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

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): March 8, 2024

TYSON FOODS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
001-14704
71-0225165
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
2200 West Don Tyson Parkway,
   
Springdale, Arkansas
 
72762-6999
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(479) 290-4000
(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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):


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
Class A Common Stock Par Value $0.10
TSN
New York Stock Exchange

Class B stock is not publicly listed for trade on any exchange or market system. However, Class B stock is convertible into Class A stock on a share-for-share basis.

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 March 8, 2024, Tyson Foods, Inc. (the “Company”) completed its previously announced public offerings and sale of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.400% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) and $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.700% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes” and, together with the 2029 Notes, the “Notes”).

The sale of the Notes was made pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-272538), including a prospectus supplement dated February 28, 2024 (the “Prospectus Supplement”) to the prospectus contained therein dated June 9, 2023, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The Company issued the Notes under an indenture dated as of June 1, 1995 (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.)), as trustee (the “Trustee”), as amended and supplemented by a supplemental indenture dated as of March 8, 2024 for each of the 2029 Notes and 2034 Notes (each, a “Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), in each case, by and between the Company and the Trustee. The Base Indenture and each Supplemental Indenture (including the form of each series of Notes) are filed as Exhibits 4.1 through 4.5 to this report and are incorporated herein by reference. The following description of the Notes and the Indenture is a summary and is not meant to be a complete description thereof.

The 2029 Notes and the 2034 Notes will mature on March 15, 2029 and March 15, 2034, respectively. The 2029 Notes will bear interest at a fixed rate per annum equal to 5.400% and the 2034 Notes will bear interest at a fixed rate per annum equal to 5.700%. Interest on the 2029 Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on September 15, 2024, and interest on the 2034 Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on September 15, 2024. In each case, interest is payable to the persons in whose names such Notes are registered at the close of business on the 14th calendar day immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date (whether or not a business day). The amount of interest payable on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The Notes are the general senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding, including all other senior Notes issued under the Indenture.

The Company may redeem the 2029 Notes or the 2034 Notes, in whole or in part, under the terms provided in the respective Supplemental Indenture.

The Indenture includes certain restrictive covenants, including covenants that limit the ability of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur secured debt, enter into sale and lease-back transactions and consolidate, merge or transfer substantially all of the Company’s assets to another entity. The covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains customary terms, including that upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the unpaid principal of the Notes and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon immediately due and payable. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the Company, the principal amount of the Notes together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon will automatically become and be immediately due and payable.

The foregoing description of the Indenture and the related instruments and transactions associated therewith does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the agreements and instruments, each of which is attached hereto as an Exhibit.



Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The description contained under Item 1.01 above is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Item 2.03.

Item 8.01. Other Events.

In connection with the offering of the Notes, as described in response to Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, the following exhibits are filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference herein and into the Registration Statement: (i) the Base Indenture, (ii) each Supplemental Indenture, (iii) the form of note for each series of Notes and (iv) the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and related consent.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits


(d)
Exhibits

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
Base Indenture, dated June 1, 1995 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed December 17, 1997 (Commission File No. 333-42525))
 
Supplemental Indenture, dated March 8, 2024, for the 2029 Notes
 
Form of 2029 Note (included in Exhibit 4.2)
 
Supplemental Indenture, dated March 8, 2024, for the 2034 Notes
 
Form of 2034 Note (included in Exhibit 4.4)
 
Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
 
Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File formatted in iXBRL.




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.

 
TYSON FOODS, INC.
     
Date: March 8, 2024
By:
/s/ John R. Tyson
 
Name:
John R. Tyson
 
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


 

 

Exhibit 4.2

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.,

 

as Issuer,

 

AND

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

 

(as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.))

 

as Trustee

 

Supplemental Indenture

 

Dated as of March 8, 2024

 

Supplemental to Indenture

 

Dated as of June 1, 1995

 

5.400% Senior Notes due 2029

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
ARTICLE 1   DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION 2
SECTION 1.01.   Scope of Supplemental Indenture 2
SECTION 1.02.   Definitions 2
ARTICLE 2   THE SECURITIES 12
SECTION 2.01.   Title and Terms; Payments 12
SECTION 2.02.   Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes 12
SECTION 2.03.   CUSIP Numbers 13
ARTICLE 3   REDEMPTION 13
SECTION 3.01.   Optional Redemption 13
SECTION 3.02.   Mandatory Redemption or Purchase 14
ARTICLE 4   ADDITIONAL COVENANTS 14
SECTION 4.01.   Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event 14
SECTION 4.02.   Restrictions on Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets 15
SECTION 4.03.   SEC Reports 16
SECTION 4.04.   Compliance Certificates 16
ARTICLE 5   REMEDIES 16
SECTION 5.01.   Events of Default 16
SECTION 5.02.   Acceleration 18
SECTION 5.03.   Remaining Provisions 18
ARTICLE 6   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE 18
SECTION 6.01.   Satisfaction and Discharge 18
SECTION 6.02.   Legal Defeasance 18
SECTION 6.03.   Covenant Defeasance 18
ARTICLE 7   SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES 19
SECTION 7.01.   Amendments or Supplements Without Consent of Holders 19
SECTION 7.02.   Amendments, Supplements or Waivers With Consent of Holders 19
SECTION 7.03.   Payment for Consent 19
ARTICLE 8   MISCELLANEOUS 20
SECTION 8.01.   Governing Law and Jury Trial Waiver 20

 

i 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont.)

 

  Page
   
SECTION 8.02.   Payments on Business Days 20
SECTION 8.03.   No Security Interest Created 20
SECTION 8.04.   Trust Indenture Act 20
SECTION 8.05.   Notices 20
SECTION 8.06.   Benefits of Indenture 21
SECTION 8.07.   Successors 21
SECTION 8.08.   Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. 22
SECTION 8.09.   Execution in Counterparts 22
SECTION 8.10.   Severability 22
SECTION 8.11.   The Trustee 22
SECTION 8.12.   Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) 23
SECTION 8.13.    Amendments to the Original Indenture 23

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A - Form of Note A-1

 

ii 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of March 8, 2024, between Tyson Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.)), as trustee (the “Trustee”) under the indenture dated as of June 1, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee (as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Original Indenture”).

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the Original Indenture to the Trustee to provide, among other things, for the future issuance of the Company’s unsecured Securities from time to time in one or more series as might be determined by the Company under the Original Indenture, in an unlimited aggregate principal amount which may be authenticated and delivered as provided in the Original Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.1 of the Original Indenture provides for various matters with respect to any series of Securities issued under the Original Indenture to be established in an indenture supplemental to the Original Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.1(5) of the Original Indenture provides for the Company and the Trustee to enter into an indenture supplemental to the Original Indenture to establish the form or forms or terms of Securities of any series or of the coupons appertaining to such series as permitted by Section 2.3 of the Original Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Company to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Original Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of a new series of its Securities to be known as its “5.400% Senior Notes due 2029” (the “Notes”), the form and substance of such Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Original Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Form of Note is to be substantially in the form hereinafter provided for; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture, and that all requirements necessary to make (i) this Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument in accordance with its terms and (ii) the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid obligations of the Company have been performed, and the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture have been duly authorized in all respects.

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH, for and in consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the benefit of the parties hereto and the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes, as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

SECTION 1.01.        Scope of Supplemental Indenture. The changes, modifications and supplements to the Original Indenture effected by this Supplemental Indenture shall be applicable only with respect to, and shall only govern the terms of, the Notes, which may be issued from time to time, and shall not apply to any other Securities that may be issued under the Original Indenture unless a supplemental indenture with respect to such other Securities specifically incorporates such changes, modifications and supplements. The provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall supersede any corresponding provisions in the Original Indenture.

