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Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(7)

Registration No. 333-157538

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of securities to be registered		Amount to be registered		Proposed maximum offering price per share(1)		Proposed maximum aggregate offering price(1)		Amount of registration fee(2)(3)
Common stock of Leggett & Platt, Incorporated, par value $.01		120,452 shares		$12.00		$1,445,424		$57

 

(1)

Pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price and registration fee for up to 120,452 shares of common stock of Leggett & Platt, Incorporated to be offered by the selling shareholders from time to time at indeterminate prices are computed on the basis of the average high and low prices of Leggett & Platt, Incorporated’s common stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, on February 25, 2009.

(2)	Calculated in accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r). This Calculation of Registration Fee table updates the Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (Registration No. 333-157538) filed February 26, 2009.

(3)

Pursuant to Rule 457(p) this filing fee will be offset against the $35,310 remaining balance from the registration fee paid with respect to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-123213) filed by Leggett & Platt, Incorporated on March 9, 2005 and carried forward to Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (Registration No. 333-157538) filed by Leggett & Platt, Incorporated on February 26, 2009. As such, no additional registration fee has been paid with respect to this offering. In accordance with Rules 457(p), $35,253 paid with respect to Registration Statement No. 333-123213 as described above will remain available for future registration fees.

 

 

 

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated February 26, 2009)

120,452 Shares of Common Stock

 

 

The shares of common stock described in this prospectus supplement are being offered for sale from time to time by the selling shareholders named herein. The selling shareholders acquired the common stock on December 16, 2008 upon conversion of certain exchangeable shares issued by our wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary in a private placement in reliance on exemptions from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the “Securities Act.” We are registering the offer and sale of 120,452 shares of common stock to satisfy registration rights we have granted to the selling shareholders pursuant to the registration rights agreement, dated May 8, 2000. The selling shareholders will receive all of the proceeds from any sales. We will not receive any of the proceeds.

The selling shareholders may sell the shares of common stock at various times and in various types of transactions, including sales in the open market, sales in negotiated transactions and sales by a combination of these methods. Shares may be sold at the market price of the common stock at the time of a sale, at prices relating to the market price over a period of time, or at prices negotiated with the buyers of shares of common stock. For further information regarding the possible methods by which the shares may be distributed, see “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement.

The selling shareholders will pay all brokerage fees and commissions. We are paying expenses relating to the registration of the shares of common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “LEG”. On February 25, 2009, the reported closing price for our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $12.00 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-3 of this prospectus supplement.

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is February 26, 2009.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT		S-1
SUMMARY		S-2
RISK FACTORS		S-3
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		S-4
USE OF PROCEEDS		S-5
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS		S-6
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		S-6
LEGAL MATTERS		S-8
Prospectus
		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		1
RISK FACTORS		1
LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED		1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		1
SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS		2
USE OF PROCEEDS		2
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES		3
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES		3
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK		18
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES		19
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS		22
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS		23
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS		24
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		24
LEGAL MATTERS		25
EXPERTS		25

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the selling shareholders have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The selling shareholders are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or any sale of our common stock. The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this document are only made as of the date of this document or as of the date of such statement contained in the respective documents incorporated by reference herein, respectively, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

These offering materials consist of two documents: (1) this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of the current offering by the selling shareholders, and (2) the accompanying prospectus, which provides general information about the disposition of our securities, some of which may not apply to the shares of common stock being currently offered or sold by the selling shareholders. The information in this prospectus supplement replaces any inconsistent information included in the accompanying prospectus.

At varying places in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we refer you to other sections of the documents for additional information by indicating the caption heading of the other sections. The page on which each principal caption included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus can be found is listed in the Table of Contents on the preceding page. All cross references in this prospectus supplement are to captions contained in this prospectus supplement and not in the accompanying prospectus, unless otherwise stated.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves certain risks. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The market or trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. In addition, please read “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus supplement where we describe additional uncertainties associated with our business and the forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Please note that additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business and operations.

Certain risks related to our business operations are described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, and which you should carefully review and consider. These risks are periodically updated in our reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

The price of our common stock has been volatile. This volatility may affect the price at which you could sell our common stock.

The market price for our common stock has varied between a high of $24.60 and a low of $11.69 since September 1, 2008. This volatility may affect the price at which you could sell our common stock. The price for our stock could continue to be volatile and subject to price and volume fluctuations in response to market and other factors, including factors discussed in the risks related to our business operations; variations in our quarterly operating results from our expectations or those of securities analysts or investors; downward revisions in securities analysts’ estimates; competitive developments; and our own repurchasing activity.

In addition, the broader stock market has recently experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has affected the market prices of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance and may adversely affect the price of our common stock. Also, our announcements of our quarterly operating results, changes in general conditions in the economy or the financial markets and other developments affecting us, our affiliates or our competitors could cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially.

 

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Missouri law and our charter documents may impede or discourage a takeover, which could cause the market price of shares of our common stock to decline.

Certain provisions in Missouri law and our charter documents may impede or discourage a takeover or change of control attempt by a potential acquirer who is unfriendly to management. These provisions:

 

•

limit the right of shareholders to remove directors or change the size of our board of directors;

 

•

limit the right of shareholders to fill vacancies on our board of directors;

 

•

limit the right of shareholders to call a special meeting of shareholders or propose other actions;

 

•

require unanimity for shareholders to act by written consent, in accordance with Missouri law;

 

•

require a higher percentage of shareholders than would otherwise be required under Missouri law to enter into certain transactions and to amend, alter, change, or repeal certain provisions of our articles of incorporation;

 

•

provide that the bylaws may be amended by the board of directors;

 

•

authorize the issuance of preferred stock with any voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such rights as may be specified by our board of directors, without shareholder approval; and

 

•

restrict specified types of “business combinations” and “control share acquisitions,” as well as regulate some tender offers.

These provisions may:

 

•

have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control despite possible benefits to our shareholders;

 

•

discourage bids at a premium over the market price of our common stock; and

 

•

harm the market price of our common stock and the voting and other rights of our shareholders.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and our other public disclosures, whether written or oral, may contain “forward-looking” statements including, but not limited to: projections of revenue, income, earnings, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure, cash flows or other financial items; possible plans, goals, objectives, prospects, strategies or trends concerning future operations; statements concerning future economic performance; and the underlying assumptions relating to the forward-looking statements. These statements are identified either by the context in which they appear or by use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “should” or the like. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by us or on our behalf, are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements described in this provision.

 

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Any forward-looking statement reflects only the beliefs of the Company or its management at the time the statement is made. Because all forward-looking statements deal with the future, they are subject to risks, uncertainties and developments which might cause actual events or results to differ materially from those envisioned or reflected in any forward-looking statement. Moreover, we do not have, and do not undertake, any duty to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement was made. For all of these reasons, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual future events, objectives, strategies, trends or results.

It is not possible to anticipate and list all risks, uncertainties and developments which may affect the future operations or performance of the Company, or which otherwise may cause actual events or results to differ from forward-looking statements. However, some of these risks and uncertainties include the following:

 

•

our ability to maintain cash flow from operations and adequate liquidity in light of the recent distress in the financial markets and tightening of the credit markets (and the related impact on U.S. and global economies which has negatively impacted the demand for our products);

 

•

our ability to maintain current credit ratings on our long-term debt and commercial paper;

 

•

factors that could impact raw materials and other costs, including the availability and pricing of steel rod and scrap and other raw materials, the availability of labor, wage rates and energy costs;

 

•

our ability to pass along raw material cost increases through increased selling prices;

 

•

price and product competition from foreign (particularly Asian) and domestic competitors;

 

•

our ability to improve operations and realize cost savings (including our ability to fix under-performing operations pursuant to our strategic plan);

 

•

adverse changes in our competitive position, inflation, currency, political risk, U.S. or foreign laws or regulations, interest rates, housing turnover, employment levels, consumer sentiment, taxation and the like;

 

•

factors that could affect the industries or markets in which we participate, such as growth rates and opportunities in those industries, or trends in capital spending;

 

•

our ability to maintain profit margins if our customers change the quantity and mix of our components in their finished goods;

 

•

a decline in the long-term outlook for any of our reporting units that could result in goodwill impairment; and

 

•

litigation including product liability and warranty, intellectual property, workers’ compensation expense and alleged stock option backdating.

Please see our periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for more information on these factors. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are made only as of the date of this prospectus supplement. The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this document are only made as of the date of this document or as of the date of such statement contained in the respective documents incorporated by reference herein, respectively, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

USE OF PROCEEDS

The common stock to be offered and sold using this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be offered and sold by the selling shareholders named in this prospectus supplement. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

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SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

During the second quarter of 2000, the Company’s wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary issued certain exchangeable shares which were convertible, on a one-to-one ratio, into shares of our common stock in connection with the acquisition of Schukra Manufacturing, Inc., a Canadian corporation. On December 16, 2008, as a result of the conversion of certain of the exchangeable shares, the Company issued 120,452 shares of its common stock to four of the former Schukra owners (the selling shareholders listed below) in a transaction which qualified for exemption from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, in that the issuances did not involve a public offering.

Pursuant to the terms of the registration rights agreement between us and the selling shareholders, dated May 8, 2000, we are registering 120,452 shares of common stock that will be offered for sale from time to time by the selling shareholders. The registration of these shares of common stock does not necessarily mean that the selling shareholders will sell all or any of the shares.

The following table provides information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by the selling shareholders as of the date of this prospectus supplement. As used in this prospectus supplement, the term “selling shareholders” includes the selling shareholders identified below. The number of shares in the column “Number of Shares Being Offered” represents all of the shares that the selling shareholders may offer under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The column “Number of Shares Beneficially Owned After the Offering” assumes that the selling shareholders sell all of the shares offered under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. However, because the selling shareholders may offer from time to time all, some or none of their shares under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, or in another permitted manner, no assurances can be given as to the actual number of shares that will be sold by the selling shareholders or that will be held by the selling shareholders after completion of the sales. In addition, we do not know how long the selling shareholders will hold their shares before selling them, and we currently have no agreements, arrangements or understandings with any selling shareholders regarding the sale of any of their shares. The selling shareholders have not had, within the past three years, any position, office, or other material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates.

The information provided in the table below with respect to the selling shareholders has been obtained from the selling shareholders.

 

Selling Shareholders		Number of Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to the Offering		Percentage of Class of Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to the Offering		Number of Shares Being Offered		Number of Shares Beneficially Owned After the Offering		Percentage of Class of Shares Beneficially Owned After the Offering
Jessica Cosentino		35,113		(1)		35,113		0(2)		(1)
Ricardo Cosentino		35,113		(1)		35,113		0(2)		(1)
Victoria Cosentino		35,113		(1)		35,113		0(2)		(1)
Malfalda Cosentino		15,113		(1)		15,113		0(2)		(1)

 

(1)	Beneficial ownership is less than 1% of the common stock outstanding.

(2)	Assumes that the selling shareholders will sell all of the shares offered under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We are registering the common stock covered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for the selling shareholders. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement between us and the selling shareholders, we agreed to register the resale of the common stock owned by the selling shareholders and to indemnify the selling shareholders against certain liabilities related to the selling of the common stock, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act. We may suspend the use of this prospectus supplement if we reasonably determine that information required to be disclosed in order to keep current this prospectus supplement, if disclosed, is reasonably likely to materially interfere with certain specified corporate developments, as described in the registration rights agreement. In these cases, we may prohibit offers and sales of the shares of common stock pursuant to which this prospectus supplement relates.

 

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The selling shareholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale. The selling shareholders may from time to time offer and sell the shares of common stock in one or more transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at a fixed offering price which may be changed, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The selling shareholders may, subject to market conditions, dispose of their entire holding of our common stock. The aggregate proceeds to the selling shareholders from the sale of the common stock will be the purchase price of the stock less discounts, concessions and commissions, if any. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sales. The shares may be sold at various times by one or more means, including but not limited to the following:

 

•

through underwriters, brokers or dealers (who may act as agent or principal and who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling shareholders, the purchaser or such other persons who may be effecting such sales) for resale to the public or to institutional investors at various times. However, in no event will the method of distribution take the form of an underwritten offering of our common stock without our prior agreement;

 

•

through negotiated transactions, including, but not limited to, block trades in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

