

Governing Laws. This Security and the Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles that would apply any other law.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Daniel M. Meziere

  Name:   Daniel M. Meziere
  Title:   Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer

 

Attest:
By:  

/s/ Karen E. Hartsfield

  Name:   Karen E. Hartsfield
  Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Note No. 2


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated: October 1, 2021     U.S. Bank National Association,
      as Trustee
    By:  

/s/ Felicia Powell

      Authorized Officer

Note No. 2


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Security to

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                               agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                         Signature:                                                                                  (sign exactly as name appears on the other side of this Security)

Signature guaranteed by: ______________________________