plmr20240622_424b5.htm

Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-281377

 

The information contained in this preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to the securities has become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED August 8, 2024

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated August 8, 2024)

 

1,200,000 Shares

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/16690a76ff0883317e686cbd747393cf-logo.jpg

 

 

Common Stock

 

We are offering 1,200,000 shares of our common stock.

 

Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "PLMR." On August 7, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market was $94.94 per share.

 

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of up to 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase up to 180,000 additional shares of common stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Please read "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement, on page 3 of the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, 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.

 
   

PER SHARE

 

TOTAL

Public Offering Price

 

$

 

$

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(1)

 

$

 

$

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

 

$

 

$

 

(1)

We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for a portion of their expenses in connection with the offering and the underwriters have agreed to reimburse us for a portion of our expenses in connection with the offering. See the section entitled "Underwriting" beginning on page S-12 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding total underwriter compensation.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares to purchasers on or about           , 2024 through the book entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

     

J.P. Morgan

Evercore ISI

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

    A Stifel Company
     

 

Prospectus Supplement dated             , 2024

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

 

     
   

Page

Prospectus Supplement

   

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

  S-1

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  S-2

SUMMARY

  S-4

RISK FACTORS

  S-7

USE OF PROCEEDS

  S-8

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

  S-9

UNDERWRITING

  S-12

LEGAL MATTERS

  S-13

EXPERTS

  S-13

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

  S-14

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

  S-15

 

   

Page

Prospectus    

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

  1

PALOMAR HOLDINGS, INC.

  2

RISK FACTORS

  3

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  4

USE OF PROCEEDS

  5

THE SECURITIES THAT WE MAY OFFER

  6

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

  7

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

  10

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

  11

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

  18

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

  19

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

  20

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

  22

LEGAL MATTERS

  24

EXPERTS

  24

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

  25

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

  26

 

Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together constitute an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is current only as of its date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein when making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents we have referred you to in the section of the accompanying prospectus entitled "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference."

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form part of an automatic registration statement on Form S-3ASR that we filed with the SEC utilizing a "shelf" registration process. This document contains two parts. The first part consists of this prospectus supplement, which provides you with specific information about this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer only to the "prospectus," we are referring to both parts combined. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that any statement we make in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in the accompanying prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, the statements made in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to modify or supersede those made in the accompanying prospectus and such documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference herein and therein.

 

You should rely only on the information that we have included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor does this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

 

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference herein or therein is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date.

 

This prospectus supplement contains or incorporates by reference summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been or will be filed or have been or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms apart, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described in this prospectus supplement under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

 
Industry and Market Data
 

The market data and industry statistical data used throughout this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein are based on independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. Some market data and statistical information are also based on our good faith estimates, which are derived from our review of internal surveys, as well as the independent sources listed above. This information may prove to be inaccurate because of the method by which we obtain some of the data for our estimates or because this information cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to the limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties. As a result, although we believe these sources are reliable, neither we nor the underwriters have independently verified the information and cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness.

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements reflecting our management's current beliefs and expectations. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may", "will", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "could", "intends", "target", "projects", "contemplates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "would", "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in many cases, beyond our control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

Our actual results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus as a result of various factors, including, among others:

 

 

claims arising from unpredictable and severe catastrophe events could reduce our earnings and stockholders’ equity and limit our ability to underwrite new insurance policies;

 

the inability to purchase third-party reinsurance or otherwise expand our catastrophe coverage in amounts that are commercially acceptable to us or on terms that adequately protect us;

 

the inherent uncertainty of models resulting in actual losses that are materially different than our estimates;

 

we and our customers could be negatively and adversely impacted by pandemics, disease outbreaks, and other public health crises such as the COVID-19 Pandemic;

 

a decline in our financial strength rating adversely affecting the amount of business we write;

 

reinsurance counterparty credit risk;

 

the concentration of our business in California;

 

the potential loss of one or more key executives or an inability to attract and retain qualified personnel adversely affecting our results of operations;

 

our reliance on a select group of brokers;

 

the failure of any of the loss limitations or exclusions we employ, or changes in other claims or coverage issues, having a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations;

 

unexpected changes in the interpretation of our coverage or provisions;

 

adverse economic factors, including recession, inflation, periods of high unemployment or lower economic activity resulting in the sale of fewer policies than expected or an increase in frequency or severity of claims and premium defaults or both, affecting our growth and profitability;

 

the performance of our investment portfolio adversely affecting our financial results;

 

being forced to sell investments to meet our liquidity requirements;

 

extensive regulation adversely affecting our ability to achieve our business objectives or the failure to comply with these regulations adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations;

 

we may become subject to additional government or market regulation;

 

the possibility that states could increase the assessments that we are required to pay;

 

the ability to pay dividends being dependent on our ability to obtain cash dividends or other permitted payments from our insurance subsidiary;

 

fluctuation and variance in our operating results;

 

the possibility that we act based on inaccurate or incomplete information regarding the accounts we underwrite;

 

our employees, underwriters and other associates taking excessive risks;

 

our inability to obtain future additional capital or obtaining additional capital on unfavorable terms;

 

the failure of our information technology and telecommunications systems;

 

our inability to protect our trademarks or other intellectual property rights;

 

our inability to maintain, or errors in, our third-party and open source licensed software;

 

the inability to manage our growth effectively;

 

the intense competition for business in our industry;

 

 

 

the failure of renewals of our existing contracts to meet expectations could affect our written premiums in the future;

 

our inability to underwrite risks accurately and charge competitive yet profitable rates to our policyholders;

 

the effects of litigation having an adverse effect on our business;

 

changes in accounting practices;

 

our failure to accurately and timely pay claims;

 

legal or regulatory requirements that restrict our ability to access credit score information for purposes of pricing and underwriting our insurance policies;

 

increased costs as a result of being a public company; and

 

the failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley.

 

For more detailed information about the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by, or anticipated in, these forward-looking statements, please refer to the section titled "Risk Factors" herein, as well as to the section titled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, as may be updated from time to time by our future filings under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and elsewhere in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made.

 

We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. In addition, with respect to all of our forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except as required by law, we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights information contained in other parts of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in shares of our common stock and it is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should read all such documents carefully, especially the risk factors and our financial statements and the related notes included or incorporated by reference herein or therein, before deciding to buy shares of our common stock. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to "Palomar," the "Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Palomar Holdings, Inc.

 

Company Overview

 

We are a specialty insurance company that provides property and casualty insurance products to individuals and businesses. We use our underwriting and analytical expertise to provide innovative solutions in five product categories: Earthquake, Inland Marine and Other Property, Casualty, Fronting and Crop. We use proprietary data analytics and a modern technology platform to offer our customers flexible products with customized and granular pricing for both the admitted and excess and surplus lines (“E&S”) markets.

 

We provide admitted insurance products through our Oregon domiciled insurance company, Palomar Specialty Insurance Company (“PSIC”), and E&S insurance products through our Arizona domiciled surplus lines insurance company, Palomar Excess and Surplus Insurance Company (“PESIC”). Each of our insurance company subsidiaries as carries an “A-” rating from A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”), a leading rating agency for the insurance industry.

 

We distribute our products through multiple channels, including retail agents, program administrators, wholesale brokers, and partnerships with other insurance companies. Our business strategy is supported by a comprehensive risk transfer program with reinsurance coverage that we believe reduces earnings volatility and provides appropriate levels of protection from catastrophic events. Our management team combines decades of insurance industry experience across specialty underwriting, reinsurance, program administration, distribution, and analytics.

