Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES

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DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt and Credit Facilities
NOTE 8 - DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES
The following represents a summary of our long-term debt:
(In Millions)
Debt Instrument
Issuer1
Annual Effective Interest Rate December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Senior Secured Notes:
6.750% 2026 Senior Secured Notes
 Cliffs 6.990% 829  829 
Senior Unsecured Notes:
7.000% 2027 Senior Notes
 Cliffs 9.240% 73  73 
7.000% 2027 AK Senior Notes
 AK Steel 9.240% 56  56 
5.875% 2027 Senior Notes
 Cliffs 6.490% 556  556 
4.625% 2029 Senior Notes
 Cliffs 4.625% 368  368 
6.750% 2030 Senior Notes
 Cliffs 6.750% 750  — 
4.875% 2031 Senior Notes
 Cliffs 4.875% 325  325 
6.250% 2040 Senior Notes
 Cliffs 6.340% 235  235 
ABL Facility
Cliffs2
Variable3
—  1,864 
Total debt 3,192  4,306 
Unamortized discounts and issuance costs (55) (57)
Total long-term debt $ 3,137  $ 4,249 
1 Unless otherwise noted, references in this column and throughout this NOTE 8 - DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES to "Cliffs" are to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., and references to "AK Steel" are to AK Steel Corporation (n/k/a Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corporation).
2 Refers to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. as borrower under our ABL Facility.
3 Our ABL Facility annual effective interest rate was 5.60% as of December 31, 2022.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR SECURED NOTES
The 6.750% 2026 Senior Secured Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.750% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The 6.750% 2026 Senior Secured Notes will mature on March 15, 2026.
The 6.750% 2026 Senior Secured Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by substantially all of our material domestic subsidiaries and are secured (subject in each case to certain exceptions and permitted liens) by (i) a first-priority lien, on substantially all of our assets and the assets of the guarantors, other than the ABL Collateral (as defined below), and (ii) a second-priority lien on the ABL Collateral, which is junior to a first-priority lien for the benefit of the lenders under our ABL Facility.
We may redeem the 6.750% 2026 Senior Secured Notes in whole or in part, at any time at our option upon not less than 30, and not more than 60, days' prior notice sent to the holders of the 6.750% 2026 Senior Secured Notes. The 6.750% 2026 Senior Secured Notes are redeemable at a price equal to 103.375% of the principal amount thereof, decreasing to 101.688% on March 15, 2024 and are redeemable at par beginning on March 15, 2025. In each case, we pay the redemption premiums plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption.
In addition, if a change in control triggering event, as defined in the indenture, occurs with respect to the 6.750% 2026 Senior Secured Notes, we will be required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of purchase.
The terms of the 6.750% 2026 Senior Secured Notes contain certain customary covenants; however, there are no financial covenants.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES
CLEVELAND-CLIFFS INC. 6.750% 2030 SENIOR NOTES - 2023 OFFERING
On April 14, 2023, we entered into an indenture among Cliffs, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, relating to the issuance of $750 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes, which were issued at par. The 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes were issued in a private placement transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
The 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.750% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, which commenced on October 15, 2023. The 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes mature on April 15, 2030.
The 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by our material direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. The 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes are structurally
subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes.
The 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at our option not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after prior notice is sent to the holders of the 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes. The 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes are redeemable prior to April 15, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus a "make-whole" premium set forth in the indenture. We may also redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes prior to April 15, 2026 at a redemption price equal to 106.750% of the principal amount thereof with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings. The 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes are redeemable beginning on April 15, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 103.375% of the principal amount thereof, decreasing to 101.688% on April 15, 2027, and are redeemable at par beginning on April 15, 2028. In each case, we pay the applicable redemption and "make-whole" premiums plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption.
In addition, if a change in control triggering event, as defined in the indenture, occurs with respect to the 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes, we will be required to offer to repurchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of repurchase.
The terms of the 6.750% 2030 Senior Notes contain certain customary covenants; however, there are no financial covenants.
