Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-155674

 

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell nor do they seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated January 15, 2009

 

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus dated November 25, 2008)

 

 

Emerson Electric Co.

$

The       % Notes due 2019 (the “Notes” will mature on October 15, 2019. Prior to maturity, we may redeem any or all of the Notes at any time at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement. When a change of control triggering event (as defined herein) occurs, each holder of notes may require us to repurchase some or all of its notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest. Interest will accrue from January      , 2009.

We do not intend to apply for listing of the Notes on any national securities exchange. Currently, there is no public market for the Notes.

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

The proceeds to us are before deducting estimated expenses from the sale of the Notes.

The Underwriters expect to deliver the Notes through the book-entry delivery system of The Depository Trust Company to the purchasers on or about January       , 2009.

 

 

January        , 2009

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We are offering to sell Notes and seeking offers to buy Notes only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any sale of the Notes.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes (estimated at $         million, before deducting estimated expenses of this offering) for general corporate purposes and to repay a portion of our commercial paper borrowings, which commercial paper borrowings were issued within the last year for general corporate purposes. As of January 9, 2009, such commercial paper had a weighted average interest rate (on a bond-equivalent yield basis) of approximately 0.9% per annum with a weighted average maturity of approximately 40 days.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. For purposes of computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles and minority interests in the income of consolidated subsidiaries with fixed charges plus the amount of fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and that portion of rental expense deemed to represent interest.

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

We will issue the Notes under an Indenture dated as of December 10, 1998 between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (successor to The Bank of New York). Information about the Indenture and the general terms and provisions of the Notes is in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of the Debt Securities.”

We will issue the Notes in book-entry form, as one or more global notes registered in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company, which will act as the depositary (the “Depositary”). Beneficial interests in book-entry Notes will be shown on, and transfers of the Notes will be made only through, records maintained by the Depositary and its participants. The provisions set forth under “Book-Entry Debt Securities” in the accompanying Prospectus will apply to the Notes.

Certain Terms of the Notes

The Notes will be initially limited to $             in aggregate principal amount. The Notes will mature on October 15, 2019. The interest rate on the Notes will be          % per annum.

Payment of Principal and Interest

We will pay interest on                and                 of each year, beginning                    , 2009. Interest will accrue from                   , 2009 or from the most recent interest payment date from which we have paid or provided for the payment of interest to but excluding the next interest payment date or the scheduled maturity date, as the case may be. We will pay interest computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

We will pay interest on the Notes in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on the                  or                 preceding the respective interest payment date. At maturity we will pay the principal, together with final interest on the Notes, in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds.

If an interest payment date or the maturity date is not a “Business Day,” we will pay interest or principal, as the case may be, on the next succeeding Business Day. The term “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which applicable law authorizes or requires banking institutions in The City of New York, New York to close.

Additional Notes

The Notes are initially being offered in the aggregate principal amount of $                           . We may, without the consent of the holders of the Notes, create and issue additional notes ranking equally with the Notes in all respects, including having the same CUSIP number, so that such additional notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with the Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Notes. No additional notes may be issued if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

The Notes will trade in the Depositary’s same-day funds settlement system until maturity or until we issue the Notes in definitive form. The Depositary will therefore require secondary market trading activity in the Notes to settle in immediately available funds. We can give no assurance as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the Notes.

Ranking

The Notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

 

 

Redemption

The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or from time to time in part, at our option on any date (a “Redemption Date”), at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100 percent of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (exclusive of interest accrued to that Redemption Date) discounted to that Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus       basis points, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to that Redemption Date, provided that installments of interest on the Notes which are due and payable on an interest payment date falling on or prior to the relevant Redemption Date shall be payable to the holders of those Notes registered as such at the close of business on the relevant record date according to their terms and the provisions of the Indenture.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date for the Notes, (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 Maturity Date, 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 those yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if that release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain those yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity for 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 that Redemption Date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term 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.

“Independent Investment Banker” means Banc of America Securities LLC or J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., or, if those firms are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Trustee after consultation with us.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means with respect to any Redemption Date for the Notes (1) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Trustee obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (1) Banc of America Securities LLC or J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., and their respective successors, provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer, and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealers selected by us.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, 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 Trustee by that Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding that Redemption Date.

Notice of any redemption by us will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before any Redemption Date to each holder of the Notes to be redeemed. If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed at our option, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall deem fair and appropriate, the Notes to be redeemed in whole or in part.

We will not make any sinking fund payments in connection with the Notes.

 

 

Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control Triggering Event

If a change of control triggering event occurs, unless we have exercised our option to redeem the notes as described above, we will be required to make an offer (the “change of control offer”) to each holder of the notes to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that holder’s notes 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 repurchase (the “change of control payment”). Within 30 days following any change of control triggering event or, at our option, prior to any change of control, but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the change of control, a notice will be mailed to holders of the notes describing the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the change of control triggering event 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”).

The notice will, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the change of control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the change of control triggering event occurring on or prior to the change of control payment date.

On the change of control payment date, we will, to the extent lawful:

We will not be required to make a change of control offer upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event 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 the third party repurchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In addition, we will not repurchase any notes if there has occurred and is continuing on the change of control payment date an event of default under the indenture, other than a default in the payment of the change of control payment upon a change of control triggering event.

We will 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 triggering event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the change of control offer provisions of the notes, we will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the change of control offer provisions of the notes by virtue of any such conflict.

For purposes of the change of control offer provisions of the notes, the following terms will be applicable:

“Change of control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than our Company or one of our subsidiaries) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of our voting stock or other voting stock into which our voting stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; (2) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or more series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to one or more “persons” (as that term is defined in the indenture) (other than our Company or one of our subsidiaries); or (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of our Board of Directors are not continuing directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a change of control if (1) we become a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (2)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the

 

 

holders of our voting stock immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no person (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting stock of such holding company.

The definition of change of control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of our and our subsidiaries’ properties or assets taken as a whole. 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 ability of a holder of notes to require us to repurchase such holder’s notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets taken as a whole to another person or group may be uncertain.

“Change of control triggering event” means the occurrence of both a change of control and a rating event.

“Continuing directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of our Board of Directors who (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date the notes were issued or (2) was nominated for election, elected or appointed to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the continuing directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment (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).

“Investment grade rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any additional rating agency or rating agencies selected by us.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service Inc.

“Rating agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if either of Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the notes or fails to make a rating of the notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3- 1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by us (as certified by a resolution of our Board of Directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

“Rating event” means the rating on the notes is lowered by each of the rating agencies and the notes are rated below an investment grade rating by each of the rating agencies on any day within the 60-day period (which 60-day period will be extended so long as the rating of the notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the rating agencies) after the earlier of (1) the occurrence of a change of control and (2) public notice of the occurrence of a change of control or our intention to effect a change of control; provided, however, that a rating event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular change of control (and thus will not be deemed a rating event for purposes of the definition of change of control triggering event) if the rating agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the trustee in writing at our or its request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable change of control (whether or not the applicable change of control has occurred at the time of the rating event).