 

Founded in 2014, we have significantly grown our business and have generated attractive returns. We have organically increased gross written premiums from $16.6 million in our first year of operations to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, which reflects a compound annual growth rate of approximately 60%. We have also been profitable since 2016 and our net income growth since 2016 reflects a compound annual growth rate of 43%.

 

We seek to continuously grow our income by developing product offerings for lines of business that harness our core competencies and where we believe we can generate attractive risk adjusted returns. In recent years, we have introduced several new products including Fronting, Crop, and various niche Casualty offerings. These new products diversify our book of business and broaden our product portfolio. We believe that our market opportunity, distinctive products, and differentiated business model position us to grow our business profitably.

 

Recent Developments

 

FIA Acquisition

 

In June 2024, we executed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire First Indemnity of America Insurance Company (“FIA”), a New Jersey domiciled insurance carrier that specializes in the underwriting of surety bonds for small to medium sized contractors primarily in the Northeast United States. FIA is licensed in 16 states and is rated “A-“ by A.M. Best. The transaction has been approved by the respective board of directors of both companies and is expected to close in late 2024 or early 2025 subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approval by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.

 

A.M. Best Upgrade

 

On July 30, 2024, A.M. Best upgraded the Financial Strength Rating for each of our insurance company subsidiaries to “A” (Excellent) from “A-” (Excellent).

 

 

June 1 Reinsurance Renewal

 

During the second quarter of 2024, we procured approximately $400 million of incremental limit to support the growth of our Earthquake franchise. Our reinsurance coverage now extends to $3.06 billion for earthquake events, $735 million for Hawaii hurricane events, and $117.5 million for all continental United States hurricane events. The reinsurance program provides ample capacity for growth in the subject business lines as well as coverage to a level exceeding our 1:250-year peak zone Probable Maximum Loss. Our per occurrence event retention is $15.5 million for hurricane events, reduced from $17.5 million the previous year, and $20 million for earthquake events.

 

$420 million of the $3.06 billion earthquake limit was sourced through a new catastrophe bond, Torrey Pines Re Series 2024-1. The new catastrophe bond issuance is the fifth Insurance Linked Securities transaction we have sponsored.

 

 

Corporate Information

 

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 7979 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 500, La Jolla, California, 92037, and our telephone number is (619) 567 5290. Our website address is www.plmr.com. The information on or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any such information as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase our common stock.

 

 

The Offering
 

Common Stock Offered by Us

 

1,200,000 shares (or 1,380,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

     

Underwriters' Option to Purchase Additional Shares of Common Stock

 

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 180,000 shares of our common stock from us. The underwriters can exercise this option, in whole or in part, at any time within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement.

     

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

 

26,184,638 shares (or 26,364,638 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase 180,000 additional shares in full).

     

Use of Proceeds

 

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses, will be approximately $          million. We intend to use the anticipated net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including using approximately $25.0 million to finance the contemplated acquisition of FIA, and to fund future growth. See "Use of Proceeds."

     

Dividend Policy

 

We currently do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any further determination to pay dividends on our capital stock will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors, subject to applicable laws, and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, general business conditions, legal, tax and regulatory limitations, contractual restrictions and other factors that our Board of Directors considers relevant.

     

Nasdaq symbol

 

"PLMR"

     

Risk Factors

 

You should read the section entitled "Risk Factors" on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement and page 3 of the accompanying prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement for a discussion of factors to carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

 

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 24,984,638 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and excludes:

 

 

694,527 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, having a weighted average exercise price of approximately $33.26 per share;

 

358,607 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units;

 

462,409 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of outstanding performance stock units, at target performance;

 

3,682,511 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan; and

 

1,360,964 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

Except as otherwise indicated herein, all information in this prospectus supplement, including the number of shares that will be outstanding after this offering, does not assume or give effect to the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional 180,000 shares in this offering.

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider the risks described below and those discussed under the Sections captioned "Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, each of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the information and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment.

 

Risks Related to This Offering and Our Common Stock

 

Sales of outstanding shares of our common stock into the market in the future could cause the market price of our common stock to drop significantly, even if our business is doing well.

 

On June 30, 2024, 24,984,638 shares of our common stock were outstanding. Any shares sold in this offering will be, freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, or the Securities Act, unless such shares are held by our directors, executive officers or any of our affiliates. Shares held by our directors, executive officers or any of our affiliates, as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act are "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Restricted securities may not be sold in the public market unless the sale is registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration is available.

 

In connection with this offering, we, our directors and certain of our executive officers have each agreed to enter into "lock-up" agreements with the underwriters and thereby be subject to a lock-up period, meaning that we, they and their permitted transferees will not be permitted to sell any shares of our common stock for 60 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain customary exceptions without the prior consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. Although we have been advised that there is no present intention to do so, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC may, in their sole discretion, release all or any portion of the shares from the restrictions in any of the lock-up agreements described above. See "Underwriting." Possible sales of these shares in the market following the waiver or expiration of such agreements could exert significant downward pressure on our stock price.

 

Also, in the future, we may issue our securities in connection with investments or acquisitions. The amount of shares of our common stock issued in connection with an investment or acquisition could constitute a material portion of our then outstanding shares of our common stock.

 

We have broad discretion to determine how to use the funds raised in this offering, and may use them in ways that may not enhance our operating results or the price of our common stock.

 

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from this offering, and we could spend the proceeds from this offering in ways our stockholders may not agree with or that do not yield a favorable return, if at all. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, including using approximately $25.0 million to finance the contemplated acquisition of FIA, and to fund future growth. However, our use of these proceeds may differ substantially from our current plans. If we do not invest or apply the proceeds of this offering in ways that improve our operating results, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds from our issuance and sale of 1,200,000 shares of common stock in this offering will be approximately $        million, or approximately $         million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase 180,000 additional shares in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We intend to use the anticipated net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including using approximately $25.0 million to finance the contemplated acquisition of FIA, and to fund future growth.

 

These expected uses represent our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors and any unforeseen cash needs. As a result, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds from this offering. The timing and amount of our actual expenditures will be based on many factors, including cash flows from operations and the anticipated growth of our business.

 

 

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

 

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock by "Non-U.S. Holders" (as defined below). This discussion is a summary for general information purposes only and does not consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular Non-U.S. Holders in light of their individual circumstances or to certain types of Non-U.S. Holders subject to special tax rules under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), including partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, banks, financial institutions or other financial services entities, broker-dealers, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, persons who use or are required to use mark-to-market accounting, persons that hold our shares as part of a "straddle," a "hedge" or a "conversion transaction," persons for whom our stock constitutes "qualified small business stock" within the meaning of Section 1202 of the Code, certain former citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., or investors in pass-through entities. In addition, this summary does not address the effects of any applicable gift or estate tax, and this summary does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax, Medicare contribution tax or any tax considerations that may apply to Non-U.S. Holders of our common stock under state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or any other U.S. federal tax laws.

 

This summary is based on the Code, and applicable Treasury Regulations, rulings, administrative pronouncements and decisions as of the date of this registration statement, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations at any time with possible retroactive effect. We have not sought, and will not seek, any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), with respect to the tax consequences discussed herein, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a position contrary to the tax consequences discussed below or that any position taken by the IRS would not be sustained. This discussion assumes that a Non-U.S. Holder will hold our common stock as a "capital asset" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment).

 

The following discussion is for general information only and is not tax advice for any Non-U.S. Holder under its particular circumstances. Persons considering the purchase of our common stock pursuant to this offering should consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income, estate and gift tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of our common stock in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction, including any state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences and the possible application of tax treaties that might change the general provisions discussed below.

