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TABLE OF CONTENTS Prospectus Supplement
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-216789

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these senior notes and are not soliciting an offer to buy these senior notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 7, 2019

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated March 17, 2017)

$            

LOGO

AMPHENOL CORPORATION

        % Senior Notes due



        We are offering $            aggregate principal amount of our        % Senior Notes due            (the "notes"). We will pay interest on the notes semi-annually on            and            of each year, beginning on                        , 2019. We may redeem some or all of the notes from time to time at the applicable redemption prices described in "Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption" in this prospectus supplement. Unless we have previously redeemed the notes, if a Change of Control Repurchase Event (as defined herein) occurs, we will be required to offer to repurchase the notes at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase as described under "Description of the Notes—Change of Control" in this prospectus supplement.

        The notes will be our unsecured senior obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

        The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system.

        Investing in the notes involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement and on page 3 of the accompanying prospectus and the risk factors included in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of certain risks you should consider carefully before investing in the notes.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission 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.



           
 
 
  Price to Public(1)
  Underwriting
Discount

  Proceeds, Before
Expenses, to Us

 

Per note

              %               %               %
 

Total

  $               $               $            

 

(1)
Plus accrued interest, if any, from January     , 2019, if settlement occurs after that date.

        The notes will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, on or about January     , 2019.



Joint Book-Running Managers

Barclays   BofA Merrill Lynch   J.P. Morgan

 

Citigroup   COMMERZBANK   MUFG   TD Securities

   

The date of this prospectus supplement is January     , 2019.


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        This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus we authorize contains and incorporates by reference information that you should consider when making your investment decision. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If you receive any different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.

        You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

        We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell the notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 
  Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

    S-1  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    S-1  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

    S-2  

SUMMARY

    S-4  

RISK FACTORS

    S-11  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    S-15  

CAPITALIZATION

    S-16  

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

    S-17  

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

    S-25  

CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

    S-30  

UNDERWRITING

    S-32  

LEGAL MATTERS

    S-36  

EXPERTS

    S-36  


Prospectus

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    1  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    2  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

    2  

RISK FACTORS

    3  

OUR COMPANY

    3  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    3  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

    4  

DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

    4  

BOOK-ENTRY DELIVERY AND SETTLEMENT

    14  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    18  

LEGAL MATTERS

    20  

EXPERTS

    20  

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

        This prospectus supplement supplements the accompanying prospectus. The accompanying prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), using a "shelf" registration, or continuous offering, process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, at any time and from time to time, issue and sell, in one or more offerings, the senior debt securities, including the notes, described in the accompanying prospectus.

        The accompanying prospectus provides you with a general description of the senior debt securities, and this prospectus supplement contains specific information about the terms of this offering of the notes. This prospectus supplement, or the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement, or the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, this prospectus supplement, or the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, will apply and will modify or supersede that information in the accompanying prospectus.

        Before making your investment decision, you should read and carefully consider this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the additional information in the documents referred to in the sections entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" in the accompanying prospectus and "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference" in this prospectus supplement.

        Unless otherwise stated, or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus supplement to "we," "us," "our," "Amphenol" and "the Company" are to Amphenol Corporation and, as applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries, except for purposes of the description of the notes included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, where references to such terms refer only to Amphenol Corporation and do not include Amphenol Corporation's subsidiaries. When we refer to the "notes" in this prospectus supplement, we mean the notes being offered by this prospectus supplement, unless we state otherwise.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Certain statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, that are not purely historical information, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which relate to future, not past, events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements, which address the Company's expected business and financial performance and financial condition, among other matters, may contain words such as "anticipate," "could," "continue," "expect," "estimate," "forecast," "ongoing," "project," "seek," "predict," "target," "will," "intend," "plan,", "optimistic," "potential," "guidance," "may," "should" or "would" and other words and terms of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates, projections and information concerning our possible or assumed future business plans and strategies, results of operations, competitive position, potential operating performance improvements, the effects of competition and the effects of future legislation or regulations.

        Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about expected earnings, revenues, growth, liquidity or other financial matters. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements, including those with regards to results of operations, liquidity or our effective tax rate and the related impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), are based upon reasonable assumptions, the expectations may not be attained or there may be material deviation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which

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they are made. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: our dependence on sales to the communications industry, which markets are dominated by large manufacturers and operators who regularly exert significant pressure on suppliers such as us; our dependence on sales to the military market, including the impact of reductions or changes in the defense budgets of U.S. and foreign governments; our ability to compete successfully on the basis of technology innovation, product quality, price, customer service and delivery time; our ability to continue to conceive, design, source and market new products, as well as market acceptance of our existing and future product lines, for continued revenue growth; our ability to access the capital markets on favorable terms, including as a result of significant deterioration of general economic or capital market conditions, or as a result of a downgrade in our credit rating; changes in exchange rates of the various currencies in which we conduct business, including possible currency devaluations; changes in interest rates which could impact existing or future issuances of debt; changes in tax laws, regulations and guidance, including related interpretations, in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, such as the Tax Act; political, economic, financial or other instability, intergovernmental conflicts or actions, strikes or natural disasters; the impact of general economic conditions, geopolitical conditions and U.S. trade policies, legislation, treaties and tariffs, including those affecting China, on our business operations; difficulties and unanticipated expenses in connection with purchasing and integrating newly acquired businesses as part of our growth strategy, including the potential for the impairment of goodwill; our ability to obtain a consistent supply of materials, at stable pricing levels, used in our manufacturing processes, including aluminum, steel, copper, titanium, metal alloys, gold, silver, certain rare earth metals and plastic resins; litigation or environmental matters including changes to laws and regulations that we may be subject to; and cybersecurity threats or incidents that could arise. Such forward-looking statements may also be impacted by, among other things, clarifications to and additional guidance under the Tax Act. More specifically, on December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted and it significantly revised U.S. corporate income tax law by, among other things, reducing the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21% and implementing a modified territorial tax system that includes a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The provisional income tax charge recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017 incorporated assumptions based on our then-current interpretation of the Tax Act and information then available. We continue to obtain, prepare and fully analyze all of the necessary information in order to complete our accounting of the Tax Act, which we expect will require immaterial adjustments in the fourth quarter of 2018 related to this charge.

        A further discussion of these uncertainties and other risks is described under the caption "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement and included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other reports filed with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference herein. These or other uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in any forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.


INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus supplement the information that we have filed with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement, and the information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and, where applicable, modify or supersede the information in this prospectus supplement and the documents listed below. We hereby "incorporate by reference" the following documents that have been or will be filed with the SEC:

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        We are not, however, incorporating any documents or information that are deemed to have been furnished rather than filed in accordance with SEC rules.

        You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and number:

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SUMMARY

        This summary highlights selected information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the notes. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including the information incorporated by reference, especially the risks of investing in the notes described under "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement in addition to the risks described under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein, and our financial statements and the notes to those statements incorporated by reference herein before you decide to invest in the notes. See also "Where You Can Find More Information" in the accompanying prospectus.


Our Company

        We are one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of electrical, electronic and fiber optic connectors, interconnect systems, antennas, sensors and sensor-based products and coaxial and high-speed specialty cable. Certain predecessor businesses of the Company were founded in 1932, and the Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1986.

        We operate through two reporting segments: (i) Interconnect Products and Assemblies and (ii) Cable Products and Solutions. The Interconnect Products and Assemblies segment primarily designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of connector and connector systems, value-add products and other products, including antennas and sensors, used in a broad range of applications in a diverse set of end markets. Interconnect products include connectors, which when attached to an electrical, electronic or fiber optic cable, a printed circuit board or other device, facilitate transmission of power or signals. Value-add systems generally consist of a system of cable, flexible circuits or printed circuit boards and connectors for linking electronic equipment. The Cable Products and Solutions segment primarily designs, manufactures and markets cable, value-add products and components for use primarily in the broadband communications and information technology markets as well as certain applications in other markets.

        Our overall strategy is to provide our customers with comprehensive design capabilities, a broad selection of products and a high level of service on a worldwide basis while maintaining continuing programs of productivity improvement and cost control.

        Our principal executive offices are located at 358 Hall Avenue, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, and our main telephone number is (203) 265-8900. Our website is located at http://www.amphenol.com. The information on our website, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

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The Offering

        The following summary contains basic information about the notes and is not intended to be complete. For a more complete understanding of the notes, please refer to the sections entitled "Description of the Notes" in this prospectus supplement and "Description of the Senior Debt Securities" in the accompanying prospectus. For purposes of the description of notes included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, references to "we," "us" and "our" refer only to Amphenol Corporation and do not include our subsidiaries.

Issuer

  Amphenol Corporation.

Securities Offered

 

$                aggregate principal amount of            % Senior Notes due                                .

Maturity Date

 

The notes will mature on                ,                 .

Interest and Payment Dates

 

The notes will bear interest at an annual rate of            %.

 

Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually on                and                of each year, beginning on                        , 2019.

Optional Redemption

 

We may redeem some or all of the notes from time to time at the applicable redemption prices described in "Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption" in this prospectus supplement.

Repurchase upon a Change of Control

 

The occurrence of a "Change of Control Repurchase Event" (as defined under "Description of the Notes—Change of Control" in this prospectus supplement) will require us to offer to repurchase from you all or a portion of your notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant interest record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date). See "Description of the Notes—Change of Control" in this prospectus supplement.

Ranking

 

The notes will:

 

be our general unsecured senior obligations;

 

be effectively subordinated in right of payment to any future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt;

 

be structurally subordinated to any indebtedness of our subsidiaries, including certain of our subsidiaries' obligations to guarantee our indebtedness under our revolving credit facility;

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rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, including indebtedness under our revolving credit facility, our 2.550% Senior Notes due 2019 (the "2019 Notes") (which we intend to repay with the net proceeds of this offering), our 2.200% Senior Notes due 2020, our 3.125% Senior Notes due 2021, our 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022, our 3.200% Senior Notes due 2024, and with our guarantee of the 2.000% Senior Notes due 2028 (the "2028 Notes") issued by our subsidiary, Amphenol Technologies Holding GmbH; and

 

be senior in right of payment to any future senior subordinated or subordinated debt.

 

As of September 30, 2018, on an as-adjusted basis after giving effect to (i) the October 2018 offering of €500 million principal amount of 2028 Notes, issued by our subsidiary, Amphenol Technologies Holding GmbH, and guaranteed by us and (ii) this offering of the notes, and the application of the net proceeds thereof (including the repayment of our outstanding $750 million principal amount of 2019 Notes, which mature on January 30, 2019), as more fully described in "Use of Proceeds" in this prospectus supplement:

 

we would have had approximately $            million of unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness (including the notes, our 2.20% Senior Notes due 2020, our 3.125% Senior Notes due 2021, our 4.00% Senior Notes due 2022, our 3.20% Senior Notes due 2024 and our 2028 Notes), all of which would constitute senior indebtedness;

 

we would have had no secured indebtedness to which the notes would have been effectively subordinated; and

 

our subsidiaries (other than Amphenol Technologies Holding GmbH, the issuer of the 2028 Notes, which are guaranteed by us) would have had approximately $49.6 million of indebtedness to which the notes would have been structurally subordinated.

Covenants

 

We will issue the notes under an indenture with The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The indenture, among other things, limits our ability to:

 

incur liens on Principal Property (as defined under "Description of the Senior Debt Securities—Definitions" in the accompanying prospectus);

 

engage in certain sale/leaseback transactions; and

 

consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another person.

 

These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. For more details, see "Description of the Senior Debt Securities—Covenants" in the accompanying prospectus.

   

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Absence of Public Market for the Notes

 

The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for a listing of the notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any market for the notes. The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and any market making with respect to the notes may be discontinued without notice. See "Risk Factors—Your ability to transfer the notes may be limited since there is no public market for the notes, and we do not know if an active trading market will ever develop, or if a market does develop, whether it will be sustained" in this prospectus supplement.

Use of Proceeds

 

We anticipate that the net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $            million, after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay certain of our outstanding debt, which we expect will include our outstanding $750 million principal amount of 2019 Notes.

Denominations

 

The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Form of Notes

 

The notes will be issued as fully registered notes, represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the depositary, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). Beneficial interests in the notes will be shown on, and transfers will be effected through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. See "Book-Entry Delivery and Settlement" in the accompanying prospectus.

Governing Law

 

The notes will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

Trustee

 

The Bank of New York Mellon.

Risk Factors

 

Investing in the notes involves risks. In considering whether to purchase the notes, you should carefully consider all of the information set forth in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus with respect to this offering filed by us with the SEC and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. In particular, you should evaluate the specific risks set forth in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement in addition to the risks described under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement.

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Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data

        The following tables set forth certain of our condensed consolidated financial data. The summary financial information presented below as of and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, has been derived from the audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. The unaudited summary historical financial information as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 has been derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, which include, in the opinion of our management, all normal and recurring adjustments that are necessary for the fair presentation of the results for such interim periods and dates. The summary historical consolidated financial information may not be indicative of our future performance. You should read the information in conjunction with the section entitled "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement and in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
  Year Ended December 31,  
(in millions)
  2018   2017   2017   2016   2015  
 
  (unaudited)
   
   
   
 

Statement of Income Data:

                               

Net sales

  $ 5,977.3   $ 5,067.4   $ 7,011.3   $ 6,286.4   $ 5,568.7  

Cost of sales

    4,037.4     3,392.8     4,701.4     4,246.4     3,789.2  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    710.6     642.4     878.3     798.2     669.1  

Operating income (GAAP)(a)

    1,229.3     1,028.2     1,427.6     1,205.2     1,104.7  

Net income attributable to Amphenol Corporation (GAAP)(a)

    866.9     753.9     650.5     822.9     763.5  

Non-GAAP Data:

                               

Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP)(a)

    1,229.3     1,032.2     1,431.6     1,241.8     1,110.4  

Adjusted net income attributable to Amphenol Corporation (non-GAAP)(a)

    852.8     711.8     986.1     856.0     769.2  

Other Data:

                               

Net cash provided by operating activities(b)

    734.5     716.4     1,144.2     1,077.6     1,030.5  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (350.3 )   (293.0 )   (380.2 )   (1,612.7 )   (27.3 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (1,068.6 )   (47.7 )   (140.1 )   (133.5 )   (180.1 )

Capital expenditures

    (208.2 )   (155.8 )   (226.6 )   (190.8 )   (172.1 )

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(c)

    13.0x     12.9x     13.0x     13.7x     13.8x  

 

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
  As of December 31,  
(in millions)
  2018   2017   2017   2016   2015  
 
  (unaudited)
   
   
   
 

Balance Sheet Data:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 998.3   $ 1,452.2   $ 1,719.1   $ 1,034.6   $ 1,737.2  

Short term investments

    21.5     37.4     34.6     138.6     23.2  

Working capital

    1,738.3     2,919.2     3,076.6     1,956.0     2,841.6  

Total assets

    9,742.6     9,608.8     10,003.9     8,498.7     7,458.4  

Total debt(d)

    3,258.5     3,560.8     3,542.6     3,010.7     2,813.5  

Total equity

    4,053.3     4,109.3     4,043.4     3,723.1     3,278.4  

(a)
See "Supplemental Financial Information—Reconciliations of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

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(b)
Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was reduced by certain tax payments of approximately $61 million related to the Tax Act as well as an $81 million payment made to fully fund the Company's U.S. defined benefit pension plans.

(c)
For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for all periods presented, earnings consist of income before taxes plus fixed charges, less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in less than wholly-owned subsidiaries. Fixed charges for all periods presented consist of interest expense including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and approximately one-third of rental expenses on operating leases, representing that portion of rent expense which management believes is representative of the interest component of rent expense.

(d)
Total debt includes long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations.

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Supplemental Financial Information
Reconciliations of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

        Management utilizes the non-GAAP financial measures defined below as part of its internal reviews for purposes of monitoring, evaluating and forecasting the Company's financial performance, communicating operating results to our Board of Directors and assessing related employee compensation measures. Management believes that such non-GAAP financial measures may be helpful to investors in assessing our overall financial performance, trends and period-over-period comparative results. The following non-GAAP financial measures exclude income and expenses that are not directly related to our operating performance during the periods presented. Items excluded in the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures in any period may consist of, without limitation, acquisition-related expenses, refinancing-related costs, and certain discrete tax items including but not limited to (i) the excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation and (ii) the provisional income tax charge recorded in 2017 related to the Tax Act and any subsequent adjustments recorded in 2018 related to this charge. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included below. The following non-GAAP financial information is included for supplemental purposes only and should not be considered in isolation, as a substitute for or superior to the related GAAP financial measures. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are not necessarily the same or comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, as such measures may be calculated differently or may exclude different items. Such non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with our financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.

        The following are reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for the periods presented:

 
  Nine months ended September 30,   Year ended December 31,  
 
  2018   2017   2017   2016   2015  
(in millions)
  Operating
Income
  Net Income
attributable
to Amphenol
Corporation
  Operating
Income
  (unaudited)
Net Income
attributable
to Amphenol
Corporation
  Operating
Income
  Net Income
attributable
to Amphenol
Corporation
  Operating
Income
  Net Income
attributable
to Amphenol
Corporation
  Operating
Income
  Net Income
attributable
to Amphenol
Corporation
 

Reported (GAAP)

  $ 1,229.3   $ 866.9   $ 1,028.2   $ 753.9   $ 1,427.6   $ 650.5   $ 1,205.2   $ 822.9   $ 1,104.7   $ 763.5  

Acquisition-related expenses

            4.0     3.7     4.0     3.7     36.6     33.1     5.7     5.7  

Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation

        (14.1 )       (45.8 )       (66.6 )                

Tax Act Charge

                        398.5                  

Adjusted (non-GAAP)(1)

  $ 1,229.3   $ 852.8   $ 1,032.2   $ 711.8   $ 1,431.6   $ 986.1   $ 1,241.8   $ 856.0   $ 1,110.4   $ 769.2  

(1)
The definitions of the non-GAAP financial measures used are as follows:

        Adjusted Operating Income is defined as Operating Income, excluding income and expenses that are not directly related to the Company's operating performance during the periods presented.

        Adjusted Net Income attributable to Amphenol Corporation is defined as Net Income attributable to Amphenol Corporation, excluding income and expenses and their specific tax effects, that are not directly related to the Company's operating performance during the periods presented.

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RISK FACTORS

        Investing in the notes involves risks. In considering whether to purchase the notes, you should carefully consider all of the information set forth in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus with respect to this offering filed by us with the SEC and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. In particular, you should carefully consider the specific risks described below in addition to the risks described under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein. You could lose part or all of your investment.

        The risks and uncertainties discussed in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein are those we currently believe may materially affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Your ability to transfer the notes may be limited since there is no public market for the notes, and we do not know if an active trading market will ever develop, or if a market does develop, whether it will be sustained.

        The notes will constitute a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or quotation of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system. We cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any trading market for the notes. The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the notes, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and any market-making with respect to the notes may be discontinued at any time without notice. If no active trading market develops, you may be unable to resell your notes at any price or at their fair market value.

