As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ACM RESEARCH, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | | 94-3290283 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
42307 Osgood Road, Suite I, Fremont, California
(510) 445-3700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
David H. Wang
Chief Executive Officer and President
ACM Research, Inc.
42307 Osgood Road, Suite I, Fremont, California
(510) 445-3700
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Michael A. Hedge
Jason C. Dreibelbis
K&L Gates LLP
1 Park Plaza, Twelfth Floor
Irvine, California 92614
(949) 253-0900
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | | | ☒ | | | Accelerated filer | | | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | | | ☐ | | | Smaller reporting company | | | ☐ |
| | | | | 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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
PROSPECTUS
Class A Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
Class A Common Stock
Offered by the Selling Stockholders
We may offer and sell the securities identified above, and the selling stockholders may offer and sell shares of our Class A common stock, in each case, from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our Class A common stock by the selling stockholders.
Each time we or any of the selling stockholders, offer and sell securities, we or any of the selling stockholders will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.
We or any of the selling stockholders may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. In addition, the selling stockholders may offer and sell shares of our Class A common stock from time to time, together or separately. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. For more information, please see “About This Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of the securities.
Our Class A common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “ACMR”. On March 15, 2024, the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock on Nasdaq was $27.11 per share.
Investing in these securities involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is March 18, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Neither we, nor the selling stockholders have authorized any person to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, and, if given or made, you must not rely upon the information or representations as having been authorized. This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor do this prospectus or any accompanying supplement to this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. The information contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, speaks only as of the date set forth on the cover page and may not reflect subsequent changes in our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects even though this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, we and the selling stockholders to be named in a supplement to this prospectus may sell securities from time to time in one or more offerings, as described in this prospectus. Each time that we or the selling stockholders offer and sell securities, we or the selling stockholders will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (and any applicable free writing prospectuses), together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
We, and the selling stockholders, have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and the selling stockholders take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the selling stockholders will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market data and industry statistics, estimates and projections that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. In addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.
References in this prospectus to “our company,” “our,” “us,” “we” and similar terms refer to ACM Research, Inc. and not, unless the context otherwise requires, subsidiaries of ACM Research, Inc.
Our logo design is one of our trademarks. This prospectus also includes trademarks, tradenames, and service marks that are the property of other organizations. For convenience, our logo appears in this prospectus without the ™ symbol, but those uses are not intended to indicate that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to this trademark.
We supply advanced, innovative capital equipment developed for the global semiconductor industry. Fabricators of advanced integrated circuits, or chips, can use our wet-cleaning and other front-end processing tools in numerous steps to improve product yield, even at increasingly advanced process nodes. We have designed these tools for use in fabricating foundry, logic and memory chips, including dynamic random-access memory and 3D NAND-flash memory chips. We also develop, manufacture and sell a range of advanced packaging tools to wafer assembly and packaging customers.
We incorporated in California in January 1998 and redomesticated in Delaware in November 2016. Our headquarters are located at 42307 Osgood Road, Suite I, Fremont, California 94539, where our telephone number is (510) 445-3700.
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Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves risks. Before acquiring any of such securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by us, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities. This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described in the documents incorporated herein by reference.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND STATISTICAL DATA
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “objective,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “design,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on our management’s belief and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements relate to future events or our future operational or financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those described or incorporated by reference in our most our Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
The information included under the heading “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview,” of Part II of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statistical data and estimates, including forecasts, that are based on information provided by Gartner, Inc., or Gartner, in “Forecast: Semiconductor Wafer Fab Equipment, Worldwide, 4Q23 Update” (December 2023), or the Gartner Report. The Gartner Report represents research opinions or viewpoints that are published, as part of a syndicated subscription service, by Gartner and are not representations of fact. The Gartner Report speaks as of its original publication date (and not as of the date of this prospectus), and the opinions expressed in the Gartner Report are subject to change without notice. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding any of the data presented from the Gartner Report, estimates, and in particular forecasts, involve numerous assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties, as well as change based on various factors, that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the data presented below.
