CAPITAL STOCK |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2016 | |
| Equity [Abstract] | |
| CAPITAL STOCK |
NOTE 15 - CAPITAL STOCK
Preferred Shares Conversion to Common Shares
On January 4, 2016, we announced that our Board of Directors determined the final quarterly dividend of our Preferred Shares would not be paid in cash, but instead, pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Shares, the conversion rate was increased such that holders of the Preferred Shares received additional common shares in lieu of the accrued dividend at the time of the mandatory conversion on February 1, 2016. The number of common shares in the aggregate that were issued in lieu of the final dividend was 1.3 million. This resulted in an effective conversion rate of 0.9052 common shares, rather than 0.8621 common shares, per depositary share, each representing a 1/40th of a Preferred Share.
Prior to the mandatory conversion, holders of the depositary shares were entitled to a proportional fractional interest in the rights and preferences of the Series A preferred shares, including conversion, dividend, liquidation and voting rights, subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement. The Series A preferred shares were convertible, at the option of the holder, at the minimum conversion rate of 28.1480 of our common shares (equivalent to 0.7037 of our common shares per depositary share) at any time prior to February 1, 2016 or other than during a fundamental change conversion period, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. If not converted prior to that time, each Series A preferred share converted automatically on February 1, 2016 into between 28.1480 and 34.4840 common shares, par value $0.125 per share, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The number of common shares issued on conversion was determined based on the average VWAP per share of our common shares during the 20 trading day period beginning on, and including, the 23rd scheduled trading day prior to February 1, 2016, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. Upon conversion on February 1, 2016, an aggregate of 26.5 million common shares were issued, representing 25.2 million common shares issuable upon conversion and 1.3 million that were issued in lieu of a final cash dividend.
Dividends
On March 27, 2015, July 1, 2015 and September 10, 2015, our Board of Directors declared the quarterly cash dividend of $17.50 per Preferred Share, which is equivalent to approximately $0.44 per depositary share. The cash dividend was paid on May 1, 2015, August 3, 2015 and November 2, 2015 to our shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 15, 2015, July 15, 2015 and October 15, 2015, respectively.
On February 11, 2014, May 13, 2014, September 8, 2014 and November 19, 2014, our Board of Directors declared the quarterly cash dividend of $17.50 per Preferred Share, which is equivalent to approximately $0.44 per depositary share. The cash dividend was paid on May 1, 2014, August 1, 2014, November 3, 2014 and February 2, 2015, to our Preferred Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 15, 2014, July 15, 2014, October 15, 2014 and January 15, 2015, respectively.
On February 11, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a reduction to our quarterly cash dividend rate by 76% to $0.15 per share. The cash dividend of $0.15 per share was paid on March 3, 2014, June 3, 2014, September 2, 2014 and December 1, 2014 to our common shareholders of record as of close of business on February 21, 2014, May 23, 2014, August 15, 2014 and November 15, 2014.
On January 26, 2015, we announced that our Board of Directors had decided to eliminate the quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share on our common shares. The decision was applicable to the first quarter of 2015 and all subsequent quarters.
Debt-for-Equity Exchanges
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we entered into a series of privately negotiated exchange agreements whereby we issued an aggregate of 8.2 million common shares in exchange for $10.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 3.95% senior notes due 2018, $20.1 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.80% senior notes due 2020 and $26.8 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.875% senior notes due 2021. There were no exchanges that represented more than 1% of our outstanding common shares during any quarter. Accordingly, we recognized a gain of $11.3 million in Gain on extinguishment/restructuring of debt in the Statements of Consolidated Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. The issuances of the common shares in exchange for our senior notes due 2018, 2020 and 2021 were made in reliance on the exemption from registration provided in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.
Common Share Public Offering
On August 10, 2016, we issued 44.4 million common shares in an underwritten public offering. We received net proceeds of approximately $287.6 million at a public offering price of $6.75 per common share. The proceeds from the issuance of our common shares were used to fully redeem our senior notes due 2018.
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