If a trading market does develop, changes in our credit ratings or the debt markets could adversely affect the liquidity of any market for the notes.

        The liquidity of any market for the notes will depend on a number of factors, including:

        The condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. Such fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the price of the notes.

        In addition, credit rating agencies continually review their ratings for the companies that they follow, including us. The credit rating agencies also evaluate the industries in which we operate as a whole and may change their credit rating for us based on their overall view of such industries. A negative change in our rating could have an adverse effect on the price of the notes. Therefore, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or the price that you receive when you sell your notes will be favorable.

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Despite our current or future indebtedness level, we may still be able to incur substantially more debt.

        We may be able to incur substantial indebtedness in the future. The terms of the indenture governing the notes will not fully prohibit us from doing so. If we incur any additional indebtedness that ranks equally with the notes, the holders of that debt will be entitled to share ratably with the holders of the notes in any proceeds distributed in connection with any insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up of the Company.

Our debt instruments contain restrictive covenants that may adversely affect our ability to operate our business.

        Our revolving credit facility and the indenture that will govern the notes contain various covenants that limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things:

        In addition, our revolving credit facility contains certain financial covenants, such as a limit on the ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and limits on incurrence of certain liens. Although we were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2018, the ability to meet the financial covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot provide assurance that we will continue to meet those tests. A breach of any of these covenants could also result in a default under our other indebtedness. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under any of our indebtedness, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. If the lenders accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we may not have sufficient assets to repay our revolving credit facility and other indebtedness, including these notes.

We may be unable to generate the cash flow to service our debt obligations, including the notes.

        We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow, or that we will be able to borrow funds under our revolving credit facility, in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our indebtedness, including the notes, or to make anticipated capital expenditures. Our ability to pay our expenses and satisfy our debt obligations, to refinance our debt obligations and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our future performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to borrow sufficient funds in the future to service our debt, we may be required to sell assets, reduce capital expenditures, refinance all or a portion of our existing debt (including the notes) or obtain additional financing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance our debt, sell assets or borrow more money on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Additionally, the covenants contained in our revolving credit facility will restrict our ability to incur additional debt.

We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event.

        Upon the occurrence of a "Change of Control Repurchase Event" (as described under "Description of the Notes—Change of Control" in this prospectus supplement), we will be required to offer to repurchase all of our outstanding senior notes) at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of

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the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant interest record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date). However, we may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event because we may not have sufficient funds to do so. In addition, our future debt agreements may contain provisions that restrict us from repurchasing all of the notes tendered by holders upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event. Our failure to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event would cause a default under the indenture that will govern the notes, which could result in defaults under our other debt agreements and have material adverse consequences for us and the holders of the notes.

        In addition, case law suggests that, in the event that incumbent directors are replaced as a result of a contested election, issuers may nevertheless avoid triggering a change of control under a clause similar to third bullet of the definition of "Change of Control" under the caption "Description of the Notes—Change of Control" in this prospectus supplement, if the outgoing directors were to approve the new directors for the purpose of avoiding the triggering of such change of control clause.

Redemption may adversely affect your return on the notes.

        We have the right to redeem some or all of the notes prior to maturity, as described under "Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption" in this prospectus supplement. We may redeem the notes at times when prevailing interest rates may be relatively low. Accordingly, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the interest rate of the notes being redeemed.

The notes will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to any future secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness.

        The notes will be unsecured and effectively subordinated in right of payment to any future secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness. Although the indenture limits our ability to incur liens on our Principal Property (as defined under "Description of the Senior Debt Securities—Definitions" in the accompanying prospectus), the notes will be effectively subordinated to any future debt secured by Principal Property to the extent permitted by the indenture or by any of our other assets. In the event of our liquidation or insolvency or other events of default on any such secured debt or upon acceleration of the notes in accordance with their terms, we will be permitted to make payment on the notes only after any such secured debt has been paid in full. After paying any such secured debt in full, we may not have sufficient assets remaining to pay any or all amounts due on the notes. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or upon acceleration of the notes, payment on the notes could be less, ratably, than on any such secured debt.

The notes will be structurally subordinated to any indebtedness of our subsidiaries.

        The notes will be structurally subordinated to any indebtedness of our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities, and none of our subsidiaries will guarantee the notes or otherwise have any obligations to make payments in respect of the notes. As a result, claims of holders of the notes will be effectively subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. In the event of any bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or similar proceeding involving one of our subsidiaries, any of our rights or the rights of the holders of the notes to participate in the assets of that subsidiary will be effectively subordinated to the claims of creditors of that subsidiary, and following payment by that subsidiary of its liabilities, the subsidiary may not have sufficient assets remaining to make payments to us as a shareholder or otherwise. As of September 30, 2018, our subsidiaries (other than Amphenol Technologies Holding GmbH, the issuer of the 2028 Notes, which are guaranteed by us) would have had approximately $49.6 million of indebtedness to which the notes would have been structurally subordinated.

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        In addition, certain of our subsidiaries are guarantors under our revolving credit facility. Accordingly, the notes will be structurally subordinated to such subsidiaries' obligations to guarantee our indebtedness under our revolving credit facility.

Our cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness, including the notes, is partially dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries.

        The notes are exclusively our obligations. Our cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness, including the notes, is partially dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries. In addition, we are particularly dependent on the distribution of earnings, loans or other payments by our subsidiaries to us. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Our subsidiaries will have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the notes or to provide us with funds for our payment obligations, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or other payments. In addition, any payment of dividends, distributions, loans or advances by our subsidiaries to us could be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions. Payments to us by our subsidiaries will also be contingent upon our subsidiaries' earnings and business considerations. Our right to receive any assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization, and, therefore, our right to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors. In addition, even if we were a creditor of any of our subsidiaries our right as a creditor would be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of our subsidiaries and any indebtedness of our subsidiaries senior to the indebtedness held by us.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We anticipate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of the notes will be approximately $            million after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

        We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to repay certain of our outstanding debt, which we expect will include our outstanding $750 million principal amount of 2019 Notes.

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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization as of September 30, 2018 on a historical basis and as adjusted to give effect to (i) the sale of €500 million principal amount of 2028 Notes by our subsidiary, Amphenol Technologies Holding GmbH, and guaranteed by us, on October 8, 2018 and the application of the net proceeds thereof as if such offering had occurred on September 30, 2018 and (ii) the sale of the $                         million principal amount of notes offered hereby and the application of the estimated net proceeds thereof as if this offering had occurred on September 30, 2018. See "Use of Proceeds" in this prospectus supplement.

        This table is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the section entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and our consolidated financial statements and related notes in each case incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 
  As of
September 30, 2018
 
(In millions)
  Historical   As Adjusted  

Indebtedness:

             

Short-term borrowings including obligations under capital lease:

             

2.550% Senior Notes due 2019

  $ 749.9   $    

Other

    40.7        

Short-term deferred debt issuance costs

    (0.4 )      

Total short-term borrowings

    790.2        

Long-term debt including obligations under capital lease:

             

Revolving credit facility

           

U.S. Commercial Paper Program

    337.9        

Euro Commercial Paper Program issued by Amphenol Technologies Holding GmbH(a)

    512.9        

2.200% Senior Notes due 2020

    399.8        

3.125% Senior Notes due 2021

    374.9        

4.000% Senior Notes due 2022

    499.6        

3.200% Senior Notes due 2024

    349.7        

2.000% Senior Notes due 2028 of Amphenol Technologies Holding GmbH(a)

           

 % Senior Notes due            offered hereby

           

Other

    2.9        

Long-term deferred debt issuance costs

    (9.4 )      

Total long-term debt

    2,468.3        

Total indebtedness

    3,258.5        

Total equity

    4,053.3        

Total capitalization

  $ 6,521.6   $    

(a)
Based on the closing exchange rate as reported by Bloomberg of U.S. $1.1604=€1.00 as of September 28, 2018.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

        The following description of notes should be read together with the description set forth in the accompanying prospectus under the heading "Description of the Senior Debt Securities." In the event that information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with information in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus supplement.

        The description of notes in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is only a summary and is intended to be a useful overview of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture, but is not intended to be comprehensive. Since this description of notes is only a summary, you should refer to the indenture for a complete description of our obligations and your rights thereunder. We have filed a copy of the indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus is a part.

        The notes are a series of "senior debt securities" as described in the accompanying prospectus. We will issue the notes under an indenture, dated as of November 5, 2009 (as such indenture has been and may be amended from time to time, the "indenture"), between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The terms of the notes include those expressly set forth in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by referencing the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

        We may, without notice to, or the consent of, the registered holders of the notes, issue an unlimited principal amount of additional notes having identical terms and conditions as the notes, other than, in each case, the issue date, issue price and, in some cases, the first interest payment date. We will only be permitted to issue such additional notes if, at the time of such issuance, we are in compliance with the covenants contained in the indenture. Any additional notes will be part of the same issue as the series of notes offered hereby and will vote on all matters with the holders of these notes, provided that if such additional notes are not fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes with the notes offered hereby, such additional notes will be issued with a separate CUSIP number.

        When we refer to "we," "us" or "our" in this section, we refer only to Amphenol Corporation, the issuer of the notes, and not to our subsidiaries. Unless otherwise defined in this section below, capitalized terms used in this "Description of the Notes" section are defined under "Description of the Senior Debt Securities—Definitions" in the accompanying prospectus.