Any forward-looking statement made or incorporated by reference into this prospectus speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these statements publicly or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
You should read this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
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General
As of February 23, 2024, our authorized capital stock consisted of 150,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, 5,307,816 shares of Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. Class A common stock and Class B common stock are referred to collectively as common stock.
The following summary describes our capital stock, including material provisions of our charter, our bylaws and Delaware law. Because the following is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a complete description, you should refer to our charter and bylaws, copies of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Common Stock
Outstanding Shares and Options
As of February 23, 2024, there were:
| • | 56,073,205 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, held of record by 46 stockholders; |
| • | 11,114,548 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options; and |
| • | 5,021,811 shares of Class B common stock outstanding, held of record by 16 stockholders. |
Authorized but unissued shares of Class B common stock are not available for reissuance. The actual number of stockholders is greater than the number of record holders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. This number of holders of record also does not include stockholders whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.
Voting Rights
Except as otherwise required by Delaware law, at every annual or special meeting of stockholders, holders of Class B common stock are entitled to 20 votes per share and holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share. The holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class, unless otherwise required by law. Delaware law could require either holders of Class A common stock or Class B common stock to vote separately as a single class in the following circumstances:
| • | if we were to seek to amend our charter to increase the authorized number of shares of a class of stock, or to increase or decrease the per share par value of a class of stock, then that class would be required to vote separately to approve the proposed amendment; |
| • | if we were to seek to amend our charter in a manner that alters or changes the powers, preferences or special rights of a class of stock in a manner that affected its holders adversely, then that class would be required to vote separately to approve the proposed amendment; and |
| • | if we were to seek to declare a dividend or distribution that would be disparate as between the two classes. |
Stockholders do not have the ability to cumulate votes for the election of directors. The board of directors is not currently classified. Our charter and bylaws, however, provide for a classified board of directors consisting of three classes of approximately equal size, each serving staggered three-year terms, when the outstanding shares of Class B common stock represent less than a majority of the combined voting power of the common stock. Our directors will be assigned by the then-current board to a class when the outstanding shares of Class B common stock represent less than a majority of the combined voting power of the common stock.
Dividends
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, the holders of our outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of legally available funds. The holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to share equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any dividend or distribution unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, each voting separately as a class. At present, we have no plans to issue dividends.
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Liquidation
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Conversion
Each outstanding share of Class B common stock is convertible into one share of Class A common stock (a) at any time, at the option of the holder, or (b) upon any transfer of such share of Class B common stock, whether or not for value, except for certain transfers described in our charter, including transfers to family members, trusts solely for the benefit of the stockholder or their family members, and partnerships, corporations, and other entities exclusively owned by the stockholder or their family members. In addition, on or after the date of this prospectus, all outstanding shares of Class B common stock will convert automatically into shares of Class A common stock, on a one for one basis, upon the election of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Class B common stock. Once converted or transferred and converted into Class A common stock, shares of Class B common stock will not be reissued.
Other Rights and Preferences
Other than as described above, holders of common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our charter, the board of directors is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of such shares and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and other provisions, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of common stock. The issuance of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock, including the loss of voting control to others, and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon our liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company or other corporate action.
Anti-Takeover Provision
So long as the outstanding shares of Class B common stock represent a majority of the combined voting power of common stock, the holders of Class B common stock will effectively control all matters submitted to our stockholders for a vote, as well as the overall management and direction of our company, which will have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another person from acquiring control of our company.
After such time as the shares of Class B common stock no longer represent a majority of the combined voting power of common stock, the provisions of Delaware law, and our charter and our bylaws may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another person from acquiring control of our company.
