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Note 13 - Debt
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements  
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

13. Debt

 

Credit Facilities – At March 31, 2022, we had $2.0 billion of credit available under our revolving credit facility (the Facility), which is designated for general corporate purposes and supports the issuance of commercial paper. Credit facility withdrawals totaled $0 during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Commitment fees and interest rates payable under the Facility are similar to fees and rates available to comparably rated, investment-grade borrowers. The Facility allows for borrowings at floating rates based on LIBOR, plus a spread, depending upon credit ratings for our senior unsecured debt. The 5-year facility, set to expire on June 8, 2023, requires UPC to maintain a debt-to-EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) coverage ratio.

 

The definition of debt used for purposes of calculating the debt-to-EBITDA coverage ratio includes, among other things, certain credit arrangements, finance leases, guarantees, unfunded and vested pension benefits under Title IV of ERISA, and unamortized debt discount and deferred debt issuance costs. At  March 31, 2022 , the Company was in compliance with the debt-to-EBITDA coverage ratio, which allows us to carry up to $43.0 billion of debt (as defined in the Facility), and we had $34.0 billion of debt (as defined in the Facility) outstanding at that date. The Facility does not include any other financial restrictions, credit rating triggers (other than rating-dependent pricing), or any other provision that could require us to post collateral. The Facility also includes a $150 million cross-default provision and a change-of-control provision.
 

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we issued $1.2 billion and repaid $1.3 billion of commercial paper with maturities ranging from 8 to 86 days, and at March 31, 2022, we had $300 million of commercial paper outstanding. Our revolving credit facility supports our outstanding commercial paper balances, and, unless we change the terms of our commercial paper program, our aggregate issuance of commercial paper will not exceed the amount of borrowings available under the Facility.

 

Shelf Registration Statement and Significant New Borrowings – On February 3, 2022, the Board of Directors renewed its authorization for the Company to issue up to $12.0 billion of debt securities under the Company’s current three-year shelf registration filed on February 10, 2021. This reauthorization replaces the original Board authorization which had $2.5 billion in remaining authority. Under our shelf registration, we may issue, from time to time any combination of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, or warrants for debt securities or preferred stock in one or more offerings.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we issued the following unsecured, fixed-rate debt securities under our shelf registration:

 

Date

Description of Securities

February 14, 2022

$1.25 billion of 2.800% Notes due February 14, 2032

 

$0.50 billion of 3.375% Notes due February 14, 2042

 

$1.25 billion of 3.500% Notes due February 14, 2053

 

$0.50 billion of 3.850% Notes due February 14, 2072

 

We used the net proceeds from the offerings for general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of common stock pursuant to our share repurchase programs. These debt securities include change-of-control provisions. At March 31, 2022, we had remaining authority to issue up to $8.5 billion of debt securities under our shelf registration.

 

Receivables Securitization Facility – As of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, we recorded $0 and $300 million, respectively, of borrowings under our Receivables Facility as secured debt. (See further discussion of our receivables securitization facility in Note 9).

 

Subsequent Event – On April 15, 2022, we redeemed all $750 million of outstanding 4.163% notes due July 15, 2022, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest.