Starwood Hotels & Resorts (HOT)

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b) (2)
Registration No. 333-145894

 

 

(1) The aggregate filing fee of $27,900 is calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933 and has been paid by wire transfer.

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated September 6, 2007)

 

$500,000,000

 

 

7.875% Senior Notes due 2014

 

 

 

 

Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2009. The notes will mature on October 15, 2014. We may redeem some or all of the notes at any time before maturity at the “make-whole” price discussed under the caption “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption.”

 

The notes will be our senior obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior debt.

 

Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Supplemental Risk Factors” beginning on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

 

(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from May 7, 2009.

 

 

 

 

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, Clearstream, Luxembourg and the Euroclear System on or about May 7, 2009.

 

 

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Banc of America Securities LLC

J.P. Morgan

Deutsche Bank Securities

 

Senior Co-Managers

 

 

Junior Co-Managers

 

 

 

April 30, 2009

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

You should read this prospectus supplement along with the accompanying prospectus carefully before you invest. Both documents contain important information you should consider before making your investment decision. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain the terms of this offering of notes. The accompanying prospectus contains information about our securities generally, some of which does not apply to the notes covered by this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information in the accompanying prospectus. If the information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with any information in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede the inconsistent information in the accompanying prospectus.

 

It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the additional information under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provided you with additional or different information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the underwriters are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement includes “forward-looking” statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “should,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, our financial and business prospects, our capital requirements, our financing prospects, our relationships with associates and labor unions, and those disclosed under “Supplemental Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and under “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein. We caution readers that any such statements are based on currently available operational, financial and competitive information, and they should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s opinion only as of the date on which they were made. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to review or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances as they occur.

 

	•	St. Regis (luxury full-service hotels, resorts and residences),
	•	The Luxury Collection (luxury full-service hotels and resorts),
	•	W (luxury and upscale full service hotels, retreats and residences),
	•	Westin (luxury and upscale full-service hotels, resorts and residences),
	•	Le Méridien (luxury and upscale full-service hotels, resorts and residences),
	•	Sheraton (luxury and upscale full-service hotels, resorts and residences),
	•	Four Points (select-service hotels),
	•	aloft (select-service hotels), and
	•	element (extended-stay hotels).

 

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2009					2008					Variance
Worldwide (57 hotels with approximately 20,000 rooms)
REVPAR		$	117	.78			$	169	.85				(30	.7	)%
ADR		$	196	.25			$	241	.84				(18	.9	)%
Occupancy			60	.0%				70	.2%				(10	.2	)
North America (30 hotels with approximately 12,000 rooms)
REVPAR		$	125	.50			$	178	.84				(29	.8	)%
ADR		$	203	.85			$	252	.78				(19	.4	)%
Occupancy			61	.6%				70	.8%				(9	.2	)
International (27 hotels with approximately 8,000 rooms)
REVPAR		$	105	.32			$	155	.34				(32	.2	)%
ADR		$	183	.11			$	223	.83				(18	.2	)%
Occupancy			57	.5%				69	.4%				(11	.9	)

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
										%
		2009				2008				Variance
Revenues
Owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels		$	386			$	560				(31.1	)
Vacation ownership and residential sales and services			135				193				(30.1	)
Management fees, franchise fees and other income			165				206				(19.9	)
Other revenues from managed and franchised properties(a)			432				507				(14.8	)
			1,118				1,466				(23.7	)
Costs and Expenses
Owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels			334				438				23.7
Vacation ownership and residential			106				158				32.9
Selling, general, administrative and other			93				130				28.5
Restructuring and other special charges, net			17				9				(88.9	)
Depreciation			70				71				1.4
Amortization			7				7				—
Other expenses from managed and franchised properties(a)			432				507				14.8
			1,059				1,320				19.8
Operating income			59				146				(59.6	)
Equity earnings and gains and losses from unconsolidated ventures, net			(5	)			6				n/m
Interest expense, net of interest income of $0 and $2			(43	)			(47	)			8.5
Loss on asset dispositions and impairments, net			(5	)			(1	)			n/m
Income from continuing operations before taxes			6				104				(94.2	)
Income tax expense			(1	)			(26	)			96.2
Income from continuing operations			5				78				(93.6	)
Discontinued operations:
Net loss on dispositions			(1	)			(47	)			97.9
Net income			4				31				(87.1	)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			2				1				n/m
Net income attributable to Starwood		$	6			$	32				(81.3	)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share — Basic
Continuing operations		$	0.04			$	0.43				(90.7	)
Discontinued operations			(0.01	)			(0.26	)			96.2
Net income		$	0.03			$	0.17				(82.4	)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share — Diluted
Continuing operations		$	0.04			$	0.42				(90.5	)
Discontinued operations			(0.01	)			(0.25	)			96.0
Net income		$	0.03			$	0.17				(82.4	)
Amounts attributable to Starwood’s Common Shareholders
Income from continuing operations		$	7			$	79				(91.1	)
Discontinued operations			(1	)			(47	)			97.9
Net income		$	6			$	32				(81.3	)
Weighted average number of Shares			179				184
Weighted average number of Shares assuming dilution			181				189

(a)		We include in revenues the reimbursement of costs incurred on behalf of managed hotel property owners and franchisees with no added margin and includes in costs and expenses these reimbursed costs. These costs relate primarily to payroll costs at managed properties where we are the employer.

		March 31,				December 31,
		2009				2008
		(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	76			$	389
Restricted cash			82				96
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $50 and $49			513				552
Inventories			1,025				986
Prepaid expenses and other			168				143
Total current assets			1,864				2,166
Investments			359				372
Plant, property and equipment, net			3,540				3,599
Assets held for sale(a)			10				10
Goodwill and intangible assets, net			2,225				2,235
Deferred tax assets			619				639
Other assets(b)			685				682
		$	9,302			$	9,703
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt		$	5			$	506
Accounts payable			173				171
Accrued expenses			1,099				1,274
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits			269				346
Accrued taxes and other			365				391
Total current liabilities			1,911				2,688
Long-term debt			3,953				3,502
Deferred income taxes			30				26
Other liabilities			1,821				1,843
			7,715				8,059
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Corporation common stock; $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 186,723,517 and 182,827,483 shares at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively			2				2
Additional paid-in capital			490				493
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(449	)			(391	)
Retained earnings			1,523				1,517
Total Starwood stockholders’ equity			1,566				1,621
Noncontrolling interest			21				23
Total equity			1,587				1,644
		$	9,302			$	9,703

(a)		Includes one hotel expected to be sold in 2009.
(b)		Includes restricted cash of $6 million at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

Issuer		Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Notes offered		$500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2014.
Interest rate		7.875% per year.
Maturity date		October 15, 2014.
Interest payment dates		Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2009.
Ranking		The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The notes will not be obligations of or guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. As a result, the notes will be structurally subordinated to all debt and other liabilities of our subsidiaries (including trade payables), which means that creditors of our subsidiaries will be paid from their assets before holders of the notes would have any claims to those assets. At December 31, 2008, our subsidiaries had outstanding $166 million of debt. The indenture under which the notes will be issued does not limit our ability, or the ability of our subsidiaries, to issue or incur other debt or issue preferred stock. We depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us to meet our obligations, including our obligations to pay interest on the notes.
Optional Redemption		We may redeem all or a portion of the notes at our option at any time at the “make-whole” redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, and (2) the sum, as determined by an independent investment banker, of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest in respect of the notes being redeemed (exclusive of any interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the treasury rate plus 50 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. See “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption” in this prospectus supplement.
Change of Control		If a Change of Control occurs, we will be required to offer to purchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. See “Description of the Notes — Repurchase at the Option of the Holders of Notes” in this prospectus supplement.
Covenants		The indenture and supplemental indentures governing the notes will include certain restrictions on liens, sale and lease-back transactions, mergers, consolidations and transfers of substantially all of our assets. These covenants are subject to important qualifications and exceptions. See “Description of the Notes — Certain Covenants” in this prospectus supplement.
Denominations		The notes will be issued in denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Form of Notes		The notes will be issued as fully registered notes (to be deposited with the depositary), represented by one or more global notes deposited with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC. Investors may elect to hold interests in the global notes through any of DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg or the Euroclear System.
Use of Proceeds		The net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $474 million. We intend to apply the net proceeds from this offering to reduce outstanding borrowings under our senior credit facilities and for general corporate purposes. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under our senior credit facilities and will receive their pro rata share of repayments thereunder. See “Underwriting.”
Trustee		U.S. Bank National Association.
Original Issue Discount		The notes are expected to be issued with original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, holders who are U.S. federal income taxpayers generally would be required to include original issue discount in gross income in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that income. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Holders — Original Issue Discount.”

		At or for the Year Ended December 31,
		2008				2007				2006				2005				2004
		(In millions, except per share data)
Income Statement Data
Revenues		$	5,907			$	6,153			$	5,979			$	5,977			$	5,368
Operating income		$	619			$	858			$	839			$	822			$	653
Income from continuing operations		$	254			$	543			$	1,115			$	423			$	369
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations		$	1.37			$	2.57			$	5.01			$	1.88			$	1.72
Operating Data
Cash from operating activities		$	646			$	884			$	500			$	764			$	578
Cash from (used for) investing activities		$	(172	)		$	(215	)		$	1,402			$	85			$	(415	)
Cash from (used for) financing activities		$	(243	)		$	(712	)		$	(2,635	)		$	(253	)		$	(273	)
Balance Sheet Data
Total assets		$	9,703			$	9,622			$	9,280			$	12,494			$	12,298
Long-term debt		$	3,502			$	3,590			$	1,827			$	2,926			$	3,823
Other Data
Ratio of earnings to total fixed charges(1)			2.09	x			3.87	x			3.14	x			3.01	x			2.32	x

(1)		See “Ratio of Earnings to Total Fixed Charges” for an explanation of the calculation of these ratios.

SUPPLEMENTAL RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider the supplemental risks described below in addition to the risks described under “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein, as well as the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, before investing in the notes. You could lose part or all of your investment.

 

Changes in our credit ratings or the debt markets could adversely affect the price of the notes.

 

The price of the notes depends on many factors, including:

 

 

The condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. Such fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the price of the notes.

 

In addition, credit rating agencies continually review their ratings for the companies that they follow, including us. The credit rating agencies also evaluate our industry as a whole and may change their credit rating for us based on their overall view of our industry. A negative change in our rating could have an adverse effect on the price of the notes.

 

There are limited financial covenants in the indenture.

 

Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are restricted from incurring additional debt or other liabilities, including additional senior debt, or issuing preferred equity under the indenture. If we incur additional debt or liabilities or issue preferred equity, our ability to pay our obligations on the notes could be adversely affected. We expect that we will from time to time incur additional debt and other liabilities. In addition, we are not restricted from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing our securities under the indenture.

 

The notes will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries and will be structurally subordinated to the debt and other liabilities and any preferred equity of our subsidiaries, which means that creditors and preferred equity holders of our subsidiaries will be paid from their assets before holders of the notes would have any claims to those assets.

 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is, in part, a holding company. We conduct many of our operations through subsidiaries that own a significant percentage of our consolidated assets. Consequently, our cash flow and our ability to meet our debt service obligations depend in large part upon the cash flow of our subsidiaries and the payment of funds by our subsidiaries to us in the form of loans, dividends or otherwise. Our subsidiaries are not obligated to make funds available to us for payment of our debt securities or otherwise. In addition, their ability to make any payments will depend on their earnings, the terms of their indebtedness, business and tax considerations and legal restrictions.

 

The notes will be obligations exclusively of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. As a result, the notes will be structurally subordinated to all debt and other liabilities and any preferred equity of our subsidiaries (including trade payables), which means that creditors and preferred equity holders of our subsidiaries will be paid from their assets before holders of the notes would have any claims to those assets. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of a subsidiary, that subsidiary may not have sufficient assets remaining to make payments to us as a shareholder or otherwise after payment of its liabilities and preferred equity. At December 31, 2008, our subsidiaries had outstanding $166 million of debt. The indenture governing the notes does not limit the amount of unsecured debt which our subsidiaries may incur or the amount of secured debt our unrestricted subsidiaries may incur and a substantial portion of our assets are held by unrestricted subsidiaries. See “Description of the Notes — Certain Covenants.”

We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control.

 

Upon a change of control, as defined under the indenture governing the notes, we are required to offer to repurchase all of the notes then outstanding at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued interest. In order to obtain sufficient funds to pay the purchase price of the outstanding notes, we expect that we would have to refinance the notes. We cannot assure you that we would be able to refinance the notes on reasonable terms, if at all. Our failure to offer to purchase all outstanding notes or to purchase all validly tendered notes would be an event of default under the indenture governing the notes. Such an event of default may cause the acceleration of our other indebtedness. Our future indebtedness may also contain restrictions on repayment requirements with respect to specified events or transactions that constitute a change of control under the indenture.

 

We face risks related to pandemic diseases, which could materially and adversely affect travel and result in reduced demand for our hotel and vacation ownership businesses.

 

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the effect of a pandemic disease on the travel industry. For example, the recent outbreaks of SARS and avian flu had a severe impact on the travel industry, and the current outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the United States and other countries threatens to have a similar impact. A prolonged recurrence of SARS, avian flu, swine flu or another pandemic disease also may result in health or other government authorities imposing restrictions on travel. Any of these events could result in a significant drop in demand for our hotel and vacation ownership businesses and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $474 million. We intend to apply the net proceeds from this offering to reduce outstanding borrowings under our senior credit facilities and for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2008, $1,588 million of borrowings was outstanding under our senior credit facilities, at interest rates ranging from 1.88% to 2.69%, with a weighted average interest rate of 2.35%. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under our senior credit facilities and will receive their pro rata share of repayments thereunder. See “Underwriting.”

CAPITALIZATION

 

Set forth below is our capitalization at December 31, 2008, on an actual basis and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of the $500 million principal amount of notes offered by this prospectus supplement and the application of the net proceeds of that sale to repay borrowings that are outstanding under our senior credit facilities.

 

You should read this information in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein and in the accompanying prospectus.

 

 

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO TOTAL FIXED CHARGES

 

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to total fixed charges for the periods indicated.

 

For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to total fixed charges, “earnings” consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest, (income) loss related to equity method investees, distributed income of equity method investees, minority interest in pre-tax (income) loss, amortization of interest capitalized and fixed charges. “Total fixed charges” consist of interest expense (including interest costs capitalized) and other financial charges and an interest factor attributable to rentals. The interest factor attributable to rentals consists of one-third of rental charges, which we deem to be representative of the interest factor inherent in rents.

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

 

The descriptions in this prospectus supplement contain a description of the material terms of the notes and the indenture but do not purport to be complete. Reference is hereby made to the indenture, the supplemental indenture and the form of note that are or will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus forms a part. References to “we,” “us” and “our” in the following description refer only to Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and not any of its subsidiaries.

 

General

 

We will issue the notes under an indenture, dated as of September 13, 2007, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The indenture was supplemented by the first supplemental indenture, dated as of September 13, 2007, between us and the trustee, under which we issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of our 61/4% Senior Notes due 2013. The indenture was further supplemented by a second supplemental indenture, dated as of May 23, 2008, between us and the trustee, under which we issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of our 63/4% Senior Notes due 2018. The notes will be issued under a third supplemental indenture, to be dated May 7, 2009, between us and the trustee. We refer to the indenture, as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture, the second supplemental indenture and the third supplemental indenture, as the indenture. The trustee will initially be the security registrar and paying agent for the notes.

 

The notes will be our general senior unsecured obligations. The terms of the notes are described below.

 

When we use the term “business day,” we mean any calendar day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in New York, New York and on which commercial banks are open for business in New York, New York.

 

The notes will mature at par on October 15, 2014. Interest on the notes will accrue from May 7, 2009. Interest on the notes will be payable semiannually in arrears in two equal payments on April 15 and October 15 each year, commencing October 15, 2009 (each, an “interest payment date”) to the persons in whose names such notes are registered at the close of business on April 1 or October 1 (whether or not a business day) prior to each interest payment date at the annual rate of 7.875%; provided that the interest due on redemption or at maturity (whether or not an interest payment date) will be paid to the person to whom principal is payable.

 

For any full semi-annual period, the amount of interest will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. For any period shorter than a full semi-annual period, the amount of interest will be calculated on the basis of a 30-day month, and, for any period less than a month, on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month.

 

If an interest payment date or maturity date falls on a date that is not a business day (as defined above), then interest will be paid on the next day that is a business day, and no interest on such payment will accrue for the period from and after such interest payment date or maturity date. If the maturity date for any note falls on a date that is not a business day, the related payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest may be made on the next succeeding business day, and no additional interest will accumulate on the amount payable for the period from and after the maturity date.

 

The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking funds.

 

The notes will be issued as fully registered notes (to be deposited with the depositary or its custodian) and in denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

We may issue from time to time other series of debt securities under the indenture, which may have different interest rates, maturity and other terms than the notes offered hereby, consisting of debentures, notes or other unsecured, unsubordinated evidences of indebtedness, but such other series will be separate from and independent of the notes. The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities or any other debt (whether secured or unsecured or whether subordinated or unsubordinated) which we may incur.

 

We may from time to time, without the consent of the holders of notes of a particular series, reopen either series of notes offered hereby and issue additional notes having the same ranking and the same interest

rate, maturity and other terms as the notes offered hereby, except for the public offering price and the issue date. Any additional notes having similar terms to the notes, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the indenture and will be fungible with the previously issued notes, as applicable to the extent specified in the applicable pricing supplement. No additional such notes may be issued if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the series of debt securities of which such notes are a part.

 

The trustee will maintain an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York where we will pay the principal and premium, if any, on the notes and you may present the notes for registration of transfer and exchange.

 

Ranking

 

The notes will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations.

 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is, in part, a holding company. We conduct many of our operations through subsidiaries that own a significant percentage of our consolidated assets. Consequently, our cash flow and our ability to meet our debt service obligations depend in large part upon the cash flow of our subsidiaries and the payment of funds by our subsidiaries to us in the form of loans, dividends or otherwise. Our subsidiaries are not obligated to make funds available to us for payment of our debt securities or otherwise. In addition, their ability to make any payments will depend on their earnings, the terms of their indebtedness, business and tax considerations and legal restrictions.

 

The notes will be obligations exclusively of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. As a result, the notes will be structurally subordinated to all debt and other liabilities of our subsidiaries (including trade payables), which means that creditors of our subsidiaries will be paid from their assets before holders of the notes would have any claims to those assets. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of a subsidiary, that subsidiary may not have sufficient assets remaining to make payments to us as a shareholder or otherwise after payment of its liabilities. As of December 31, 2008, our subsidiaries had outstanding $166 million of debt.

 

Repurchase at the Option of the Holders of Notes

 

If a Change of Control occurs, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the notes as described below, holders of notes will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of their notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) on the terms set forth in the notes. In the Change of Control Offer, we will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, or, at our option, prior to the date of the consummation of any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, we will be required to mail a notice to holders of notes, with a copy to the trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase the notes on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures required by the notes and described in such notice. The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of the consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice. We must comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the notes, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the notes by virtue of such conflicts.

