Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 8-K Current Report is filed by Ameren Corporation and its subsidiary, Union Electric Company, with a report date of May 18, 2004. The filing discloses a specific corporate event under Item 5 (Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure) regarding a debt offering.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing details a debt issuance rather than operational financial performance. Key metrics include:
- Debt Issuance: $104,000,000 principal amount of 5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2014.
- Issuer: Union Electric Company (subsidiary of Ameren Corporation).
- Underwriters: Barclays Capital Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
- Revenue, Profit, Cash Flow, Margins, and Liquidity: The filing text does not provide a clear value for these operational metrics.
Material Changes
The material change reported is the increase in long-term debt obligations resulting from the issuance of the $104 million Senior Secured Notes. This transaction was executed pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 declared effective on September 5, 2003.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The filing does not contain management commentary, future guidance, or specific risk factors beyond the standard disclosure of the debt offering. The document serves primarily to report the execution of the offering and to file related exhibits, including the Underwriting Agreement, Indenture, and legal opinions regarding the legality of the Notes.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the terms of the 5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2014 in the attached Indenture (Exhibit 4.1) and Supplemental Indenture (Exhibit 4.4).
- Confirm the use of proceeds from the $104 million issuance by reviewing the Prospectus Supplement dated May 13, 2004.
- Review the Underwriting Agreement (Exhibit 1.1) for details on the underwriters and selling conditions.
- Check subsequent filings for the impact of this new debt on the company's overall leverage ratios and liquidity position.