Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-209889
The information contained in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has become effective by rule of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 10, 2018
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated August 6, 2018)
15,000,000 Units
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/424B5/0001193125-18-270060/g610571g67b30.jpg)
INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC.
% TANGIBLE EQUITY UNITS
We are offering 15,000,000 % tangible equity units, or “Units.” Each Unit has a stated amount of $50. Each Unit is comprised of (i) a prepaid stock purchase contract issued by us and (ii) a senior amortizing note due September 15, 2021 issued by us. Each amortizing note will have an initial principal amount of $ and a final installment payment date of September 15, 2021.
Unless earlier redeemed by us or settled earlier at your option or at our option as described herein, on September 15, 2021 (subject to postponement in certain limited circumstances), each purchase contract will automatically settle, and we will deliver a number of shares of our common stock, par value $0.125 per share, per purchase contract based on the applicable market value (as defined herein) of our common stock as set forth below:
| • | | if the applicable market value is greater than the threshold appreciation price, which is approximately $ , you will receive shares per purchase contract; |
| • | | if the applicable market value is greater than or equal to the reference price, which is approximately $ , but less than or equal to the threshold appreciation price, you will receive a number of shares per purchase contract having a value, based on the applicable market value, equal to $50; and |
| • | | if the applicable market value is less than the reference price, you will receive shares per purchase contract. |
At any time prior to the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding September 15, 2021, you may settle your purchase contracts early, and we will deliver shares of our common stock per purchase contract (subject to adjustment). In addition, if a “fundamental change” (as defined herein) occurs and you elect to settle your purchase contracts early in connection with such fundamental change, you will receive a number of shares of our common stock per purchase contract equal to the fundamental change early settlement rate, as described herein. We may elect to settle all, but not less than all, outstanding purchase contracts prior to September 15, 2021 at the “early mandatory settlement rate” (as defined herein). If the closing of the Merger (as defined herein) has not occurred on or prior to February 7, 2019, or if, prior to such date, the Merger Agreement (as defined herein) is terminated, we may elect to settle all, but not less than all, outstanding purchase contracts at the “merger redemption rate” (as defined herein), by delivering notice to all holders during the five business day period immediately following February 7, 2019.
The amortizing notes will pay you equal quarterly cash installments of $ per amortizing note, which cash payment in the aggregate will be equivalent to % per year with respect to each $50 stated amount of Units. The amortizing notes are our direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding. If we elect to redeem the purchase contracts or to settle the purchase contracts early, you will have the right to require us to repurchase your amortizing notes.
We have applied to list the Units on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “IFFT,” subject to satisfaction of its minimum listing standards with respect to the Units. If the Units are approved for listing, we expect trading on the NYSE to begin within 30 calendar days after the Units are first issued.
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE and Euronext Paris under the symbol “IFF.” On September 7, 2018, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $127.06 per share.
On May 7, 2018, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (“IFF”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Frutarom Industries Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the State of Israel (“Frutarom”), and Icon Newco Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the State of Israel and a wholly owned subsidiary of IFF (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified conditions, and in accordance with the Companies Law 5759-1999 of the State of Israel (together with the rules and regulations thereunder, the “ICL”), Merger Sub will merge with and into Frutarom (the “Merger”), with Frutarom continuing as the surviving company in the Merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of IFF.
Concurrently with this offering of Units, we are offering $1,500 million aggregate offering value of our common stock (or up to $1,650 million in aggregate offering value if the underwriters for that offering exercise their option to purchase additional shares of common stock) pursuant to a separate prospectus supplement. This would be 11,805,446 shares (or up to 12,985,990 shares if the underwriters for that offering exercise their option) based on an aggregate offering value of $1,500 million of shares of common stock at an assumed public offering price of $127.06 per share (the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE on September 7, 2018). The completion of this Units offering is not contingent on the completion of the common stock offering, and the completion of the common stock offering is not contingent on the completion of this Units offering. Neither this offering nor the common stock offering is contingent on the completion of the Merger or any debt financing. If the Merger is not consummated, we intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, after payment of any cash redemption amount and/or repurchase price, for general corporate purposes, as described under “Use of Proceeds.”
Subsequent to this offering, we expect to offer, pursuant to separate prospectus supplements, approximately $2,750 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes at varying maturities, a portion of which may be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, as additional financing for the Merger. This prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any notes being offered in the notes offering.
Investing in our Units involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
PRICE $ PER UNIT
| | | | | | | | |
| | Per Unit | | | Total | |
Public offering price | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Underwriting discounts | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Proceeds, before expenses, to International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | | $ | | | | $ | | |
We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase, exercisable within a 30-day period, up to an additional 1,500,000 Units. The underwriters expect to deliver the Units to purchasers on or about September , 2018.
Joint Book-Running Managers
| | | | |
Morgan Stanley | | Citigroup | | J.P. Morgan |
The date of this prospectus supplement is September , 2018.