 

On the Change of Control Payment Date, we will be required, to the extent lawful, to:

 

 

The paying agent will promptly mail to each holder of notes properly tendered the purchase price for the notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any notes surrendered; provided that each new note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

We will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and such third party purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

 

For purposes of the foregoing discussion of a repurchase at the option of holders, the following definitions are applicable:

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries taken as a whole to any Person other than us or one of our subsidiaries, provided, however, that we will be deemed to own any asset that we sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose and, following such transaction, we manage such asset pursuant to a management agreement or it is operated by a third party subject to a franchise or license agreement with us; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any Person becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares of our Voting Stock; or (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of our board of directors are not Continuing Directors.

 

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of our board of directors who (1) was a member of our board of directors on the date of the issuance of the notes; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to our board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of our board of directors at the time of such nomination or election (either by a specific vote or by approval of our proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).

 

“Person” has the meaning set forth in the indenture and includes a “person” or “group” as these terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the capital stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person.

 

Optional Redemption

 

We may redeem all or a portion of the notes at our option at any time or from time to time as set forth below. We will mail notice to registered holders of such notes of our intent to redeem at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date set for redemption. We may redeem such notes at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

 

If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of all of the notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the trustee or paying agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, then on and after such redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on such notes (or such portion thereof) called for redemption.

 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Life”) of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the notes.

 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations or, if only one such Quotation is obtained, such Quotation.

 

“Independent Investment Banker” means an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by us, which may be one of the Reference Treasury Dealers.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means any primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) that we select. We have selected Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and their respective successors as Primary Treasury Dealers.

 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(519)” or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month), (2) if the period from the redemption date to the maturity date of the notes to be redeemed is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used, or (3) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date.

 

If we elect to redeem less than all of the notes, and such notes are at the time represented by a global security, then the depositary will select by lot the particular interests to be redeemed. If we elect to redeem less than all of the notes, and any of such notes are not represented by a global security, then the trustee will select the particular notes to be redeemed in a manner it deems appropriate and fair (and the depositary will select by lot the particular interests in any global security to be redeemed).

 

We may at any time, and from time to time, purchase the notes at any price or prices in the open market or otherwise.

 

Certain Covenants

 

The indenture requires us and our Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with certain restrictive covenants. These provisions are described below.

 

Certain Definitions Used In the Covenants

 

Set forth below are certain definitions used in the indenture.

 

“Capitalized Lease-Back Obligation” is defined to mean the total net rental obligations of ours or any Restricted Subsidiary under any lease entered into as part of a sale and lease-back transaction involving a Principal Property discounted to present value at the rate of 9% per annum.

 

“Consolidated Net Assets” is defined to mean our consolidated assets, after subtracting all current liabilities (other than the current portion of long-term debt), as such amounts appear on our most recent consolidated balance sheet and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

“Principal Property” is defined to mean any single property owned by us or any Restricted Subsidiary having a gross book value in excess of the greater of (i) $100 million and (ii) 5% of Consolidated Net Assets, except any property or portion of a property that our board of directors by resolution declares is not of material importance to the total business conducted by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” is defined to mean any of our subsidiaries organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America and the principal business of which is carried on within the United States of America (x) which owns, or is a lessee pursuant to a capital lease of, any Principal Property or (y) in which the investment of us and all of our subsidiaries exceeds 5% of Consolidated Net Assets as of the date of such determination other than, in the case of either clause (x) or (y), (i) each subsidiary whose principal business consists of finance, banking, credit, leasing, insurance, financial services or other similar operations, or any combination thereof, (ii) each subsidiary formed or acquired after the date hereof for the purpose of developing new assets or acquiring the business or assets of another person and which does not acquire any part of the business or assets of us or any Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) each subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America whose principal business consists of managing, licensing, supervising, directing or controlling activities outside the United States of America; and (iv) each subsidiary whose principal business consists of conducting timeshare, fractional, residential and related activities.

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” is defined to mean any of our subsidiaries other than a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Sale and Lease-Back

 

The indenture provides that neither we nor any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into any sale and lease-back transaction (except for temporary leases of a term of not more than three years and except for leases between us and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries) involving the leasing by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal Property, more than 180 days after the acquisition thereof or the completion of construction and commencement of full operation thereof, unless either:

 

(i) we apply an amount equal to the greater of the fair value (as determined by our board of directors) of such property and the net proceeds of such sale, within 180 days, to the retirement of notes or other indebtedness ranking on a parity with the notes, or to the acquisition, construction, development or improvement of properties, facilities or equipment used for operating purposes which are, or upon such acquisition, construction, development or improvement will be, a Principal Property or a part thereof or

 

(ii) at the time of entering into such transaction, such Principal Property could have been subjected to a mortgage, pledge or lien securing indebtedness in a principal amount equal to the Capitalized Lease-Back Obligation with respect to such Principal Property under clause (n) of the provision for limitations on liens referred to below without securing the notes as contemplated by that provision.

 

Liens

 

The indenture prohibits us and our Restricted Subsidiaries from creating any mortgages, pledges or other liens upon any Principal Property (without securing the notes equally with such Principal Property and ratably with all other indebtedness secured thereby for so long as such indebtedness is so secured), with the following exceptions:

 

(a) mortgages, pledges or other liens on any such property acquired, constructed or improved by us or a Restricted Subsidiary to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property or the cost of the construction or improvement, or any mortgage or other lien on any such property existing at the time of acquisition thereof provided, however, that the indebtedness is incurred and related liens are created within 24 months of the acquisition, completion of construction or improvement or commencement of full operation, whichever is later;

 

(b) any mortgage, pledge or other lien on any property of another company existing at the time the company (i) is acquired by merger, consolidation or acquisition of substantially all of its stock or its assets or (ii) becomes a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(c) pledges or deposits to secure payment of workers’ compensation or insurance premiums, or relating to tenders, bids, contracts (except contracts for the payment of money) or leases;

 

(d) pledges or liens in connection with tax assessments or other governmental charges, or as security required by law or governmental regulation as a condition to the transaction of any business or the exercise of any privilege or right;

 

(e) pledges or liens to secure a stay of process in proceedings to enforce a contested liability, or required in connection with the institution of legal proceedings or in connection with any other order or decree in any such proceeding or in connection with any contest of any tax or other governmental charge, or deposits with a governmental agency entitling us or a Restricted Subsidiary to maintain self-insurance or to participate in other specified insurance arrangements;

 

(f) mechanics’, carriers’, workmen’s and other like liens;

 

(g) encumbrances in favor of the U.S. Government to secure progress or advance payments;

 

(h) mortgages, pledges or other liens securing any indebtedness incurred to finance the cost of property leased to the U.S. Government at a rental sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such indebtedness;

 