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Delaware Law
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prevents some Delaware corporations from engaging, under some circumstances, in a business combination, which includes a merger or sale of at least 10% of the corporation’s assets with any interested stockholder, meaning a stockholder who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock, unless:
| • | the transaction is approved by the board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder; |
| • | upon consummation of the transaction, which resulted in the stockholder’s becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding stock owned by directors who are also officers of the corporation; or |
| • | subsequent to such time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
A Delaware corporation may “opt out” of these provisions with an express provision in its original charter or an express provision in its charter or bylaws resulting from a stockholders’ amendment approved by at least a majority of the outstanding voting shares. We have not opted out of these provisions. As a result, mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts of us may be discouraged or prevented.
Charter and Bylaw Provisions
Our charter and bylaws include a number of provisions that may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying or preventing changes in control of our company, even after such time as the shares of Class B common stock no longer represent a majority of the combined voting power of common stock, including the following:
| • | Separate Class B Vote for Certain Transactions. Until the first date on which the outstanding shares of Class B common stock represent less than 35% of the combined voting power of common stock, any transaction that would result in a change in control of our company will require the approval of a majority of our outstanding Class B common stock voting as a separate class. This provision could delay or prevent the approval of a change in control that might otherwise be approved by a majority of outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock, voting together on a combined basis. |
| • | Dual Class Stock. As described above in “—Common Stock—Voting Rights,” our charter provides for a dual class common stock structure, which provides certain members of our senior management with the ability to control the outcome of matters requiring stockholder approval, even if they collectively own significantly less than a majority of the shares of our outstanding Class A and Class B common stock, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or its assets. |
| • | Supermajority Approvals. Our charter and bylaws provide that when the outstanding shares of Class B common stock represent less than a majority of the combined voting power of common stock, certain amendments to our charter or bylaws will require the approval of two-thirds of the combined vote of our then-outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock. This will have the effect of making it more difficult to amend our charter or bylaws to remove or modify certain provisions. |
| • | Board of Directors Vacancies. Our charter and bylaws provide that stockholders may fill vacant directorships. When the outstanding shares of Class B common stock represent less than a majority of the combined voting power of common stock, our charter and bylaws authorize only the board of directors to fill vacant directorships. In addition, the number of directors constituting the board is set only by resolution adopted by a majority vote of our entire board. These provisions restricting the filling of vacancies will prevent a stockholder from increasing the size of the board and gaining control of the board by filling the resulting vacancies with its own nominees. Our charter provides that directors may be removed with or without cause only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the votes that all of the stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors. |
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| • | Classified Board. The board of directors is not currently classified. Our charter and bylaws provide that when outstanding shares of Class B common stock represent less than a majority of the combined voting power of common stock, the board will be classified into three classes of directors, each of which will hold office for a three-year term. In addition, thereafter, directors may be removed from the board with or without cause only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock. The existence of a classified board could delay a successful tender offeror from obtaining majority control of the board, and the prospect of that delay might deter a potential offeror. |
| • | Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders. Our charter provides that stockholders will be able to take action by written consent. When the outstanding shares of Class B common stock represent less than a majority of the combined voting power of common stock, our stockholders will no longer be able to take action by written consent, and will only be able to take action at annual or special meetings of our stockholders. Stockholders will not be permitted to cumulate their votes for the election of directors. The absence of cumulative voting may make it more difficult for stockholders who own less than a majority in voting power to elect any directors to the board of directors. Our bylaws further provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the board, the chair of the board or our chief executive officer. A stockholder may not call a special meeting, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or for holders controlling a majority in voting power of our capital stock to take any action, including the removal of director. |
| • | Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations. Our bylaws provide advance notice procedures for stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at any meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws also specify certain requirements regarding the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our meetings of stockholders. |
| • | Issuance of Undesignated Preferred Stock. The board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue shares of undesignated preferred stock with rights and preferences, including voting rights, designated from time to time by the board. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock enables the board to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. |
Choice of Forum
Our charter provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for: any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, or our charter or bylaws; any action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of our charter or bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Nasdaq Global Market
The Class A common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ACMR.”