General

        The notes will be initially limited to $            aggregate principal amount in this offering, however, we may issue additional notes at a later time that will be part of the same issue as the series of notes offered hereby as described above. The notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The notes will mature on            ,            (the "Maturity Date") unless earlier redeemed by us, and upon surrender will be repaid at 100% of the principal amount thereof. Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the notes are payable in immediately available funds in U.S. dollars, or in such other coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

        The notes will bear interest at the rate of        % per annum, from January    , 2019, or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for. Interest on the notes shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually on each             and            (each such date is referred to as an "interest payment date"), beginning on                        , 2019, until the principal amount has been paid or made available for payment, to holders of notes at the close of business on the            or            , as the case may be, immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date (each such date is referred to as an "interest record date").

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        Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the notes will be payable, and the notes may be exchanged or transferred, at our office or agency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (which initially shall be the corporate trust office of the trustee, at BNY Mellon Corporate Trust 500 Ross Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15262), except that, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the registered holders of the notes at their registered addresses. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but we or the trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection with such transfer or exchange.

        In any case where the date of payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the notes, including the date, if any, fixed for redemption or repurchase of the notes, shall not be a "business day" (as defined below), then payment of principal, premium or interest need not be made on that date at such place but may be made on the next succeeding business day, with the same force and effect as if made on the applicable payment date or the date fixed for redemption or repurchase, and no interest shall accrue for the period after that date. A "business day" shall mean a day that is not, in New York City, a Saturday, Sunday, a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law to close.

Optional Redemption

        Prior to the Par Call Date (as defined herein), the notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option at any time or from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

        (1)   100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed; and

In the case of each of clauses (1) and (2) above, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes will be payable to the date of redemption.

        On or after the Par Call Date, we may redeem the notes in whole or in part, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

        For purposes of this "—Optional Redemption" section, the following terms have the following meanings:

        "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed (assuming that the notes matured on the Par Call Date) that would be used, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity.

        "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any date of redemption, (a) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (b) if fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations are provided to us, the average of all such quotations.

        "Independent Investment Banker" means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by us.

        "Par Call Date" means                    ,                     (                    months prior to the Maturity Date).

        "Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of (i) Barclays Capital Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (each, a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), and

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their respective successors, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing ceases to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, we will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer; and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealers selected by us.

        "Remaining Scheduled Payments" means, with respect to each note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal (or of the portion) thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related date of redemption therefor but for such redemption (assuming that the notes matured on the Par Call Date); provided, however, that, if that date of redemption is not an interest payment date with respect to such note, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to that date of redemption.

        "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any date of redemption, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity, computed as of the second Business Day immediately preceding that date of redemption, of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that date of redemption.

        Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption to each holder of notes to be redeemed. If less than all the notes are to be redeemed, the notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the trustee by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate and as long as notes are in global book-entry form, the notes to be redeemed shall be selected as determined by DTC's applicable procedures. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

        Except as described above, the notes will not be redeemable by us prior to maturity and will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

        We may acquire notes by means other than a redemption, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise, in accordance with applicable securities laws, so long as such acquisition does not otherwise violate the terms of the indenture.

        The trustee shall not be responsible for performing or verifying any calculations required in connection with a redemption.

Ranking

        The notes will be senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and will rank equally with all of our existing and future senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, including our 2.550% Senior Notes due 2019 (which we expect to repay with the net proceeds from this offering), our 2.200% Senior Notes due 2020, our 3.125% Senior Notes due 2021, our 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022, our 3.200% Senior Notes due 2024 and the indebtedness evidenced by our guarantee of the 2.000% Senior Notes due 2028 issued by our subsidiary, Amphenol Technologies Holding GmbH, and any borrowings under our revolving credit facility. However, the notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of our subsidiaries and effectively subordinated to any future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

        As of September 30, 2018, on an as-adjusted basis after giving effect to this offering of the notes and the 2028 Notes issued by our subsidiary, Amphenol Technologies Holding GmbH, and guaranteed by us, and the application of the net proceeds thereof (including the repayment of our 2019 Notes):

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        The notes will be structurally subordinated to any indebtedness of our subsidiaries. The 2028 Notes, which are guaranteed by us, constitute our general senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, including the notes offered hereby. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities, and none of our subsidiaries will guarantee the notes or otherwise have any obligations to make payments in respect of the notes. As a result, claims of holders of the notes will be effectively subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. In the event of any bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or similar proceeding involving one of our subsidiaries, any of our rights or the rights of the holders of the notes to participate in the assets of that subsidiary will be effectively subordinated to the claims of creditors of that subsidiary, and following payment by that subsidiary of its liabilities, the subsidiary may not have sufficient assets remaining to make payments to us as a shareholder or otherwise. In addition, certain of our subsidiaries are guarantors under our revolving credit facility. Accordingly, the notes will be structurally subordinated to such subsidiaries' obligations to guarantee our indebtedness under our revolving credit facility.

        We are obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the trustee and to indemnify the trustee against certain losses, liabilities and expenses incurred by the trustee in connection with its duties relating to the notes. The trustee's claims for these payments will generally be senior to those of holders of the notes in respect of all funds collected or held by the trustee.

Change of Control

        If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless we have exercised our right to redeem all of the notes as described under "—Optional Redemption" above, each holder will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such holder's notes pursuant to the offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer"), at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant interest record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

        Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event, or at our option, prior to any Change of Control but after the public announcement of the pending Change of Control, we will send, by first class mail, a notice to each holder, with a copy to the trustee, which notice will govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer, stating:

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        On the Change of Control Payment Date, we will, to the extent lawful:

        The trustee will promptly mail, or cause the paying agent to promptly mail, to each holder of notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any, provided that each such new note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

        If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on such interest record date, and no additional interest will be payable to holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

        Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control Repurchase Event, the indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders to require us to repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

        We will not be required to make the Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to the Change of Control Offer made by us and repurchases all notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such offer.

        We will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of the notes, we will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of the notes by virtue of any such conflict.

        Our ability to repurchase notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer may be limited by a number of factors. Certain events that may constitute a change of control under our other senior indebtedness and indebtedness of our subsidiaries and cause a default under the agreements related to such indebtedness may not constitute a Change of Control Repurchase Event under the indenture. Our revolving credit facility provides that the occurrence of certain change of control events would constitute a default thereunder. Future indebtedness of ours and our subsidiaries may also contain prohibitions of certain events that would constitute a Change of Control Repurchase Event or require such indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event. Moreover, any

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exercise by the holders of our outstanding senior notes of their right to require us to repurchase their notes could cause a default under such indebtedness, even if a Change of Control Repurchase Event itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchases on us. Finally, our ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by our then existing financial resources. We cannot assure you that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases. See "Risk Factors—We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event."

        Even if sufficient funds were otherwise available, the terms of our future indebtedness may prohibit our prepayment of the notes before their scheduled maturity. Consequently, if we are not able to prepay our senior indebtedness and any such other indebtedness containing similar restrictions or obtain requisite consents, we will not be able to fulfill our repurchase obligations if holders of notes exercise their repurchase rights following a Change of Control Repurchase Event, resulting in a default under the indenture. A default under the indenture will result in a cross-default under our other senior indebtedness, including under our revolving credit facility.

        The Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions described above may deter certain mergers, tender offers and other takeover attempts involving us by increasing the capital required to effectuate such transactions. The definition of "Change of Control" below includes a disposition of all or substantially all of our property and assets and our subsidiaries taken as a whole to any person. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of "all or substantially all" of the property or assets of a person. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether or not a Change of Control, and thus a Change of Control Repurchase Event, has occurred and whether or not a holder of notes may require us to make an offer to repurchase the notes as described above. The provisions under the indenture relative to our obligation to make an offer to repurchase the notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event may be waived or modified with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes.

        For purposes of this "—Change of Control" section, the following terms have the following meanings:

        "Change of Control" means:

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        Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be considered to be a Change of Control if (a) we become a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company and (b) immediately following that transaction, (1) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of the holding company are substantially the same as the holders of our Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (2) no person or group is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the holding company.

        "Change of Control Repurchase Event" means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline with respect to such Change of Control. Notwithstanding anything in this "—Change of Control" section, no Change of Control Repurchase Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated.

        "Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member of our board of directors who (a) was a member of our board of directors on the date of issuance of the notes or (b) was nominated for election or elected to our board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of our board of directors at the time of such nomination or election.

        "Investment Grade" means BBB– or higher by S&P and Baa3 or higher by Moody's, or the equivalent of such ratings by S&P or Moody's or, if either S&P or Moody's shall not make a rating on the notes publicly available, another Rating Agency.

        "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service Inc. and its successors.

        "Rating Agency" means each of S&P and Moody's or, to the extent S&P or Moody's or both do not make a rating on the notes publicly available, a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" (within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act) or "organizations", as the case may be, selected by us (as certified by a resolution of our board of directors), which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody's, or both, as the case may be.

        "Rating Decline" means, with respect to a Change of Control, the notes cease to be rated Investment Grade by each Rating Agency on any date during the period ("Trigger Period") from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in such Change of Control until 60 days following the consummation of such Change of Control (which Trigger Period will be extended for so long as the rating on the notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by either of the Rating Agencies).

        "S&P" means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and its successors.

        "Voting Stock" of any specified person as of any date means the capital stock of such person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors, managers or trustees, as applicable, of such person.

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Reporting

        As set forth in the indenture, we will be required, so long as any of the notes are outstanding, to file with the trustee (electronically or in hard copy), within 15 days after we file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that we may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if we are not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then we will file with the trustee and the SEC, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports that may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations. We will be deemed to have furnished such information, documents and reports to holders if we have filed such information, documents and reports with the SEC using the EDGAR filing system and such information, documents and reports are publicly available via EDGAR.

Additional Information

        See "Description of the Senior Debt Securities" in the accompanying prospectus for additional important information about the notes, including general information about the indenture, amendments and waivers to the indenture and the notes, permissible transfer and exchange of the notes, defeasance, the governing law of the indenture and the notes, the trustee, book-entry delivery and settlement of the notes, as well as a description of additional restrictions and covenants contained in the indenture, and a description of the events of default under the indenture.

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

        The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. Except where noted, this summary deals only with notes held as capital assets by holders who purchase notes in this offering at their issue price, which is the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes are sold to investors, excluding sales to the underwriters or to similar persons acting in the capacity of placement agents or wholesalers. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and judicial and administrative rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary does not purport to address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may affect particular investors in light of their individual circumstances, or certain types of investors subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as persons that mark to market their securities, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, corporations subject to the accumulated earnings tax, holders subject to the alternative minimum tax, individual retirement and other tax-deferred accounts, tax-exempt organizations, brokers, dealers in securities, currencies or commodities, certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents, U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar or that hold notes through non-U.S. brokers or other non-U.S. intermediaries, insurance companies, persons that hold notes as part of a hedge against currency or interest rate risks or that hold notes as part of a position in a constructive sale, straddle, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code applicable to persons that maintain certain specified financial statements, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, partnerships or other pass-through entities and investors in such entities and subsequent purchasers of the notes. This summary does not address any aspect of state, local or foreign taxation or any U.S. federal tax other than the income tax.

        For purposes of this summary, a "U.S. holder" is a beneficial owner of a note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

        For purposes of this summary, a "non-U.S. holder" is a beneficial owner of a note that is neither a U.S. holder nor a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).

        If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of notes, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold notes (and partners in such partnerships) should consult their tax advisors.

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        Each holder should consult its own tax advisor to determine the federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes in light of its own particular circumstances. This summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences is for general information only and not tax advice.

U.S. holders

        Repurchase upon a Change of Control.    It is possible that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, could assert that our redemption of the notes for an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest pursuant to a Change of Control Repurchase Event would result in a "contingent payment." Under the applicable Treasury Regulations, the possibility that any "contingent payment" will be made should not affect the amount or timing of interest income a U.S. holder will recognize if there is only a remote likelihood that such payment will be made or such contingency is incidental, both as determined as of the date of issuance of the notes. We intend to take the position for U.S. federal income tax purposes that the likelihood that the notes will be so redeemed is remote or such contingency is incidental. Therefore, the possibility that such payments may be made should not affect the amount or timing of income a U.S. holder will recognize unless the U.S. holder actually becomes entitled to such payments. Our determination that these contingencies are remote or incidental is not, however, binding on the IRS, which could challenge this position. If such challenge were successful, a U.S. holder might be required to accrue income on the notes in excess of stated interest, and to treat any income realized on the taxable disposition of a note before the resolution of the contingencies as ordinary income rather than capital gain. In the event a contingent payment actually occurs, it would affect the amount and timing of the income that a U.S. holder would recognize. The remainder of this summary assumes that our treatment of the possible redemption of the notes pursuant to a Change of Control Repurchase Event is correct.

        Stated Interest.    It is anticipated, and this discussion assumes, that the notes will not be issued at a discount from the principal amount of the notes, or, if they are issued at a discount, any such discount will be less than the statutory de minimis amount. Generally, stated interest on a note will be includible in a U.S. holder's gross income and taxable as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time such interest is received or accrued in accordance with such holder's regular method of tax accounting.

        Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Retirement of a Note.    A U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon a sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note measured by the difference, if any, between (i) the amount the U.S. holder receives for the note (to the extent such amount does not represent accrued but unpaid interest, which will be treated as ordinary interest income to the extent the U.S. holder has not previously included the accrued interest in gross income) and (ii) the U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in the note. The gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the note has been held for more than one year at the time of the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate holders may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses by both corporate and non-corporate holders is subject to limitations. A U.S. holder's adjusted basis in a note generally will be the amount paid for the note.

        Medicare Tax.    Certain U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or trusts will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their "net investment income" or "undistributed net investment income" (as applicable), which may include all or a portion of their interest income and net gains from the disposition of a note. U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or trusts should consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax on their investment in the notes.

        Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.    Information reporting will generally apply to reportable payments, including interest and principal on a note, to U.S. holders that are not exempt

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recipients. In addition, backup withholding will generally apply if the U.S. holder, among other things, (i) fails to furnish a social security number or other taxpayer identification number, or TIN, within a reasonable time after the request therefor, (ii) furnishes an incorrect TIN, (iii) fails to properly report the receipt of interest or dividends or (iv) under certain circumstances, fails to provide a certified statement, signed under penalties of perjury, that the TIN furnished is the correct number and that the holder is not subject to backup withholding. A U.S. holder that does not provide its correct TIN also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.

        The current backup withholding rate is 24%. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. holder generally will be allowed as a refund or as a credit against that holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such exemption.

        Information reporting and backup withholding will not apply with respect to payments made to "exempt recipients" (such as corporations and tax-exempt organizations) provided, if requested, their exemptions from information reporting and backup withholding are properly established.

Non-U.S. holders

        Payments of Interest.    Subject to the discussions below concerning backup withholding and FATCA, payments of interest on a note received or accrued by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, as long as the non-U.S. holder:

        The certification requirements will be satisfied if either (a) the beneficial owner of the note timely certifies, under penalties of perjury, to us or to the person who otherwise would be required to withhold U.S. tax that such owner is a non-U.S. holder and provides its name and address or (b) a custodian, broker, nominee or other intermediary acting as an agent for the beneficial owner (such as a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business) that holds the note in such capacity timely certifies, under penalties of perjury, to us or to the person who otherwise would be required to withhold U.S. tax that such statement has been received from the beneficial owner of the note by such intermediary, or by any other financial institution between such intermediary and the beneficial owner, and furnishes to us or to the person who otherwise would be required to withhold U.S. tax a copy thereof. In general, the foregoing certification may be provided on a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS W-8IMY, as applicable.

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        A non-U.S. holder that is not exempt from tax under the foregoing rules generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding on payments of interest at a rate of 30% unless:

        To claim the benefit of an income tax treaty or to claim exemption from withholding because income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. holder must timely provide the appropriate, properly executed IRS forms. Certification to claim income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business is generally made on IRS Form W-8ECI. Certification to claim the benefit of an income tax treaty is generally made on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E. These forms may be required to be periodically updated.

        A non-U.S. holder that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and has effectively connected interest income (as described in the first bullet point above) may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to a "branch profits tax," at a 30% rate (unless the rate is reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments.

        Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Retirement of a Note.    Subject to the discussions below concerning backup withholding and FATCA, a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note unless (a) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States by the non-U.S. holder) or (b) in the case of a non-U.S. holder who is an individual, the holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which such gain is realized and certain other conditions exist (in which case, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (except as provided by an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which capital gains from U.S. source (including gains from the sale or other disposition of the note) exceed capital losses from U.S. sources).

        Except to the extent that an applicable income tax treaty otherwise provides, generally a non-U.S. holder will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. holder with respect to gain that is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business. A non-U.S. holder that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to the branch profits tax as described above under "—Payments of Interest."

        Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.    Payments of interest to a non-U.S. holder, and amounts withheld from such payments, if any, generally will be reported to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holder. Copies of applicable IRS information returns may be made available under the provisions of a specific tax treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides. Non-U.S. holders are generally exempt from backup withholding and additional information reporting on payments of interest, provided that the non-U.S. holder (a) certifies its nonresident status on the appropriate IRS Form (or a suitable substitute form) and certain other conditions are met or (b) otherwise establishes an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or as a credit against the non-U.S. holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Under current Treasury Regulations, payments on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note made to or through a U.S.

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office of a broker generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the non-U.S. holder either certifies its foreign status under penalties of perjury on the applicable IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8IMY or other applicable form (as described above) or such non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption. The payment of the proceeds on the disposition of a note by a non-U.S. holder to or through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting; provided, however, that no office of the same broker within the U.S. negotiated the sale or received instructions with respect to the sale from the payee. However, the payment of proceeds on the disposition of a note to or through a non-U.S. office of a U.S. broker or a U.S. Related Person (as defined below) generally will be subject to information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless the non-U.S. holder certifies its foreign status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption, or unless the broker has certain documentary evidence in its files as to the non-U.S. holder's foreign status and has no actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other exemptions are not in fact satisfied.

        For this purpose, a "U.S. Related Person" is (i) a "controlled foreign corporation" for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources for a specified three-year period is derived from activities that are effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, (iii) a foreign partnership with certain connections to the United States, or (iv) a U.S. branch of a foreign bank or insurance company.

        FATCA.    Legislation enacted as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (the "Hire Act"), commonly referred to as "FATCA", generally imposes U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% on (i) U.S. source interest and (ii) the gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of obligations that produce U.S. source interest after December 31, 2018, in each case if paid to certain foreign entities, either as beneficial owners or as intermediaries. In the case of payments made to a "foreign financial institution" as defined under FATCA (including, among other entities, an investment fund), subject to certain exceptions, the tax generally will be imposed unless such institution (i) collects and provides to the IRS or other relevant tax authorities certain information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution pursuant to an agreement with the IRS or applicable foreign law enacted in connection with an intergovernmental agreement and (ii) complies with obligations to withhold on certain payments to certain of its account holders and to certain other persons. In the case of payments made to a foreign entity that is not a foreign financial institution, subject to certain exceptions, the tax generally will be imposed unless such foreign entity provides the withholding agent (for provision to the IRS) either (i) a certification that it does not have any "substantial United States owners" as defined under FATCA or (ii) certain information regarding its substantial United States owners. Future Treasury Regulations or other guidance may modify these requirements. Failure to comply with certification requirements under FATCA and the HIRE Act or an applicable intergovernmental agreement will result in 30% withholding. Under recently proposed regulations upon which taxpayers may generally rely until final regulations are issued, FATCA withholding would not apply to the payment of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of obligations that produce U.S. source income. No additional amounts will be payable on account of any withholding obligation that is imposed with respect to payments on the notes as a result of the failure of any holder or beneficial owner of a note, or any intermediary through which it directly or indirectly owns such note, to comply with the requirements of FATCA.