 

SECTION 1.02.        Definitions. For all purposes of the Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(i)                the terms defined in this Article 1 shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

 

(ii)              all words, terms and phrases defined in the Original Indenture (but not otherwise defined herein) shall have the same meaning herein as in the Original Indenture;

 

(iii)             all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, shall have the meanings assigned to them therein;

 

(iv)             all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP; and

 

(v)              the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 

Additional Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01 hereof.

 

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control”, when used with respect to any Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Agent Members” has the meaning specified in Section 2.02 hereof.

 

Attributable Debt” means, as to any particular lease under which any Person is at the time liable, other than a capital lease, and at any date as of which the amount of such lease is to be determined, the total net amount of rent required to be paid by such Person under such lease during the initial term of such lease as determined in accordance with GAAP, discounted from the last date of such initial term to the date of determination at a rate per annum equal to the discount rate which would be applicable to a capital lease with like term in accordance with GAAP. The net amount of rent required to be paid under any such lease for any such period shall be the aggregate amount of rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts required to be paid on account of insurance, taxes, assessments, utility, operating and labor costs and similar charges. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated. “Attributable Debt” means, as to a capital lease under which any Person is at the time liable and at any date as of which the amount of such lease is to be determined, the capitalized amount of such lease that would appear on the face of a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

 

2 

 

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.

 

Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in the City of New York.

 

Capital Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

 

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests (including partnership interests), rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

 

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(1)       the Permitted Holders cease to be the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a majority in the aggregate of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, whether as a result of issuance of securities of the Company, any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or any direct or indirect transfer of securities of the Company by the Permitted Holders or otherwise (for purposes of this clause (1) and clause (2) below, the Permitted Holders shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a Person (the “specified person”) held by any other Person (the “parent entity”) so long as the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as so defined), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the parent entity);

 

(2)       the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in clause (1) above), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company;

 

3 

 

(3)       the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any Person (including any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act)) other than to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries;

 

(4)       the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property; or

 

(5)       the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be considered to be a Change of Control if (i) the survivor or transferee is a Person that is controlled by the Permitted Holders or (ii) a transaction following which (A) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction and (B) in the case of a sale of assets transaction, each transferee becomes an obligor in respect of the Notes and a Subsidiary of the transferor of such assets.

 

Change of Control Offer” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(b) hereof.

 

Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Commodity Price Protection Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any forward contract, commodity swap, commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into with respect to fluctuations in commodity prices.

 

Currency Agreement” means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement with respect to currency values.

 

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Depositary” means The Depository Trust Company until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean such successor Depositary.

 

4 

 

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening of any event:

 

(1)       matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than redeemable only for Capital Stock of such Person which is not itself Disqualified Stock) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

 

(2)       is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or

 

(3)       is mandatorily redeemable or must be purchased upon the occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part;

 

in each case on or prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to purchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or “change of control” occurring prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if:

 

(4)       the “asset sale” or “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable to the holders of such Capital Stock than the terms applicable to the Notes and set forth in Section 4.01 hereof; and

 

(5)       any such requirement only becomes operative after compliance with such terms applicable to the Notes, including the purchase of any Notes tendered pursuant thereto.

 

The amount of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be determined pursuant to the Indenture; provided, however, that if such Disqualified Stock could not be required to be redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be the book value of such Disqualified Stock as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such Person.

 

Electronic Means” means the following communications methods: e-mail, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01 hereof.

 

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination will be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors.

 

5 

 

Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Inc. and its successors.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set forth in:

 

(1)       the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants;

 

(2)       statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board;

 

(3)       such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession; and

 

(4)       the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.

 

Global Note” means any Note that is a Registered Global Security.

 

Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such other Person:

 

(1)       to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or

 

(2)       entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

 

provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Commodity Price Protection Agreement.

 

Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

6 

 

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

 

(1)       the principal in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable, including, in each case, any premium on such indebtedness to the extent such premium has become due and payable;

 

(2)       all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all Attributable Debt in respect of all sale and lease-back transactions entered into by such Person;

 

(3)       all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement (but excluding any trade accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business);

 

(4)       all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations of other Persons described in clauses (1) through (3) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following payment on the letter of credit);

 

(5)       the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock of such Person or, with respect to any Preferred Stock of any Subsidiary of such Person that is not 100% owned by such Person, the principal amount of such Preferred Stock to be determined in accordance with the Indenture (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

 

(6)       all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee, other than endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

 

(7)       all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the Fair Market Value of such property or assets and the amount of the obligation so secured; and

 

(8)       to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, the net obligations pursuant to any Hedging Obligations of such Person.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Subsidiary of any business, the term “Indebtedness” will exclude post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 60 days thereafter.

 

7 

 

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above; provided, however, that, in the case of Indebtedness sold at a discount, the amount of such Indebtedness at any time shall be the accreted value thereof at such time. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the term “Indebtedness” shall not include cash interest thereon.

 

Indenture” means the Original Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this Supplemental Indenture and any such supplemental indenture, respectively.

 

Initial Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01 hereof.

 

Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to the payment of interest on the Notes, each March 15 and September 15 of each year.

 

Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates.

 

Investment Grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Moody’s), a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P) and a rating of BBB- or better by Fitch (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Fitch) and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by the Company under the circumstances permitting it to select a replacement rating agency and in the manner for selecting a replacement rating agency, in each case as set forth in the definition of “Rating Agencies.

 

Issue Date” means March 8, 2024.

 

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

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.

 

Note” or “Notes” has the meaning specified in the fifth paragraph of the recitals of this Supplemental Indenture, and shall include any Additional Notes issued pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.

 

Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

 

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers.

 

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Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

Original Indenture” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

Par Call Date” means February 15, 2029.

 

Paying Agent” means any Person (including the Company) authorized by the Company to pay the principal amount of or interest on any Notes on behalf of the Company. The Paying Agent shall initially be the Trustee.

 

Permitted Holders” means (1) the Tyson Limited Partnership (or any successor entity), (2) “members of the same family” of Mr. Don Tyson as defined in Section 447(e) of the Code and (3) any entity (including, but not limited to, any partnership, corporation, trust or limited liability company) in which one or more individuals described in clauses (1) and (2) hereof possess over 50% of the voting power or beneficial interests.

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Preferred Stock”, as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

 

principal” of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.

 

Prospectus Supplement” means the final prospectus supplement related to the offering and sale of the Notes dated February 28, 2024 and filed by the Company with the SEC on March 1, 2024.

 

Rating Agencies” means (i) each of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch; and (ii) if any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act that is selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, or each of them, as the case may be.

 

Rating Event” means, with respect to the Notes, (i) the rating of such Notes is lowered by two of the three Rating Agencies on any day during the period (the “Trigger Period”) commencing on the earlier of (a) the occurrence of a Change of Control and (b) the first public notice of the Company’s intention to effect a Change of Control, and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies), and (ii) such Notes are rated below Investment Grade by two of the three Rating Agencies on any day during the Trigger Period; provided that a Rating Event will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be deemed a Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if each Rating Agency making the reduction in rating does not publicly announce or confirm or inform the Trustee in writing at the Company’s request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Rating Event). If a Rating Agency is not providing a rating for the Notes at the commencement of such period, the Notes will be deemed to have ceased to be rated as Investment Grade by such Rating Agency during such period.

 

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Record Date” means, with respect to the payment of interest on the Notes, the 14th calendar day immediately preceding an Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day).

 

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

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

 

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

 

(1)       such Person;

 

(2)       such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or

 

(3)       one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the Issue Date.

