UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

___________________

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

March 6, 2017

 

___________________

 

GARTNER, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE   1-14443   04-3099750
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

P.O. Box 10212

56 Top Gallant Road

Stamford, CT 06904-2212

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

 

(203) 316-1111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[X] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

ITEM 8.01. OTHER EVENTS

 

On March 6, 2017, in connection with the previously announced definitive merger agreement, dated as of January 5, 2017 (the “Merger Agreement”) between Gartner, Inc. (the “Company”), and CEB, Inc. (“CEB”), CEB delivered a conditional notice of redemption with respect to its $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.625% Senior Notes due 2023. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth therein, CEB will redeem the notes on April 5, 2017 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the indenture governing the notes.

 

The redemption of the notes by CEB is subject to and conditioned upon the consummation of the transactions under the Merger Agreement (the “Merger”), whereby the Company will acquire all of the outstanding shares of CEB in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $2.6 billion. Including the redemption, the Company will refinance approximately $0.9 billion of CEB’s debt. Closing of the transaction is subject to the approval of CEB’s shareholders and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. CEB may from time to time delay the redemption date until the conditions have been met or rescind the redemption.

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a notice of redemption or an offer to tender for, or purchase, any notes or any other security. There can be no assurances that the conditions precedent to the redemption will be satisfied or waived or that the redemption will occur on the terms described or at all.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Gartner’s 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,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern Gartner’s expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. Gartner’s expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including but not limited to:

·failure of CEB stockholders to adopt the Merger Agreement or that the companies will otherwise be unable to consummate the Merger on the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement;
·the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully;
·the risk that synergies will not be realized or realized to the extent anticipated;
·uncertainty as to the market value of the Gartner merger consideration to be paid in the Merger;
·the risk that required governmental approvals of the Merger will not be obtained;
·the risk that, following this transaction, Gartner will not realize its financing or operating strategies;
·litigation in respect of either company or the Merger; and
·disruption from the Merger making it more difficult to maintain certain strategic relationships.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Current Report are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in Gartner’s filings with the SEC, including Gartner’s

 

 

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the SEC on February 22, 2017 and those discussed in “Risk Factors” in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Gartner on February 6, 2017, as amended thereafter, and in the documents which are incorporated by reference therein. The forward-looking statements in this Current Report are based on information available to Gartner as of the date hereof, and Gartner disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication references a proposed business combination involving Gartner and CEB. In connection with the proposed transaction, Gartner has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that included the preliminary proxy statement of CEB and that also constitutes a prospectus of Gartner. The information in the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Gartner may not issue the common stock referenced in the proxy statement/prospectus until the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC becomes effective. The preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, this Current Report on Form 8-K and any related communication are not offers to sell Gartner securities, are not soliciting an offer to buy Gartner securities in any state where the offer and sale is not permitted and are not a solicitation of any vote or approval. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of CEB.

GARTNER AND CEB URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain these materials (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Gartner (when they become available) may be obtained free of charge on Gartner’s website at www.gartner.com or by directing a written request to Gartner, Inc., Investor Relations, 56 Top Gallant Road Stamford, CT 06902-7747. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by CEB (when they become available) may be obtained free of charge on CEB’s website at www.cebglobal.com or by directing a written request to CEB, Inc. care of Investor Relations, 1919 North Lynn Street, Arlington, VA 22209.

Participants in the Merger Solicitation

Each of Gartner, CEB and their respective directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding these persons who may, under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, be considered participants in the solicitation of CEB stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus described above filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional information regarding Gartner’s executive officers and directors is included in Gartner’s definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 11, 2016. Additional information regarding CEB’s executive officers and directors is included in CEB’s definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2016. You can obtain free copies of these documents using the information in the paragraph immediately above.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

  Gartner, Inc.
     
Date: March 6, 2017 By: /s/ Craig W. Safian
   

Craig W. Safian

Senior Vice President &

Chief Financial Officer