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

“Voting stock” means, with respect to any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) as of any date, the capital stock of such person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such person.

Governing Law

The Notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

About the Trustee

 

The Trustee is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., successor to The Bank of New York. The Trustee will also be the paying agent and registrar of the Notes. The Trustee is also our trustee, as successor to The

 

 

Bank of New York, of our other debt securities issued under the Indenture. The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of the Trustee, is a lender to us under our revolving credit agreement and is also an investment manager for one of our pension funds. From time to time, we may enter into other banking relationships with the Trustee or its affiliates.

 

 

UNDERWRITING

We are selling the Notes to the Underwriters named below under a Pricing Agreement dated January    , 2009. The Underwriters, and the amount of the Notes each of them has agreed to purchase from us, are as follows:

 

Under the terms and conditions of the Pricing Agreement, if the Underwriters take any of the Notes, then they are obligated to take and pay for all of the Notes.

The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the Notes on any national securities exchange. The Underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the Notes, but they have no obligation to do so. The Underwriters may discontinue market-making at any time without providing any notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of any trading market in the Notes.

The Underwriters initially propose to offer part of the Notes directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of      % of the principal amount of the Notes. Any Underwriter may allow, and any such dealer may reallow, a concession not in excess of      % of the principal amount of the Notes to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the Notes, the Underwriters may, from time to time, vary the offering price and other selling terms.

We have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments which the Underwriters may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.

In connection with the offering of the Notes, the Underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Notes. Specifically, the Underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering of the Notes, creating a short position in the Notes for their own account. In addition, the Underwriters may bid for, and purchase, Notes in the open market to cover short positions or to stabilize the price of the Notes. Finally, the Underwriters may reclaim selling concessions allowed for distributing the Notes in the offering, if the Underwriters repurchase previously distributed Notes in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Notes above independent market levels. The Underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

We estimate that we will spend approximately $250,000 for printing, ratings agency, trustee and legal fees, and other expenses related to this offering.

In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the Underwriters and their respective affiliates engage in, and may in the future engage in, commercial banking and/or investment banking transactions and/or advisory services with us and our affiliates.

 

 

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES

Timothy G. Westman, Esq., our Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Sectretary, will pass upon the legality of the Notes for us. Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, will pass upon the legality of the Notes for the Underwriters. Mr. Westman is a participant in various employee benefit plans and incentive plans offered by us and owns and has options to purchase shares of our Common Stock. Davis Polk & Wardwell will rely on the opinion of Mr. Westman with respect to all matters of Missouri law. Arthur F. Golden, one of our directors, is a partner of Davis Polk & Wardwell. Davis Polk & Wardwell acts as counsel to us from time to time with respect to various matters but not with respect to the Notes. Bryan Cave LLP, St. Louis, Missouri, is also representing us in connection with some aspects of this offering.

 

EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.

DEBT SECURITIES

PREFERRED STOCK ($2.50 PAR VALUE)

COMMON STOCK ($0.50 PAR VALUE)

WARRANTS

SHARE PURCHASE CONTRACTS

SHARE PURCHASE UNITS

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We may offer and issue debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, share purchase contracts and share purchase units from time to time. The shares of preferred stock or debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer them. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer these securities. The information in the prospectus supplement may supplement, update or change information contained in this prospectus, and we may supplement, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus by incorporating information by reference. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus or other offering material we authorize relating to the securities and the documents incorporated by reference carefully before you invest.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “EMR.” On November 21, 2008, the closing price of our common stock was $32.18 per share.

Investing in our securities involves risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on Page 1 of this prospectus.

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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.

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We may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering.

We may sell securities at fixed prices, which may change, or at negotiated prices, or, in the case of our common stock or securities convertible into our common stock, at market prices prevailing at the time of the sales or prices related to such prevailing market prices.

We may sell the securities directly to you, through agents we select, or through underwriters and dealers we select. More information about the way we will distribute the securities is under the heading “Plan of Distribution.” Information about the underwriters or agents who will participate in any particular sale of securities will be in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of securities. Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will not list any of the debt securities on any securities exchange.

THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOVEMBER 25, 2008.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INFORMATION ABOUT EMERSON

Emerson Electric Co. was incorporated in Missouri in 1890, and has grown from a regional manufacturer of electric motors and fans into a diversified global technology company. Having expanded its product lines through internal growth and acquisition, today we are designing and supplying product technology and delivering engineering services in a wide range of industrial, commercial and consumer markets around the world. Our principal executive offices are at 8000 West Florissant Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63136. Our telephone number is (314) 553-2000.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks regarding our business which are set forth in the “Risk Factors” of Part I, Item 1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008, which are hereby incorporated by reference, the risks described below and any risks in the accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement. We may amend or supplement these risk factors from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future.

Risks Related to Our Securities

There may be no established trading market for some of our securities offered, and this could make selling such securities difficult and also impact the price of such securities.

There may be no established trading market for some of our securities offered by this prospectus. For example, some of our securities may not be listed on any securities exchange or included in any automated quotation system. We cannot assure you that an active trading market for such securities will develop or, if such market develops, that you will be able to sell such securities. If a trading market does not develop or is not maintained, holders of the securities may experience difficulty in reselling, or an inability to sell, such securities. As a result, the liquidity of such securities may be limited and, under certain circumstances, nonexistent. If a market does develop, any such market may be discontinued at any time.

The liquidity of, pricing of, and trading market for, our securities may be adversely affected by, among other things, changes in the overall markets for debt and equity securities, changes in our financial performance and prospects, the prospects in general for companies in our industry, the number of holders of the various securities, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in our securities, adverse credit rating actions and prevailing interest rates.

 

Net proceeds from the sale of our securities may not result in an increase in investment value.

Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds from offerings pursuant to this prospectus. For example, the net proceeds from an offering of our securities may be used for general corporate purposes. Under such circumstances, you may not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to evaluate the economic, financial, or other information on which we base our decisions on how to use the proceeds, or to assess how the proceeds will be used.

If you purchase certain debt securities that we may offer, you may be required to accrue original issue discount on the notes for United States Federal Income Tax purposes and you may be required to pay taxes on distributions that you have not received.

Because of the manner in which the interest rate on certain debt securities is calculated, those notes may be classified as contingent payment debt instruments. If the notes are so treated, you will be required to accrue original issue discount on the notes in your gross income, such that you may have to pay taxes with respect to distributions that you have not received. For additional information, see “Description of Securities — Original Issue Discount Securities.”

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC,” utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. No limit exists on the aggregate amount of the securities that we may sell pursuant to this registration statement.

In this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Emerson” refer to Emerson Electric Co.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We will file each prospectus supplement with the SEC. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus or other offering material that we authorize together with the documents incorporated by reference as described under “Information We Incorporate By Reference” and the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement, or any other offering material that we authorize, including the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any supplement to this prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any other offering material that we authorize, is accurate at any date other than the date indicated on the cover page of these documents. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities referred to in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should not interpret the delivery of this prospectus, or any sale of securities, as an indication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus. You should also be aware that information in this prospectus may change after this date.

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result, we file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any of these documents at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C., which is 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 public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. Because our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “EMR,” those materials can also be inspected and copied at the offices of those organizations.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act that registers the distribution of these securities. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about us and the securities. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information included in the registration statement from this prospectus. You can get a copy of the registration statement from the sources referred to above.

INFORMATION WE INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it in this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by other information that is included in or incorporated by reference into this document.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about us.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus any additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 between the date we first filed the registration statement to which this prospectus relates and the termination of the offering of the securities, except for the documents, or portions thereof, that are “furnished” (e.g., the portions of those documents set forth under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the Commission) rather than filed with the SEC, unless we expressly incorporate such furnished information. These documents may include periodic reports, like Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as Proxy Statements. Any material that we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and replace the information previously filed with the SEC.

For purposes of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement in such document. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

You may receive a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC on its web site (http://www.sec.gov), or you may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1850, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You can also obtain these documents from us, without charge, by contacting T. G. Westman, our Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, at Emerson Electric Co., 8000 West Florissant Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63136, telephone 314-553-2000, e-mail tim.westman@emerson.com. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on our website at

 

 

http://www.emerson.com. Information on our web site is not part of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is part.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or other offering material, or in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, may contain various forward-looking statements and include assumptions concerning our operations, future results and prospects. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expect,” “may,” “might,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “will,” “forecast,” or “assume.” These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risk and uncertainties. We undertake no obligation to update any such statement to reflect later developments. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we provide the following cautionary statement identifying important economic, political and technological factors, among others, changes in which could cause the actual results or events to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements and related assumptions.

Such factors include the following: (i) current and future business environment, including interest rates, currency exchange rates and capital and consumer spending; (ii) potential volatility of the end markets served; (iii) competitive factors and competitor responses to Emerson initiatives; (iv) development and market introduction of anticipated new products; (v) availability of raw materials and purchased components; (vi) government laws and regulations, including taxes; (vii) outcome of pending and future litigation, including environmental compliance; (viii) stability of governments and business conditions in emerging economies; (ix) penetration of emerging economies; (x) favorable environment for acquisitions, domestic and foreign, including regulatory requirements and market values of candidates; (xi) integration of acquisitions; (xii) favorable access to capital markets; and (xiii) execution of cost-reduction efforts.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we expect to use the proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, which may include, but are not limited to, working capital, capital expenditures, financing acquisitions and the repayment of short or long term borrowings. Before we use the proceeds for these purposes, we may invest them in short term investments. If we anticipate that proceeds will be earmarked for a specific purpose, such as to repay debt or make an acquisition, we will disclose the principal purpose for the net proceeds from each sale of our securities, and the amounts intended for each such purpose, in the relevant prospectus supplement. If the prospectus supplement does not disclose the principal purposes for the net proceeds of the offering and the approximate amounts to be used for each such purpose, we will include a discussion of our reasons for conducting that offering in the prospectus supplement.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. For purposes of computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests in the income of consolidated subsidiaries with fixed charges plus the amount of fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and that portion of rental expense deemed to represent interest.

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

We may issue from time to time, in one or more offerings, the following securities:

This prospectus contains a summary of certain general terms of the various securities that we may offer. The specific terms of the securities will be described in a prospectus supplement, which may be in addition to or different from the general terms summarized in this prospectus. Where applicable, the prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities offered and indicate whether the securities offered are or will be listed on any securities exchange. When we refer to a prospectus supplement we are also referring to any applicable pricing supplement, free writing prospectus, or other offering material we authorize, as appropriate, unless the context otherwise requires. The summaries contained in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplements do not contain all of the information or restate the agreements under which the securities may be issued and do not contain all of the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the actual agreements relating to any securities because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as a holder of the securities. If you would like to read the agreements, they will be on file with the SEC, as described under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information We Incorporate By Reference.”

The terms of any offering, the initial offering price, the net proceeds to us and any other relevant provisions will be contained in the prospectus supplement or other offering material relating to such offering.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

This section describes some of the general terms of the debt securities that we may issue, either separately, or upon exercise of a warrant, or as part of a share purchase unit. Each prospectus supplement describes the particular terms of the debt securities we are offering under that supplement. Each prospectus supplement also indicates the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the particular debt securities we are offering under that supplement. When we refer to a prospectus supplement we are also referring to any applicable pricing supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus.

We will issue the debt securities under an Indenture between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (successor to The Bank of New York), which is serving as Trustee. We are summarizing certain important provisions of the Indenture and material known provisions of the debt securities. We do not restate the Indenture or the debt securities in their entirety. We urge you to read the Indenture and the debt securities because they, and not this description, define your rights as holders of the debt securities. We filed the Indenture with the SEC in the past, and it is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. When we use capitalized terms that we don’t define here, those terms have the meanings given in the Indenture. When we use references to Sections, we mean Sections in the Indenture.

General

The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations. The debt securities may be referred to as debentures, notes (including notes commonly referred to as medium term notes) or other unsecured evidence of indebtedness.

The Indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue under the Indenture, nor does it limit other debt that we may issue. We may issue the debt securities at various times in different series, each of which may have different terms. (Section 2.3)

The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities we are offering will include the following information concerning those debt securities:

 

 

Payments on Debt Securities

We will make payments on the debt securities at the office or agency we will maintain for that purpose (which will be a corporate trust office of the Trustee in New York, New York unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement) or at such other places and at the respective times and in the manner as we designate in the prospectus supplement. (Sections 3.1 and 3.2) As explained under “Book-Entry Debt Securities” below, all debt securities will be book-entry and The Depository Trust Company or its nominee will be the initial registered Holder unless the prospectus supplement provides otherwise.

Form, Denominations and Transfers

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement:

 

 

Ranking

Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our senior unsecured debt obligations and will rank equally with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

Original Issue Discount Securities

If debt securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, we will offer and sell them at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. “Original Issue Discount Security” means any security which provides that less than the full principal amount will be due if the maturity is accelerated or if the security is redeemed before its maturity. (Section 1.1)

If we issue Original Issue Discount Securities:

We will describe specific Federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount Securities in the prospectus supplement, and we will file an opinion of counsel with respect to any such material tax consequences.

