UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 7, 2019
LEAR CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 1-11311 | 13-3386776 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) |
21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, MI | 48033 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(248) 447-1500
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐
Section 8 Other Events
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On February 7, 2019, Lear Corporation (the Company) announced that on February 7, 2019, its Board of Directors approved the declaration of a $0.75 per share quarterly cash dividend on the Companys common stock and authorized an increase in the Companys share repurchase authorization to $1.5 billion and extended the authorization until December 31, 2021.
Additionally, on February 7, 2019, the Company announced that its 2019 annual meeting of stockholders will be held at the Companys Corporate Headquarters at 21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033, on May 16, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The record date for determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders is March 21, 2019.
A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Section 9 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) | Exhibits: |
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
99.1 | Press Release issued February 7, 2019 |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Lear Corporation | ||||||
Date: February 7, 2019 | By: | /s/ Jeffrey H. Vanneste | ||||
Name: Jeffrey H. Vanneste | ||||||
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lear Contacts:
Alicia Davis
(248) 447-1781
Joel Elsesser
(248) 447-5512
Lear Increases Share Repurchase Authorization to $1.5 Billion and
Raises Quarterly Cash Dividend to $0.75 Per Share
SOUTHFIELD, Michigan, February 7, 2019 Lear Corporation [NYSE: LEA], a leading global supplier of automotive seating and electrical and electronic systems, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized an increase in the Companys share repurchase authorization to $1.5 billion and extended the authorization period until December 31, 2021. In addition, the Board raised the quarterly cash dividend on the Companys common stock by 7% from $0.70 per share to $0.75 per share. The next dividend is payable on March 20, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2019.
The Lear Board of Directors fully supports the Companys capital allocation priorities of investing in the business to improve competitiveness and drive profitable growth, maintaining a strong and flexible balance sheet, and consistently returning excess cash to shareholders, said Henry D. G. Wallace, Lears Non-Executive Chairman. The shareholder actions announced today are consistent with this strategy and demonstrate the confidence Lears Board has in the Companys outlook.
At the end of 2018, Lear had $800 million remaining on its share repurchase authorization. As a result of todays action, Lears total available share repurchase authorization is now $1.5 billion. Since the Company began its share repurchase and dividend programs in 2011, Lear has returned approximately $4.9 billion to shareholders, including the repurchase of approximately 46% of the Companys shares outstanding as of the commencement of its share repurchase program.
Lear may implement share repurchases under its share repurchase authorization utilizing a variety of methods, including open market purchases, accelerated share repurchase programs, privately negotiated transactions and structured repurchase transactions. Share repurchases are subject to the Companys discretion with respect to alternative uses of capital, as well as prevailing financial, market and industry conditions.
Lears 2019 Annual Stockholders Meeting will be held on May 16, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, at the Companys corporate headquarters, 21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033. The record date for determining eligibility to vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting is March 21, 2019.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding anticipated financial results and liquidity. The words will, may, designed to, outlook, believes, should, anticipates, plans, expects, intends, estimates, forecasts and similar expressions identify certain of these forward-looking statements. The Company also may provide forward-looking statements in oral statements or other written materials released to the public. All statements contained or incorporated in this press release or in any other public statements that address operating performance, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are discussed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and its other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Future operating results will be based on various factors, including actual industry production volumes, commodity prices and the Companys success in implementing its operating strategy.
Information in this press release relies on assumptions in the Companys sales backlog. The Companys sales backlog reflects anticipated net sales from formally awarded new programs less lost and discontinued programs. The calculation of the sales backlog does not reflect customer price reductions on existing or newly awarded programs. The sales backlog may be impacted by various assumptions embedded in the calculation, including vehicle production levels on new programs, foreign exchange rates and the timing of major program launches.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update, amend or clarify them to reflect events, new information or circumstances occurring after the date hereof.
About Lear
Lear Corporation is one of the worlds leading suppliers of automotive seating and electrical and electronic systems. Lear serves every major automaker in the world, and Lear content can be found on more than 400 vehicle nameplates. Lears world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by a diverse team of approximately 169,000 employees located in 39 countries. Lear currently ranks #148 on the Fortune 500. Lears headquarters are in Southfield, Michigan. Further information about Lear is available at lear.com or follow us on Twitter @LearCorporation. Lear is where passion drives possibilities.
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