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We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. The terms of any debt securities offered under any applicable prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read any applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.
General
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.
We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. One or more series of debt securities may be variable rate debt securities that may be exchanged for fixed rate debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.
We will comply with Section 14(e) under the Exchange Act to the extent applicable, and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act, which may then be applicable, in connection with any obligation we may have to purchase debt securities at the option of the holders thereof. Any such obligation applicable to a series of debt securities will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement.
Any applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities being offered will contain the following terms, if applicable:
| • | the title of the series of debt securities and the ranking; |
| • | the aggregate principal amount and any limit on that amount; |
| • | the price at which the debt securities will be issued; |
| • | the date on which the debt securities mature; |
| • | the fixed or variable rate at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method by which the rate shall be determined; |
| • | the timing, place and manner of making principal, interest and any premium payments on the debt securities, and, if applicable, where the debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange; |
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| • | the date or dates, if any, after which the debt securities may be converted or exchanged into or for our common stock or another company’s securities or property or cash, and the terms of any such conversion or exchange; |
| • | any redemption or early repayment provisions; |
| • | any sinking fund or similar provisions; |
| • | the authorized denominations; |
| • | any applicable subordination provisions; |
| • | any guarantees of the securities by our subsidiaries or others; |
| • | the currency in which we will pay the principal, interest and any premium payments on the debt securities; |
| • | whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method and the manner in which the amounts shall be determined; |
| • | the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
| • | the time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which the purchaser of the securities can select the payment currency; |
| • | the provisions, if any, granting special rights to the holders of debt securities upon certain events; |
| • | any additions to or changes in the events of default or covenants with respect to the debt securities, and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders, from those described in this prospectus, to declare principal, premium and interest to be due and payable; |
| • | additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance; |
| • | additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture; |
| • | additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture; |
| • | whether and under what circumstances we will pay any additional amounts on the debt securities for any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities instead of paying those amounts; |
| • | the form (registered and/or bearer securities), any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of bearer securities and the terms, if any, upon which bearer securities may be exchanged for registered securities and vice versa; |
| • | the date of any bearer securities or any global security, if other than the date of original issuance of the first security of the series to be issued; |
| • | the person to whom and manner in which any interest shall be payable; |
| • | whether the securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities; |
| • | the identity of the depositary for global securities; |
| • | whether a temporary security is to be issued with respect to the series and whether any interest payable prior to the issuance of definitive securities of the series will be credited to the account of the persons entitled thereto; |
| • | the terms upon which beneficial interests in a temporary global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for beneficial interests in a definitive global security or for individual definitive securities and the terms upon which exchanges may be made; |
| • | the securities exchange(s), if any, on which the securities will be listed; |
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| • | whether any underwriter(s) will act as market maker(s) for the securities; |
| • | the form (certificated or book-entry); |
| • | the form and/or terms of certificates, documents or conditions which may be necessary, if any, for the debt securities to be issuable in final form; and |
| • | additional terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture. |
Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
Except as set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture will provide that we shall not consolidate with, or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to, or merge into, another business entity, unless:
| • | we are the surviving entity or, in the event that we are not the surviving entity, the entity formed by the transaction (in a consolidation) or the entity which received the transfer of assets is organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and that the entity assumes all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture; and |
| • | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, as defined in the indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may merge with another business entity or acquire by purchase or otherwise all or any part of the property or assets of any other company in a transaction in which we are the surviving entity.
Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in any applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default with respect to any series of debt securities issued under the indenture:
| • | failure to pay any interest on any debt security of that series when due, and the default continues for 30 days; |
| • | failure to make sinking fund payments when due; |
| • | failure to comply with any covenant or warranty contained in the indenture, other than covenants or warranties contained in the indenture solely for the benefit of other series of debt securities, and the default continues for 30 days after notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series; |
| • | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and |
| • | any other event of default provided with respect to that particular series of debt securities. |
If an event of default occurs and continues, then upon written notice to us, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the unpaid principal amount of and any accrued and unpaid interest on, all debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. However, at any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration:
| • | if all events of default other than the nonpayment of principal of or interest on the debt securities of that series which have become due solely because of the acceleration have been waived or cured; and |
| • | the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction. For information as to waiver of defaults, see “Modification of Indenture; Waiver” below. |
The indenture will provide that, subject to the duty of the trustee during an event of default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture
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at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders shall have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to certain provisions, including those requiring security or indemnification of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series.
We will be required to furnish to the trustee under the indenture annually a statement as to the performance by us of our obligations under that indenture and as to any default in our performance.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions, the terms of the indenture or the debt securities may be amended or supplemented by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the amendment with each series voting as a separate class. Without the consent of any holder of the debt securities, we and the trustee may amend the terms of the indenture or the debt securities to:
| • | cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
| • | provide for the assumption of our obligations to holders of the debt securities by a successor corporation; |
| • | provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to certificated debt securities; |
| • | make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of the debt securities in any material respect; |
| • | add to, change or eliminate any other provisions of the indenture in respect of one or more series of debt securities if the change would not (i) apply to any security of any series created prior to the execution of a supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of the provision, and (ii) modify the rights of the holder of any security or would become effective only when there is no outstanding security of any series created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefits of the provisions proposed to be changed; |
| • | establish any additional series of debt securities; or |
| • | comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. |
However, holders of each series of debt securities affected by a modification must consent to modifications that:
| • | reduce the principal amount of the debt securities; |
| • | reduce the rate or change the time for payment of interest; |
| • | change the fixed maturity date; |
| • | change the date on which any debt security may be subject to redemption or repurchase, or reduce the redemption or repurchase price; |
| • | make any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security; |
| • | waive any existing default or event of default and the resulting consequences; |
| • | modify the right of any holder to receive payment of principal or interest on any debt security; |
| • | impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment due; or |
| • | make any change in the foregoing amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent. |
Any existing default may be waived with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of the series affected. The consent of the holders of debt securities is not necessary to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment to any indenture. It is sufficient if any consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.
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Covenants
Except as permitted in certain circumstances as discussed under “Consolidation, Merger or Sale,” the indenture will require us to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence, rights (declaration and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that we shall not be required to preserve any right or franchise if we determine that the right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business and that the loss of the right or franchise is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the debt securities.
The indenture will require us to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before payment becomes delinquent, all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon us, except any tax, assessment, charge or claim the amount or applicability of which is being contested in good faith.
Reference is made to the indenture and any applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to any additional covenants specific to a particular series of debt securities.
Discharge
Except as otherwise set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement, we may terminate our obligations under the debt securities of any series, and the corresponding obligations under the indenture when:
| • | we have paid or deposited with the trustee funds or United States government obligations in an amount sufficient to pay at maturity all outstanding debt securities of the series, including interest other than destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of the series which have not been replaced or paid; |
| • | all outstanding debt securities of the series have been delivered (other than destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of the series which have not been replaced or paid) to the trustee for cancellation; |
| • | all outstanding debt securities of any series have become due and payable; or |
| • | we have paid all other sums payable under the indenture. |
In addition, we will have the option to terminate substantially all our obligations under the debt securities of any series and the corresponding obligations under the indenture, and we may exercise that option if:
| • | we have paid or deposited with the trustee, in trust an amount of cash or United States government obligations sufficient to pay all outstanding principal of and interest on the then outstanding debt securities of the series at maturity or upon their redemption, as the case may be; |