CLEVELAND-CLIFFS INC. OTHER OUTSTANDING UNSECURED SENIOR NOTES
The following represents a summary of our other unsecured senior notes' maturity and interest payable due dates:
Debt Instrument Maturity Interest Payable
(until maturity)
7.000% 2027 Senior Notes March 15, 2027 March 15 and September 15
5.875% 2027 Senior Notes June 1, 2027 June 1 and December 1
4.625% 2029 Senior Notes March 1, 2029 March 1 and September 1
4.875% 2031 Senior Notes March 1, 2031 March 1 and September 1
6.250% 2040 Senior Notes October 1, 2040 April 1 and October 1
The senior notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The 7.000% 2027 Senior Notes, 5.875% 2027 Senior Notes, 4.625% 2029 Senior Notes and 4.875% 2031 Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by our material direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries and, therefore, are structurally senior to any of our existing and future indebtedness that is not guaranteed by such guarantors and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes. There are no subsidiary guarantees of the interest and principal amounts for the 6.250% 2040 Senior Notes.
The 7.000% 2027 Senior Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at our option upon not less than 30, and not more than 60, days' prior notice sent to the holders. The 7.000% 2027 Senior Notes are redeemable at a price equal to 102.333% of the principal amount thereof, decreasing to 101.167% on March 15, 2024 and are redeemable at par beginning on March 15, 2025. In each case, we pay the redemption premiums plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption.
The 5.875% 2027 Senior Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at our option upon not less than 30, and not more than 60, days' prior notice sent to the holders. The 5.875% 2027 Senior Notes are redeemable at a price equal to 101.958% of the principal amount thereof, decreasing to 100.979% on June 1, 2024 and are redeemable at par beginning on June 1, 2025. In each case, we pay the redemption premiums plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption.
The 4.625% 2029 Senior Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, on not less than 10, nor more than 60, days’ prior notice sent to the holders of the notes. The 4.625% 2029 Senior Notes are redeemable prior to March 1, 2024, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus a "make-whole" premium set forth in the indenture. We may also redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 4.625% 2029 Senior Notes prior to March 1, 2024 at a redemption price equal to 104.625% of the principal amount thereof with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings. The 4.625% 2029 Senior Notes are redeemable beginning on March 1, 2024, at a redemption price equal to 102.313% of the principal amount thereof, decreasing to 101.156% on March 1, 2025 and are redeemable at par beginning on March 1, 2026. In each case, we pay the redemption and "make-whole" premiums plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption.
The 4.875% 2031 Senior Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, on not less than 10, nor more than 60, days’ prior notice sent to the holders of the notes. The 4.875% 2031 Senior Notes are redeemable prior to March 1, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus a "make-whole" premium set forth in the indenture. We may also redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 4.875% 2031 Senior Notes prior to March 1, 2026 at a redemption price equal to 104.875% of the principal amount thereof with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings. The 4.875% 2031 Senior Notes are redeemable beginning on March 1, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 102.438% of the principal amount thereof, decreasing to 101.625% on March 1, 2027, 100.813% on March 1, 2028 and are redeemable at par beginning on March 1, 2029.
In each case, we pay the redemption and "make-whole" premiums plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption.
The 6.250% 2040 Senior Notes may be redeemed any time at our option upon not less than 30, nor more than 60, days' prior notice is sent to the holders. The 6.250% 2040 Senior Notes are redeemable at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed or (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the treasury rate plus 40 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption.
In addition, if a change of control triggering event, as defined in the applicable indenture, occurs with respect to the unsecured notes, we will be required to offer to purchase the notes of the applicable series at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of purchase.
The terms of the unsecured notes contain certain customary covenants; however, there are no financial covenants.
AK STEEL CORPORATION UNSECURED SENIOR NOTES
As of December 31, 2023, AK Steel had outstanding a total of $56 million aggregate principal amount of 7.000% 2027 AK Senior Notes. These senior notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with AK Steel's guarantees of Cliffs' unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. These notes contain no financial covenants.
The 7.000% 2027 AK Senior Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at our option upon not less than 30, and not more than 60, days' prior notice sent to the holders. The 7.000% 2027 AK Senior Notes are redeemable at a price equal to 102.333% of the principal amount thereof, decreasing to 101.167% on March 15, 2024 and are redeemable at par beginning on March 15, 2025. In each case, we pay the redemption premiums plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption.
