Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 8-K Current Report is filed by Ameren Corporation and its subsidiary, Union Electric Company, on September 23, 2004. The filing reports a specific corporate event regarding a debt offering rather than providing periodic financial results.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing details a debt issuance but does not report revenue, profit, cash flow, or operating margins.
- Debt Issuance: Union Electric Company issued and sold $300,000,000 principal amount of 5.10% Senior Secured Notes due 2019.
- Interest Rate: 5.10%.
- Maturity Date: 2019.
- Underwriters: BNP Paribas Securities Corp., BNY Capital Markets, Inc., and Lehman Brothers Inc.
- Liquidity Impact: The filing does not specify the net proceeds or the immediate impact on liquidity.
Material Changes
The material change reported is the increase in long-term debt obligations resulting from the sale of the $300 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 contains no management commentary, forward-looking guidance, or specific risk factors related to future operations. The document serves strictly to disclose the execution of the debt offering and to file associated exhibits, including the Underwriting Agreement, Indenture, and legal opinions regarding the legality of the Notes.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the use of proceeds from the $300 million note issuance in subsequent financial statements.
- Review the Supplemental Indenture (Exhibit 4.4) for specific covenants and security interests attached to the Notes.
- Confirm the impact of the new 5.10% interest obligation on the company's overall cost of debt and interest coverage ratios.
- Check for any subsequent filings regarding the repayment schedule or refinancing of these 2019-maturity notes.