 

For purposes of this discussion, the term "Non-U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of our shares that is not a partnership (or entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or an entity that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is not:

 

 

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

 

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the U.S. or under the laws of the U.S. or of any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

a trust if (1) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust's administration and one or more U.S. persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) have the authority to control all of the trust's substantial decisions or (2) the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

If a partnership (or entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our common stock, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our common stock.

 

PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS AND ANY OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS.

 

 

Distributions on Our Common Stock

 

In general, distributions, if any, paid to a Non-U.S. Holder (to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) will constitute dividends and be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend, or a lower rate prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the dividends are effectively connected with a trade or business carried on by the Non-U.S. Holder within the U.S. If any distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated first as reducing the Non-U.S. Holder's basis in its shares of common stock, but not below zero, and to the extent it exceeds the Non-U.S. Holder's basis, as capital gain and will be treated as gain from the deemed sale of stock as described below under "Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Common Stock."

 

A Non-U.S. Holder who claims the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty generally will be required to satisfy certain certification and other requirements prior to the distribution date. Non-U.S. Holders must generally provide the withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate form claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under an applicable income tax treaty. This certification must be updated periodically. If a Non-U.S. Holder holds our common stock through a financial institution or intermediary, the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the applicable withholding agent. If tax is withheld in an amount in excess of the amount applicable under an income tax treaty, a refund of the excess amount may generally be obtained by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty.

 

Dividends that are effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base of the Non-U.S. Holder) generally will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder provides, prior to the distribution, the withholding agent with the required forms, including IRS Form W-8ECI, but instead generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a resident of the U.S. A corporate Non-U.S. Holder that receives effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items.

 

Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Common Stock

 

In general, a Non-U.S. holder will not be subject to any U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized upon such holder's sale, exchange or other disposition of shares of our common stock unless:

 

 

(i)

the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business carried on by the Non-U.S. Holder within the U.S. (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base of the Non-U.S. Holder), in which case the non-U.S. holder generally will be required to pay tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular U.S. federal income tax rates and, if the non-U.S. holder is a corporation, the branch profits tax may apply, at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty;

 

(ii)

the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder will be required to pay a flat 30% tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such non-U.S. holder's country of residence) on the net gain derived from the disposition, which tax may be offset by U.S. source capital losses, if any, provided that the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses; or

 

(iii)

we are or have been a "United States real property holding corporation" for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held the common stock, and, in the case where shares of our common stock are regularly traded on an established securities market, the Non-U.S. Holder owns, or is treated as owning, more than five percent of our common stock at any time during the foregoing period.

 

 

For purposes of clause (iii) above, a corporation is a "United States real property holding corporation" if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we are not, and we do not anticipate that we will become, a United States real property holding corporation. However, because the determination of whether we are a United States real property holding corporation depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests relative to the fair market value of our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we will not become a United States real property holding corporation in the future. If we become a United States real property holding corporation, as long as our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, a Non-U.S. Holder will still not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to any gain realized upon sale, exchange or other disposition of shares of our common stock unless such Non-U.S. Holder actually or constructively held more than 5% of our common stock at any time during the shorter of the two periods described in clause (iii), above. If gain on the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock were subject to taxation under clause (iii) above, the Non-U.S. Holder would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in generally the same manner as a U.S. person.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Generally, we must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of distributions paid, the name and address of the recipient, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld. A similar report is sent to the holder. These information reporting requirements apply even if withholding was not required because the distributions were effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. or withholding was reduced by an applicable income tax treaty. Under applicable income tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to the tax authorities in the Non-U.S. Holder's country of residence.

 

Payments of dividends or of proceeds on the disposition of stock made to a Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding, currently at a rate of 24%. Backup withholding will not apply if the Non-U.S. Holder establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying to the withholding agent as to its foreign status, which certification may generally be made on IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder that results in an overpayment of taxes generally will be refunded or credited against the holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

Foreign Accounts

 

Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such sections commonly referred to as “FATCA”), a 30% United States federal withholding tax may apply to any dividends paid on our common stock to (1) a “foreign financial institution” (as specifically defined in the Code and whether such foreign financial institution is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA or (y) its compliance (or deemed compliance) with FATCA (which may alternatively be in the form of compliance with an intergovernmental agreement with the United States) in a manner which avoids withholding or (2) a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specifically defined in the Code and whether such non-financial foreign entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA or (y) adequate information regarding certain substantial United States beneficial owners of such entity (if any).

 

If a dividend payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to the withholding tax discussed above under “Distributions on Our Common Stock,” an applicable withholding agent may credit the withholding under FATCA against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. FATCA withholding may also apply to payments of gross proceeds of dispositions of our common stock, although under proposed United States Treasury regulations (the preamble to which specifies that taxpayers are permitted to rely on them pending finalization), no withholding will apply on payments of gross proceeds.

 

You should consult your own tax advisors regarding these requirements and whether they may be relevant to your ownership and disposition of our common stock.

 

THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. IT IS NOT TAX ADVICE. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, HOLDING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAWS.

 

 

UNDERWRITING

 

We are offering the shares of common stock described in this prospectus through a number of underwriters.  J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Evercore Group L.L.C. and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. are acting as book‑running managers of the offering and as representatives of the underwriters.  We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of shares of common stock listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Name

Number of Shares

   

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC ......................................................................................................

 

Evercore Group L.L.C.................................................................................................................

 

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. ................................................................................................

 

 

 

Total.................................................................................................................................................

1,200,000

   

 

The underwriters are committed to purchase all the common shares offered by us if they purchase any shares.  The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may also be increased or the offering may be terminated.

 

The underwriters propose to offer the common shares directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $          per share.  Any such dealers may resell shares to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $          per share from the initial public offering price.  After the initial offering of the shares to the public, if all of the common shares are not sold at the initial public offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms.  Sales of any shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters. 

 

The underwriters have an option to buy up to 180,000 additional shares of common stock from us to cover sales of shares by the underwriters which exceed the number of shares specified in the table above.  The underwriters have 30 days from the date of this prospectus to exercise this option to purchase additional shares.  If any shares are purchased with this option to purchase additional shares, the underwriters will purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above.  If any additional shares of common stock are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered. 

 

The underwriting fee is equal to the public offering price per share of common stock less the amount paid by the underwriters to us per share of common stock.  The underwriting fee is $          per share.  The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

     
 

Without
option to purchase additional shares
exercise

With full
option to purchase additional shares
exercise

     

Per Share.................................................................................................

$                         

$                         

Total.........................................................................................................

$                         

$                         

     

 

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $500,000.  We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain of their expenses in an amount up to $ 40,000.

 

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the web sites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering.  The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders.  Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters and selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

 

We have agreed that we will not (i) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or would be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, (ii) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such shares of common stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) above or this clause (ii) is to be settled by delivery of common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (iii) confidentially submit, file or cause to be confidentially submitted or filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any shares of common stock or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into common stock or any other securities of our Company, or (iv) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, in each case without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus, other than the shares of our common stock to be sold in this offering.

 

The restrictions on our actions, as described above, do not apply to certain transactions, including (i) the issuance of shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of our common stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities or the exercise of warrants or options (including net exercise) or the settlement of RSUs (including net settlement), in each case outstanding on the date of the underwriting agreement and described in this prospectus; (ii) grants of stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, RSUs, or other equity awards and the issuance of shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock (whether upon the exercise of stock options or otherwise) to our employees, officers, directors, advisors, or consultants pursuant to the terms of an equity compensation plan in effect as of the closing of this offering and described in this prospectus; or (iii) our filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to securities granted or to be granted pursuant to any plan in effect on the date of the underwriting agreement and described in this prospectus or any assumed benefit plan pursuant to an acquisition or similar strategic transaction.