(i) mortgages, pledges or other liens securing indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to us or to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(j) mortgages, pledges or other liens affecting property securing indebtedness of a governmental authority issued to finance the cost of a pollution control program with respect to operations of ours or of a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(k) mortgages, pledges or other liens on property of a Restricted Subsidiary to secure indebtedness with respect to all or part of the acquisition cost of the Restricted Subsidiary, provided, however, that the indebtedness is incurred and related liens are created within 24 months of the acquisition of the Restricted Subsidiary and such indebtedness does not exceed the acquisition cost of the Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(l) any renewal, extension, replacement or refinancing of any permitted mortgage, lien, deposit or encumbrance, provided the amount secured does not exceed the sum of (i) the greater of (x) the principal amount secured thereby at the time of such renewal, extension, replacement or refinancing and (y) 85% of the fair market value (in the determination of our board of directors) of the properties subject to such renewal, extension, replacement or refinancing; and (ii) any reasonable fees and expenses associated with such renewal, extension, replacement or refinancing;

 

(m) mortgages, pledges or other liens on any such property existing on the date of the indenture; and

 

(n) the creation of any other mortgage, pledge or other lien, if, after giving effect to the creation thereof, the total of (i) the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness of ours and our Restricted Subsidiaries secured by all mortgages, pledges or other liens created under the provisions referred to in this clause (n), plus (ii) the aggregate amount of Capitalized Lease-Back Obligations of ours and our Restricted Subsidiaries under the entire unexpired terms of all leases entered into in connection with sale and lease-back transactions which would have been precluded by the provision for limitations on such transactions described above, but for the satisfaction of the condition referred to in clause (ii) of the description of such provision, will not exceed an amount equal to 15% of Consolidated Net Assets.

 

The lease of any property and rental obligations thereunder (whether or not involving a sale and lease-back and whether or not capitalized) shall not be deemed to create a lien. The sale or other transfer of (a) timber or other natural resources in place for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser will realize therefrom a specified amount of money (however determined) or a specified amount of such resources, or (b) any other interest in property of the character commonly referred to as a “production payment,” shall not be deemed to create a lien.

 

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

 

The indenture permits the consolidation or merger of us with or into any other corporation, or the merger into us of any other corporation, or the sale by us of our assets as, or substantially as, an entirety, or otherwise; provided, however,

 

(a) that, in case of any such consolidation or merger the corporation resulting from such consolidation or any corporation other than us into which such merger shall be made shall succeed to the indenture and be substituted for us with the same effect as if it has been named therein as a party thereto and shall become liable and be bound for, and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the notes of each series and the performance and observance of each and every covenant and condition of the indenture to be performed or observed on our part,

 

(b) that, as a condition of any such sale of our assets as, or substantially as, an entirety, the corporation to which such assets shall be sold shall (i) expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the notes of each series and the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto and the performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of the indenture to be performed or observed on our part, and (ii) simultaneously with the delivery to it of the conveyances or instruments of transfer of such assets, execute and deliver to the trustee a supplemental indenture, in form satisfactory to the trustee, whereby such purchasing corporation shall so assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the notes and the performance and observance of each and every covenant and condition of the indenture to be performed or observed on our part, to the same extent that we are bound and liable,

 

(c) that, either we are the continuing corporation or the successor corporation is a corporation or limited liability company organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Switzerland or any member country of the European Union, and

 

(d) that, we are not, or such successor corporation is not, immediately after such merger, consolidation or sale, in default in the performance of any obligations thereunder.

 

This covenant described under “— Certain Covenants — Consolidation, Merger or Sale” and the covenant described under “— Repurchase at the Option of the Holders of Notes” include a phrase relating to the sale of “all or substantially all” of our assets. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the obligation of the purchaser of less than all of our assets to assume our obligations under the notes, and the right of holders of notes to require us to repurchase the notes as a result of a sale of less than all of our assets, may be uncertain. Moreover, these covenants are independent, and it is possible that a sale of assets that gives

rise to a purchaser’s obligation to assume our obligations under the notes will not give holders of the notes the right to require us to repurchase the notes.

 

Reports

 

We will furnish to the trustee, within 15 days after we are required to file the same with the SEC, copies of our annual reports and the information, documents or other reports which we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Events of Default

 

Any of the following events will constitute an Event of Default under the indenture with respect to any series of the notes:

 

 

An Event of Default with respect to a particular series of notes issued under the indenture does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default with respect to any other series of notes issued under the indenture.

 

For purposes of the foregoing, “Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means indebtedness the terms of which provide that the lender’s claim for repayment of such indebtedness is limited solely to a claim against the property which secures such indebtedness and “significant subsidiary” has the same meaning as the definition of that term set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Remedies

 

If an Event of Default arising from specified events of the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or any of our significant subsidiaries occurs, the principal amount of all outstanding notes will become due and payable immediately, without further action or notice on the part of the holders of the notes or the trustee. If any other Event of Default with respect to a series of notes occurs, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of outstanding notes of such series may declare the principal amount of the notes of such series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to us, and to the trustee if given by holders. Upon that declaration the principal amount of such series of notes will become immediately due and payable. However, at any time after a declaration has been made or such series of notes have otherwise become due and payable, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding notes of such series may, subject to conditions specified in the indenture, rescind and annul that declaration or acceleration and its consequences.

 

Prior to an acceleration described above, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes of a particular series, by notice to the trustee, may waive, on behalf of the holders of all notes of that series, any past default or Event of Default with respect to that series (or, with respect to certain Events of Default, the holders of a majority of all outstanding securities under the indenture voting as a single class may waive the Event of Default) except a default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any note of that series, or except in respect of an Event of Default resulting from the breach of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be amended or modified without the consent of the holders of each outstanding note of the affected series.

 

Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, if an Event of Default then exists, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at your request, order or direction, unless you have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to the provisions for the security or indemnification of the trustee and otherwise in accordance with the conditions specified in the indenture, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding notes of any series 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 in connection with the notes of such series.

 

Notice of Default

 

The trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of notes, mail to the holders of such series of notes notice of such Event of Default relating to such series of notes, unless such default has been cured or waived. However, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and the indenture currently permit the trustee to withhold notices of events of default (except for certain payment defaults) if the trustee in good faith determines the withholding of such notices to be in the interests of the holders.

 

We will furnish the trustee with an annual statement as to our compliance with the conditions and covenants in the indenture.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing regarding a series of notes, the trustee may use any sums that it holds under the indenture for its own reasonable compensation and expenses incurred prior to paying the holders of notes of that series.