 

U.S.” means the United States of America.

 

U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable at the issuer’s option.

 

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Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

 

ARTICLE 2
THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.01.        Title and Terms; Payments. There is hereby authorized a series of Securities designated the “5.400% Senior Notes due 2029” initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $600,000,000, which amount shall be as set forth in any written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of Notes pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Original Indenture.

 

The principal amount of Notes then outstanding shall be payable at Stated Maturity.

 

The Company may, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, hereafter issue additional Notes (“Additional Notes”) under the Indenture with the same terms and with the same CUSIP numbers as the Notes issued on the date of this Supplemental Indenture (the “Initial Notes”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number. Any such Additional Notes shall constitute a single series together with the Initial Notes for all purposes hereunder, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments and offers to purchase.

 

The Form of Note shall be substantially as set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which is incorporated into and shall be deemed a part of this Supplemental Indenture, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers of the Company executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of the Notes.

 

The Company shall pay principal of and interest on any Global Note in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Global Note. The Company shall pay principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global Notes) at the office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent and Registrar in respect of the Notes and its agency in New York, New York as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer. The Company may, however, change the Paying Agent or Registrar for the Notes without prior notice to the Holders thereof, and the Company may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

SECTION 2.02.        Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes. The Notes initially shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Notes (i) registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depositary, and (ii) delivered to the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary. Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Supplemental Indenture or the Original Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of any Holder.

 

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SECTION 2.03.        CUSIP Numbers. In issuing the Notes, the Company may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of the Notes; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers as printed on the Notes and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01.        Optional Redemption.

 

(a)                The provisions of Article 3 of the Original Indenture shall be applicable to the Notes, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.01.

 

(b)               Prior to the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of (1)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points, less (b) interest accrued on the principal amount of such Notes being redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption; and (2) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption. On or after the Par Call Date the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

 

(c)                The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee shall have no responsibility in determining or calculating the redemption price.

 

(d)               Notice of any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.01 will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed. Any redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, at the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions precedent included at the Company’s discretion shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company) or the redemption date may not occur and such notice may be rescinded if all such conditions precedent included at the Company’s discretion shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company). The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business on the Business Day prior to the relevant redemption date if any such redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and upon receipt of such notice the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

 

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(e)                The Company shall notify Holders of any such rescission as soon as practicable after the Company determines that such conditions precedent will not be able to be satisfied or the Company is not able or willing to waive such conditions precedent, in each case subject to policies and procedures of the Depositary. Once the notice of redemption is mailed or sent, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in the notice of redemption, the Notes called for redemption will become due and payable on the redemption date and at the applicable redemption price as set forth in this Section 3.01.

 

(f)                In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary. No Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note will state the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of such Note will be issued in the name of the Holder of such Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by The Depository Trust Company (or another depositary), the redemption of such Notes shall be done in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures of the Depositary.

 

(g)               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 portions thereof called for redemption.

 

SECTION 3.02.        Mandatory Redemption or Purchase. The Company shall not be obligated to redeem or purchase the Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision, or at the option of any Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

ARTICLE 4
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01.        Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event.

 

(a)               Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

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(b)           Within 30 days following the date upon which any Change of Control Triggering Event shall have occurred, the Company shall send a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee (the “Change of Control Offer”) or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control but after the public announcement of the pending Change of Control, stating:

 

(i)                 that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date);

 

(ii)               the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

 

(iii)             the instructions, as determined by the Company, consistent with the covenant described hereunder, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

 

(c)           The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements herein applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and the third party purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

 

(d)           A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement has been entered into with respect to such Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

(e)           The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions contained in this Article 4, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions contained in this Article 4 by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

 

SECTION 4.02.     Restrictions on Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets. The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental thereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture; (ii) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the Indenture.

 

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For purposes of this Section 4.02, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.

 

The Successor Company will be the successor to the Company and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture, and the predecessor Company, except in the case of a lease, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

 

SECTION 4.03.     SEC Reports. Notwithstanding Section 4.6(d) of the Original Indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after the same is required to be filed with the SEC, copies of the quarterly and annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports, if any, that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act), and the Company shall otherwise comply with the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a). Any quarterly or annual report or other information, document or other report that the Company files with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on the SEC’s EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) or any other publicly available database maintained by the SEC shall be deemed to constitute delivery of such filing to the Trustee.

 

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive or actual knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of their covenants under the Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

SECTION 4.04.     Compliance Certificates. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES

 

SECTION 5.01.     Events of Default. In addition to the Events of Default specified in Sections 6.1(a) and 6.1(b) of the Original Indenture, with respect to the Notes each of the following events shall be an “Event of Default” wherever used herein:

 

(a)           the Company fails to comply with Section 4.02 hereof;

 

(b)           the Company fails to comply with Section 4.3 and 4.4 of the Original Indenture, Section 4.01 hereof (other than a failure to purchase Notes when required) and such failure continues for 30 days after the notice specified below;

 

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(c)           the Company fails to comply with Section 4.03 hereof or any of its other agreements contained in the Indenture (other than those referred to in clause (a) or (b) above) and such failure continues for 60 days after the notice specified below;

 

(d)           an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company with respect to it or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 60 days; or an order for relief shall be entered against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company under the federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect; and

 

(e)           the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company (A) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or (C) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors.

 

The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

A Default under clauses (b) or (c) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default or knowledge of any cure of any Default or Event of Default unless an authorized officer of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of the Indenture has received written notice of such Default or Event of Default.

 

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SECTION 5.02.        Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or Section 5.01(e) hereof with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or Section 5.01(e) hereof with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of and interest on all the Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, if all amounts owed to the Trustee in connection with such Event of Default have been paid and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

SECTION 5.03.        Remaining Provisions. Other than as provided in Section 5.01 and Section 5.02 hereof, the provisions of Article 6 of the Original Indenture shall govern with respect to Defaults and related remedies.

 

ARTICLE 6
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

SECTION 6.01.        Satisfaction and Discharge. Other than as provided in Section 6.02 and Section 6.03 hereof, the provisions of Article 8 of the Original Indenture shall govern satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture.

 

SECTION 6.02.        Legal Defeasance. Notwithstanding Section 8.2(D)(1) of the Original Indenture, the requirement under such Section shall be that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of this Supplemental Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

 

SECTION 6.03.        Covenant Defeasance. In addition to the certain covenants specified in Section 8.3 of the Original Indenture (being Sections 4.3 and 4.4 of the Original Indenture), the Company may also omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 4.01 and Section 4.03 hereof and the operation of clauses (d) and (e) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries, and in each case such omission shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default under clauses (b), (c), (d) or (e) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the Notes if the conditions of Section 8.3 of the Original Indenture are complied with.

 

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ARTICLE 7
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

SECTION 7.01.     Amendments or Supplements Without Consent of Holders. In addition to any permitted amendment or supplement to the Indenture pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Original Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes without notice to or the consent of any Holder of the Notes:

 

(a)           to comply with Section 4.02 hereof;

 

(b)           to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to secure the Notes;

 

(c)           to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;

 

(d)           to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture as of the Issue Date;

 

(e)           to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to the section entitled “Description of the Notes” as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, to the extent that such provision of the of the Indenture or the Notes was intended to be a verbatim recitation of such provision of the “Description of the Notes;” or

 

(f)            to make any amendment to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the Notes; provided, however, that (a) compliance with the Indenture as so amended would not result in the Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer the Notes.