 

Our directors and executive officers, and certain of our significant shareholders (such persons, the “lock-up parties”) have entered into lock‑up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each lock-up party, with limited exceptions, for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus (such period, the “restricted period”), may not (and may not cause any of their direct or indirect affiliates to), without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, (i) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of our common stock, units or other equity interests in our Company (collectively, “Equity Interests”) (including, without limitation, Equity Interests that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the lock-up parties in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Equity Interests that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Interests (other than the underwritten shares of common stock), (ii) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of Equity Interests, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) above or this clause (ii) is to be settled by delivery of Equity Interests or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (iii) make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be confidentially submitted or filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any Equity Interests or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Interests or any other securities of our Company, or (iv) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.

 

The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph and contained in the lock-up agreements between the underwriters and the lock-up parties do not apply, subject in certain cases to various conditions, to certain transactions, including transfers of lock-up securities: (a) as Equity Interests to be sold by lock-up parties pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, (b) transactions relating to Equity Interests or other securities acquired in the open market after the completion of the Offering, (c)(i) bona fide gifts to any person, (ii) contributions to a family foundation for bona fide estate or tax planning purposes, (iii) transfers that are made exclusively between and among the lock-up parties or members of lock-up parties’ family, or to any trust for the direct or our indirect benefit or the benefit of members of the lock-up parties’ family, or any affiliates of the lock-up parties or, (iv) if the lock-up party is a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity, transfers to its shareholders, limited partners or members; provided that it shall be a condition to any transfer pursuant to this clause (c) that (A) subject to clause (h) below, the transferee/donee shall execute and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of the lock-up agreements, and (B) each party (donor, donee, transferor or transferee) shall not be required by law (including without limitation the disclosure requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) to make, and shall agree to not voluntarily make, any filing or public announcement of the transfer or disposition prior to the expiration of the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 60th day after the date of the Prospectus (the “Lock-Up Period”) (except that, if required by law, such party may make such a filing or public announcement, provided such filing or public announcement does not report a reduction in beneficial ownership), (d) the exercise of warrants or the exercise of stock options granted pursuant to our Company’s stock option/incentive plans or that are otherwise outstanding on the date hereof; provided, that the restrictions in the lock-up agreements shall apply to Equity Interests issued upon such exercise or conversion, (e) the establishment of any contract, instruction or plan that satisfies all of the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 (a “Rule 10b5-1 Plan”) under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that no sales of Equity Interests or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Equity Interests, shall be made pursuant to such Rule 10b5-1 Plan prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended pursuant to the provisions of the lock-up agreement); provided further, that neither our Company nor the lock-up parties are required to report the establishment of such Rule 10b5-1 Plan in any public report or filing with the Commission under the Exchange Act during the Lock-Up Period and does not otherwise voluntarily effect any such public filing or report regarding such Rule 10b5-1 Plan, (f) any demands or requests for, exercises of any right with respect to, or taking of any action in preparation of, the registration by our Company under the Securities Act of the lock-up parties’ Equity Interests, provided that no transfer of the lock-up parties’ Equity Interests registered pursuant to the exercise of any such right and no registration statement shall be filed under the Securities Act with respect to any of the lock-up parties’ Equity Interests during the Lock-Up Period, (g) transfers by will or intestacy or by operation of law, such as pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided that it shall be a condition to any transfer pursuant to this clause (g) that the transferee/donee shall execute and deliver a lock-up agreement substantially in the form of the lock-up agreement, (h) the transfer or sale of Equity Interests pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 Plan that has been entered into by the lock-up parties prior to, and as in effect on, the date hereof and disclosed to the Underwriters, provided that any filing required or voluntarily made under the Exchange Act shall note that such transaction was conducted pursuant to a pre-established Rule 10b5-1 Plan, (i) transfers to our Company in connection with the vesting, settlement, or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of common stock (including, in each case, by way of “net” or “cashless” exercise), including for the payment of exercise price and tax and remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement, or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights, provided that any such shares of common stock received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to the terms of the lock-up agreement, provided that any filing required or voluntarily made under the Exchange Act shall note the nature of such transaction, (j) sales in connection with the vesting, settlement, or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of common stock, made for the sole purpose of payment of exercise price and tax and remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement, or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights, provided that any such shares of common stock received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to the terms of the Lock-up agreement (k) the sale, by the lock-up parties in connection with the termination of his or her employment with our Company, of Equity Interests or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Interests to our Company, not at the option of the lock-up parties, pursuant to equityholder agreements or agreements pursuant to which such securities were issued, and (l) pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar business combination transaction made to all holders of the Equity Interests involving a change of control of our Company (including, without limitation, entering into any lock-up, voting or similar agreement pursuant to which the lock-up parties may agree to transfer, sell, tender or otherwise dispose of Equity Interests (or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Interests), or vote any Equity Interests in favor of such transaction); provided, that, in the event that such transaction is not completed, the Equity Interests owned by the lock-up parties shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in the lock-up agreement.

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, in its sole discretion, may release the securities subject to any of the lock-up agreements with the underwriters described above, in whole or in part at any time.

 

Record holders of our securities are typically the parties to the lock-up agreements with the underwriters and the market standoff agreements with us referred to above, while holders of beneficial interests in our shares who are not also record holders in respect of such shares are not typically subject to any such agreements or other similar restrictions. Accordingly, we believe that certain holders of beneficial interests who are not record holders and are not bound by market standoff or lock-up agreements could enter into transactions with respect to those beneficial interests that negatively impact our stock price. In addition, a shareholder who is neither subject to a market standoff agreement with us nor a lock-up agreement with the underwriters may be able to sell, short sell, transfer, hedge, pledge, lend or otherwise dispose of or attempt to sell short sell, transfer, hedge, pledge, lend or otherwise dispose of, their equity interests at any time after the closing of this offering.

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Our common stock is listed/quoted on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “PLMR.”

 

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, which involves making bids for, purchasing and selling shares of common stock in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock while this offering is in progress.  These stabilizing transactions may include making short sales of common stock, which involves the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of common stock than they are required to purchase in this offering, and purchasing shares of common stock on the open market to cover positions created by short sales.  Short sales may be “covered” shorts, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares referred to above, or may be “naked” shorts, which are short positions in excess of that amount.  The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their option to purchase additional shares, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market.  In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which the underwriters may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.  A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.  To the extent that the underwriters create a naked short position, they will purchase shares in the open market to cover the position.

 

The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M of the Securities Act of 1933, they may also engage in other activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock, including the imposition of penalty bids.  This means that if the representatives of the underwriters purchase common stock in the open market in stabilizing transactions or to cover short sales, the representatives can require the underwriters that sold those shares as part of this offering to repay the underwriting discount received by them.

 

These activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and, as a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.  If the underwriters commence these activities, they may discontinue them at any time.  The underwriters may carry out these transactions on The Nasdaq Stock Market, in the over‑the‑counter market or otherwise.

 

In addition, in connection with this offering certain of the underwriters (and selling group members) may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market prior to the pricing and completion of this offering.  Passive market making consists of displaying bids on The Nasdaq Stock Market no higher than the bid prices of independent market makers and making purchases at prices no higher than these independent bids and effected in response to order flow.  Net purchases by a passive market maker on each day are generally limited to a specified percentage of the passive market maker’s average daily trading volume in the common stock during a specified period and must be discontinued when such limit is reached.  Passive market making may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions.  If passive market making is commenced, it may be discontinued at any time.

 

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.  The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction.  Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus.  This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us and such affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In addition, from time to time, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may effect transactions for their own account or the account of customers, and hold on behalf of themselves or their customers, long or short positions in our debt or equity securities or loans, and may do so in the future.

