Here's the deal:

  • An "at-the-market" ("ATM") offering is an offering of securities into an existing trading market for the securities at a price or prices related to the then-market price of the securities.
  • ATM offerings are continuous offerings, and provide issuers with a flexible way to raise modest amounts of capital with minimal market impact, at a low cost and with limited management involvement.
  • ATM offerings are often utilized by issuers that have a frequent need to raise capital, whether to repay debt, fund the purchase price for a small acquisition or otherwise fund operations.

What's the Deal?

An ATM offering is a follow-on offering of securities utilized by publicly traded companies in order to raise capital over a period of time. In an ATM offering, an issuer sells newly issued shares into the trading market through a designated sales agent at prevailing market prices. These offerings are conducted pursuant to an equity distribution or sales agreement entered into between the issuer and one or more sales agents. The sales agent may act either on an agency (best efforts) or principal (firm commitment) basis; however, more often than not, transactions are undertaken on an agency basis.

Advantages of ATM Offerings

ATM offerings offer several advantages over traditional follow-on offerings, including:

  • Minimal market impact. Issuers can quickly raise capital by selling newly issued shares into the natural trading flow of the market, without having to market and/or announce the offering. As a result, shares are able to "trickle" into the market without significant impact on stock price.
  • Flexibility. Sales can be effected on an agency or principal basis, and the terms of each sale are agreed upon between the issuer and the sales agent, including the timing and size, at the issuer's discretion. This enables an issuer to match its issuances to its ongoing needs. For example, an issuer can implement a limit price below which sales will not occur and/or a percentage limitation on daily sales to reduce downward price pressure on its stock.
  • Low cost. The distribution costs for ATM offerings (usually 1-3%) typically are lower than the fees associated with traditional follow-on offerings.
  • Minimal management involvement. ATM offerings require no "roadshows."
  • Forward sale option. Many ATM offerings have been structured to incorporate a forward sale option. A forward sale allows an issuer to sell its securities through the ATM offering at the current trading price without actually issuing any securities to satisfy the forward commitment until a future settlement date.

Disadvantages of ATM Offerings

ATM offerings tend to be substantially smaller than traditional follow-on offerings, and may not be as useful to issuers seeking to raise a large amount of capital within a short period of time. There are ongoing costs associated with the maintenance of an ATM program, which may seem substantial if the issuer is not making ATM offerings regularly.

Required Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission

An issuer must have an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (or Form F-3 for foreign private issuers) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The issuer can either (i) use an allocated portion of an already existing universal shelf registration statement specifically for ATM programs or (ii) prepare a new shelf registration statement specifically for an ATM program. If the issuer decides to use an already existing shelf registration statement, then the issuer must prepare a prospectus supplement specifically for the ATM program. The plan of distribution section included in the shelf registration statement, or in the related prospectus supplement, must describe the general terms of the ATM program, including the method of sale and commissions/fees to be paid by the issuer, and identify the sales agents that will participate in the ATM program.

Upon execution of the equity distribution or sales agreement governing the ATM program, the issuer will file with the SEC the prospectus supplement, as well as a current report on Form 8-K, which will include as an exhibit, the equity distribution or sales agreement. In addition, the issuer must report quarterly the number of shares sold under the ATM program, as well as the commissions paid and net proceeds to the issuer, either by means of a prospectus supplement or in the issuer's periodic reports.

Often an ATM program will allow the issuer to conduct block trades, which trades are effected at a fixed price. To the extent that an issuer conducts a block sale, it might consider and discuss with counsel whether a prospectus supplement relating to the transaction should be filed.

Eligibility

A public company is eligible to implement an ATM program if it has a public float of at least $75 million or satisfies certain other qualifying thresholds. A company that qualifies as a well-known seasoned issuer ("WKSI") will have greater flexibility. A WKSI may file an automatically effective shelf registration statement and is not required to specify an aggregate dollar amount on the registration statement. As a result, a WKSI may access the market promptly after filing its registration statement. An issuer that is not a WKSI, and that does not have an effective shelf registration statement, will need to file a registration statement, which may be subject to SEC comment, that specifies the number of securities to be registered.

An issuer that has an aggregate market value of common equity held by non-affiliates of less than $75 million, will be subject to Instruction 1.B.6(a) of Form S-3, which limits the amount the issuer can offer to up to one-third of the public float during any trailing 12-month period. This one-third limitation will apply to securities sold in any primary offering, including an offering made pursuant to the ATM program.

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