        Prospective investors should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the implications of FATCA and the HIRE Act on their investment in the notes.

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CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase and holding of the notes by (i) employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), (ii) plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code or provisions under any other U.S. or non-U.S. federal, state, local or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of the Code or ERISA (collectively, "Similar Laws"), and (iii) entities whose underlying assets are considered to include assets of any such plan, account or arrangement (each as described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) referred to as a "Plan").

        ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (each, a "Covered Plan") and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of a Covered Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the management of a Covered Plan or over the management or disposition of a Covered Plan's assets, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such a Covered Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the Covered Plan.

        In considering an investment in the notes with a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to a fiduciary's duties to the Plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.

        Plans that are, or whose assets constitute the assets of, governmental plans (as defined under Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined under Section 3(33) of ERISA) and non-U.S. plans (as defined under Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) are not subject to the fiduciary or prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and the Code. Such Plans may, however, be subject to Similar Laws which may affect their investment in the notes. Any fiduciary of such a governmental plan, church plan or non-U.S. plan considering an investment in the notes should determine the need for, and the availability, if necessary, of any exemptive relief under any applicable Similar Law.

        Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Covered Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving "plan assets" with persons or entities who are "parties in interest," within the meaning of ERISA, or "disqualified persons," within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engaged in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and/or the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of a Covered Plan that engaged in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and/or the Code. The acquisition and/or holding of the notes by a Covered Plan with respect to which we or the underwriters are considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption.

        In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or "PTCEs," that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the sale, purchase or holding of the notes. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 84-14 respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers,

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PTCE 90-1 respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38 respecting bank collective investment funds, PTCE 95-60 respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE 96-23 respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide limited relief from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for certain transactions, provided that neither the issuer of the securities, the underwriters nor any of their respective affiliates (directly or indirectly) has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or renders any investment advice with respect to the Covered Plan assets involved in the transaction, and provided further that the Covered Plan pays no more or receives no less than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. Each of the above-noted exemptions contains conditions and limitations on its application. Fiduciaries of Covered Plans considering purchasing and/or holding the notes in reliance on these or any other exemption should carefully review the exemption to assure it is applicable. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.

        Because of the foregoing, the notes should not be purchased or held by any person investing "plan assets" of any Plan, unless such purchase and holding will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and/or the Code or a similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws.

        Accordingly, by acceptance of a note, each purchaser and subsequent transferee of a note will be deemed to have represented and warranted that either (i) no portion of the assets used by such purchaser or transferee to acquire and hold the notes constitutes assets of any Plan or (ii) the purchase, holding and disposition of the notes by such purchaser or transferee will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws.

        The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the notes (and holding or disposing of the notes) on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be applicable to the purchase, holding and disposition of the notes.

        Purchasers of the notes have the exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their purchase, holding and disposition of the notes complies with the fiduciary responsibility rules of ERISA and does not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or applicable Similar Laws. Neither this discussion nor anything provided in this prospectus supplement is or is intended to be investment advice directed at any potential Plan purchasers or at Plan purchasers generally and such purchasers of any notes (or beneficial interests therein) should consult and rely on their own counsel and advisers as to whether an investment in the notes is suitable for the Plan.

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UNDERWRITING

        We and the underwriters named below have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the notes. Barclays Capital Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are acting as representatives of the several underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes that appears opposite its name in the table below:

Underwriters
  Principal
Amount of
Notes
 

Barclays Capital Inc. 

  $               

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

       

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                  Incorporated

       

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 

       

Commerz Markets LLC

       

MUFG Securities Americas Inc. 

       

TD Securities (USA) LLC

       

Total

  $               

        The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the notes included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the notes if any of them are purchased.

        The underwriters initially propose to offer the notes to the public at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The underwriters may offer the notes to selected securities dealers at the public offering price minus a concession of up to            % of the principal amount of the notes. In addition, the underwriters may allow, and those selected dealers may reallow, a concession of up to            % of the principal amount per note to certain other brokers or dealers. After the initial offering, the underwriters may change the public offering price and any other selling terms. The underwriters may offer and sell notes through certain of their affiliates. The offering of the notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in part.

        In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed that:

        The following table shows the underwriting discount that we will pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering of the notes (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes):

 
  Paid by
the Company
 

Per note

                 %

Total

  $               

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        The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market making in the notes at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Therefore, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

        In connection with this offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in overallotments, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the notes, as applicable. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the notes to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. If the underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

        Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory, commercial banking and investment banking services for us and our affiliates for which they received, or will receive, customary fees and expenses.

        In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and instruments of ours or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Offering Restrictions

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

        The notes may be sold in Canada 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 notes 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 and the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contain a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities

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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 the European Economic Area

        This prospectus supplement is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive (as defined below). This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in any member state of the European Economic Area (each, a "Relevant Member State") which has implemented the Prospectus Directive will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. In this prospectus supplement, "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended or superseded) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

        The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC (as amended or superseded), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the European Economic Area has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

        This prospectus supplement is for distribution only to persons in the United Kingdom who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within 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, or (iii) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("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 in the United Kingdom only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons in the United Kingdom who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available in the United Kingdom only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons in the United Kingdom.

        The notes are not being offered or sold to any person in the United Kingdom except in circumstances which will not result in an offer of securities to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of Part VI of FSMA.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

        The contents of this prospectus supplement have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. The notes may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (1) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies

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Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (2) to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (3) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case 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 in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

        The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948), as amended (the "FIEA"). The notes may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of any resident of Japan (including any person resident in Japan or any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan) or to others for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the FIEA and otherwise in compliance with any relevant laws and regulations of Japan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

        This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (the "MAS"). Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the "SFA"), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

        Where the notes are subscribed for 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 (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interests (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; (3) where the transfer is by operation of law; (4) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or (5) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

        Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification—Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to Sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, the Issuer has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the notes are "prescribed capital markets products" (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) 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).

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LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the notes will be passed upon for us by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, New York, New York and for the underwriters by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the effectiveness of Amphenol Corporation's internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

AMPHENOL CORPORATION

Senior Debt Securities



        We may offer from time to time, in one or more offerings, senior debt securities. This prospectus describes the general terms of these senior debt securities and the general manner in which we will offer them. We will provide a supplement to accompany this prospectus each time we offer any of these senior debt securities. The accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the terms of each series of senior debt securities, describe the specific manner in which we will offer such senior debt securities, and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any senior debt securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference," before you invest.

        We may offer and sell these senior debt securities, on a continuous or delayed basis, to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers.



        Investing in our senior debt securities involves risks. See "Risk Factors" on page 3 of this prospectus, the risk factors included in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, and any risk factors described in the accompanying prospectus supplement, for a discussion of certain risks you should consider carefully before investing in our senior debt 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 March 17, 2017


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        This prospectus, the available prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus we authorize contains and incorporates by reference information that you should consider when making your investment decision. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If you receive any different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.

        You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

        We are not making an offer to sell these senior debt securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.




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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    1  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   
1
 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   
2
 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

   
2
 

RISK FACTORS

   
3
 

OUR COMPANY

   
3
 

USE OF PROCEEDS

   
3
 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

   
4
 

DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

   
4
 

BOOK-ENTRY DELIVERY AND SETTLEMENT

   
14
 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   
18
 

LEGAL MATTERS

   
20
 

EXPERTS

   
20
 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), using a "shelf" registration, or continuous offering, process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, at any time and from time to time, issue and sell, in one or more offerings, the senior debt securities described in this prospectus.

        This prospectus provides you with a general description of the senior debt securities we may offer. Each time we sell senior debt securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that accompanies this prospectus that will provide specific information about the terms of that offering and the offered senior debt securities, including the specific amounts and prices of the senior debt securities offered. The accompanying prospectus supplement may include or incorporate by reference a detailed and current discussion of any risk factors and will discuss any special considerations applicable to those securities, including the plan of distribution. The accompanying prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under "Where You Can Find More Information". Any information in the accompanying prospectus supplement that is inconsistent with this prospectus will modify or supersede the information in this prospectus.

        The registration statement we filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more detail of the matters discussed in this prospectus. Statements contained in this prospectus about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the SEC's rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of these matters.

        Before making your investment decision, you should read and carefully consider this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, and the related exhibits filed with the SEC, together with the additional information in the documents referred to in the sections entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference" below. Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus is considered a part of this prospectus and may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any information in such subsequent filings that is inconsistent with this prospectus will modify or supersede the information in this prospectus.

        Unless otherwise stated, or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to "we," "us," "our," "Amphenol" and "the Company" are to Amphenol Corporation and, as applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Certain statements in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, that are not purely historical information, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "project," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates, projections and information concerning our possible or assumed future business plans and strategies, results of operations, competitive position, potential operating performance improvements, the effects of competition and the effects of future legislation or regulations.


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        These forward-looking statements are based on our expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate as of the respective dates on which such forward-looking statements are made, and are not guarantees of our future performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted, quantified or controlled and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying, the forward-looking statements. A discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is included in the section entitled "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, incorporated by reference herein. There may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to predict at this time or that we currently do not expect to cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make and affect our operating and financial performance. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

        Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf to reflect new information, future events or changes in expectations after the date on which such forward-looking statement is made.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus is part of the registration statement, but the registration statement also contains or incorporates by reference additional information and exhibits. We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with these requirements, we file reports and other information relating to our business, financial condition and other matters with the SEC. We are required to disclose in such reports certain information, as of particular dates, concerning our operating results and financial condition, officers and directors, principal holders of shares, any material interests of such persons in transactions with us and other matters. Our filed reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

        The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports and other information regarding registrants like us that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC's website is: http://www.sec.gov.