 

Selling Restrictions

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

 

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Relevant State”), no shares of our common stock have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares of our common stock which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation), except that offers of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

 

(a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation;

(b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer; or

(c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

 

provided that no such offer of shares of common stock shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

 

Each person in a Relevant State who initially acquires any shares of common stock or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with us and the underwriters that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation.

 

In the case of any shares of common stock being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares of common stock acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors, in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

 

We, the underwriters and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any shares of common stock in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

 

In relation to the United Kingdom, or the UK, no shares of our common stock have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the UK prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares of common stock which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK in accordance with the UK Prospectus Regulation and the FSMA, except that offers of shares of common stock may be made to the public in the UK at any time under the following exemptions under the UK Prospectus Regulation and the FSMA:

 

(a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation;

(b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer; or

(c)

at any time in other circumstances falling within section 86 of the FSMA,

 

provided that no such offer of shares of common stock shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or Article 3 of the UK Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

 

Each person in the UK who initially acquires any shares of common stock or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with us and the underwriters that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

 

In the case of any shares of common stock being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer to the public other than their offer or resale in the UK to qualified investors, in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

 

We, the underwriters and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any shares of our common stock in the UK means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares of our common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares of our common stock, the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, and the expression “FSMA” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

 

This document is for distribution only to persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who qualify as investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the “Financial Promotion Order”), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (“high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.”) of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside the United Kingdom, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

 

The shares of common stock may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares of common stock must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

 

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

 

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

 

This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to the public or a solicitation to purchase or invest in any shares of common stock. No shares of common stock have been offered or will be offered to the public in Switzerland, except that offers of shares of common stock may be made to the public in Switzerland at any time under the following exemptions under the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”):

 

 

a.

to any person which is a professional client as defined under the FinSA;

 

 

b.

to fewer than 500 persons (other than professional clients as defined under the FinSA), subject to obtaining the prior consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC for any such offer; or

 

 

c.

in any other circumstances falling within Article 36 FinSA in connection with Article 44 of the Swiss Financial Services Ordinance,

 

provided that no such offer of shares of common stock shall require us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 35 FinSA.

 

The shares of common stock have not been and will not be listed or admitted to trading on a trading venue in Switzerland.

 

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares of common stock constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to the FinSA and neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares of common stock may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

 

This document relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Markets Rules 2012 of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or DFSA. This document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Markets Rules 2012 of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this document. The securities to which this document relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered should conduct their own due diligence on the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

 

In relation to its use in the DIFC, this document is strictly private and confidential and is being distributed to a limited number of investors and must not be provided to any person other than the original recipient, and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. The interests in the securities may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly to the public in the DIFC.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia

 

This prospectus supplement:

 

(a)

does not constitute a disclosure document or a prospectus under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or the Corporations Act;

(b)

has not been, and will not be, lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC, as a disclosure document for the purposes of the Corporations Act and does not purport to include the information required of a disclosure document for the purposes of the Corporations Act; and

(c)

may only be provided in Australia to select investors who are able to demonstrate that they fall within one or more of the categories of investors, available under section 708 of the Corporations Act, or Exempt Investors.

 

The shares of common stock may not be directly or indirectly offered for subscription or purchased or sold, and no invitations to subscribe for or buy the shares of common stock may be issued, and no draft or definitive offering memorandum, advertisement or other offering material relating to any shares of common stock may be distributed in Australia, except where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act or is otherwise in compliance with all applicable Australian laws and regulations. By submitting an application for the shares of common stock, you represent and warrant to us that you are an Exempt Investor. As any offer of shares of common stock under this document will be made without disclosure in Australia under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act, the offer of those securities for resale in Australia within 12 months may, under section 707 of the Corporations Act, require disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D.2 if none of the exemptions in section 708 applies to that resale. By applying for the shares of common stock you undertake to us that you will not, for a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the shares of common stock, offer, transfer, assign or otherwise alienate those shares of common stock to investors in Australia except in circumstances where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act or where a compliant disclosure document is prepared and lodged with ASIC.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

 

The shares of common stock have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong), or SFO, of Hong Kong and any rules made thereunder; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong), or CO, or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CO. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares of common stock has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares of common stock which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

 

The shares of common stock have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Accordingly, none of the shares of common stock nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any “resident” of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

 

Each book-running manager has acknowledged that this prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, each book-running manager has represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold any shares of common stock or caused the shares of common stock to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any shares of common stock or cause the shares of common stock to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus supplement or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares of common stock, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than:

 

(a)

to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time, or the SFA) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA;

(b)

to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA; or

(c)

otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

 

Where the shares of common stock are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

(a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

(b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares of common stock pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

(i)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

(ii)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

(iii)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

(iv)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

(v)

as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018.

 

Singapore SFA Product Classification—In connection with Section 309B of the SFA and the CMP Regulations 2018, unless otherwise specified before an offer of shares of common stock, we have determined, and hereby notify all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), that the shares of common stock are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Arab Emirates

 

The shares of common stock have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus supplement has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in China

 

This prospectus supplement will not be circulated or distributed in the PRC and the shares of common stock will not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale directly or indirectly to any residents of the PRC except pursuant to any applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any advertisement or other offering material may be distributed or published in the PRC, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Korea

 

The shares of common stock have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Investments Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder, or the FSCMA, and the shares of common stock have been and will be offered in Korea as a private placement under the FSCMA. None of the shares of common stock may be offered, sold or delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the FSCMA and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder, or FETL. Furthermore, the purchaser of the shares of common stock shall comply with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to requirements under the FETL) in connection with the purchase of the shares of common stock. By the purchase of the shares of common stock, the relevant holder thereof will be deemed to represent and warrant that if it is in Korea or is a resident of Korea, it purchased the shares of common stock pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Saudi Arabia

 

This document may not be distributed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except to such persons as are permitted under the Offers of Securities Regulations as issued by the board of the Saudi Arabian Capital Market Authority, or CMA, pursuant to resolution number 2-11-2004 dated 4 October 2004 as amended by resolution number 1-28-2008, as amended, or the CMA Regulations. The CMA does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this document and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this document. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Bermuda

 

Shares of common stock may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with the provisions of the Investment Business Act of 2003 of Bermuda which regulates the sale of securities in Bermuda. Additionally, non-Bermudian persons (including companies) may not carry on or engage in any trade or business in Bermuda unless such persons are permitted to do so under applicable Bermuda legislation.

 

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the common stock being offered in this offering and certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by DLA Piper LLP (US), San Diego, California. Certain legal matters related to this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, New York, New York.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Palomar Holdings, Inc. appearing in the Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form part of an automatic "shelf" registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement or the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. For further information with respect to us and the securities that we are offering under this prospectus supplement, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference herein or therein. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus supplement, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or any sale of the securities offered hereby. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Palomar Holdings, Inc. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.

 

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the registration statement, as well as any other document filed by us with the SEC at the website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at www.plmr.com where you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained in or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement contain important information that you should read about us before investing in our common stock.

 

The following documents are incorporated by reference into this document (other than the portions of these documents deemed to be "furnished" or not deemed to be "filed," including the portions of these documents that are furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K, including any exhibits included with such Items):

 

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024;

 

the information included in our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 11, 2024, to the extent incorporated by reference in Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023;

 

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on May 3, 2024 and for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 filed with the SEC on August 6, 2024;

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 26, 2024, March 1, 2024, May 23, 2024, and June 20, 2024; and

 

the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on April 15, 2019 pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act and including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. 