Disposition of the Debt Securities

Upon the sale, exchange, redemption, repurchase, retirement or other disposition of a debt security, you generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash proceeds and the fair market value of any property received on the disposition (except to the extent such amount is attributable to accrued but unpaid stated interest, which is taxable as ordinary income if not previously included in your income) and (ii) your adjusted tax basis in the debt security. Your adjusted tax basis in a debt security generally will equal the cost of the debt security to you increased by the amount of OID previously included in income by you. Capital gain or loss recognized upon the disposition of a debt security will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the debt security was held for more than one year. The maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains to individuals is generally 15% and corporations 35% (for taxable years through December 31, 2010). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We will report to you and to the IRS the amount of stated interest payments and payments of the proceeds from the sale, exchange, redemption, repurchase, retirement or other disposition of a debt security made to you, and the

 

 

amount we withhold, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, you may be subject to backup withholding at a current rate of up to 28% with respect to distributions unless you:

Indexed Debt Securities

We may issue debt securities under which the principal amount payable at maturity or the amount of interest payable will be determined by reference to currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. In that case, the amount we will pay to the Holders will depend on the value of the applicable currency, commodity, equity index or other factor at the time our payment obligation is calculated. All payments of principal and interest with respect to any indexed debt securities will be paid in cash. We will include information in the prospectus supplement for such debt securities about how we will calculate the principal and/or interest payable, and will specify the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the principal amount payable at maturity or interest is linked. We will also provide information about certain additional tax considerations which would apply to the Holders of those debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement, and file any required opinion of counsel with respect to any related material tax consequences.

Certain Restrictions

Unless we otherwise specify in the prospectus supplement, there will not be any covenants in the Indenture or the debt securities that would protect you against a highly leveraged or other transaction involving Emerson that may adversely affect you as a holder of debt securities. If there are provisions that offer such protection, they will be described in the particular prospectus supplement.

Limitations on Liens. Under the Indenture, we and our Restricted Subsidiaries (defined below) may not issue any debt for money borrowed, or assume or guarantee any such debt, which is secured by a mortgage on a Principal Property (defined below) or shares of stock or indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary, unless such mortgage similarly secures your debt securities. A Principal Property is any manufacturing plant or manufacturing facility that we or any Restricted Subsidiary owns, is located within the continental United States and, in the opinion of our board of directors, is of material importance to our total business that we and our Restricted Subsidiaries conduct, taken as a whole. The above restriction will not apply to debt that is secured by:

A Restricted Subsidiary is a direct or indirect subsidiary of Emerson if substantially all of its property is located in the continental United States and if it owns any Principal Property (except a subsidiary principally engaged in leasing or in financing installment receivables or overseas operations).

The Indenture also excepts from this limitation on liens secured debt in an amount up to 10% of our consolidated net tangible assets. (Section 3.6)

 

 

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. We and our Restricted Subsidiaries may not enter into sale and leaseback transactions involving any Principal Property (except for leases of up to three years, and except for leases between us and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries) unless

Restrictions on Consolidation, Merger or Sale. We may not consolidate or merge or sell or convey all or substantially all of our assets unless (1) we are the surviving corporation, or (2)(a) the surviving corporation (if it is not Emerson) is a domestic (U.S.) corporation and assumes our obligations on your debt securities and under the Indenture and (2)(b) immediately after such transactions, there is no default. (Section 9.1)

Defeasance

The Indenture includes provisions allowing defeasance that we may choose to apply to debt securities of any series. If we do so, we would deposit with the Trustee or another trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to make all payments on the defeased debt securities. If we make such a deposit with respect to your debt securities, we may elect either:

To establish such a trust, we must deliver to the Trustee an opinion of our counsel that the Holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred. There may be additional provisions relating to defeasance which we will describe in the prospectus supplement. (Sections 12.1 through 12.4)

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

If certain Events of Default by us specified in the Indenture happen and are continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the defaulted series may declare the principal, and accrued interest, if any, of all securities of such series to be immediately due and payable. If other specified Events of Default happen and are continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series may declare the principal, and accrued interest, if any, of all the outstanding debt securities to be due and payable. (Section 5.1)

An Event of Default in respect of any series of debt securities means:

Within 90 days after a default in respect of any series of debt securities, the Trustee must give to the Holders of such series notice of all uncured and unwaived defaults by us known to it. However, except in the case of default in payment, the Trustee may withhold such notice if it in good faith determines that such withholding is in the interest

 

 

of such Holders. The term “default” means, for this purpose, the happening of any Event of Default, disregarding any grace period or notice requirement. (Section 5.11)

Before the Trustee is required to exercise rights under the Indenture at the request of Holders, it is entitled to be indemnified by such Holders, subject to its duty, during an Event of Default, to act with the required standard of care. (Sections 6.1 through 6.13)

If any Event of Default has occurred, in certain cases, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting proceedings for remedies available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, in respect of such series. (Section 5.9)

If an Event of Default occurs, the Trustee will distribute the money it collects in the following order:

We must file an annual certificate with the Trustee that we are in compliance with conditions and covenants under the Indenture. (Section 3.5)

In certain cases, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, on behalf of the Holders of all debt securities of such series, or the Holders of a majority of all outstanding debt securities voting as a single class, on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding debt securities, may waive any past default or Event of Default, or compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture, but may not waive, among other things, an uncured default in payment. (Sections 5.1 and 5.10)

Modification or Amendment of the Indenture

If we receive the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities affected, we may enter into supplemental indentures with the Trustee that would

However, unless we receive the consent of all of the affected Holders, we may not enter into supplemental indentures that would with respect to the debt securities of such Holders:

 

 

Regarding the Trustee

The Trustee is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., successor to The Bank of New York. Unless we otherwise indicate, the Trustee will also be the paying agent and registrar of the debt securities. The Trustee is also the Trustee, as successor to The Bank of New York, of our other securities issued under the Indenture. The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of the trustee, is a lender to us under our revolving credit agreement and is also an investment manager for one of our pension funds. From time to time, we may enter into other banking relationships with the Trustee or its affiliates.

Under certain circumstances, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of each series may remove the Trustee with respect to such series and appoint a new successor Trustee for such series, or any Securityholder of at least six months may petition a court for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to a particular series. (Section 6.10)

BOOK-ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES

The applicable prospectus supplement will indicate whether we are issuing the related debt securities as book-entry securities. Book entry securities of a series will be issued in the form of one or more global notes that will be deposited with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041. The global note(s) will evidence all of the debt securities of that series. This means that we will not issue certificates to each Holder. We will issue one or more global securities to DTC, which will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased the debt securities. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who own the debt securities. Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a security evidenced by individual certificates, a global security may not be transferred, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one another. Beneficial interests in global book-entry securities will be shown on, and transfers of beneficial interests in global notes will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. Each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a Holder of debt securities under the Indenture.

