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CLF Cash Redeems Preferred; 10% Diluted Share Count Reduction!

“ The buyback is done, and the total cash spent is less than the free cash flow we expect to generate this quarter.”

https://www.clevelandcliffs.com/news/news-releases/detail/527/cleveland-cliffs-completes-redemption-of-all-outstanding

July 28, 2021 1:00am EDT

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF) announced today that it has completed the redemption of the entirety of its outstanding Series B Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock held by an affiliate of ArcelorMittal S.A. for approximately $1.2 billion, or $21.18 per common share for the equivalent of approximately 58 million common shares. The redemption was completed with existing liquidity. The elimination of the preferred shares from Cleveland-Cliffs’ capital structure reduces the Company’s diluted share count by 10% on a pro-forma basis.

Lourenco Goncalves, Cleveland-Cliffs’ Chairman, President, and CEO, said: “Given the strength of our business fundamentals and where our common shares have been trading, the buyback of the preferred shares at an attractive price was a no-brainer, highly accretive deal for our shareholders. We actually believe this transaction is even better than a common share buyback, because we acquired the entire tranche at a 20-day VWAP without making any noise in the market. The buyback is done, and the total cash spent is less than the free cash flow we expect to generate this quarter.”