 

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement all documents (other than the portions of such documents deemed to be "furnished" or not deemed to be "filed," including the portions of these documents that are furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K, including any exhibits included with such Items) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement but prior to the termination of the offering. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

 

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement but not delivered with the prospectus supplement, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests should be directed to: Palomar Holdings, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 7979 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 500, La Jolla, California, 92037.

 

Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of the document to the extent that a statement contained in this document or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document modifies or supersedes the statement.

 

 

 
 

 

PROSPECTUS

https://cdn.kscope.io/16690a76ff0883317e686cbd747393cf-plmr20240621_s3asrimg001.jpg

 

 

 

PALOMAR HOLDINGS, INC.
 Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
Rights to Purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
Debt Securities or Units

 

We may from time to time offer and sell, in one or more series or classes, separately or together, the securities described in this prospectus.

 

We will offer our securities in amounts, at prices, and on terms to be determined at the time we offer those securities. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus when we offer these securities.

 

The securities may be offered on a delayed or continuous basis directly by us, through agents, underwriters, or dealers as designated from time to time, through a combination of these methods or any other method as provided in any applicable prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

 

Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "PLMR."

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" on page 3 of this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement for a discussion of risks that you should consider before you invest in our securities.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is August 8, 2024.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

   

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

  1

PALOMAR HOLDINGS, INC.

  2

RISK FACTORS

  3

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  4

USE OF PROCEEDS

  5

THE SECURITIES THAT WE MAY OFFER

  6

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

  7

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

  10

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

  11

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

  18

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

  19

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

  20

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

  22

LEGAL MATTERS

  24

EXPERTS

  24

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

  25

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

  26

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 

 

This prospectus is part of an automatic "shelf" registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a "well-known seasoned issuer" as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. By using the shelf registration process, we may sell any of the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer and such description is not meant to be a complete description of each security. Each time we sell securities, we will, if required, provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering and the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus may also add to, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any supplement or free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference.

 

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any applicable free writing prospectus, or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of the respective dates of such documents or on the date or dates which are specified in such documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

Throughout this prospectus, unless the context otherwise indicates, the terms "Palomar," "we," "us," "our," and "our company" refer to Palomar Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 

PALOMAR HOLDINGS, INC.

Overview

 

We are a specialty insurance company that provides property and casualty insurance products to individuals and businesses. We use our underwriting and analytical expertise to provide innovative solutions in five product categories: Earthquake, Inland Marine and Other Property, Casualty, Fronting and Crop. We use proprietary data analytics and a modern technology platform to offer our customers flexible products with customized and granular pricing for both the admitted and excess and surplus lines markets. We distribute our products through multiple channels, including retail agents, program administrators, wholesale brokers, and partnerships with other insurance companies.

 

For a description of our business, financial condition, results of operations and other important information regarding Palomar, we refer you to our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus. For instructions on how to find copies of these documents, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

We launched our principal operations in 2014. We were originally incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands in October 2013 and domesticated as a Delaware corporation on March 14, 2019. Our principal executive offices are located at 7979 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 500, La Jolla, California, 92037, and our telephone number is (619) 567 5290. Our website address is www.plmr.com. The information on or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any such information as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase our common stock.

 

 

RISK FACTORS
 

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, we urge you to carefully consider the risk factors described in our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, pricing supplement, or free writing prospectus used in connection with an offering of our securities, as well as the information relating to us identified herein in "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, " before making an investment decision. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 

This prospectus may contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "may", "will", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "could", "intends", "target", "projects", "contemplates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "would", "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our future financial performance, our business prospects and strategy, anticipated financial position, liquidity and capital needs and other similar matters. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, among others, our strategy for growth, catastrophe exposure management, product development, investment results, regulatory approvals, market position, and financial results. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Important factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements are discussed in our periodic reports filed with the SEC.

 

All subsequent written and oral forward‑looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in our periodic reports filed with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward‑looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities described in this prospectus for general corporate purposes.

 

 

THE SECURITIES THAT WE MAY OFFER

 

We, directly or through underwriters, dealers, or agents designated by us from time to time, may offer, issue, and sell, together or separately, an indeterminate amount of:

 

 

shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share;

 

shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share;

 

debt securities;

 

warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock and/or our debt securities;

 

units consisting of two or more of the securities described above; or

 

rights to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, warrants, units or our debt securities.

 

The common stock, the preferred stock, the debt securities, the warrants, the units, and the rights to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, warrants, debt securities or units collectively are referred to in this prospectus as the "securities."

 

We have summarized below the material terms of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the detailed terms of the securities offered by that supplement. If indicated in the prospectus supplement, the terms of the offered securities may differ from the terms summarized below.

 

This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless it is accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
 

We are presently authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of $0.0001 par value common stock. As of June 30, 2024, there were 24,984,638 shares of our common stock outstanding.

 

Voting Rights

 

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share of common stock. Holders of shares of common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote of stockholders. We have not provided for cumulative voting for the election of directors in our certificate of incorporation.

 

Economic Rights

 

Dividends. Subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of outstanding shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available if our board of directors, in its discretion, determines to issue dividends and only then at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine. Any dividend or distributions paid or payable to the holders of shares of common stock shall be paid pro rata, on an equal priority, pari passu basis.

 

Right to Receive Liquidation Distributions. Upon our dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, the assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders shall be distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock, subject to prior satisfaction of all outstanding debt and liabilities and the preferential rights and payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

 

Other Matters. Holders of common stock have no preemptive, conversion, or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences, and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock, which we may designate and issue in the future.

 

Choice of Forum

 

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative form, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for: (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty by any of our directors, officers, employees or stockholders owed to us or our stockholders; (3) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation, or our bylaws; or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. However, this exclusive forum provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act. Furthermore, this provision applies to Securities Act claims and Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provision, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

Classified Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors be divided into three classes, with the classes as nearly equal in number as possible and each class serving three-year staggered terms. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. The classification of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our board. Beginning with the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, our board of directors will be declassified, which change will be phased-in over a three-year period.

 

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors may only be removed for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of our stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class. Any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of our directors then in office.

 

Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders

 

Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of our preferred stock then outstanding, any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of our stockholders.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer or by the secretary at the direction of a majority of the directors then in office.

 

Supermajority approval requirements

 

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation's certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation's certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of our board of directors or the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the votes that all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in an annual election of directors, provided, however, that commencing with our 2027 annual meeting of stockholders any such amendment or repeal shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the votes which all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in an election of directors is required to amend, repeal, or adopt any provisions inconsistent with, any of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation described in the prior two paragraphs as well as certain other persons.

 

Authorized But Unissued Shares

 

The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the listing standards of Nasdaq. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate finance transactions, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could make more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

The foregoing provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by our board of directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management or delaying or preventing a transaction that might benefit you or other minority stockholders.

 

In addition, we are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. Subject to certain exceptions, Section 203 prevents a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with any "interested stockholder" for three years following the date that the person became an interested stockholder, unless the interested stockholder attained such status with the approval of our board of directors or unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A "business combination" includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving us and the "interested stockholder" and the sale of more than 10% of our assets. In general, an "interested stockholder" is any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

 

 

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification

 

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors' fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. Our certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of these provisions is to eliminate the rights of us and our stockholders, through stockholders' derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages from a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior. Exculpation to does apply to any breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to our company or our stockholders, any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL; or any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit

 

Our bylaws provide that we must indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. We also are expressly authorized to carry directors' and officers' liability insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers, and certain employees for some liabilities.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The address of the transfer agent and registrar is 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021.

 

Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol "PLMR."