The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities such as debt securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair your ability to acquire or transfer beneficial interests in the global book-entry security.

We will make payments on each series of book-entry debt securities to DTC or its nominee, as the sole registered owner and holder of the global book-entry security. Neither Emerson, the Trustee nor any of their agents will be responsible or liable for any aspect of DTC’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

DTC has advised us that, when it receives any payment on a global security, it will immediately, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, credit the accounts of participants with payments in amounts proportionate to their beneficial interests in the global security as shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to you, as an owner of a beneficial interest in the global security, will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices (as is now the case with securities held for customer accounts registered in “street name”) and will be the sole responsibility of such participants.

A global security representing a series will be exchanged for certificated debt securities of that series only if (x) DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the 1934 Act and we don’t appoint a successor within 90 days, (y) we decide that the global security shall be exchangeable or (z) there is an Event of Default under the Indenture or an event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities represented by such global security. If that occurs, we will issue debt securities of that series in certificated form in exchange for such global security. An owner of a beneficial interest in the global security then will be entitled to physical delivery of a certificate for debt securities of such series equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such debt securities registered in its name. We would issue the certificates for such debt

 

 

securities in denominations of $1,000 or any larger amount that is an integral multiple thereof, and we would issue them in registered form only, without coupons.

DTC has advised us 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 under the 1934 Act. DTC was created to hold the securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC. No fees or costs of DTC will be charged to you.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF EMERSON

The following is a summary of the material terms of our capital stock and the provisions of our restated articles of incorporation, as amended and bylaws. It also summarizes some relevant provisions of the Missouri General and Business Corporation Law, which we refer to as Missouri law. Since the terms of our restated articles of incorporation, bylaws, and Missouri law, are more detailed than the general information provided below, you should only rely on the actual provisions of those documents and Missouri law. If you would like to read those documents, they are on file with the SEC, as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 1,200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.50 per share, and 5,400,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $2.50 per share.

Common Stock

All of our outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. Any shares of common stock issued in an offering pursuant to this prospectus, including those issuable upon the exercise of warrants or upon conversion of preferred stock or debt securities issued pursuant to this prospectus or in connection with the obligations of a holder of share purchase contracts to purchase our common stock, will be fully paid and non-assessable. Subject to the prior rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock which later may be issued and outstanding, holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by us out of legally available funds. In the event of any such declaration or payment, the holders of common stock will be entitled, to the exclusion of the holders of the preferred stock, to share therein. If we liquidate, dissolve, or wind up Emerson, after distribution and payment in full is made to holders of preferred stock, if any, the remainder of assets, if any, will be distributed pro rata among the holders of common stock of the company. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters presented to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors. Holders of common stock have no cumulative voting rights or preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any stock or other securities and there are no conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions for the common stock. We may issue additional shares of authorized common stock without shareholder approval, subject to applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange.

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services is the registrar and transfer agent for our common stock. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and on the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “EMR.”

Preferred Stock

Our restated articles of incorporation vest our board of directors with authority to issue up to 5,400,000 shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series and by resolution or resolutions:

 

 

Except as otherwise provided in any prospectus supplement, all shares of the same series of preferred stock will be identical with each other share of said stock. The shares of different series may differ, including as to rank, as may be provided in our restated articles of incorporation, or as may be fixed by our board of directors as described above. We may from time to time amend our restated articles of incorporation to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of preferred stock. Unless otherwise provided in any prospectus supplement, all shares of preferred stock will be fully paid and non-assessable.

The material terms of any series of preferred stock being offered by us will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. If so indicated in the prospectus supplement and if permitted by law and the restated articles of incorporation, the terms of any such series may differ from the terms set forth below. That prospectus supplement may not restate the amendment to our restated articles of incorporation or the board resolution that establishes a particular series of preferred stock in its entirety. We urge you to read that amendment or board resolution because it, and not the description in the prospectus supplement, will define your rights as a holder of preferred stock. The certificate of amendment to our restated articles of incorporation or board resolution will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri and with the SEC.

Dividend Rights. The preferred stock will be preferred as to payment of dividends over our common stock or any other stock ranking junior to the preferred stock as to dividends. No dividend may be declared or paid and no distribution may be made on our common stock or stock of junior rank, other than dividends or distributions payable in common stock, until the full cumulative dividends on the preferred stock of all series up to the end of the then quarterly dividend period shall have been declared and paid (or appropriated and set aside) by the board of directors. We will pay those dividends either in cash, shares of common stock or preferred stock or otherwise, at the rate and on the date or dates indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. With respect to each series of preferred stock, the dividends on each share of that series will be cumulative from the date of issue of the share unless some other date is set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the series. Accruals of dividends will not bear interest. If the amount determined by our board of directors to be declared and payable as dividends on the preferred stock is insufficient to pay the full dividend, including accumulations, on all outstanding series, such amount shall

 

 

be paid on all outstanding shares of all series on pro rata basis generally based on the amount of the full dividend for that series.

Rights upon Liquidation. The preferred stock will be preferred over common stock, or any other stock ranking junior to the preferred stock with respect to distribution earnings and assets, so that the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to be paid, upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up and before any distribution is made to the holders of common stock or stock of junior rank, the amount set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, in this case the holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to any other or further payment. In addition, the rights of the preferred stock in the event of a dissolution, liquidation or winding up shall not restrict or prevent the Company from paying dividends on common stock if the payment of such dividends is not restricted by any other terms of the preferred stock. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up amounts available for payment are insufficient to permit the payment in full of the respective amounts to which the holders of all outstanding preferred stock are entitled, the amount available will be distributed among the holders of each series of preferred stock in an amount proportional to the full amounts to which the holders of each series are entitled.

Redemption. All shares of any series of preferred stock will be redeemable to the extent set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the series.

Conversion or Exchange. Shares of any series of preferred stock will be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or preferred stock or debt securities to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Preemptive Rights. No holder of shares of any series of preferred stock will have any preemptive or preferential rights to subscribe to or purchase shares of any class or series of stock, now or hereafter authorized, or any securities convertible into, or warrants or other evidences of optional rights to purchase or subscribe to, shares of any series, now or hereafter authorized.

Voting Rights. Except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of preferred stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of preferred stock held by them on all matters properly presented to shareholders. The holders of common stock and the holders of all series of preferred stock will vote together as one class, except as otherwise provided by law and except as set forth below.

