8-KOther EventsExhibits & Filings

QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INC 8-K Report, Corporate Update (Nov 16, 2009)

Filed November 16, 2009For Securities:DGX

Summary

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) filed an 8-K on November 16, 2009, reporting on significant financing activities. The company priced an underwritten public offering of $500 million in 4.750% Senior Notes due 2020 and $250 million in 5.750% Senior Notes due 2040. This offering, expected to close on November 17, 2009, is being conducted under an existing shelf registration statement and is projected to yield approximately $730 million in net proceeds. The net proceeds are earmarked for multiple strategic uses, including repurchasing notes tendered under a concurrent tender offer, general corporate purposes, potential acquisitions, capital expenditures, share repurchases, and repayment of other existing debt. The company also announced a tender offer for its outstanding 5.125% Senior Notes due 2010 and 7.50% Senior Notes due 2011, indicating a proactive approach to managing its debt structure.

Key Highlights

  • 1Quest Diagnostics priced a $750 million public offering of senior notes ($500 million due 2020 and $250 million due 2040).
  • 2The offering includes notes with coupon rates of 4.750% (2020 maturity) and 5.750% (2040 maturity).
  • 3Net proceeds from the offering are estimated to be approximately $730 million.
  • 4Proceeds will be used for debt management, including repurchasing tendered notes, general corporate purposes, acquisitions, capital expenditures, and share repurchases.
  • 5The company concurrently launched a tender offer to purchase all outstanding 5.125% Senior Notes due 2010 and 7.50% Senior Notes due 2011.
  • 6The financing activities are being conducted under an existing shelf registration statement (File No. 333-143867).
  • 7The offering is expected to close on November 17, 2009.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quest Diagnostics is issuing a total of $750 million in senior notes. This includes $500 million of 4.750% Senior Notes due 2020 and $250 million of 5.750% Senior Notes due 2040.

The company expects to receive approximately $730 million in net proceeds, which will be used to repurchase any notes tendered under its tender offer and for general corporate purposes. These general purposes include funding acquisitions, capital expenditures, share repurchases, and repaying other outstanding indebtedness.

The concurrent tender offer, announced on the same day as the pricing of the new notes, indicates that Quest Diagnostics is actively managing its existing debt obligations. The company is offering to buy back all of its outstanding 5.125% Senior Notes due 2010 and 7.50% Senior Notes due 2011, likely to refinance them with the new, potentially lower-cost debt or to optimize its capital structure.

The offering is scheduled to close on November 17, 2009.