        You can also obtain our Annual Reports, statements regarding our quarterly results, statements regarding any quarterly dividend payments, and other information about the Company at our website: http://www.amphenol.com. Our website and the information contained on our website are not part of this prospectus.


INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information that we have filed with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and the information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and, where applicable, modify or supersede the information in this prospectus and the documents listed below. We hereby "incorporate by reference" the following documents that have been or will be filed with the SEC:

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        We are not, however, incorporating any documents or information that are deemed to have been furnished rather than filed in accordance with SEC rules.

        You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and number:


RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our senior debt securities involves risks. In considering whether to purchase any senior debt securities, you should carefully consider the specific risks discussed under "Risk Factors" in the accompanying prospectus supplement. In addition to the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, you should also carefully consider the information we have included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement. In particular, you should carefully consider the risks described under the heading "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference herein.


OUR COMPANY

        We are one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of electrical, electronic and fiber optic connectors, interconnect systems, antennas, sensors and sensor-based products and coaxial and high-speed specialty cable. Certain predecessor businesses of the Company were founded in 1932 and the Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1987. The primary end markets for our products are:

        Our strategy is to provide our customers with comprehensive design capabilities, a broad selection of products and a high level of service on a worldwide basis while maintaining continuing programs of productivity improvement and cost control.

        Our principal executive offices are located at 358 Hall Avenue, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, and our main telephone number is (203) 265-8900. Our website is located at http://www.amphenol.com.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless we state otherwise in the accompanying prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the senior debt securities that may be offered hereby for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment or redemption of existing indebtedness, common stock repurchases under the Company's stock repurchase program and future acquisitions and strategic investment opportunities. The prospectus supplement relating to any specific offering of senior debt securities will contain a more detailed description of the use of proceeds of such offering.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth information regarding our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown. For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for all periods presented, earnings consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges, less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in less than wholly-owned subsidiaries. Fixed charges for all periods presented consist of interest expense including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and approximately one third of rental expenses on operating leases, representing that portion of rent expense which management believes is representative of the interest component of rent expense.

 
  For the fiscal years ended December 31,  
 
  2016   2015   2014   2013   2012  
      13.7     13.8     11.4     12.2     12.1  


DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

General

        The following is a summary of the general terms of the senior debt securities we may issue under an indenture (the "indenture"), between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The terms of the senior debt securities include those expressly set forth in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by referencing the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The particular terms of the senior debt securities of any series and the extent, if any, to which such general terms may apply to the senior debt securities of such series will be described in the prospectus supplement applicable to the senior debt securities of such series. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement applicable to the senior debt securities of such series, you should rely on the information in such accompanying prospectus supplement. This description of senior debt securities provides an overview of the material provisions of the senior debt securities and, to the extent applicable to the senior debt securities, the indenture. Since this description of senior debt securities is a summary, you should refer to the indenture for a complete description of our obligations and the rights of a holder of senior debt securities thereunder. We have filed a copy of the indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

        When we refer to "we," "us" or "our" in this section, we refer only to Amphenol Corporation, the issuer of the senior debt securities, and not to its subsidiaries. Unless otherwise defined in this prospectus, capitalized terms used in this "Description of the Senior Debt Securities" section are defined under "—Definitions" below.

        The senior debt securities will be our direct senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and will rank equally with all of our existing and future senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. However, the senior debt securities are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of our subsidiaries and effectively subordinated to any secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

        There is no requirement under the indenture that future issuances of our senior debt securities be issued under the indenture, and in connection with future issuances of other senior debt securities, we will be free to use other indentures or instruments, which may contain provisions different from those contained in the indenture or applicable to one or more series of senior debt securities issued thereunder.

        The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of senior debt securities that may be issued thereunder. The indenture provides that the senior debt securities may be issued in one or more series. The senior debt securities may be issued at various times and may have differing maturity dates

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and may bear different interest rates. The prospectus supplement applicable to the senior debt securities of any series will describe:

        Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the senior debt securities will be payable, and the senior debt securities may be exchanged or transferred, at our office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York (which initially shall be the corporate trust office of the trustee, at 101 Barclay Street, 8th Floor West, New York, New York 10286), except that, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the registered holders of the senior debt securities at their registered addresses. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of senior debt securities, but we or the trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection with such transfer or exchange.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement applicable to the senior debt securities of any series, in any case where the date of payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the senior debt securities of any series, including the date, if any, fixed for redemption or repurchase of the senior debt securities of such series, shall not be a "business day" (as defined below), then payment of principal, premium or interest need not be made on that date at such place but may be made on the next succeeding business day. In the case of senior debt securities that bear interest at a fixed rate, the payment of principal, premium or interest made on such next succeeding business day will be made with the same force and effect as if made on the applicable payment date or the date fixed for redemption or repurchase, and no interest shall accrue for the period after that date. In the case of senior debt securities that bear interest at a floating rate, interest shall accrue to but excluding the date interest is paid. A "business day" shall mean a day that is not, in New York City, a Saturday, Sunday, a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law to close.

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Ranking

        The senior debt securities will be senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and will rank equally with all of our existing and future senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. However, the senior debt securities will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of our subsidiaries and effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

Trustee

        We are obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the trustee and to indemnify the trustee against certain losses, liabilities, expenses and certain taxes incurred by the trustee in connection with its duties relating to the senior debt securities. The trustee's claims for these payments will generally be senior to those of holders of senior debt securities in respect of all funds collected or held by the trustee.

Covenants

        Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement applicable to the senior debt securities of any series and except as discussed below, we are not restricted by the indenture from:

        We are not required under the indenture to maintain any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity.

        The indenture contains various covenants, including, among others, the following:

        So long as the senior debt securities of any series are outstanding under the indenture, neither we nor any Restricted Subsidiary will, directly or indirectly, issue, incur, create, assume or guarantee any indebtedness secured by a mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge or other encumbrance upon any Principal Property or upon any shares of stock or indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property, shares or indebtedness are now existing or owned or hereafter created or acquired), unless prior to or at the same time the senior debt securities of such series are equally and ratably secured with or, at our option, prior to such secured indebtedness. Mortgages, security interests, pledges, liens, charges and other encumbrances are collectively referred to in this prospectus as "mortgages."

        This restriction does not apply to:

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provided, however, that any mortgages permitted by any of the clauses above shall not extend to or cover any property of ours or that of any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, other than the property specified in these clauses and improvements to this property.

        We and any Restricted Subsidiary are permitted to issue, incur, create, assume or guarantee indebtedness secured by a mortgage that would otherwise not be permitted without equally and ratably securing the senior debt securities of such series then outstanding under the indenture, if, after giving effect thereto and any concurrent retirement of indebtedness, the aggregate amount of all indebtedness secured by mortgages (not including mortgages permitted under clauses (1) through (11) above) does not at such time exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

        So long as the senior debt securities of any series are outstanding under the indenture, neither we nor any Restricted Subsidiary will enter into any "sale/leaseback transaction" (as defined below) with respect to any Principal Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by us or any Restricted Subsidiary, unless:

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        This restriction does not apply to sale/leaseback transactions:

        A "sale/leaseback transaction" means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby either we transfer, or any Restricted Subsidiary transfers, such property to a person and either we or any Restricted Subsidiary leases it back from such person.

        Notwithstanding the restrictions outlined in the preceding paragraphs, we and any Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted to enter into sale/leaseback transactions that would otherwise be subject to such restrictions, without complying with the requirements of clauses (a) and (b) above, if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all Attributable Debt with respect to sale/leaseback transactions existing at such time that could not have been entered into except for the provisions described in this paragraph, together with the aggregate amount of all outstanding indebtedness secured by mortgages permitted by any of clauses (1) through (11) under "—Limitation on Liens" above, does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

        We may, without the consent of the holders of any outstanding series of senior debt securities, consolidate with, sell, lease, convey or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of our assets to, or merge with or into, any other person or entity, provided that:

        The successor person or entity will succeed to us, and be substituted for us, and may exercise all of our rights and powers under the indenture, but in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of our

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assets we will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the senior debt securities.

Definitions

        For purposes of this "Description of the Senior Debt Securities" section, the following terms have the following meanings:

        "Attributable Debt" means, when used in connection with a sale/leaseback transaction, on any date as of which the amount of Attributable Debt is to be determined, the product of (a) the net proceeds from the sale/leaseback transaction multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full years of the term of the lease relating to the property involved in the sale/leaseback transaction (without regard to any options to renew or extend such term) remaining on the date of the making of the computation, and the denominator of which is the number of full years of the term of the lease measured from the first day of the term.

        "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the aggregate amount of assets included on our consolidated balance sheet as of the most recent fiscal quarter end for which such consolidated balance sheet is available, minus (a) all current liabilities, except for current maturities of long-term debt and current maturities of obligations under capital leases, and (b) total goodwill and other intangible assets, all as set forth on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of us and our consolidated subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

        "default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an event of default under the indenture.

        "indebtedness" means, with respect to any person, obligations (other than Nonrecourse Obligations) of such person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments.