 

SECTION 7.02.     Amendments, Supplements or Waivers With Consent of Holders. Subject to Section 6.4, Section 6.7 and Section 9.2 of the Original Indenture and to the second sentence of this Section 7.02, but notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2 of the Original Indenture to the contrary, the Company and the Trustee may only amend the Indenture, with respect to the Notes, and the Notes with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and only the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of the Indenture, with respect to the Notes, or the Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes). Notwithstanding the foregoing provision and in addition to the provisions of the second paragraph of Section 9.2 of the Original Indenture, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected thereby, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver in relation to a past Event of Default, may not:

 

(a)           change the provisions applicable to the redemption of any Note contained in Article 3 hereto or in the Notes; or

 

(b)           make any change in, or release other than in accordance with the Indenture, any Guarantee that would adversely affect the Holders.

 

SECTION 7.03.     Payment for Consent. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to all Holders and is paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

19 

 

ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 8.01.        Governing Law and Jury Trial Waiver. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE NOTES, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE NOTES, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. The Holders and the parties hereto hereby waive their respective rights to trial by jury in any action or proceeding arising out of or related to the Indenture, the Notes or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, to the extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 8.02.        Payments on Business Days. If any Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity of the Notes or any earlier required repurchase date would fall on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest on such payment shall accrue in respect of the delay.

 

SECTION 8.03.        No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 8.04.        Trust Indenture Act. This Supplemental Indenture is hereby made subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof or the Original Indenture that is required to be included in an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

 

SECTION 8.05.        Notices. The addresses for notice in Section 10.2 of the Original Indenture shall be deemed to be as follows:

 

if to the Company:

 

Tyson Foods, Inc.
2200 West Don Tyson Parkway
Springdale, Arkansas 72762-6999
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

with a copy to:

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Derek J. Dostal

 

20 

 

if to the Trustee:

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
601 Travis Street, 16th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Corporate Trust Services, re: Tyson Foods, Inc.

 

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

The Trustee shall accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means, the Trustee’s reasonable understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Company; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures.

 

SECTION 8.06.        Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any authenticating agent, any Registrar and their successors hereunder or the Holders of the Notes, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Supplemental Indenture.

 

SECTION 8.07.        Successors. All agreements of the Company in the Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in the Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

21 

 

SECTION 8.08.     Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 8.09.     Execution in Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. This Supplemental Indenture shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code/UCC (collectively, “Signature Law”); (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

 

SECTION 8.10.     Severability. In the event any provision of this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

 

SECTION 8.11.     The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which are made solely by the Company. In acting as Trustee under this Supplemental Indenture and with respect to the Notes, the Trustee shall be entitled to, in addition to all rights, benefits, protections, indemnities and immunities granted to it under the Original Indenture, the benefit of the following provisions:

 

(a)           The permissive right of the Trustee to take any action under this Supplemental Indenture shall not be construed as a duty to so act.

 

(b)           In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

22 

 

(c)           In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, epidemics or pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services (it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to avoid and mitigate the effects of such occurrences and to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances).

 

(d)           The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

SECTION 8.12.     Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Law”), the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under the this Supplemental Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law (and shall timely pay the amounts so withheld or deducted to the applicable governmental authority) for which the Trustee shall not have any liability.  Each of the Company and the Trustee agrees to reasonably cooperate and, at the reasonable request of the other, to provide the other with such information as each may have in its possession that is necessary to enable the determination of whether any payments hereunder are subject to FATCA Withholding Tax.

 

For purposes of this Section 8.12, “FATCA Withholding Tax” shall mean any withholding or deduction required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any regulations or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof) or any intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another jurisdiction facilitating the implementation thereof (or any law implementing such an intergovernmental agreement).

 

SECTION 8.13.      Amendment to the Original Indenture.

 

Solely with respect to the Notes, the following sentence in Section 2.2 of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted: “A Security (other than coupons) shall not be valid until the Trustee or Authentication Agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.” Such sentence is hereby replaced with the following sentence: “A Security (other than coupons) shall not be valid until the Trustee or Authentication Agent manually or electronically signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.”

 

[Remainder of the page intentionally left blank]

 

23 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  TYSON FOODS, INC.
       
  By: /s/ Curt Calaway  
  Name: Curt Calaway  
  Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer  

 

 [Signature Page to 2029 Supplemental Indenture]

 

 

 

 

  THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
       
  By: /s/ Terence Rawlins  
  Name: Terence Rawlins  
  Title: Vice President  

 

 [Signature Page to 2029 Supplemental Indenture]

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

 

THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR NOTES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

A-1 

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.

5.400% Senior Note due 2029

 

No. [     ●     ] Initially $[                    ]

 

CUSIP No. 902494 BL6

 

Tyson Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, [                            ] Dollars ($[                ]) (or such lesser principal amount as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Securities” attached hereto) on March 8, 2024, and to pay interest thereon as set forth in the manner, at the rates and to the Persons set forth in the Indenture.

 

This Note shall bear interest at a rate of 5.400% per annum from March 8, 2024 or from the most recent date to which interest had been paid or provided to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date, until the principal hereof shall be repaid. Interest on this Note will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each March 15 and September 15, commencing on September 15, 2024, to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest.

 

The Company shall pay principal of and interest on this Note, so long as such Note is a Global Note, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Note. The Company shall pay principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global Notes) at the office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent and Registrar in respect of the Notes and its agency in New York, New York as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer. The Company may, however, change the Paying Agent or Registrar for the Notes without prior notice to the Holders thereof, and the Company may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control.

 

THIS NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS NOTE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual or electronic signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

A-2 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, TYSON FOODS, INC. has caused this instrument to be signed manually, electronically or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated: March 8, 2024

 

  TYSON FOODS, INC.
       
  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

  ATTEST:
       
  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

A-3 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

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

 

Dated: March 8, 2024

  

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee

       
  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

A-4 

 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.

 

5.400% Senior Note due 2029

 

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the Company (herein called the “Notes”), issued under an Indenture dated as of June 1, 1995 (herein called the “Original Indenture”) by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.)), herein called the “Trustee”, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 8, 2024 (herein called the “Supplemental Indenture” and the Original Indenture, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”) by and between the Company and the Trustee, and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and of the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. Additional Notes may be issued in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture.

 

Prior to February 15, 2029 (the “Par Call Date”), the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of (1)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points, less (b) interest accrued on the principal amount of such Notes being redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption; and (2) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption. On or after the Par Call Date the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

 

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes, Holders of the Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their Notes pursuant to the offer described in the Supplemental Indenture at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant Interest Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be entitled to terminate certain of its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

A-5 

 

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (a) the Indenture and the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Notes and (b) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the Company and the Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture or the Notes to: cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; comply with Section 4.02 of the Supplemental Indenture; add guarantees with respect to the Notes or secure the Notes; add additional covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company; comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder; provide for the issuance of Additional Notes; evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee; conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision under the heading “Description of the Notes” in the Prospectus Supplement; or make amendments to provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the Notes.

 

Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (a) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Notes; (b) default in payment of principal on the Notes at maturity, upon optional redemption of the Notes, upon acceleration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Notes when required; (c) failure by the Company to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; and (d) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in the Notes being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

 

Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines in good faith that withholding notice is not opposed to the interests of the Holders.

 

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

 

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and interest on this Note are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

 

A-6 

 

 

The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

 

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

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

 

All defined terms used in this Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

A-7 

 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN-COM—as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT Custodian
     
  (Cust)  
TEN ENT—as tenants by the entireties    
     
  (Minor)  
     
JT TEN—as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common Uniform Gifts to Minors act (State)
     
  Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list  

 

A-8 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF SECURITIES

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.