 

Legal Proceedings and Enforcement of Right of Payment

 

You will not have any right to institute any proceeding in connection with the indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless you have previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the notes. In addition, the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes of a series must have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute that proceeding as trustee, and, within 60 days following the receipt of that notice, the trustee must not have received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes of such series a direction inconsistent with that request, and must have failed to institute the proceeding. However, you will have an absolute right to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on that note at the place, time, rate and in the currency expressed in the indenture and the note and to institute a suit for the enforcement of that payment.

 

Modification of Indenture

 

We may enter into supplemental indentures for the purpose of modifying or amending the indenture with respect to any series of notes with the written consent of holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of notes of such series. However, the consent of each holder affected is required for any amendment:

 

 

 

In addition, we and the trustee with respect to the indenture may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of the notes for one or more of the following purposes:

 

 

 

Defeasance of Indenture

 

We have the right to terminate all of our obligations under the indenture with respect to any series of notes (other than the obligation to pay interest on and the principal of the notes and certain other obligations) at any time by depositing in trust with the trustee, under an irrevocable trust agreement, money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient to pay principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the notes of such series to their maturity, and complying with certain other conditions, including delivery to the trustee of an opinion of counsel, to the effect that you will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of our exercise of such right and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case otherwise.

 

In addition, we have the right at any time to terminate all of our obligations under the indenture with respect to any series of notes (including the obligation to pay principal of and the interest on such series of notes and certain other obligations), except for certain obligations, including those relating to the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace mutilated, lost or stolen notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the notes, by depositing in trust with the trustee, under an irrevocable trust agreement, money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient to pay principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the notes to their maturity, and complying with certain other conditions, including delivery to the trustee of an opinion of counsel or a ruling received from the Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that you will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of our exercise of such right and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case otherwise, which opinion of counsel is based upon a change in the applicable federal tax law since the date of the indenture.

 

Miscellaneous Provisions

 

The indenture provides that certain series of notes, including those for which payment has been deposited or set aside in trust as described under “— Satisfaction and Discharge” below, will not be deemed to be “outstanding” in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding notes have given or taken any demand, direction, consent or other action under the indenture as of any date, or are present at a meeting of holders for quorum purposes.

 

We will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding notes issued under the indenture entitled to give or take any demand, direction, consent or other action under the indenture, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the indenture. In certain circumstances, the trustee also will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If such a record date is set for any action to be taken by holders of a particular series of notes issued under the indenture, such action may be taken only by persons who are holders of such notes on the record date.

 

Satisfaction and Discharge

 

The indenture will generally cease to be of any further effect with respect to any series of notes, if:

 

 

The indenture will be deemed satisfied and discharged when no notes remain outstanding and when we have paid all other sums payable by us under the indenture.

 

Any monies and U.S. government obligations deposited with the trustee for payment of principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the notes and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of the notes for two years after the date upon which the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the notes, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to us by the trustee on written demand. Thereafter, the holder of such notes may look only to us for payment thereof.

 

Resignation and Removal of the Trustee; Deemed Resignation

 

The trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to us.

 

The trustee may also be removed by act of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes of one or more series.

 

No resignation or removal of the trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee will become effective until the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee in accordance with the requirements of the indenture.

 

Under certain circumstances, we may appoint a successor trustee and if the successor accepts, the trustee will be deemed to have resigned.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the notes will provide that they are to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

Book-Entry System

 

The Depository Trust Company, or “DTC,” which we refer to along with its successors in this capacity as the depositary, will act as securities depositary for the notes. The notes will be issued only as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., the depositary’s nominee. One or more fully registered global security certificates, representing the total aggregate principal amount of the notes, will be issued and will be deposited with the depositary or its custodian and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer referred to below.

 

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the notes so long as the notes are represented by global security certificates.

 

Investors may elect to hold interests in the global notes through either DTC in the United States or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream, Luxembourg”) or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System (the “Euroclear System”), in Europe if they are participants of such systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in such systems. Clearstream, Luxembourg and the Euroclear System will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream, Luxembourg’s and the Euroclear System’s names on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC. Citibank N.A. will act as depositary for Clearstream, Luxembourg and JPMorgan Chase Bank will act as depositary for the Euroclear System (in such capacities, the “U.S. Depositaries”).

 

DTC advises that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The depositary holds securities that its participants deposit with the depositary. The depositary also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, including transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. The depositary is owned by a number of its

direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the depositary’s system is also available to others, including securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear transactions through or maintain a direct or indirect custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to the depositary and its participants are on file with the SEC.

 

Clearstream, Luxembourg advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream, Luxembourg holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream, Luxembourg provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream, Luxembourg interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream, Luxembourg is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream, Luxembourg is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant, either directly or indirectly.

 

Distributions with respect to interests in the notes held beneficially through Clearstream, Luxembourg will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Clearstream, Luxembourg.

 

The Euroclear System advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. The Euroclear System includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. The Euroclear System is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (the “Euroclear Operator”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear System cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to the Euroclear System is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

 

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within the Euroclear System, withdrawals of securities and cash from the Euroclear System, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in the Euroclear System. All securities in the Euroclear System are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants, and has no records of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.

 

Distributions with respect to each series of notes held beneficially through the Euroclear System will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for the Euroclear System.

 

We will issue the notes in definitive certificated form if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or the depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days. In addition, beneficial interests in a global security certificate may be exchanged for definitive certificated notes upon request by or

on behalf of the depositary in accordance with customary procedures following the request of a beneficial owner seeking to exercise or enforce its rights under such notes. If we determine at any time that the notes shall no longer be represented by global security certificates, we will inform the depositary of such determination who will, in turn, notify participants of their right to withdraw their beneficial interest from the global security certificates, and if such participants elect to withdraw their beneficial interests, we will issue certificates in definitive form in exchange for such beneficial interests in the global security certificates. Any global note, or portion thereof, that is exchangeable pursuant to this paragraph will be exchangeable for note certificates, as the case may be, registered in the names directed by the depositary. We expect that these instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global security certificates.

 

As long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of the global security certificates, the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and holder of the global security certificates and all notes represented by these certificates for all purposes under the notes and the indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in global security certificates:

 

 

All payments on the notes represented by the global security certificates and all transfers and deliveries of related notes will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the holder of the securities.

 

Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security certificates will be limited to participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests through institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in global security certificates will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee, with respect to participants’ interests, or any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by the participant on their behalf. Payments, transfers, deliveries, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in global security certificates may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the depositary from time to time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depositary’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in global security certificates, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the depositary’s records or any participant’s records relating to these beneficial ownership interests.

