New Debt / Obligation

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): June 11, 2020   HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   Delaware 1-2402 41-0319970 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number)   1 Hormel Place Austin , MN 55912 (Address of Principal Executive Office, including zip code)   ( 507 ) 437-5611 Registrant’s telephone number, including area code   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))   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   Title of each class   Trading Symbol   Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock $0.01465 par value   HRL   New York Stock Exchange   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. ¨             Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.   On June 11, 2020, Hormel Foods Corporation (the “ Company ”) issued $1,000,000,000 principal amount of its 1.800% Notes due 2030 (the “ Notes ”). The Notes were issued and sold pursuant to the previously disclosed Underwriting Agreement entered into on June 4, 2020 by the Company and the several underwriters party thereto (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”).   The Notes were offered pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-237980) (the “ Registration Statement ”) and the related Prospectus dated May 4, 2020 (the “ Prospectus ”) and Prospectus Supplement dated June 4, 2020 (the “ Prospectus Supplement ”).   The Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 1, 2011 (the “ Indenture ”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”). Interest on the Notes will accrue at a rate of 1.800% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 11 and December 11, commencing December 11, 2020. The Notes will mature on June 11, 2030. The Notes are direct unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank equally with all of the Company’s other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding.   The Company may redeem the Notes, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at its option. If the Company redeems the Notes before March 11, 2030, the redemption price will equal the greater of: (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate (as defined in the Prospectus Supplement) plus 15 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the date of redemption. If the Company redeems the Notes on or after March 11, 2030, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the date of redemption.   If a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the Notes) occurs, unless the Company has exercised its option to redeem the Notes, the Company will be required to offer to purchase the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.   The Indenture includes certain restrictive covenants, including covenants that limit the ability of the Company to, among other things, incur debt for borrowed money secured by certain liens and engage in certain sale and leaseback transactions. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the Indenture and described in the Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement.   The Indenture contains customary terms, including that upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the entire principal of all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.   The following documents relating to the Notes are filed herewith as exhibits and incorporated by reference into this Form 8-K and the Registration Statement: (i) the form of the Notes and (ii) the opinion of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. The foregoing summary of the Notes is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the Notes attached hereto.   Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.   (d)        Exhibits.   Exhibit No.   Description 4.1   Form of 1.800% Notes due 2030 5.1   Opinion of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP 23.1   Consent of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1) 101.1   Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. 104.1   The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted as Inline XBRL.         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 hereunto duly authorized.           HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION     (Registrant)       Dated: June 11, 2020 By /s/ JAMES N. SHEEHAN     JAMES N. SHEEHAN     Executive Vice President and     Chief Financial Officer