The preferences, priorities, special rights and powers given to the preferred stock under our restated articles of incorporation, or to any series thereof by any authorizing action of our board, may be altered or terminated, as provided by law, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds (2/3) of each series of preferred stock issued and outstanding whose rights will be affected by such proposed alteration or termination. No additional shares of the preferred stock except the shares provided for in our restated articles of incorporation shall be authorized, and no additional shares of any other class of preferred stock having a priority over, or entitled to participate on a parity with, the preferred stock shall be authorized, except upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of each series of the preferred stock issued and outstanding; provided, however, that the authorizing resolution for any series of preferred stock may provide for the vote of a greater percentage of the shares.

Currently under Missouri law, even if shares of a particular class or series of stock are not otherwise entitled to a vote on any matter submitted to the shareholders, amendments to the restated articles of incorporation which adversely affect those shares require a vote of the class or series of which such shares are a part, including amendments which would:

 

 

Board Representation. Our restated articles of incorporation provide that in addition to the voting rights set forth above, if, and whenever, six (6) or more quarterly dividends, whether or not consecutive, on the preferred stock shall be in arrears, in whole or in part, the holders of the preferred stock, including all series thereof, voting as a single class, shall have the right to elect a number of the members of the board of directors equal to the whole number obtained by dividing seven (7), into the number of directors of the Company authorized at such time by the restated articles of incorporation of the Company, but not less than two (2) directors. In such event, the remainder of the directors shall be elected by the holders of the common stock and preferred stock, voting as a single class. Whenever all dividends in arrears and current dividends on the preferred stock then outstanding have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside, then the right of the holders of the preferred stock to elect such number of directors shall then cease. During the time when the preferred stock is vested with the power of board representation, the secretary of the Company may (and shall upon the written request of the holders of record of ten percent (10%) or more in number of shares of the preferred stock outstanding) call a special meeting of the holders of the preferred stock for the election of the directors to be elected by them subject to the provisions of our restated articles of incorporation. In the case of additional authorized shares of preferred stock or a different class of preferred stock shall be created and issued, nothing herein contained shall prevent any such additional shares or class of the preferred stock from having the same voting rights on a pari passu basis with the shares of preferred stock entitled to vote on any matters.

Many of our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries, and thus our ability to pay dividends on our common stock or any series of preferred stock is dependent on their financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements and other related factors.

Depending upon the rights of holders of the preferred stock, an issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect holders of common stock by delaying or preventing a change of control of Emerson, making removal of the management of Emerson difficult, or restricting the payment of dividends and other distributions to the holders of common stock. We presently have no intention to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Certain Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock

We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock without shareholder approval, subject to applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange, for a variety of corporate purposes, including raising additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of unissued and unreserved common and preferred stock may enable us to issue shares to persons who are friendly to current management, which could discourage an attempt to obtain control of Emerson through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest, or otherwise, and protect the continuity of management and possibly deprive you of opportunities to sell your shares at prices higher than the prevailing market prices. We could also use additional shares to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of Emerson. See also “Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions” below.

Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock

Our board previously authorized the issuance of 1,200,000 shares of preferred stock as Series B junior participating preferred stock in connection with our adoption of a shareholder rights plan as of November 1, 1998, which expired by its terms on November 1, 2008. We do not have any current plans to utilize such preferred stock. At the time of its authorization, our board designated the dividend, liquidation, voting and redemption features and the rights in the event of a merger of the Series B junior participating preferred stock so that the value of one one-thousandth (1/1,000th) of a share of Series B junior participating preferred stock approximated the value of one share of common stock. Each of these shares, if issued, would generally be non-redeemable and junior to all other series of preferred stock, have a variable preferential cumulative quarterly dividend, entitle its holder to receive a variable preferred liquidation payment and have one vote.

Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions

Our restated articles of incorporation and bylaws:

 

 

Shareholders will not be able to amend the bylaws without first amending the restated articles of incorporation. These provisions may discourage certain types of transactions that involve an actual or threatened change of control of Emerson. Since the terms of our restated articles of incorporation and bylaws may differ from the general information we are providing, you should only rely on the actual provisions of our restated articles of incorporation and bylaws. If you would like to read our restated articles of incorporation and bylaws, they are on file with the SEC or you may request a copy from us.

Size of Board

Our restated articles of incorporation provide that the number of directors will be fixed by our bylaws; provided that the bylaws must provide for three or more directors. Our bylaws provide for a board of directors of at least three directors and permit the board of directors to set the number of directors from time to time. In accordance with our bylaws, our board of directors has fixed the number of directors at fifteen. Our restated articles of incorporation and bylaws further provide that our bylaws may be amended only by majority vote of our entire board of directors.

Election of Directors

In order for you to nominate a candidate for director, our bylaws require that you give timely notice to us in advance of the meeting. Ordinarily, you must give notice not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the meeting (but if we give less than 100 days notice of the meeting or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting, then you must give notice within ten days after we mail notice of the meeting or make a public disclosure of the meeting). Your notice must describe various matters regarding the nominee, including the nominee’s name, address, occupation, and shares held. Our bylaws do not permit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of common stock can elect all the directors of the class then being elected at that meeting of shareholders.

Classified Board

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that our board will be divided into three classes, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible, and that one class shall be elected each year and serve for a three-year term.

Removal of Directors

Missouri law provides that, unless a corporation’s articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the holders of a majority of the corporation’s voting stock may remove any director from office. Our restated articles of incorporation provide that shareholders may remove a director with or without “cause” and with the approval of the holders of 85% of Emerson’s voting stock. Our board of directors may remove a director, with or without cause, only in the event the director fails to meet the qualifications stated in the bylaws for election as a director or in the event the director is in breach of any agreement between such director and Emerson relating to such director’s service as a director or employee of Emerson.

Filling Vacancies

Missouri law further provides that, unless a corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, all vacancies on a corporation’s board of directors, including any vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors even if that number is less than a quorum. Our bylaws provide that, subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any class of preferred stock then outstanding and except as described below, only the vote of a majority of the remaining directors may fill vacancies.

 

 

Limitations on Shareholder Action by Written Consent

Missouri law provides that any action by written consent of shareholders in lieu of a meeting must be unanimous.

Limitations on Calling Shareholder Meetings

Under our restated articles of incorporation and bylaws, special meetings of shareholders may be called only by our board of directors, our chairman of the board, and the holders of not less than 85% of our voting stock.

Limitations on Introducing Other Items of Business

In order for you to bring an item of business before a shareholder meeting, our bylaws require that you give timely notice to us in advance of the meeting. Ordinarily, you must give notice at least 90 days but not more than 120 days before the meeting (but if we give less than 100 days’ notice of the meeting, then you must give notice within ten days after we mail notice of the meeting or make other public disclosure of the meeting). Your notice must include a description of the item of business, the reasons for bringing the item of business, and other specified matters. Our board may reject any items of business that have not followed these procedures or that are not a proper subject for shareholder action in accordance with the provisions of applicable law.

Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation

Our restated articles of incorporation may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment; provided that certain provisions contained in our restated articles of incorporation respecting business combinations, the board of directors, removal of directors, amendment of bylaws and special meetings of shareholders may be amended only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 85% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of Emerson, voting as a single class. However, the provisions respecting business combinations may be amended upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of Emerson if such amendment shall first have been approved and recommended by a majority of those directors who meet certain criteria of independence from parties seeking a business combination.

Business Combination Provisions in Restated Articles of Incorporation

Certain business combinations involving Emerson require the affirmative vote of the holders of 85% of the outstanding shares of Emerson common stock unless (i) a majority of the continuing directors (as defined in the Emerson restated articles of incorporation) have approved the proposed business combination, or (ii) various conditions intended to ensure the adequacy of the consideration offered by the party seeking the combination are satisfied.

Limitation on Directors’ Liability

Our restated articles of incorporation limit the liability of our directors to us or any of our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted under the Missouri General and Business Corporation Law.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions

The classification of directors, the inability to vote shares cumulatively, the advance notice requirements for nominations, and the provisions in our restated articles of incorporation and/or bylaws that limit the ability of shareholders to increase the size of our board or to remove directors and that permit the remaining directors to fill any vacancies on our board make it more difficult for shareholders to change the composition of our board. As a result, at least two annual meetings of shareholders may be required for the shareholders to change a majority of the directors, whether or not a change in our board would benefit Emerson and its shareholders and whether or not a majority of our shareholders believes that the change would be desirable.

The provision of Missouri law which requires unanimity for shareholder action by written consent gives all our shareholders entitled to vote on a proposed action the opportunity to participate in the action and prevents the holders of a majority of the voting power of Emerson from using the written consent procedure to take shareholder

 

 

action. The bylaw provision requiring advance notice of other items of business may make it more difficult for shareholders to take action opposed by the board. Moreover, a shareholder cannot force a shareholder consideration of an item of business over the opposition of our board of directors by calling a special meeting of shareholders.

These provisions make it more difficult and time-consuming to obtain majority control of our board of directors or otherwise bring a matter before shareholders without our board’s consent, and thus reduce the vulnerability of Emerson to an unsolicited takeover proposal. These provisions enable Emerson to develop its business in a manner which will foster its long-term growth, by reducing to the extent practicable the threat of a takeover not in the best interests of Emerson and its shareholders and the potential disruption entailed by the threat. On the other hand, these provisions may adversely affect the ability of shareholders to influence the governance of Emerson and the possibility that shareholders would receive a premium above market price for their securities from a potential acquirer who is unfriendly to management. The provisions requiring an 85% vote of shareholders for amendments to certain provisions of our restated articles of incorporation and for certain business combinations have the effect of limiting the ability of shareholders and others to change the terms of Emerson’s restated articles of incorporation and to change control of Emerson.

Missouri Statutory Provisions

Missouri law also contains certain provisions which may have an anti-takeover effect and otherwise discourage third parties from effecting transactions with us, including control share acquisition and business combination statutes.

Business Combination Statute

Missouri law contains a “business combination statute” which restricts certain “business combinations” between us and an “interested shareholder,” or affiliates of the interested shareholder, for a period of five years after the date of the transaction in which the person becomes an interested shareholder, unless either such transaction or the interested shareholder’s acquisition of stock is approved by our board on or before the date the interested shareholder obtains such status.

The statute also prohibits business combinations after the five-year period following the transaction in which the person becomes an interested shareholder unless the business combination or purchase of stock prior to becoming an interested shareholder is approved by our board prior to the date the interested shareholder obtains such status. The statute provides that, after the expiration of such five-year period, business combinations are prohibited unless:

A “business combination” for this purpose includes a merger or consolidation, some sales, leases, exchanges, pledges and similar dispositions of corporate assets or stock and any reclassifications or recapitalizations that increase the proportionate voting power of the interested shareholder. An “interested shareholder” for this purpose generally means any person who, together with his or her affiliates and associates, owns or controls 20% or more of the outstanding shares of the corporation’s voting stock.

A Missouri corporation may opt out of coverage by the business combination statute by including a provision to that effect in its governing corporate documents. We have not done so.

The business combination statute may make it more difficult for a 20% beneficial owner to effect other transactions with us and may encourage persons that seek to acquire us to negotiate with our board prior to acquiring a 20% interest. It is possible that such a provision could make it more difficult to accomplish a transaction which shareholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interest.

 

 

Control Share Acquisition Statute

Missouri also has a “control share acquisition statute.” This statute may limit the rights of a shareholder to vote some or all of his shares. A shareholder whose acquisition of shares results in that shareholder having voting power, when added to the shares previously held by him, to exercise or direct the exercise of more than a specified percentage of our outstanding stock (beginning at 20%), will lose the right to vote some or all of his shares in excess of such percentage unless the shareholders approve the acquisition of such shares.

In order for the shareholders to grant approval, the acquiring shareholder must meet certain disclosure requirements specified in the statute. In addition, a majority of the outstanding voting shares, as determined before the acquisition, must approve the acquisition. Furthermore, a majority of the outstanding voting shares, as determined after the acquisition, but excluding shares held by (i) the acquiring shareholder, (ii) employee directors or (iii) officers appointed by the board of directors, must approve the acquisition. If the acquisition is approved, the statute grants certain rights to dissenting shareholders.

Not all acquisitions of shares constitute control share acquisitions. The following acquisitions generally do not constitute control share acquisitions:

A Missouri corporation may opt out of coverage by the control share acquisition statute by including a provision to that effect in its governing corporate documents. We have not opted out of the control share acquisition statute.

Take-Over Bid Disclosure Statute

Missouri’s “take-over bid disclosure statute” requires that, under some circumstances, before making a tender offer that would result in the offeror acquiring control of us, the offeror must file certain disclosure materials with the Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Securities.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or any combination thereof. We may issue warrants independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, and the warrants may be sold at the same or different time as those offered securities. Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount or number of securities at the exercise price specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants.

 

 

We will issue our warrants in one or more series, each under a warrant agreement between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of the warrants.

We will file a copy of each warrant agreement that we enter into with the warrant agent in our Current Reports on Form 8-K, which will be incorporated herein by reference, or by an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

General Terms

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where appropriate, information relating to the warrants, including the following:

 

 

Prior to the exercise of the warrants, warrant holders will not have any rights of holders of our securities purchasable upon exercise of those warrants, including (1) in the case of warrants for the purchase of our debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on those debt securities or to enforce covenants in the governing Indenture, or (2) in the case of warrants for the purchase of preferred stock or common stock, the right to receive payments of dividends, if any, on that preferred stock or common stock or to exercise any applicable right to vote.