 

5.400% Senior Notes due 2029

 

The initial principal amount of this Registered Global Security is ($                           ). The following, exchanges, purchases or conversions of a part of this Registered Global Security have been made:

 

Date of Exchange 

 

Amount of

decrease in

principal amount

of this Registered

Global Security 

 

Amount of

increase in

principal amount

of this Registered

Global Security 

 

Principal amount

of this Registered

Global Security

following such

decrease or

increase 

 

Signature of

authorized

signatory of

Trustee or

Custodian 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.4

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.,

 

as Issuer,

 

AND

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

 

(as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.))

 

as Trustee

 

Supplemental Indenture

 

Dated as of March 8, 2024

 

Supplemental to Indenture

 

Dated as of June 1, 1995

 

5.700% Senior Notes due 2034

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

ARTICLE 1   DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION 2
SECTION 1.01.   Scope of Supplemental Indenture 2
SECTION 1.02.   Definitions 2
ARTICLE 2   THE SECURITIES 12
SECTION 2.01.   Title and Terms; Payments 12
SECTION 2.02.   Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes 12
SECTION 2.03.   CUSIP Numbers 13
ARTICLE 3   REDEMPTION 13
SECTION 3.01.   Optional Redemption 13
SECTION 3.02.   Mandatory Redemption or Purchase 14
ARTICLE 4   ADDITIONAL COVENANTS 14
SECTION 4.01.   Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event 14
SECTION 4.02.   Restrictions on Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets 15
SECTION 4.03.   SEC Reports 16
SECTION 4.04.   Compliance Certificates 16
ARTICLE 5   REMEDIES 16
SECTION 5.01.   Events of Default 16
SECTION 5.02.   Acceleration 18
SECTION 5.03.   Remaining Provisions 18
ARTICLE 6   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE 18
SECTION 6.01.   Satisfaction and Discharge 18
SECTION 6.02.   Legal Defeasance 18
SECTION 6.03.   Covenant Defeasance 18
ARTICLE 7   SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES 19
SECTION 7.01.   Amendments or Supplements Without Consent of Holders 19
SECTION 7.02.   Amendments, Supplements or Waivers With Consent of Holders 19
SECTION 7.03.   Payment for Consent 19
ARTICLE 8   MISCELLANEOUS 20

 

i 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont.)

 

  Page
   
SECTION 8.01.   Governing Law and Jury Trial Waiver 20
SECTION 8.02.   Payments on Business Days 20
SECTION 8.03.   No Security Interest Created 20
SECTION 8.04.   Trust Indenture Act 20
SECTION 8.05.   Notices 20
SECTION 8.06.   Benefits of Indenture 21
SECTION 8.07.   Successors 21
SECTION 8.08.   Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. 22
SECTION 8.09.   Execution in Counterparts 22
SECTION 8.10.   Severability 22
SECTION 8.11.   The Trustee 22
SECTION 8.12.   Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) 23
SECTION 8.13.   Amendment to the Original Indenture 23

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A - Form of Note A-1

 

ii 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of March 8, 2024, between Tyson Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.)), as trustee (the “Trustee”) under the indenture dated as of June 1, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee (as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Original Indenture”).

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the Original Indenture to the Trustee to provide, among other things, for the future issuance of the Company’s unsecured Securities from time to time in one or more series as might be determined by the Company under the Original Indenture, in an unlimited aggregate principal amount which may be authenticated and delivered as provided in the Original Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.1 of the Original Indenture provides for various matters with respect to any series of Securities issued under the Original Indenture to be established in an indenture supplemental to the Original Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.1(5) of the Original Indenture provides for the Company and the Trustee to enter into an indenture supplemental to the Original Indenture to establish the form or forms or terms of Securities of any series or of the coupons appertaining to such series as permitted by Section 2.3 of the Original Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Company to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Original Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of a new series of its Securities to be known as its “5.700% Senior Notes due 2034” (the “Notes”), the form and substance of such Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Original Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Form of Note is to be substantially in the form hereinafter provided for; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture, and that all requirements necessary to make (i) this Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument in accordance with its terms and (ii) the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid obligations of the Company have been performed, and the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture have been duly authorized in all respects.

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH, for and in consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the benefit of the parties hereto and the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes, as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

SECTION 1.01.        Scope of Supplemental Indenture. The changes, modifications and supplements to the Original Indenture effected by this Supplemental Indenture shall be applicable only with respect to, and shall only govern the terms of, the Notes, which may be issued from time to time, and shall not apply to any other Securities that may be issued under the Original Indenture unless a supplemental indenture with respect to such other Securities specifically incorporates such changes, modifications and supplements. The provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall supersede any corresponding provisions in the Original Indenture.

 

SECTION 1.02.        Definitions. For all purposes of the Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(i)                the terms defined in this Article 1 shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

 

(ii)               all words, terms and phrases defined in the Original Indenture (but not otherwise defined herein) shall have the same meaning herein as in the Original Indenture;

 

(iii)             all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, shall have the meanings assigned to them therein;

 

(iv)             all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP; and

 

(v)              the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 

Additional Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01 hereof.

 

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control”, when used with respect to any Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Agent Members” has the meaning specified in Section 2.02 hereof.

 

Attributable Debt” means, as to any particular lease under which any Person is at the time liable, other than a capital lease, and at any date as of which the amount of such lease is to be determined, the total net amount of rent required to be paid by such Person under such lease during the initial term of such lease as determined in accordance with GAAP, discounted from the last date of such initial term to the date of determination at a rate per annum equal to the discount rate which would be applicable to a capital lease with like term in accordance with GAAP. The net amount of rent required to be paid under any such lease for any such period shall be the aggregate amount of rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts required to be paid on account of insurance, taxes, assessments, utility, operating and labor costs and similar charges. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated. “Attributable Debt” means, as to a capital lease under which any Person is at the time liable and at any date as of which the amount of such lease is to be determined, the capitalized amount of such lease that would appear on the face of a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.

 

Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in the City of New York.

 

Capital Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

 

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests (including partnership interests), rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

 

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(1)       the Permitted Holders cease to be the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a majority in the aggregate of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, whether as a result of issuance of securities of the Company, any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or any direct or indirect transfer of securities of the Company by the Permitted Holders or otherwise (for purposes of this clause (1) and clause (2) below, the Permitted Holders shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a Person (the “specified person”) held by any other Person (the “parent entity”) so long as the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as so defined), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the parent entity);

 

(2)       the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in clause (1) above), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company;

 

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(3)       the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any Person (including any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act)) other than to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries;

 

(4)       the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property; or

 

(5)       the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be considered to be a Change of Control if (i) the survivor or transferee is a Person that is controlled by the Permitted Holders or (ii) a transaction following which (A) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction and (B) in the case of a sale of assets transaction, each transferee becomes an obligor in respect of the Notes and a Subsidiary of the transferor of such assets.

 

Change of Control Offer” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(b) hereof.

 

Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Commodity Price Protection Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any forward contract, commodity swap, commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into with respect to fluctuations in commodity prices.

 

Currency Agreement” means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement with respect to currency values.

 

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Depositary” means The Depository Trust Company until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean such successor Depositary.

 

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Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening of any event:

 

(1)       matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than redeemable only for Capital Stock of such Person which is not itself Disqualified Stock) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

 

(2)       is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or

 

(3)       is mandatorily redeemable or must be purchased upon the occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part;

 

in each case on or prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to purchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or “change of control” occurring prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if:

 

(4)       the “asset sale” or “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable to the holders of such Capital Stock than the terms applicable to the Notes and set forth in Section 4.01 hereof; and

 

(5)       any such requirement only becomes operative after compliance with such terms applicable to the Notes, including the purchase of any Notes tendered pursuant thereto.