ABL FACILITY
On June 9, 2023, we entered into the Fourth ABL Amendment to our ABL Facility. The Fourth ABL Amendment increased the amount of tranche A revolver commitments thereunder by an additional $250 million to an aggregate principal amount of $4.75 billion. As of December 31, 2023, the ABL Facility provides for up to $4.75 billion in borrowings, including a $555 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit and a $200 million sublimit for swingline loans. The Fourth ABL Amendment also extended the maturity date of all commitments under the ABL Facility from March 13, 2025 to June 9, 2028 or 91 days prior to the maturity of certain other material debt. Availability under the ABL Facility is limited to an eligible borrowing base, as applicable, determined by applying customary advance rates to eligible accounts receivable, inventory and certain mobile equipment.
The Fourth ABL Amendment removed the LIBOR option for variable loans due to its cessation and replaced it with a SOFR option. Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest, at our option, at a base rate, or if certain conditions are met, a SOFR rate, in each case, plus an applicable tiered margin. The base rate is equal to the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or the term SOFR plus 1.25%. In addition, there is an unused commitment fee of between 0.25% and 0.35%, which is applied to the unused portion of the ABL Facility.
The ABL Facility and certain bank products and hedge obligations are guaranteed by certain of our existing wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries and are required to be guaranteed by certain of our future U.S. subsidiaries. Amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility are secured by (i) a first-priority security interest in the accounts receivable and other rights to payment, inventory, as-extracted collateral, certain investment property, deposit accounts, securities accounts, certain general intangibles and commercial tort claims, certain mobile equipment, commodities accounts and other related assets of ours, the other borrowers and the guarantors, and proceeds and products of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “ABL Collateral”) and (ii) a second-priority security interest in substantially all of our assets and the assets of the other borrowers and the guarantors other than the ABL Collateral.
The ABL Facility contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants including, among others, covenants regarding the maintenance of certain financial ratios if certain conditions are triggered, covenants relating to financial reporting, covenants relating to the payment of dividends on, or purchase or redemption of, our capital stock, covenants relating to the incurrence or prepayment of certain debt, covenants relating to the incurrence of liens or encumbrances, covenants relating to compliance with laws, covenants relating to transactions with affiliates, covenants relating to mergers and sales of all or substantially all of our assets and limitations on changes in the nature of our business. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we were in compliance with the ABL Facility liquidity requirements and, therefore, the springing financial covenant requiring a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 was not applicable.
The ABL Facility provides for customary events of default, including, among other things, the event of nonpayment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, a representation or warranty proving to have been materially incorrect when made, failure to perform or observe certain covenants within a specified period of time, a cross-default to certain material indebtedness, the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, monetary judgment defaults of a specified amount, invalidity of any loan documentation, a change of control of the Company, and ERISA defaults resulting in liability of a specified amount. If an event of default exists (beyond any applicable grace or cure period), the administrative agent may, and at the direction of the requisite number of lenders shall, declare all amounts owing under the ABL Facility immediately due and payable, terminate such lenders’ commitments to make loans under the ABL Facility and/or exercise any and all remedies and other rights under the ABL Facility. For certain events of default related to insolvency and receivership, the commitments of the lenders will be automatically terminated and all outstanding loans and other amounts will become immediately due and payable.
The following represents a summary of our borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility:
December 31,
(In millions) 2023
Available borrowing base on ABL Facility1
$ 4,397 
Borrowings — 
Letter of credit obligations2
(56)
Borrowing capacity available $ 4,341 
1 As of December 31, 2023, the ABL Facility has a maximum borrowing base of $4.75 billion. The available borrowing base is determined by applying customary advance rates to eligible accounts receivable, inventory and certain mobile equipment.
2 We issued standby letters of credit with certain financial institutions in order to support business obligations, including, but not limited to, operating agreements, employee severance, environmental obligations, workers' compensation, and insurance obligations.
DEBT MATURITIES
The following represents a summary of our debt instrument maturities based on the principal amounts outstanding at December 31, 2023 (in millions):
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 Thereafter Total
$ —  $ —  $ 829  $ 685  $ —  $ 1,678  $ 3,192