| • | the deposit will not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, the indenture; |
| • | no default or event of default shall have occurred and continue on the date of deposit and no event of default as a result of a bankruptcy or event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become a bankruptcy event of default shall have occurred and be continuing on the 91st day after that date; |
| • | we deliver to the trustee a legal opinion that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of the series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of our exercise of our option and shall be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if we did not exercise our option; or |
| • | certain other conditions are met. |
We will have the option to be released from our obligations with respect to the covenants to deliver reports required to be filed with the SEC and an annual compliance certificate, and to make timely payments of taxes (including covenants described in any applicable prospectus supplement), and any event of default occurring because of a default with respect to the covenants as they related to any series of debt securities, and we may exercise that option if:
| • | we deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee in trust an amount of cash or United States government obligations sufficient to pay and discharge when due the entire unpaid principal of and interest on all outstanding debt securities of any series; |
| • | the deposit will not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, the indenture; |
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| • | no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of deposit and no event of default as a result of a bankruptcy or event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become a bankruptcy event of default shall have occurred and be continuing on the 91st day after that date; |
| • | we deliver to the trustee a legal opinion that the holders of the debt securities of the series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of our exercise of our option and shall be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if we did not exercise our option; and |
| • | certain other conditions are met. |
Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions, our obligations under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of the series, other than with respect to the covenants and events of default referred to above, shall remain in full force and effect.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no discharge or defeasance described above shall affect the following obligations to or rights of the holders of any series of debt securities:
| • | rights of registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities of the series; |
| • | rights of substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of the series; |
| • | rights of holders of debt securities of the series to receive payments of principal thereof and premium, if any, and interest thereon when due; |
| • | rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the trustee; |
| • | rights of holders of debt securities of the series as beneficiaries with respect to property deposited with the trustee and payable to all or any of them; and |
| • | our obligations to maintain an office or agency in respect of the debt securities of the series. |
Form, Exchange and Transfer
We expect payment of principal, premium, if any, and any interest on the debt securities to be payable, and the exchange and the transfer of debt securities will be registrable, at the office of the trustee or at any other office or agency we maintain for that purpose. We expect to issue debt securities in denominations of U.S. $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require a payment to cover any tax or other governmental charges payable in connection with an exchange or transfer.
A holder of debt securities may transfer or exchange those debt securities in accordance with the indenture. The registrar for the debt securities may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the indenture. The registrar is not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption or any debt security for a period of 15 days before a selection of debt security to be redeemed. The registered holder of a debt security may be treated as the owner of the security for all purposes.
We will name in any applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
Replacement Securities
Any mutilated certificate representing a debt security or a certificate representing a debt security with a mutilated coupon will be replaced by us at the expense of the holder upon surrender of the certificate to the trustee. Certificates representing debt securities or coupons that become destroyed, stolen or lost will be replaced by us at the expense of the holder upon delivery to us and the trustee of evidence of any destruction, loss or theft satisfactory to us and the trustee, provided that neither we nor the trustee has been notified that the certificate or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. In the case of any coupon which becomes destroyed, stolen or lost, the coupon will be replaced by issuance of a new certificate representing the debt security in exchange for the certificate representing the debt security to which the coupon appertains. In the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen certificate representing the debt security or coupon, an indemnity bond satisfactory to the trustee and us may be required at the expense of the holder of the debt security before a replacement certificate will be issued.
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Information Concerning the Trustee
We will identify in any applicable prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities the trustee with respect to the series. The indenture and the Trust Indenture Act contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any the claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates may engage in, and will be permitted to continue to engage in, other transactions with us and our affiliates, but if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, as defined in the Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate the conflict or resign.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee. The Trust Indenture Act and the indenture provide that in case an event of default occurs is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its rights and powers, to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to those provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it.
Global Debt Securities
Unless we indicate otherwise in any applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to all debt securities.
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with a depositary that we will identify in any applicable prospectus supplement. Each global security will be deposited with the depositary and will bear a legend regarding any related restrictions or other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the applicable indenture.
Unless any applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, no global security may be transferred to, or registered or exchanged for, debt securities registered in the name of, any person or entity other than the depositary, unless:
| • | the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable or is no longer qualified to continue as depositary; |
| • | we order the trustee that the global security shall be so transferable, registrable and exchangeable, and the transfers shall be registrable; or |
| • | other circumstances, if any, as may be described in any applicable prospectus supplement. |
All debt securities issued in exchange for a global security or any portion of a global security will be registered in those names as the depositary may direct. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement.
Debt securities which are to be represented by a global security to be deposited with or on behalf of a depositary will be represented by a global security registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. Upon the issuance of the global security, and the deposit of the global security with the depositary, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee, or the Participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents of the debt securities or by us, if the debt securities are offered and sold directly by us.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to Participants or persons that may hold interests through Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee for the global security or by Participants or persons that hold through Participants.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in global securities.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Payment of principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on debt securities will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner or bearer as the case may be of the
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global security representing the debt securities. Each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if the person is not a Participant, on the procedures of the Participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture. If we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give any notice or take any action a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary will authorize the Participants to give the notice or take the action, and Participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the Participants to give the notice or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
The rights of any holder of a debt security to receive payment of principal and premium of, if any, and interest, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the debt security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the applicable date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holders.
Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the security registrar for a debt security will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the global security for the debt security or for maintaining, supervising or receiving any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit immediately Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through the Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of the Participants.
If the depositary for a global security representing debt securities of a particular series is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue debt securities of the series in definitive form in exchange for the global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have the debt securities of a particular series represented by one or more global securities and, in that event, will issue debt securities of the series in definitive form in exchange for all of the global securities representing debt securities of the series.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in any applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.
We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in any applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in any applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in any applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
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We will set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement a description of any warrants or units issued by us that may be offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus.
Information about selling stockholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference.
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We or any of the selling stockholders may sell the securities offered by this prospectus in any one or more of the following ways from time to time pursuant to:
| • | underwritten public offerings; |
| • | negotiated transactions; |
| • | block trades; |
| • | a combination of these methods; or |
| • | through underwriters or dealers |
| • | through agents; and/or |
| • | directly to one or more purchasers. |
The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions:
| • | at fixed prices, which may be changed; |
| • | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| • | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
| • | at negotiated prices. |
We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in any applicable prospectus supplement.
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K&L Gates LLP, Irvine, California, will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities offered hereby on our behalf. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us, the selling stockholders or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The consolidated financial statements of ACM Research, Inc. at December 31, 2023, and for the year then ended, appearing in ACM Research, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of ACM Research, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, have been audited by Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of ACM Research, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2022, appearing in ACM Research, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been audited by Armanino LLP, ACM Research, Inc.’s prior independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of ACM Research, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2021, appearing in ACM Research, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been audited by BDO China Shu Lun Pan Certified Public Accountants LLP, ACM Research, Inc.’s prior independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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Available Information
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC.
Our website address is www.acmrcsh.com. The information on our website, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only. Through our website, we make available, free of charge, annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, along with amendments thereto, and other information as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement or documents incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s website, as provided above.
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The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference modifies or replaces that statement.
We incorporate by reference our documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed below or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any Compensation Committee report and performance graph or any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024; |
| • | the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on May 1, 2023, as amended on May 23, 2023; |
| • | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2024, January 25, 2024 and February 2, 2024; and |
| • | the description of our Class A common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-38273) filed with SEC on November 1, 2017, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.
You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
ACM Research, Inc.
42307 Osgood Road, Suite I
Fremont, California
(510) 445-3700
Attention: Investor Relations
Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, unless those exhibits have been specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution |
The following are estimates of the expenses that the registrant may incur in connection with the offering and sale of the securities being registered hereby. All such expenses are to be paid by the registrant.
