8-KFinancial EventsOther EventsExhibits & Filings

STARBUCKS CORP 8-K Report, Financial Obligation (Aug 10, 2018)

Filed August 10, 2018For Securities:SBUX

Summary

Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) filed an 8-K on August 10, 2018, to report on the completion of a significant public offering of senior notes. The company successfully issued and sold a total of $3.0 billion in aggregate principal amount across three tranches: $1.25 billion in 3.800% Senior Notes due 2025, $750 million in 4.000% Senior Notes due 2028, and $1.0 billion in 4.500% Senior Notes due 2048. These notes are senior unsecured obligations of Starbucks and rank equally with its other senior unsecured indebtedness. The proceeds from this offering will be utilized in accordance with the terms outlined in the Underwriting Agreement and the related indentures. Investors should note that these notes are effectively subordinated to any existing or future indebtedness or liabilities of Starbucks' subsidiaries. The filing also details the redemption provisions and a change of control triggering event, which could require Starbucks to repurchase the notes at a premium under specific circumstances. This debt issuance is a material event for Starbucks, impacting its capital structure and financial obligations.

Key Highlights

  • 1Starbucks completed a public offering of $3.0 billion in senior notes.
  • 2The offering consists of three tranches: $1.25B (3.800% due 2025), $750M (4.000% due 2028), and $1.0B (4.500% due 2048).
  • 3The notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally with other senior unsecured debt.
  • 4Interest payments for the 2025 notes are semi-annual (Feb 15, Aug 15), starting Feb 15, 2019.
  • 5Interest payments for the 2028 and 2048 notes are semi-annual (May 15, Nov 15), starting Nov 15, 2018.
  • 6The notes are effectively subordinated to any debt or liabilities of Starbucks' subsidiaries.
  • 7A change of control triggering event (change of control + below investment grade rating) could require a repurchase of notes at 101% of principal.

Frequently Asked Questions

This 8-K filing primarily announces the completion of Starbucks' public offering of $3.0 billion in senior notes across three different maturities. It details the principal amounts, interest rates, maturity dates, and other key terms of these new debt issuances.

The issuance of $3.0 billion in senior notes will increase Starbucks' total debt and alter its capital structure. As senior unsecured obligations, they rank alongside existing senior unsecured debt but are effectively subordinated to any liabilities of Starbucks' subsidiaries. The company will incur additional interest expenses related to these notes.

Key features include fixed interest rates and specific maturity dates. Risks for investors include Starbucks' ability to repay the debt (credit risk), interest rate risk (though fixed), and the subordination of these notes to subsidiary obligations. Additionally, a 'change of control triggering event' could lead to an early repurchase at a premium, which depends on specific rating agency actions and control changes.

This means that if Starbucks were to face financial distress and its subsidiaries also had outstanding debts or liabilities, the creditors of those subsidiaries would have a priority claim on the assets of those subsidiaries before any assets could be used to pay off the holders of these senior notes. The notes are obligations of the parent company, not the subsidiaries.