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 

We have authority to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of June 30, 2024, we had no shares of preferred stock outstanding, and we have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock. Under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to direct us to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.

 

The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 

The following is a general description of the terms of debt securities we may issue from time to time unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Particular terms of any debt securities we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities.

 

As required by Federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, any debt securities we issue will be governed by a document called an "indenture," the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We have summarized the general features of the debt securities to be governed by the indenture. The summary is not complete. An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on behalf of the holders of the debt securities, and is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce holders' rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on holders' behalf, described in the second paragraph under "Description of Debt SecuritiesEvents of Default." Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties, such as sending interest and principal payments to holders.

 

Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of any debt securities we may issue or the indenture governing any such debt securities. Particular terms of any debt securities we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, and we urge you to read the applicable executed indenture, which will be filed with the SEC at the time of any offering of debt securities, because it, and not this description, will define the rights of holders of such debt securities.

 

A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of debt securities we may issue, including some or all of the following:

 

 

the designation or title of the series of debt securities;

 

the total principal amount of the series of debt securities, the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued and whether the offering may be reopened for additional securities of that series and on what terms;

 

the percentage of the principal amount at which the series of debt securities will be offered;

 

the date or dates on which principal will be payable;

 

the rate or rates (which may be either fixed or variable) and/or the method of determining such rate or rates of interest, if any;

 

the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or the method of determining such date or dates, and the date or dates on which any interest will be payable;

 

the terms for redemption, extension or early repayment, if any;

 

the currencies in which the series of debt securities are issued and payable;

 

whether the amount of payments of principal, interest or premium, if any, on a series of debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method and how these amounts will be determined;

 

the place or places of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities;

 

the provision for any sinking fund;

 

any restrictive covenants;

 

events of default;

 

whether the series of debt securities are issuable in certificated form;

 

any provisions for legal defeasance or covenant defeasance;

 

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option);

 

any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities;

 

whether the debt securities are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;

 

any listing of the debt securities on any securities exchange;

 

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. Federal income tax considerations, including those related to original issue discount, if applicable; and

 

any other material terms.

 

 

The debt securities may be secured or unsecured obligations. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal, interest and premium, if any, will be paid by us in immediately available funds.

 

General

 

The indenture may provide that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities ("offered debt securities") and any debt securities issuable upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities ("underlying debt securities") may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.

 

For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.

 

Debt securities issued under an indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the "indenture securities." The indenture may also provide that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of securities issued thereunder. See "Description of Debt SecuritiesResignation of Trustee" below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under an indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term "indenture securities" means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under an indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under an indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

 

We refer you to the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities we may issue from time to time for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection, that will be applicable with respect to such debt securities.  

 

We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.

 

Conversion and Exchange

 

If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the related prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee's records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, often approximately two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the "record date." Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called "accrued interest."

 

 

Events of Default

 

Holders of debt securities of any series will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the debt securities of such series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection. The term "Event of Default" in respect of the debt securities of any series means any of the following:

 

 

we do not pay the principal of, or any premium on, a debt security of the series on its due date;

 

we do not pay interest on a debt security of the series within 30 days of its due date;

 

we do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of the series on its due date and we do not cure this default within five days;

 

we remain in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of the series for 90 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of debt securities of the series;

 

we file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur; and

 

any other Event of Default occurs in respect of debt securities of the series described in the prospectus supplement.

 

An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal, premium or interest, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

 

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

 

If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series if the default is cured or waived and certain other conditions are satisfied.

 

Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee typically is not required to take any action under an indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an "indemnity"). If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances.

 

Before a holder is allowed to bypass the trustee and bring its own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce its rights or protect its interests relating to any debt securities, the following must occur:

 

 

the holder must give the trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured;

 

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action;

 

the trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity; and

 

the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during that 60-day period.

 

However, a holder is entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on its debt securities on or after the due date. Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

 

 

Waiver of Default

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities may waive a default for all such series of debt securities. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it had not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on a holder's debt security, however, without the holder's approval.

 

Merger or Consolidation

 

Under the terms of an indenture, we may be permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We may also be permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, typically we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

 

 

if we do not survive such transaction or we convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety, the acquiring company must be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust, or other corporate form, organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such company must agree to be legally responsible for our debt securities, and, if not already subject to the jurisdiction of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, the new company must submit to such jurisdiction for all purposes with respect to the debt securities and appoint an agent for service of process;

 

alternatively, we must be the surviving company;

 

immediately after the transaction no Event of Default will exist;

 

we must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee; and

 

we must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities.

 

Modification or Waiver

 

There are three types of changes we may make to an indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder.

 

Changes Requiring Approval

 

First, there are changes that we cannot make to debt securities without specific approval of all of the holders. The following is a list of the types of changes that may require specific approval:

 

 

change the stated maturity of the principal of or rate of interest on a debt security;

 

reduce any amounts due on a debt security;

 

reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default;

 

at any time after a change of control has occurred, reduce any premium payable upon a change of control;

 

change the place or currency of payment on a debt security (except as otherwise described in the prospectus or prospectus supplement);

 

impair the right of holders to sue for payment;

 

adversely affect any right to convert or exchange a debt security in accordance with its terms;

 

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture;

 

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults;

 

modify any other aspect of the provisions of the indenture dealing with supplemental indentures, modification and waiver of past defaults, changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of certain covenants; and

 

change any obligation we have to pay additional amounts.

 

Changes Not Requiring Approval

 

The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect, including the addition of covenants and guarantees. We also do not need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the indenture after the change takes effect.

 

 

Changes Requiring Majority Approval

 

Any other change to the indenture and the debt securities may require the following approval:

 

 

if the change affects only one series of debt securities, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of that series; and

 

if the change affects more than one series of debt securities issued under the same indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series affected by the change, with all affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series of debt securities issued under an indenture, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance obligations with respect to some of our covenants in that indenture. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under "Description of Debt SecuritiesModification or WaiverChanges Requiring Approval."

 

Further Details Concerning Voting

 

When taking a vote on proposed changes to the indenture and the debt securities, we expect to use the following rules to decide how much principal to attribute to a debt security:

 

 

for original issue discount securities, we will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if the maturity of these debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default;

 

for debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that debt security described in the related prospectus supplement; and

 

for debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent.

 

Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under "Description of Debt SecuritiesDefeasanceLegal Defeasance."

 

We generally will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within 11 months following the record date.

 

Book-entry and other indirect holders will need to consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.

 

Defeasance

 

The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and legal defeasance will not be applicable to that series.

 

Covenant Defeasance

 

We can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called "covenant defeasance." In that event, the holders would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay holders' debt securities. If applicable, a holder also would be released from the subordination provisions described under "Description of Debt SecuritiesIndenture ProvisionsSubordination" below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

 

 

If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates;

 

 

 

We may be required to deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current U.S. Federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing the holders to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity; and

 

We must deliver to the trustee certain documentation stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with.

 

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, holders can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, holders may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

 

Legal Defeasance

 

As described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called "legal defeasance"), (1) if there is a change in U.S. Federal tax law that allows us to effect the release without causing the holders to be taxed any differently than if the release had not occurred, and (2) if we put in place the following other arrangements for holders to be repaid:

 

 

If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates;

 

We may be required to deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current U.S. Federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing the holders to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current U.S. Federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we paid each holder its share of the cash and notes or bonds at the time the cash and notes or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for its debt securities and holders would recognize gain or loss on the debt securities at the time of the deposit; and

 

We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion and officers' certificate stating that all conditions precedent to legal defeasance have been complied with.