SEC registration fee | | | (1) |
FINRA filing fee | | | * |
Accounting fees and expenses | | | * |
Exchange listing fee | | | * |
Legal fees and expenses | | | * |
Printing expenses | | | * |
Transfer agent fees and expenses | | | * |
Trustee fees and expenses | | | * |
Warrant agent fees and expenses | | | * |
Miscellaneous | | | * |
Total | | | * |
| (1) | Pursuant to Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the SEC registration fee will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under the registration statement, and is therefore not currently determinable. |
| * | Because these amounts are based on the securities offered and the number of issuances, they cannot be estimated at this time and will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplements. |
| Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
Sections 145 and 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provide that a corporation may indemnify any person made a party to an action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of a corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of an action by or in right of the corporation, no indemnification may generally be made in respect of any claim as to which the person is adjudged to be liable to the corporation.
The registrant’s charter contains provisions that eliminate, to the maximum extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the personal liability of the registrant’s directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors. The registrant’s bylaws provide that the registrant must indemnify its directors and officers and may indemnify its employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
The registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided by its bylaws, and intends to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and executive officers in the future.
The registrant has purchased and intends to maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the registrant against any loss arising from any claim asserted against the person and incurred by the person in any such capacity, subject to certain exclusions.
In any underwriting agreement the registrant enters into in connection with the offering of securities being registered hereby, the underwriters may agree to indemnify, under certain conditions, the registrant’s directors and officers (as well as certain other persons) against certain liabilities arising in connection with such offering.
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| Item 16. | Exhibits |
EXHIBIT NO. | | | DESCRIPTION |
1.1* | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement |
| | | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ACM Research, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2017) | |
| | | Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ACM Research, Inc., dated July 13, 2021 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to the Current Report filed on July 13, 2021) | |
| | | Restated Bylaws of ACM Research, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.02 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2017) | |
| | | Form of Class A Common Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on October 18, 2017) | |
4.2* | | | Form of Preferred Stock Certificate |
| | | Form of Indenture | |
4.4* | | | Form of Senior Note |
4.5* | | | Form of Subordinated Note |
4.6* | | | Form of Warrant |
4.7* | | | Form of Warrant Agreement |
4.8* | | | Form of Unit Agreement |
| | | Opinion of K&L Gates LLP | |
| | | Consent of Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP | |
| | | Consent of Armanino LLP | |
| | | Consent of BDO China Shu Lun Pan Certified Public Accountants LLP | |
| | | Consent of K&L Gates LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
| | | Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of the Registration Statement) | |
25.1** | | | Statement of Eligibility on Form T 1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture |
25.2** | | | Statement of Eligibility on Form T 1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture |
| | | Filing Fee Table |
| * | To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with an offering of securities. |
| ** | To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. |
| Item 17. | Undertakings |
| (a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
| (ii) | to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and |
| (iii) | to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.
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| (2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| (4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
| (A) | each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and |
| (B) | each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
| (5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
| (i) | any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| (ii) | any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
| (iii) | the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
| (iv) | any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| (6) | That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (7) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred |
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or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
| (8) | To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fremont, State of California, on March 18, 2024.
| | | ACM RESEARCH, INC. | ||||
| | | | | |||
| | | By: | | | /s/ David H. Wang | |
| | | | | David H. Wang Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David H. Wang and Mark A. McKechnie, or any of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to file and sign any and all amendments with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney shall be governed by and construed with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable federal securities laws.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | | | Title | | | Date |
| | | | | |||
/s/ David H. Wang | | | Chief Executive Officer, President and Chair of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer) | | | March 18, 2024 |
David H Wang | | |||||
| | | | ||||
/s/ Mark A. McKechnie | | | Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | | | March 18, 2024 |
Mark A. McKechnie | | |||||
| | | | ||||
/s/ Haiping Dun | | | Director | | | March 18, 2024 |
Haiping Dun | | | | | ||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Chenming Hu | | | Director | | | March 18, 2024 |
Chenming Hu | | | | | ||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Tracy Liu | | | Director | | | March 18, 2024 |
Tracy Liu | | | | | ||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Xiao Xing | | | Director | | | March 18, 2024 |
Xiao Xing | | | | |
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