 

The amount of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be determined pursuant to the Indenture; provided, however, that if such Disqualified Stock could not be required to be redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be the book value of such Disqualified Stock as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such Person.

 

Electronic Means” means the following communications methods: e-mail, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01 hereof.

 

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination will be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors.

 

 

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Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Inc. and its successors.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set forth in:

 

(1)       the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants;

 

(2)       statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board;

 

(3)       such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession; and

 

(4)       the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.

 

Global Note” means any Note that is a Registered Global Security.

 

Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such other Person:

 

(1)       to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or

 

(2)       entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

 

provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Commodity Price Protection Agreement.

 

Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

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Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

 

(1)       the principal in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable, including, in each case, any premium on such indebtedness to the extent such premium has become due and payable;

 

(2)       all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all Attributable Debt in respect of all sale and lease-back transactions entered into by such Person;

 

(3)       all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement (but excluding any trade accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business);

 

(4)       all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations of other Persons described in clauses (1) through (3) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following payment on the letter of credit);

 

(5)       the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock of such Person or, with respect to any Preferred Stock of any Subsidiary of such Person that is not 100% owned by such Person, the principal amount of such Preferred Stock to be determined in accordance with the Indenture (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

 

(6)       all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee, other than endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

 

(7)       all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the Fair Market Value of such property or assets and the amount of the obligation so secured; and

 

(8)       to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, the net obligations pursuant to any Hedging Obligations of such Person.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Subsidiary of any business, the term “Indebtedness” will exclude post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 60 days thereafter.

 

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The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above; provided, however, that, in the case of Indebtedness sold at a discount, the amount of such Indebtedness at any time shall be the accreted value thereof at such time. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the term “Indebtedness” shall not include cash interest thereon.

 

Indenture” means the Original Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this Supplemental Indenture and any such supplemental indenture, respectively.

 

Initial Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01 hereof.

 

Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to the payment of interest on the Notes, each March 15 and September 15 of each year.

 

Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates.

 

Investment Grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Moody’s), a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P) and a rating of BBB- or better by Fitch (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Fitch) and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by the Company under the circumstances permitting it to select a replacement rating agency and in the manner for selecting a replacement rating agency, in each case as set forth in the definition of “Rating Agencies.

 

Issue Date” means March 8, 2024.

 

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

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.

 

Note” or “Notes” has the meaning specified in the fifth paragraph of the recitals of this Supplemental Indenture, and shall include any Additional Notes issued pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.

 

Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

 

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers.

 

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Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

Original Indenture” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

Par Call Date” means December 15, 2033.

 

Paying Agent” means any Person (including the Company) authorized by the Company to pay the principal amount of or interest on any Notes on behalf of the Company. The Paying Agent shall initially be the Trustee.

 

Permitted Holders” means (1) the Tyson Limited Partnership (or any successor entity), (2) “members of the same family” of Mr. Don Tyson as defined in Section 447(e) of the Code and (3) any entity (including, but not limited to, any partnership, corporation, trust or limited liability company) in which one or more individuals described in clauses (1) and (2) hereof possess over 50% of the voting power or beneficial interests.

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Preferred Stock”, as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

 

principal” of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.

 

Prospectus Supplement” means the final prospectus supplement related to the offering and sale of the Notes dated February 28, 2024 and filed by the Company with the SEC on March 1, 2024.

 

Rating Agencies” means (i) each of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch; and (ii) if any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act that is selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, or each of them, as the case may be.

 

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Rating Event” means, with respect to the Notes, (i) the rating of such Notes is lowered by two of the three Rating Agencies on any day during the period (the “Trigger Period”) commencing on the earlier of (a) the occurrence of a Change of Control and (b) the first public notice of the Company’s intention to effect a Change of Control, and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies), and (ii) such Notes are rated below Investment Grade by two of the three Rating Agencies on any day during the Trigger Period; provided that a Rating Event will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be deemed a Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if each Rating Agency making the reduction in rating does not publicly announce or confirm or inform the Trustee in writing at the Company’s request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Rating Event). If a Rating Agency is not providing a rating for the Notes at the commencement of such period, the Notes will be deemed to have ceased to be rated as Investment Grade by such Rating Agency during such period.

 

Record Date” means, with respect to the payment of interest on the Notes, the 14th calendar day immediately preceding an Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day).

 

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

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

 

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

 

(1)       such Person;

 

(2)       such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or

 

(3)       one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the Issue Date.

 

U.S.” means the United States of America.

 

U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable at the issuer’s option.

 

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Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

 

ARTICLE 2
THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.01.        Title and Terms; Payments. There is hereby authorized a series of Securities designated the “5.700% Senior Notes due 2034” initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $900,000,000, which amount shall be as set forth in any written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of Notes pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Original Indenture.

 

The principal amount of Notes then outstanding shall be payable at Stated Maturity.

 

The Company may, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, hereafter issue additional Notes (“Additional Notes”) under the Indenture with the same terms and with the same CUSIP numbers as the Notes issued on the date of this Supplemental Indenture (the “Initial Notes”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number. Any such Additional Notes shall constitute a single series together with the Initial Notes for all purposes hereunder, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments and offers to purchase.

 

The Form of Note shall be substantially as set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which is incorporated into and shall be deemed a part of this Supplemental Indenture, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers of the Company executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of the Notes.

 

The Company shall pay principal of and interest on any Global Note in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Global Note. The Company shall pay principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global Notes) at the office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent and Registrar in respect of the Notes and its agency in New York, New York as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer. The Company may, however, change the Paying Agent or Registrar for the Notes without prior notice to the Holders thereof, and the Company may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

SECTION 2.02.        Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes. The Notes initially shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Notes (i) registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depositary, and (ii) delivered to the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary. Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Supplemental Indenture or the Original Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of any Holder.

 

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SECTION 2.03.        CUSIP Numbers. In issuing the Notes, the Company may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of the Notes; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers as printed on the Notes and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01.        Optional Redemption.

 

(a)              The provisions of Article 3 of the Original Indenture shall be applicable to the Notes, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.01.

 

(b)              Prior to the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of (1)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points, less (b) interest accrued on the principal amount of such Notes being redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption; and (2) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption. On or after the Par Call Date the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

 

(c)              The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee shall have no responsibility in determining or calculating the redemption price.

 

(d)              Notice of any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.01 will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed. Any redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, at the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions precedent included at the Company’s discretion shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company) or the redemption date may not occur and such notice may be rescinded if all such conditions precedent included at the Company’s discretion shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company). The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business on the Business Day prior to the relevant redemption date if any such redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and upon receipt of such notice the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

 

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(e)              The Company shall notify Holders of any such rescission as soon as practicable after the Company determines that such conditions precedent will not be able to be satisfied or the Company is not able or willing to waive such conditions precedent, in each case subject to policies and procedures of the Depositary. Once the notice of redemption is mailed or sent, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in the notice of redemption, the Notes called for redemption will become due and payable on the redemption date and at the applicable redemption price as set forth in this Section 3.01.

 

(f)               In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary. No Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note will state the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of such Note will be issued in the name of the Holder of such Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by The Depository Trust Company (or another depositary), the redemption of such Notes shall be done in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures of the Depositary.

 

(g)              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 portions thereof called for redemption.

 

SECTION 3.02.        Mandatory Redemption or Purchase. The Company shall not be obligated to redeem or purchase the Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision, or at the option of any Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

ARTICLE 4
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01.        Offer to Purchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event.

