Tiffany Lands Warren Buffett Debt (TIF, BRK-A)

Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF)  scored the big fish.  The luxury jewelry retailer issued notes to Warren Buffett’s via units of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (NYSE: BRK-A).

The SEC filing shows that the notes were issued Feb. 12, 2009 in the amount of $250 million of its 10.00% Series A-2009 and Series B-2009 Senior Notes to subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

The transaction is also exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

The “Series A-2009 Notes” are $125 million and mature on February 13, 2017.   The Series B-2009 Notes are $125 million and mature on February 13, 2019.

The  proceeds are earmarked for the refinancing of existing debt and for general corporate  purposes.  These also require lump sum repayments at maturity and include specific financial covenants, ratios, and limit certain payments, investments, and debt.

Jon C. Ogg
February 13, 2009