 

Although the depositary has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the global security certificates among participants, the depositary is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform these procedures, and these procedures may be discontinued at any time. We will not have any responsibility for the performance by the depositary or its direct participants or indirect participants under the rules and procedures governing the depositary.

 

The information in this section concerning the depositary, its book-entry system, Clearstream, Luxembourg and the Euroclear System has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we have not attempted to verify the accuracy of this information.

 

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

 

Initial settlement for the notes will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream, Luxembourg and the Euroclear System, as applicable.

 

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. Depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. Depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. Depositaries.

 

Because of time-zone differences, credits of notes received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or the Euroclear System as a result of a transaction with a DTC Participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such notes settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear Participant or Clearstream Participant on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or the Euroclear System as a result of sales of the notes by or through a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC Participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream, Luxembourg or the Euroclear System cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

 

Although DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and the Euroclear System have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of notes among participants of DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and the Euroclear System, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued or changed at any time.

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

 

This section summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to Holders relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of notes. This summary deals only with notes that are held as capital assets by Holders that purchase the notes pursuant to this offering at the offer price set later on the front cover hereof. This section is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, published rulings and other administrative pronouncements as of the date of this prospectus supplement, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement may affect the tax consequences described herein, possibly with retroactive effect. This section does not apply to Holders that are subject to special rules, including:

 

 

For purposes of this discussion, “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of notes that is:

 

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of notes (other than a partnership or other entity taxable as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and is not a U.S. Holder. If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity, domestic or foreign, treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds notes, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Special rules may apply if a Non-U.S. Holder is a “controlled foreign corporation” or “passive foreign investment company,” as defined under the Code, and to certain expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States. If you fall within any of the foregoing categories, you should consult your own tax advisor to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences that may be relevant to you.

 

Please consult your own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences to you of purchasing, holding and disposing of notes in your particular circumstances under the Code and the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

 

U.S. HOLDERS

 

Interest

 

Payments of stated interest on the notes generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time that such payments are received or accrued, in accordance with such U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

In certain circumstances (see “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption” and “Description of the Notes — Repurchase at the Option of the Holders of Notes”), we may be obligated to pay amounts in excess of stated interest or principal on the notes. According to Treasury Regulations, the possibility that any such payments in excess of stated interest or principal will be made will not affect the amount of interest income a U.S. Holder recognizes if there is only a remote chance as of the date the notes were issued that such payments will be made. We believe that the likelihood that we will be obligated to make any such payments is remote. Therefore, we do not intend to treat the potential payment of these amounts as part of the yield to maturity of any notes. Our determination that these contingencies are remote is binding on a U.S. Holder unless such holder discloses its contrary position in the manner required by applicable Treasury Regulations. Our determination is not, however, binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and if the IRS were to challenge this determination, a U.S. Holder might be required to accrue income on its notes in excess of stated interest, and to treat as ordinary income rather than capital gain any income realized on the taxable disposition of a note before the resolution of the contingencies. In the event a contingency occurs, it would affect the amount and timing of the income recognized by a U.S. Holder. If any such amounts are in fact paid, U.S. Holders will be required to recognize such amounts as income.

 

Original Issue Discount

 

The notes are expected to be issued with original issue discount, or “OID.” With respect to each note, the amount of OID will equal the excess of the note’s stated principal amount over its “issue price.” The “issue price” of a note will equal the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold for cash, excluding sales to bond houses, brokers, underwriters or similar persons acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers.

 

A U.S. Holder will be required to include OID in gross income as interest as it accrues over the term of the note based on a constant yield to maturity method, regardless of the holder’s method of tax accounting. As a result, a U.S. Holder generally will include OID in gross income in advance of the receipt of cash payments attributable to that income. In addition, in each successive taxable year, U.S. Holders generally will be required to include increasingly greater amounts of OID in gross income. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning the consequences to them of holding notes issued with OID.

 

U.S. Holders may elect to treat all interest on the notes, including stated interest and any market discount, as OID and accrue this interest on a constant yield basis. This election must be made for the taxable year in which the holder acquires notes, and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning the consequences to them of holding notes issued with OID.

 

Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest

 

A portion of the price paid for a note may be allocable to interest that “accrued” prior to the date the note is purchased (“Accrued Interest”). We will treat Accrued Interest as reducing the “issue price” of the Notes. Accordingly, on the first interest payment date after such date, U.S. Holders must treat the portion of the interest received equivalent to the Accrued Interest as a return of the Accrued Interest, and not as a payment of interest on the note. Amounts treated as a return of Accrued Interest will reduce your adjusted tax basis in the note by a corresponding amount.

 

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes

 

A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition (less any portion

allocable to accrued and unpaid interest, which will be taxable as interest) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note generally will be the U.S. Holder’s cost therefor, increased by the amount of OID previously included in income by the holder and decreased by any principal payments previously received by such holder. This gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss, and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the note for more than one year. Otherwise, such gain or loss will be a short-term capital gain or loss. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

Backup Withholding

 

A U.S. Holder may be subject to a backup withholding tax when such holder receives interest and principal payments on the notes held or upon the proceeds received upon the sale or other disposition of such notes. Certain holders (including, among others, corporations and certain tax-exempt organizations) are generally not subject to backup withholding. A U.S. Holder will be subject to this backup withholding tax if such holder is not otherwise exempt and such holder:

 

 

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable. The backup withholding tax is not an additional tax and taxpayers may use amounts withheld as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability or may claim a refund as long as they timely provide certain information to the IRS.

 

NON-U.S. HOLDERS

 

Interest

 

Payments of interest (including OID) to Non-U.S. Holders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or a reduced or zero rate under the terms of an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and the Non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence), collected by means of withholding by the payor. Payments of interest (including OID) on the notes to most Non-U.S. Holders, however, will qualify as “portfolio interest,” and thus will be exempt from the withholding tax, if you certify your nonresident status as described below, and:

 

 

In general, a foreign corporation is a controlled foreign corporation if more than 50% of its stock is owned, actually or constructively, by one or more U.S. persons that each owns, actually or constructively, at least 10% of the corporation’s voting stock.