 

(a)              Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

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(b)           Within 30 days following the date upon which any Change of Control Triggering Event shall have occurred, the Company shall send a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee (the “Change of Control Offer”) or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control but after the public announcement of the pending Change of Control, stating:

 

(i)                that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date);

 

(ii)               the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

 

(iii)             the instructions, as determined by the Company, consistent with the covenant described hereunder, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

 

(c)           The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements herein applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and the third party purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

 

(d)           A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement has been entered into with respect to such Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

(e)           The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions contained in this Article 4, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions contained in this Article 4 by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

 

SECTION 4.02.     Restrictions on Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets. The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental thereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture; (ii) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the Indenture.

 

For purposes of this Section 4.02, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.

 

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The Successor Company will be the successor to the Company and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture, and the predecessor Company, except in the case of a lease, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

 

SECTION 4.03.     SEC Reports. Notwithstanding Section 4.6(d) of the Original Indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after the same is required to be filed with the SEC, copies of the quarterly and annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports, if any, that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act), and the Company shall otherwise comply with the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a). Any quarterly or annual report or other information, document or other report that the Company files with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on the SEC’s EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) or any other publicly available database maintained by the SEC shall be deemed to constitute delivery of such filing to the Trustee.

 

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive or actual knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of their covenants under the Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

SECTION 4.04.     Compliance Certificates. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES

 

SECTION 5.01.     Events of Default. In addition to the Events of Default specified in Sections 6.1(a) and 6.1(b) of the Original Indenture, with respect to the Notes each of the following events shall be an “Event of Default” wherever used herein:

 

(a)           the Company fails to comply with Section 4.02 hereof;

 

(b)           the Company fails to comply with Section 4.3 and 4.4 of the Original Indenture, Section 4.01 hereof (other than a failure to purchase Notes when required) and such failure continues for 30 days after the notice specified below;

 

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(c)           the Company fails to comply with Section 4.03 hereof or any of its other agreements contained in the Indenture (other than those referred to in clause (a) or (b) above) and such failure continues for 60 days after the notice specified below;

 

(d)           an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company with respect to it or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 60 days; or an order for relief shall be entered against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company under the federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect; and

 

(e)           the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company (A) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or (C) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors.

 

The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

A Default under clauses (b) or (c) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default or knowledge of any cure of any Default or Event of Default unless an authorized officer of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of the Indenture has received written notice of such Default or Event of Default.

 

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SECTION 5.02.        Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or Section 5.01(e) hereof with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or Section 5.01(e) hereof with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of and interest on all the Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, if all amounts owed to the Trustee in connection with such Event of Default have been paid and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

SECTION 5.03.        Remaining Provisions. Other than as provided in Section 5.01 and Section 5.02 hereof, the provisions of Article 6 of the Original Indenture shall govern with respect to Defaults and related remedies.

 

ARTICLE 6
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

SECTION 6.01.        Satisfaction and Discharge. Other than as provided in Section 6.02 and Section 6.03 hereof, the provisions of Article 8 of the Original Indenture shall govern satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture.

 

SECTION 6.02.        Legal Defeasance. Notwithstanding Section 8.2(D)(1) of the Original Indenture, the requirement under such Section shall be that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of this Supplemental Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

 

SECTION 6.03.        Covenant Defeasance. In addition to the certain covenants specified in Section 8.3 of the Original Indenture (being Sections 4.3 and 4.4 of the Original Indenture), the Company may also omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 4.01 and Section 4.03 hereof and the operation of clauses (d) and (e) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries, and in each case such omission shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default under clauses (b), (c), (d) or (e) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the Notes if the conditions of Section 8.3 of the Original Indenture are complied with.

 

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ARTICLE 7
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

SECTION 7.01.     Amendments or Supplements Without Consent of Holders. In addition to any permitted amendment or supplement to the Indenture pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Original Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes without notice to or the consent of any Holder of the Notes:

 

(a)           to comply with Section 4.02 hereof;

 

(b)           to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to secure the Notes;

 

(c)           to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;

 

(d)           to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture as of the Issue Date;

 

(e)           to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to the section entitled “Description of the Notes” as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, to the extent that such provision of the of the Indenture or the Notes was intended to be a verbatim recitation of such provision of the “Description of the Notes;” or

 

(f)            to make any amendment to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the Notes; provided, however, that (a) compliance with the Indenture as so amended would not result in the Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer the Notes.

 

SECTION 7.02.     Amendments, Supplements or Waivers With Consent of Holders. Subject to Section 6.4, Section 6.7 and Section 9.2 of the Original Indenture and to the second sentence of this Section 7.02, but notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2 of the Original Indenture to the contrary, the Company and the Trustee may only amend the Indenture, with respect to the Notes, and the Notes with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and only the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of the Indenture, with respect to the Notes, or the Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes). Notwithstanding the foregoing provision and in addition to the provisions of the second paragraph of Section 9.2 of the Original Indenture, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected thereby, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver in relation to a past Event of Default, may not:

 

(a)           change the provisions applicable to the redemption of any Note contained in Article 3 hereto or in the Notes; or

 

(b)           make any change in, or release other than in accordance with the Indenture, any Guarantee that would adversely affect the Holders.

 

SECTION 7.03.     Payment for Consent. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to all Holders and is paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 8.01.        Governing Law and Jury Trial Waiver. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE NOTES, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE NOTES, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. The Holders and the parties hereto hereby waive their respective rights to trial by jury in any action or proceeding arising out of or related to the Indenture, the Notes or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, to the extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 8.02.        Payments on Business Days. If any Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity of the Notes or any earlier required repurchase date would fall on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest on such payment shall accrue in respect of the delay.

 

SECTION 8.03.        No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 8.04.        Trust Indenture Act. This Supplemental Indenture is hereby made subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof or the Original Indenture that is required to be included in an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

 

SECTION 8.05.        Notices. The addresses for notice in Section 10.2 of the Original Indenture shall be deemed to be as follows:

 

if to the Company:

 

Tyson Foods, Inc.
2200 West Don Tyson Parkway
Springdale, Arkansas 72762-6999
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

with a copy to:

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Derek J. Dostal

 

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if to the Trustee:

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
601 Travis Street, 16th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Corporate Trust Services, re: Tyson Foods, Inc.

 

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

The Trustee shall accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means, the Trustee’s reasonable understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Company; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures.

 

SECTION 8.06.        Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any authenticating agent, any Registrar and their successors hereunder or the Holders of the Notes, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Supplemental Indenture.

 

SECTION 8.07.        Successors. All agreements of the Company in the Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in the Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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SECTION 8.08.     Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 8.09.     Execution in Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. This Supplemental Indenture shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code/UCC (collectively, “Signature Law”); (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

 

SECTION 8.10.     Severability. In the event any provision of this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

 

SECTION 8.11.     The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which are made solely by the Company. In acting as Trustee under this Supplemental Indenture and with respect to the Notes, the Trustee shall be entitled to, in addition to all rights, benefits, protections, indemnities and immunities granted to it under the Original Indenture, the benefit of the following provisions:

 

(a)           The permissive right of the Trustee to take any action under this Supplemental Indenture shall not be construed as a duty to so act.

 

(b)           In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

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(c)           In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, epidemics or pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services (it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to avoid and mitigate the effects of such occurrences and to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances).

 

(d)           The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

SECTION 8.12.      Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Law”), the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under the this Supplemental Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law (and shall timely pay the amounts so withheld or deducted to the applicable governmental authority) for which the Trustee shall not have any liabilityEach of the Company and the Trustee agrees to reasonably cooperate and, at the reasonable request of the other, to provide the other with such information as each may have in its possession that is necessary to enable the determination of whether any payments hereunder are subject to FATCA Withholding Tax.

