By Underwriters
If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account. Underwriters may offer the securities directly or through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices based on prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions.
By Dealers
If dealers are used in the sale, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will sell the securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain more information about the dealers, including the names of the dealers and the terms of our agreement with them.
By Agents and Direct Sales
We may sell the securities directly to the public, without the use of underwriters, dealers or agents. We may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain more information about the agents, including the names of the agents and any commission we agree to pay the agents.
We also may engage a broker-dealer from time to time to act as agent or principal for the offer of the securities in one or more placements pursuant to a distribution agreement. If we and the broker-dealer agree, we will sell to the broker-dealer as agent or as principal, and the broker-dealer will seek to solicit offers to purchase on an agency basis and/or will purchase on a principal basis, the securities. The number and purchase price (less an underwriting discount) of the securities we sell to the broker-dealer will be mutually agreed on the relevant trading day. The securities sold under the distribution agreement will be sold at prices related to the prevailing market price for such securities, and therefore exact figures regarding the price, proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid will be described in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus or in other filings made in accordance with and as permitted by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. The broker-dealer may make sales of the securities pursuant to the distribution agreement in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act including sales made on the New York Stock Exchange, the current trading market for our common stock.
General Information
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions we pay to them and any profit made by them on the
resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any underwriters, dealers or agents will be identified and their compensation from us will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
We may agree with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of their businesses. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement naming the underwriters, dealers or agents, the nature of any material relationship between us and the underwriters, dealers or agents, respectively.