        "Nonrecourse Obligation" means indebtedness or other obligations substantially related to (a) the acquisition of assets not previously owned by us or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the financing of a project involving the development or expansion of our properties or those of any Restricted Subsidiary, as to which the obligee with respect to such indebtedness or obligation has no recourse to us or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of our assets or those of any Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets that were acquired with the proceeds of such transaction or the project financed with the proceeds of such transaction (and the proceeds thereof).

        "person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or political subdivision thereof.

        "Principal Property" means the land, land improvements, buildings (to the extent they constitute real property interests and including any leasehold interest therein) and fixtures (including, for the avoidance of doubt, all machinery and equipment) constituting the principal corporate office, any manufacturing plant or any manufacturing facility (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) that:

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        "Restricted Subsidiary" means any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries that owns any Principal Property; provided, however, that the term "Restricted Subsidiary" does not include:

        "Voting Stock" of a person means all classes of any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participation or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such person, including any preferred stock and limited liability or partnership interests (whether general or limited), but excluding any senior debt securities convertible into such equity, to the extent then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of such person's directors, managers or trustees, as applicable.

Defaults

        Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement applicable to the senior debt securities of any series, each of the following is an "event of default" with respect to the senior debt securities of such series under the indenture:

        The foregoing constitute events of default whatever the reason for any such event of default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of any law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

        If an event of default with respect to the senior debt securities of any series, other than an event of default described in clause (5) above, occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of such series by notice to us may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the senior debt securities of such series to be due and payable. Upon this declaration, principal of and interest on the senior debt securities of such series will be immediately due and payable. If an event of default described in clause (5) above occurs and is continuing, the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest

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on all the senior debt securities of such series will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders. Under some circumstances, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of such series may rescind any acceleration with respect to the senior debt securities of such series and its consequences.

        If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee, in conformity with its duties under the indenture, will be required to exercise all rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, provided the holders provide the trustee with a security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder of senior debt securities of any series may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the senior debt securities unless:

        Generally, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of a series are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the senior debt securities of such series. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of senior debt securities of such series or that would expose the trustee to personal liability.

        If a default with respect to the senior debt securities of a series occurs and is continuing and is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee must mail to each holder of any debt security of such series notice of the default within 90 days after it is known to the trustee. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security of such series, the trustee may withhold notice if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders. In addition, we are required to deliver to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers of the certificate know of any default that occurred during the previous fiscal year. We also are required to notify the trustee within 30 days of the occurrence of any event that would constitute various defaults, their status and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect of these defaults.

Amendments and Waivers

        We and the trustee may amend the indenture as to the senior debt securities of any series with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the senior debt securities of such series then outstanding. Any past default or compliance with any provisions of the indenture or the senior debt securities of such series may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the senior debt securities of such series then outstanding. These consents may be obtained through a tender offer or exchange offer for the senior debt securities of such series.

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        Without the consent of each holder of an outstanding debt security of any series, we may not amend the indenture as to such series to:

        We and the trustee may, however, amend or supplement the indenture without the consent of any holder of the senior debt securities of any series as to:

        It is not necessary that any consent of the holders of the senior debt securities of any series required under the indenture approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

Transfer and Exchange

        A holder may transfer or exchange senior debt securities of a series in accordance with the indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the registrar of the senior debt securities and the trustee

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may require a holder to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and we may require a holder to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the indenture, including any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable as part of the transfer or exchange. We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption or to transfer or exchange any debt security for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of senior debt securities to be redeemed. The senior debt securities will be issued in registered form and the registered holder of a debt security will be treated as the owner of the debt security for all purposes.

Defeasance

        With respect to the senior debt securities of any series, we may, at any time, terminate all of our obligations under the senior debt securities of such series and the indenture ("legal defeasance"), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the senior debt securities of such securities, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen senior debt securities of such series and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the senior debt securities of such series. We at any time may terminate our obligations with respect to the senior debt securities of any series under the covenants described under "—Covenants" and the occurrence of an event of default described in clause (4) under "—Defaults" above ("covenant defeasance").

        We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our legal defeasance option, payment of the senior debt securities of any series may not be accelerated because of an event of default with respect thereto. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the senior debt securities of such series may not be accelerated because of an event of default described in clause (3) (except for the covenant described under "—Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets") or clause (4) under "—Defaults" above.

        To exercise either defeasance option with respect to the senior debt securities of any series:

Concerning the Trustee

        The Bank of New York Mellon is the trustee under the indenture and is also registrar and paying agent of the senior debt securities.

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        The indenture contains limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in some cases, or to realize on property received in respect of any of these claims as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us and our subsidiaries and affiliates. However, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must either eliminate its conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign as trustee under the indenture.

Governing Law

        The indenture provides that it and the senior debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.


BOOK-ENTRY DELIVERY AND SETTLEMENT

Global Securities

        Unless otherwise indicated in the accompanying prospectus supplement, we will issue the senior debt securities in the form of one or more global securities in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form. A global security will be deposited with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.

DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear

        Beneficial interests in global securities will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may hold interests in a global security through either DTC (in the United States), Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg, which we refer to as Clearstream, or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as Euroclear, in Europe, either directly if they are participants in such systems or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts in Clearstream's and Euroclear's names on the books of their U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers' securities accounts in the U.S. depositaries' names on the books of DTC.

        DTC has advised us:

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        Clearstream has advised us that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its customers and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its customers through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its customers, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to its customers, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector. Clearstream customers are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations and may include various underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream customer either directly or indirectly.

        Euroclear has advised us that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., which we refer to as the Euroclear Operator, under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation, which we refer to as the Cooperative. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers, and other professional financial intermediaries and may include various underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.

        The Euroclear Operator is licensed by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission to carry out banking activities on a global basis. As a Belgian bank, it is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission.

        We have provided the descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear in this prospectus solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of those organizations and are subject to change by them from time to time. Neither we nor the applicable trustee take any responsibility for these operations or procedures, and you are urged to contact DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

        We expect that under procedures established by DTC:

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        The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of those securities in definitive form. Accordingly, the ability to transfer interests in the senior debt securities represented by a global security to those persons may be limited. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in the senior debt securities represented by a global security to pledge or transfer those interests to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC's system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of such interest.

        So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the senior debt securities represented by that global security for all purposes under the indenture and under the senior debt securities. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have securities represented by that global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated securities and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture or under the senior debt securities for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee. Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that holder is not a direct or indirect participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of the senior debt securities under the indenture or a global security. Neither we nor the applicable trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of securities by DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of those organizations relating to the senior debt securities.

        Payments on the senior debt securities represented by a global security will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner thereof. We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment on the senior debt securities represented by any such global security, will credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in such global security as shown in the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. The participants will be responsible for those payments.

        Distributions on the senior debt securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of its customers in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.

        Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law, which we refer to collectively as the Terms and Conditions. The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants.

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        Distributions on the senior debt securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of its participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.

Clearance and Settlement Procedures

        Initial settlement for the senior debt securities will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear, as applicable, and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

        Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving the securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream customers and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to their U.S. depositaries.

        Because of time-zone differences, credits of the senior debt securities received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date.

        Such credits or any transactions in the senior debt securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of the senior debt securities by or through a Clearstream customer or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

        Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of the senior debt securities among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time.

Certificated Securities

        Unless otherwise indicated in the accompanying prospectus supplement, we will issue or cause to be issued certificated securities to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of the securities represented by a global security upon surrender by DTC of such global security if:

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        Neither we nor the applicable trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC, its nominee or any direct or indirect participant in identifying the beneficial owners of the senior debt securities. We and the applicable trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes, including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the certificated securities to be issued.


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the senior debt securities offered by this prospectus:

        The accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of the senior debt securities and the method of distribution and will identify any firms acting as underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering, including:

        If we use underwriters in the offering and sale of the senior debt securities, the senior debt securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The senior debt securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Unless otherwise set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the senior debt securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the senior debt securities of a series if any are purchased. Only those underwriters identified in the accompanying prospectus supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the senior debt securities offered in such prospectus supplement.

        We may sell the senior debt securities directly or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the senior debt securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the accompanying prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

        If a dealer is utilized in the sale of any of the senior debt securities, we will sell the senior debt securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the senior debt securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

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        The distribution of the senior debt securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at prices determined as the accompanying prospectus supplement specifies. In connection with the sale of the senior debt securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and also may receive commissions from purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the senior debt securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Some of the underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the distribution of the senior debt securities may engage in other transactions with, and perform other services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

        Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the senior debt securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions they receive and any profit they realize on the resale of the senior debt securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will provide in the accompanying prospectus supplement information regarding any underwriting discounts or other compensation that we pay to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the senior debt securities.

        Underwriters and their controlling persons, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

        We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutions to purchase the senior debt securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement, and the accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the commissions payable for solicitation of such contracts.

        Each series of senior debt securities will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell the senior debt securities for public offering and sale may make a market in such senior debt securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any senior debt securities.

        The senior debt securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the senior debt securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in an offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while an offering is in progress. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the underwriters have repurchased securities sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short-covering transactions. These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the senior debt securities. As a result, the price of the senior debt securities may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time.

        Certain of the underwriters who participate in the distribution of the senior debt securities, and their affiliates, may perform various commercial banking and investment banking services for us and our affiliates from time to time in the ordinary course of business.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of, and certain other legal matters with respect to, the senior debt securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, New York, New York. Any underwriter, dealer or agent will be advised about other legal issues relating to any specific offering of the senior debt securities by its own legal counsel.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of Amphenol Corporation's internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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Amphenol Corporation

            % Senior Notes due



PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
January     , 2019



Joint Book-Running Managers

Barclays   BofA Merrill Lynch   J.P. Morgan
Citigroup   COMMERZBANK   MUFG   TD Securities