 

A Non-U.S. Holder can meet the certification requirement by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN to us or our paying agent prior to the payment. If the Non-U.S. Holder holds the note through a financial institution or other agent acting on the holder’s behalf, the holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the agent. The Non-U.S. Holder’s agent will then be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest (including OID) will be subject to the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax unless a tax treaty applies or the interest payments (including OID) are effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business (as discussed below). If a tax treaty applies to you, you may be eligible for a reduced rate of withholding. In order to claim any exemption from or reduction in the 30%

withholding tax, you must generally provide a properly executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming a reduction of or an exemption from withholding under an applicable tax treaty or a properly executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI stating that such payments are not subject to withholding tax because they are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

 

Interest or Gains Effectively Connected with U.S. Trade or Business

 

If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States (and, if a tax treaty applies, if you maintain a permanent establishment within the United States) and interest on the notes is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business (and, if a tax treaty applies, attributable to such permanent establishment), you will be subject to U.S. federal income tax (but not withholding tax assuming a properly executed Form W-8ECI is provided) on such interest on a net income basis in generally the same manner as if you were a U.S. person. In addition, in certain circumstances, if you are a foreign corporation you may be subject to a 30% (or, if a tax treaty applies, such lower rate as provided) branch profits tax.

 

Sale, Redemption or Other Disposition of Notes

 

Except as described below and subject to the discussion below on backup withholding, any gain or income realized on the sale, redemption or other disposition of a note will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

 

 

Amounts paid on a retirement or redemption of a note which represent interest (including OID) are taxed as interest as discussed under the heading “—Interest,” above. In certain circumstances, a portion of the proceeds from a sale or exchange of a note may be taxed as interest (including OID), in which case such portion would be taxed as interest as discussed under the heading “—Interest,” above.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Unless you are an exempt recipient, such as a corporation, interest payments on the notes and the proceeds received from a sale of notes may be subject to information reporting and may also be subject to U.S. federal backup withholding at the applicable rate (currently 28%) if you fail to comply with applicable U.S. information reporting or certification requirements. The certification procedures required to claim the exemption from withholding tax on interest described above will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid the backup withholding tax as well.

 

Any amounts so withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability provided you furnish the required information to the IRS.

 

The preceding discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences is general information only and is not tax advice. Accordingly, you should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences to you of purchasing, holding or disposing of notes, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws, and of any changes or proposed changes in applicable law.

UNDERWRITING

 

Subject to the terms and conditions in the underwriting agreement between us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes that appears opposite its name in the tables below:

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all of the notes if any of them are purchased.

 

The underwriters initially propose to offer the notes to the public at the public offering prices that appear on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The underwriters may offer the notes to selected dealers at the public offering price minus a concession of up to 0.800% of the principal amount of the notes. In addition, the underwriters may allow, and those selected dealers may reallow, a concession of up to 0.250% of the principal amount of the notes to certain other dealers. After the initial offering, the underwriters may change the public offering price and any other selling terms.

 

In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed that:

 

 

We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market making in the notes at any time in their sole discretion. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

 

In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the notes. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in

order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the notes to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. If the underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

 

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each underwriter represents and agrees that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the notes that has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospective Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State (provided that the notes have not been and will not be offered, sold or delivered in Italy or to investors resident in Italy) at any time:

 

 

For the purposes of the foregoing, the expression an “offer of notes to the public” in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71 EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

 

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

 

It is expected that delivery of the notes will be made against payment thereof on or about the closing date specified on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the fifth business day following the date of this prospectus supplement, or “T+5.” Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, or “T+3,” unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes on the date of this prospectus

supplement or the immediately following day, will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+5, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the notes who wish to trade the notes on the date of this prospectus supplement or the immediately following business day should consult their own advisor.

 

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates perform various financial advisory, investment banking and commercial banking services from time to time for us and our affiliates

 

Affiliates of Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. are, and certain other underwriters may also be, lenders under our senior credit facilities, and will receive more than 10% of the net proceeds of this offering when we repay a portion of the borrowings of our senior credit facilities. See “Use of Proceeds” and “Capitalization.” Therefore, this offering is being made in accordance with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) Rule 5110(h). This rule requires that the yield of a debt security be no lower than the yield recommended by a “qualified independent underwriter,” as defined by FINRA. In accordance with this rule, Goldman, Sachs & Co. has assumed the responsibilities of acting as a qualified independent underwriter. In its role as a qualified independent underwriter, Goldman, Sachs & Co. has participated in due diligence and the preparation of this prospectus supplement is a part. We have agreed to indemnify Goldman, Sachs & Co. against liabilities incurred in connection with acting as a qualified independent underwriter, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. We hereby “incorporate by reference” the documents listed below, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and in some cases supersede this information. Specifically, we incorporate by reference the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

 

 

 

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

 

Corporate Secretary
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
1111 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, New York 10604
(914) 640-8100

LEGAL OPINIONS

 

The validity of the notes offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York, New York, and Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP may rely upon Venable LLP with respect to matters governed by Maryland law. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (the “Company”) appearing in the Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2008 (including the schedule appearing therein), have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, 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.

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.

 

DEBT SECURITIES
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
WARRANTS
RIGHTS
UNITS

 

We may from time to time offer to sell our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, either separately or represented by warrants or rights, as well as units that include any of these securities or securities of other entities. The debt securities may consist of debentures, notes or other types of debt. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the ticker symbol “HOT.” The debt securities, preferred stock, warrants, rights and units may be convertible or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours or debt or equity securities of one or more other entities.

 

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. These securities also may be resold by security holders. We will provide specific terms of any securities to be offered in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 1111 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, New York 10604. Our telephone number is (914) 640-8100.

 

 

Investing in the these securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is September 6, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf 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. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. As allowed by the SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the SEC’s rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of these matters.

 

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with any additional information you may need to make your investment decision. You should also read and carefully consider the information in the documents we have referred you to in “Where You Can Find More Information” below. Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus is considered a part of this prospectus and may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any information in such subsequent filings that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus supplement. You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus and any supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with other information.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the public reference facilities of the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC (www.sec.gov). Our internet address is www.starwoodhotels.com. However, the information on our website is not a part of this prospectus. In addition, you can inspect reports and other information we file at the office of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

 

We have filed a registration statement and related exhibits with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. The registration statements contain additional information about us and the securities we may issue. You may inspect the registration statement and exhibits without charge at the office of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and you may obtain copies from the SEC at prescribed rates.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. We hereby “incorporate by reference” the documents listed below, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and in some cases supersede this information. Specifically, we incorporate by reference the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

 

 

 

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

 

Corporate Secretary

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

1111 Westchester Avenue

White Plains, New York 10604

(914) 640-8100

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of any debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights or units that may be offered hereby for general corporate purposes. The prospectus supplement relating to an offering will contain a more detailed description of the use of proceeds of any specific offering of securities.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights or units that may be offered under this prospectus.

SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

 

Information about selling securityholders, 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference.

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (the “Company”) appearing in the Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2006 (including schedule appearing therein), and the Company’s management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.