 

For purposes of this Section 8.12, “FATCA Withholding Tax” shall mean any withholding or deduction required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any regulations or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof) or any intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another jurisdiction facilitating the implementation thereof (or any law implementing such an intergovernmental agreement).

 

SECTION 8.13.     Amendment to the Original Indenture.

 

Solely with respect to the Notes, the following sentence in Section 2.2 of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted: “A Security (other than coupons) shall not be valid until the Trustee or Authentication Agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.” Such sentence is hereby replaced with the following sentence: “A Security (other than coupons) shall not be valid until the Trustee or Authentication Agent manually or electronically signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.”

 

[Remainder of the page intentionally left blank]

 

23 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  TYSON FOODS, INC.
       
  By: /s/ Curt Calaway  
  Name: Curt Calaway  
  Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer  

 

[Signature Page to 2034 Supplemental Indenture

 

 

 

 

  THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
       
  By: /s/ Terence Rawlins  
  Name: Terence Rawlins  
  Title: Vice President  

 

[Signature Page to 2034 Supplemental Indenture

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

 

THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR NOTES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

A-1 

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.

5.700% Senior Note due 2034

 

No. [     ●     ] Initially $[                      ]

 

CUSIP No. 902494 BM4

 

Tyson Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, [                           ] Dollars ($[                ]) (or such lesser principal amount as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Securities” attached hereto) on March 8, 2024, and to pay interest thereon as set forth in the manner, at the rates and to the Persons set forth in the Indenture.

 

This Note shall bear interest at a rate of 5.700% per annum from March 8, 2024 or from the most recent date to which interest had been paid or provided to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date, until the principal hereof shall be repaid. Interest on this Note will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each March 15 and September 15, commencing on September 15, 2024, to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest.

 

The Company shall pay principal of and interest on this Note, so long as such Note is a Global Note, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Note. The Company shall pay principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global Notes) at the office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent and Registrar in respect of the Notes and its agency in New York, New York as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer. The Company may, however, change the Paying Agent or Registrar for the Notes without prior notice to the Holders thereof, and the Company may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control.

 

THIS NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS NOTE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual or electronic signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

 

A-2 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, TYSON FOODS, INC. has caused this instrument to be signed manually, electronically or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated: March 8, 2024

 

  TYSON FOODS, INC.
       
  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

  ATTEST:
       
  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

A-3 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

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

 

Dated: March 8, 2024

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee

       
  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

A-4 

 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.

 

5.700% Senior Note due 2034

 

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the Company (herein called the “Notes”), issued under an Indenture dated as of June 1, 1995 (herein called the “Original Indenture”) by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.)), herein called the “Trustee”, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 8, 2024 (herein called the “Supplemental Indenture” and the Original Indenture, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”) by and between the Company and the Trustee, and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and of the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. Additional Notes may be issued in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture.

 

Prior to December 15, 2033 (the “Par Call Date”), the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of (1)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points, less (b) interest accrued on the principal amount of such Notes being redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption; and (2) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption. On or after the Par Call Date the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

 

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes, Holders of the Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their Notes pursuant to the offer described in the Supplemental Indenture at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant Interest Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be entitled to terminate certain of its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

A-5 

 

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (a) the Indenture and the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Notes and (b) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the Company and the Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture or the Notes to: cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; comply with Section 4.02 of the Supplemental Indenture; add guarantees with respect to the Notes or secure the Notes; add additional covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company; comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder; provide for the issuance of Additional Notes; evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee; conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision under the heading “Description of the Notes” in the Prospectus Supplement; or make amendments to provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the Notes.

 

Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (a) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Notes; (b) default in payment of principal on the Notes at maturity, upon optional redemption of the Notes, upon acceleration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Notes when required; (c) failure by the Company to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; and (d) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in the Notes being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

 

Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines in good faith that withholding notice is not opposed to the interests of the Holders.

 

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

 

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and interest on this Note are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

 

A-6 

 

The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

 

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

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

 

All defined terms used in this Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

A-7 

 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN-COM—as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT Custodian
     
  (Cust)  
     
TEN ENT—as tenants by the entireties    
  (Minor)  
     
JT TEN—as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common Uniform Gifts to Minors act (State)
     
  Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list  

 

A-8 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF SECURITIES

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.

 

5.700% Senior Notes due 2034

 

The initial principal amount of this Registered Global Security is ($                           ). The following, exchanges, purchases or conversions of a part of this Registered Global Security have been made:

 

Date of Exchange 

 

Amount of

decrease in

principal amount

of this Registered

Global Security 

 

Amount of

increase in

principal amount

of this Registered

Global Security 

 

Principal amount

of this Registered

Global Security

following such

decrease or

increase 

 

Signature of

authorized

signatory of

Trustee or

Custodian 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell llp 

450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017

davispolk.com

 

March 8, 2024

 

Tyson Foods, Inc.
2200 West Don Tyson Parkway
Springdale, Arkansas 72762-6999  

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Tyson Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333- 272538) (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), certain securities, including $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.400% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) and $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.700% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes” and, together with the 2029 Notes, the “Notes”). The Notes are to be issued pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture dated as of June 1, 1995 between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank)), as trustee (the “Trustee”), as amended and supplemented by a supplemental indenture thereto with respect to each of the 2029 Notes and the 2034 Notes, each dated as of March 8, 2024, in each case, by and between the Company and the Trustee (such indenture as so amended and supplemented, the “Indenture”). The Notes are to be sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement dated February 28, 2024 (the “Underwriting Agreement”) by and among the Company and the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”).

 

We, as your counsel, have examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.

 

In rendering the opinion expressed herein, we have, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (iv) all natural persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (v) all statements in certificates of public officials and officers of the Company that we reviewed were and are accurate and (vi) all representations made by the Company as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate.

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional assumptions and qualifications set forth below, we advise you that, in our opinion, when the Notes have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Notes will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability; provided that we express no opinion as to (x) the enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law, (y) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above or (z) the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any provision that permits holders to collect any portion of stated principal amount upon acceleration of the Notes to the extent determined to constitute unearned interest.

 

 

 

  Tyson Foods, Inc.

 

In addition, we have assumed that the Indenture and the Notes (collectively, the “Documents”) are valid, binding and enforceable agreements of each party thereto (other than as expressly covered above in respect of the Company). We have also assumed that the execution, delivery and performance by each party to each Document to which it is a party (a) are within its corporate powers, (b) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other constitutive documents of such party, (c) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and (d) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or any judgment, injunction, order or decree or any agreement or other instrument binding upon such party.

 

We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, except that we express no opinion as to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to the Company, the Documents or such transactions solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any party to any of the Documents or any of its affiliates due to the specific assets or business of such party or such affiliate.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company on the date hereof and its incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus supplement which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

 

 
March 8, 2024 2

 

 
v3.24.0.1
Document and Entity Information
Mar. 08, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K
Amendment Flag false
Document Period End Date Mar. 08, 2024
Entity File Number 001-14704
Entity Registrant Name TYSON FOODS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key 0000100493
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE
Entity Tax Identification Number 71-0225165
Entity Address, Address Line One 2200 West Don Tyson Parkway
Entity Address, City or Town Springdale
Entity Address, State or Province AR
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 72762-6999
City Area Code 479
Local Phone Number 290-4000
Title of 12(b) Security Class A Common Stock Par Value $0.10
Trading Symbol TSN
Security Exchange Name NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company false
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false

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