Exercise of Warrants

Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any warrants not exercised by the expiration date will be void. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of warrants may exercise them by delivering properly completed warrant certificates and payment of the exercise price to the warrant agent at its corporate trust office. As soon as practicable after such delivery, we will issue and deliver to the holder the securities purchased upon exercise of the warrants. If the warrants are certificated and a holder does not exercise all of the warrants represented by a particular certificate, we will also issue a new certificate for the remaining number of warrants.

Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreement

Except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, we and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. However, except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of warrants will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the applicable warrants then outstanding approve the amendment. Except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, every holder of an outstanding warrant at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the warrant, will be bound by the applicable warrant agreement as amended. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of warrants may provide that certain provisions of the warrants, including the securities for which they may be exercisable, the exercise price and the expiration date, may not be altered without the consent of the holder of each warrant.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND SHARE PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue share purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from us and obligating us to sell to holders at a future date a specified number of shares of our common stock or preferred stock, or a number of shares of common stock or preferred stock to be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the share purchase contract. The price per share may be fixed at the time that the share purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the share purchase contracts. Share purchase contracts may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares issuable pursuant to such share purchase contracts upon the occurrence of certain events.

We may issue the share purchase contracts separately or as a part of units, which we refer to as “share purchase units.” Each such unit will consist of a share purchase contract and one or more of: (i) our debt securities, (ii) our preferred stock, or (iii) debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, which in each case will be pledged to secure the purchasers’ obligation to purchase common stock or preferred stock under the related share purchase contract.

The share purchase contracts may:

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the material terms of the share purchase contracts or share purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. The description in the applicable prospectus supplement will not contain all of the information that you may find useful. For more information, you should review the share purchase contracts, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such share purchase contracts or share purchase units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which the prepaid securities will be issued. We will file a copy of each of these documents in our Current Reports on Form 8-K, which will be incorporated herein by reference, or by an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Material United States Federal income tax considerations applicable to the share purchase contracts and the share purchase units will also be discussed in the related prospectus supplement.

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell any of the securities offered by this prospectus to or through one or more underwriters or dealers, and also may sell the securities directly to other purchasers or through agents, or through a combination of methods.

Such firms may also act as our agents in the sale of the securities. We have no definitive plans to sell any of the securities offered by this prospectus directly to purchasers, but it is possible that we may make direct sales to one or more institutional investors. Any of our officers involved in such direct sales will rely on the exemption from broker-dealer registration provided by Rule 3a4-1 under the Securities Exchange Act and will comply with all elements of that rule.

Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be considered as underwriters of the securities offered by such supplement. All participating underwriters, dealers and agents will be registered broker-dealers or associated persons of registered broker-dealers. As may be appropriate, we will file any required post-effective amendment or prospectus supplement to this registration statement that will name all of the participating underwriters in any “at the market” equity offering of our securities.

We may distribute securities at different times in one or more transactions. We may sell securities at fixed prices, which may change, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters. Discounts or commissions they receive and any profit on their resale of the securities may be considered underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. We will identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent, and we will describe any such compensation, in the prospectus supplement. We will describe our expected offering expenses in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering.

We may agree to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. We may also agree to contribute to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.

Agents designated by us may solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and will set forth any commissions payable by us to such agent. Unless otherwise indicated in such prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a reasonable efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, of the securities so offered and sold.

If the securities are sold by means of an underwritten offering, we will execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is reached. A prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the securities to the public and will set forth the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transaction, including commissions, discounts and any other compensation of the underwriters and dealers, if any. If underwriters are utilized in the sale of the securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriter at the time of sale. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by the managing underwriters. If any underwriters are utilized in the sale of the securities, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are purchased.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities, we will sell such securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933,

 

 

of the securities so offered and sold. The prospectus supplement will set forth the name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and may sell such securities directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any resale thereof. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any such sales.

We may determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. In the event that we conduct an electronic auction, if required we will file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus (as supplemented) forms a part, describing the auction. We will include the price and terms to be established by the auction, a summary of the auction process and how you may participate in the auction, a description (or screen shots) of the Internet web pages that you will see before the auction and a description of the underwriters’ obligations.

Each series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than the common stock which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on such exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. We may elect to list any series of debt securities or preferred stock on an exchange, but we will not be obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of the securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we can give no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for the securities.

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

We may enter into derivative or other hedging transactions with financial institutions. These financial institutions may in turn engage in sales of common stock to hedge their position, deliver common stock covered by this prospectus in connection with some or all of those sales and use the shares covered by this prospectus to close out any short position created in connection with those sales. We may also sell shares of common stock short using this prospectus and deliver common stock covered by this prospectus to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge common stock to financial institutions that in turn may sell the shares of common stock using this prospectus. We may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the common stock covered by this prospectus to support a derivative or hedging position or other obligation and, if we default in the performance of our obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus.

The securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms, which we refer to as “remarketing firms,” acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as such term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, in connection with the securities remarketed thereby. Under agreements which may be entered into with us, we may be required to provide indemnification or contribution to remarketing firms against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. Remarketing firms may also be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase the securities from us at the public offering prices set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date or dates. The applicable prospectus supplement will indicate the commission to be paid to underwriters, dealers and agents soliciting purchases of the securities pursuant to contracts accepted by us.

In connection with an offering of the securities, underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. Specifically, underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a syndicate short position in the securities for their own account. In addition, underwriters may bid for, and purchase, securities in the open market to cover short positions or to stabilize the price of the securities. Finally, underwriters may engage in penalty bids or reclaim selling concessions allowed for distributing the securities in the offering if the underwriters repurchase previously distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market

 

 

price of the securities above independent market levels. Underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, T. G. Westman, Esq., our Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, will pass upon the legality of the offered securities for us. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, will pass upon the legality of the offered securities for the underwriters, if any. Mr. Westman is paid a salary by Emerson, is a participant in various employee benefit plans and incentive plans offered by us and owns or has options to purchase shares of Emerson common stock. Davis, Polk & Wardwell will rely on the opinion of T. G. Westman with respect to matters of Missouri law. Arthur F. Golden, one of our directors, is a partner of Davis Polk & Wardwell. Davis Polk & Wardwell acts as counsel to us from time to time with respect to various matters but not with respect to the offered securities. Bryan Cave LLP, St. Louis, Missouri, is also representing us in connection with some of the aspects of this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Emerson Electric Co. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2008, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

 

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