 

If we ever did accomplish legal defeasance, as described above, holders would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. Holders could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If applicable, holders would also be released from the subordination provisions described later under "Description of Debt SecuritiesIndenture ProvisionsSubordination."

 

Resignation of Trustee

 

Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to such series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.

 

Indenture ProvisionsSubordination

 

Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (defined below), but our obligation to holders to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), interest or sinking fund, if any, may be made on such subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), interest and sinking fund, if any, on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money's worth.

 

 

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment from us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the holders of such subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.

 

By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of any subordinated debt securities. The related indenture will provide that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the indenture.

"Senior Indebtedness" will be defined in an applicable indenture as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:

 

 

our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us), whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed (other than indenture securities issued under the indenture and denominated as subordinated debt securities), unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or under which the same is outstanding it is provided that this indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities; and

 

renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any of such indebtedness.

 

The prospectus supplement accompanying any series of indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities will set forth the approximate amount of our Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.

 

Trustee

 

We intend to name the indenture trustee for each series of indenture securities in the related prospectus supplement.

 

Certain Considerations Relating to Foreign Currencies

 

Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock, preferred stock, or debt securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. If a series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and the investors or a warrant agent, we will so specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following summary of the material provisions of the warrants and warrant agreements is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrants and any warrant agreement applicable to a particular series of warrants. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the complete warrants and warrant agreements that contain the terms of the warrants.

 

The material terms of any issue of warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the issue. Those terms may include:

 

 

the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase such shares and the price at which such number of shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

a summary of the designation and terms (including, without limitation, liquidation, dividend, conversion and voting rights) of the series of preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of warrants to purchase preferred stock as set forth in the certificate of designation for such series of preferred stock;

 

the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a debt warrant and the exercise price for the warrants, which may be payable in cash, securities or other property;

 

the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

 

the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to the warrants; and

 

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise and settlement of the warrants.

 

Each warrant will entitle its holder to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or the number of shares of preferred stock or common stock at the exercise price set forth in, or calculable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new warrant certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holder of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any rights to receive payments of principal, premium or interest on the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Until any warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock are exercised, the holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock or preferred stock, including any rights to receive dividends or payments upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up on the common stock or preferred stock, if any.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
 

We may issue units consisting of any combination of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock or debt securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series. We may elect to evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate unit agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

 

The following description, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. You should read any prospectus supplement related to the series of units being offered, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms, and we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of each unit agreement relating to units offered under this prospectus.

 

If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:

 

 

the title of the series of units;

 

identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

 

the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

 

the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

 

a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

 

any other material terms of the units and their constituent securities.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
 

The following is a general description of the terms of the rights we may issue from time to time unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Particular terms of any rights we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such rights.

 

General

 

We may issue rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or units. Rights may be issued independently or together with other securities and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering to our stockholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting, backstop or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. In connection with a rights offering to our stockholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the rights and a prospectus supplement to our stockholders on or about the record date that we set for receiving rights in such rights offering.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any rights we may issue, including some or all of the following:

 

 

the title and aggregate number of the rights;

 

the subscription price or a formula for the determination of the subscription price for the rights and the currency or currencies in which the subscription price may be payable;

 

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the rights are issued and the number of rights issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

 

the number or a formula for the determination of the number of the rights issued to each stockholder;

 

the extent to which the rights are transferable;

 

in the case of rights to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one right;

 

in the case of rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the type of stock and number of shares of stock purchasable upon exercise of one right;

 

the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the rights will expire (subject to any extension);

 

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the rights that may be exercised at any one time;

 

the extent to which such rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;

 

if applicable, the procedures for adjusting the subscription price and number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of each right upon the occurrence of certain events, including stock splits, reverse stock splits, combinations, subdivisions or reclassifications of common stock or preferred stock;

 

the effect on the rights of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business;

 

the terms of any rights to redeem or call the rights;

 

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the rights;

 

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting, backstop or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the rights offering;

 

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. Federal income tax considerations; and

 

any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights.

 

Exercise of Rights

 

Each right will entitle the holder to purchase for cash or other consideration such shares of stock or principal amount of securities at the subscription price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the rights offered thereby. Rights may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement beginning on the date specified therein and continuing until the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the rights offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised rights will become void.

 

 

Upon receipt of payment and a subscription certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the rights represented by such subscription certificate are exercised, a new subscription certificate will be issued for the remaining rights. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the rights may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for rights.

 

We may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to stockholders, persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting, backstop or other arrangements, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Prior to exercising their rights, holders of rights will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon subscription, including, in the case of rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights or, in the case of rights to purchase debt securities, the right to receive principal, premium, if any, or interest payments, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture.

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades, or a combination of these methods or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, and/or directly to one or more purchasers. The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

 

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

at negotiated prices.

 

Each time that we sell securities covered by this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement or supplements that will describe the method of distribution and set forth the terms and conditions of the offering of such securities, including the offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us, if applicable.

 

Offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus may be solicited directly. Agents may also be designated to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities will be identified in a prospectus supplement.

 

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, the securities will be sold to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

 

If an underwriter is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter at the time of sale and the name of any underwriter will be provided in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

 

Any compensation paid to underwriters, dealers, or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers, and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers, and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof and to reimburse those persons for certain expenses.

 

Any common stock issued by us will be traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market unless we specify otherwise in the prospectus supplement, but any other securities may or may not be publicly traded or listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

 

 

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, underwriters or other persons acting as agents may be authorized to solicit offers by institutions or other suitable purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may include, among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, and educational and charitable institutions. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities covered by the delayed delivery contracts will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.

 

We may engage in at-the-market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

 

The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

 

 
LEGAL MATTERS
 

The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by DLA Piper LLP (US), San Diego, California. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers, or agents by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 
EXPERTS
 

The consolidated financial statements of Palomar Holdings, Inc. (the Company) appearing in the Company's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of Palomar Holdings, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 

We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with that act, file periodic reports and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains all reports and other information that we file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

 

This prospectus is part of an automatic "shelf" registration statement on Form S-3ASR that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act for the securities offered under this prospectus, or the Form S-3 Registration Statement. The Form S-3 Registration Statement, including the exhibits to the Form S-3 Registration Statement, contains additional information about us and the securities offered by this prospectus. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit from this prospectus certain information that is included in the Form S-3 Registration Statement. For further information about us and our securities, you should review the Form S-3 Registration Statement and the exhibits filed with the Form S-3 Registration Statement.

 

 
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
 

The SEC allows us to incorporate into this prospectus by reference the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to the documents containing that information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we later file with the SEC will automatically update and, where applicable, modify or supersede that information.

 

We incorporate by reference the following documents previously filed with the SEC:

 

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024;

 

the information included in our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 11, 2024, to the extent incorporated by reference in Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023;

 

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on May 3, 2024 and the quarter ended June 30, 2024 filed with the SEC on August 6, 2024;

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 26, 2024, March 1, 2024, May 23, 2024, and June 20, 2024; and

 

the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on April 15, 2019 pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act and including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. 

 

All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the filing of the Form S-3 Registration Statement, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the Form S-3 Registration Statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Form S-3 Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all such securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document that is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no portion of any document that is "furnished" but not "filed" in accordance with SEC rules under Exchange Act shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

You may request a copy of any of these filings from us at no cost by writing or calling our Chief Legal Officer at the following address or telephone number: Palomar Holdings, Inc., 7979 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 500, La Jolla, California, 92037; Telephone: (619) 567 5290.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,200,000 Shares

 

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/16690a76ff0883317e686cbd747393cf-logo.jpg

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
        , 2024

 


 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

J.P. Morgan

Evercore ISI

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

A Stifel Company