S-4 vs 424B

Hey there,

can s/o tell me the difference between an S-4 and a 424B filing? To my knowledge the S4 is necessary if an acquiring company wants to use a consideration that is at least partially composed of shares or public debt. But what about the 424B (prospectus)?

Best, Hanso6

3 Comments
 

Form S-4 is used in a M&A transaction in which publicly traded equity of the acquiror is being used as the consideration and the acquiree's equities are also publicly held, a situation like two public companies conducting business combination and using their shares as consideration.

Form 424B could mean multiple forms such as 424B2, 424B3, 424B4 and 424B5 and I am not sure which one you are referring to. In general, Form 424B series are prospectus forms filed in connection with an IPO.

 
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https://www.sec.gov/forms - click on the individual form types for more information.

The S-4 is generally for business combinations and exchange offers. When companies merge, you'll often find a joint filing, the S-4, which will contain the merger proxy and other items relating to stock distribution and other facets of the businesses impact by the acquisition/merging.

The 424B is a more generic prospectus, often relating to additional supplemental information or an amendment to a S-1 or S-2 registration.

 

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