•

through purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by that broker or dealer for its account;

 

•

on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the shares may be listed or quoted at the time of sale at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices;

 

•

in private transactions other than exchange or quotation service transactions;

 

•

short sales, purchases or sales of put, call or other types of options, forward delivery contracts, swaps, offerings of structured equity-linked securities or other derivative transactions or securities;

 

•

hedging transactions, including, but not limited to:

 

•

transactions with a broker-dealer or its affiliate, whereby the broker-dealer or its affiliate will engage in short sales of shares and may use shares to close out its short position;

 

•

options or other types of transactions that require the delivery of shares to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who will then resell or transfer the shares; or

 

•

loans or pledges of shares to a broker-dealer or an affiliate, who may sell the loaned shares or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged shares;

 

•

offerings directly to one or more purchasers, including institutional investors;

 

•

through ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers;

 

•

through a combination of any such methods of sale; or

 

•

through any other method permitted under applicable law.

To our knowledge, there are currently no plans, arrangements or understandings between any selling shareholder and any underwriter, broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the shares of common stock. Selling shareholders may ultimately not sell all, and conceivably may not sell any, of the shares of common stock offered by them under this prospectus supplement. In addition, we cannot assure you that a selling shareholder will not transfer, devise or gift the shares of common stock by other means not described in this prospectus supplement. Furthermore, any securities covered by this prospectus supplement which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act may be sold in compliance with Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus supplement.

 

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The selling shareholders may negotiate and pay broker-dealers’ commissions, discounts or concessions for their services. Broker-dealers engaged by the selling shareholders may allow other broker-dealers to participate in resales. The selling shareholders and any broker-dealers involved in the sale or resale of the common stock may qualify as “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. In addition, the broker-dealers’ commissions, discounts or concessions may qualify as underwriters’ compensation under the Securities Act. If any of the selling shareholders qualifies as an “underwriter,” he or she will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the common stock offered by this prospectus supplement has been opined on for us by Ernest C. Jett, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Leggett. We pay Mr. Jett a salary and bonus by the Company, participates in certain of the Company’s employee benefit plans, and owns shares of Company common stock, options to purchase shares of our common stock, and units convertible into shares of common stock.

 

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PROSPECTUS

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

 

 

We may offer and sell from time to time our securities in one or more classes, separately or together in any combination and as separate series, and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the times of the offerings. Selling security holders to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell from time to time securities in such amounts as set forth in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of such securities by any selling security holders.

We will provide specific terms of any offering in supplements to this prospectus. The supplements may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

We or any selling security holder may offer the securities independently or together in any combination for sale directly to purchasers or through underwriters, dealers or agents to be designated at a future date. The supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the plan of distribution.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “LEG”.

Investing in our securities involves risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1 of this prospectus.

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus is February 26, 2009

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About this prospectus		1
Risk factors		1
Leggett & Platt, Incorporated		1
Where you can find more information		1
Selling security holders		2
Use of proceeds		2
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		3
Description of debt securities		3
Description of capital stock		18
Description of depositary shares		19
Description of warrants		22
Description of purchase contracts		23
Description of units		24
Plan of distribution		24
Legal matters		25
Experts		25

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell the securities or combinations of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. For further information about our business and the securities, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits. The exhibits to our registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer, you should review the full text of these documents. The registration statement and the exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer or that selling security holders may offer. Each time we or such security holders offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and/or other offering material that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. When we refer to a “prospectus supplement,” we are also referring to any free writing prospectus or other offering material authorized by us. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document which we incorporate by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on its cover. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Unless the context otherwise requires, in this prospectus “Leggett & Platt,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “ours” refer to Leggett & Platt, Incorporated and its subsidiaries.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and in the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus (which risk factors are incorporated by reference herein), as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement hereto before making a decision to invest in our securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED

Leggett & Platt, Incorporated was founded as a partnership in Carthage, Missouri in 1883 and was incorporated in 1901. The Company, a pioneer of the steel coil bedspring, has become an international diversified manufacturer that conceives, designs and produces a wide range of engineered components and products found in many homes, offices, retail stores and automobiles. We are a Missouri corporation and our principal executive offices are located at No. 1 Leggett Road, Carthage, Missouri 64836. Our telephone number is (417) 358-8131.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on their public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). You may also inspect the information we file with the SEC at the NYSE’s offices at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Information about us, including our SEC filings, is also available at our Internet site at http://www.leggett.com. However, the information on our Internet site is not a part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

 

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The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (other than those made pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC) after the date of this prospectus and before the end of the offering of the securities pursuant to this prospectus (SEC File No. 001-07845):

 

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008;

 

•

The portions of our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A that are deemed “filed” with the SEC under the Exchange Act (filing date March 27, 2008);

 

•

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed February 9, 2009 and February 18, 2009; and

 

•

The description of our common stock contained in our Form 8-A dated June 5, 1979, as amended on Form 8 dated May 10, 1984 and as updated on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2009, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We encourage you to read our periodic and current reports, as they provide additional information about us which prudent investors find important. You may request a copy of these filings without charge (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference), by writing to or by telephoning us at the following address:

Investor Relations

Leggett & Platt, Incorporated

No. 1 Leggett Road

Carthage, MO 64836

(417) 358-8131

Electronic mail: invest@leggett.com

SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

We may register securities covered by this prospectus for re-offers and resales by any selling security holders to be named in a prospectus supplement. Because we are a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, which we refer to as the “Securities Act,” we may add secondary sales of securities by any selling security holders by filing a prospectus supplement with the SEC. We may register these securities to permit selling security holders to resell their securities when they deem appropriate. A selling security holder may resell all, a portion or none of such security holder’s securities at any time and from time to time. Selling security holders may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of their securities in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. We do not know when or in what amounts any selling security holders may offer securities for sale under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We may pay some or all expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the securities owned by the selling security holders. We will provide a prospectus supplement naming any selling security holders, the amount of securities to be registered and sold and any other terms of securities being sold by each selling security holder.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we specify another use in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered by us for general corporate purposes. Such general corporate purposes may include working capital additions, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries, capital expenditures, stock repurchases, debt repayment or financing for acquisitions. Pending such use, the proceeds may be invested temporarily in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities or similar assets. Except as may otherwise be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from any sales of securities by any selling security holder.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

 

		Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2008		2007		2006		2005		2004
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		3.6		2.6		5.0		5.8		6.7

Earnings consist principally of income from continuing operations before income taxes, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest expense, capitalized interest and implied interest included in operating leases. We have not paid a preference security dividend for any of the periods presented, and accordingly have not separately shown the ratio of combined fixed charges and preference dividends to earnings for these periods.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth general terms that may apply to the debt securities. The particular terms of any debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities.

The debt securities will be either our senior debt securities or our subordinated debt securities. For purposes of this description of debt securities, the terms “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer only to Leggett & Platt, Incorporated and not to any of its subsidiaries.

The Indentures

The senior debt securities will be issued in one or more series under our Senior Indenture, dated May 6, 2005, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The subordinated debt securities will be issued in one or more series under a subordinated indenture, to be entered into by us and a financial institution as trustee, if and when we issue subordinated debt securities. The description of the indentures set forth below assumes that we enter into a subordinated indenture. The statements herein relating to the debt securities and the indentures are summaries and are subject to the detailed provisions of the applicable indenture. Each of the indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The descriptions below are summaries and do not contain all the information you may find useful. We urge you to read the indentures because they, and not the summaries, define many of your rights as a holder of our debt securities. If you would like to read the indentures, they are on file with the SEC, as described under “Where You Can Find More Information.” Whenever we refer to particular sections or defined terms in an indenture, those sections and definitions are incorporated by reference.

General

The indentures do not limit the aggregate amount of debt securities which we may issue nor do they limit other debt we may issue. We may issue debt securities under the indentures up to the aggregate principal amount authorized by our board of directors from time to time. Except as may be described in a prospectus supplement, the indentures will not limit the amount of other secured or unsecured debt that we may incur or issue.

The debt securities will be our unsecured general obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated and junior in right of payment to all our present and future senior indebtedness to the extent and in the manner set forth in the subordinated indenture. See “—Subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securities” below. The indentures

 

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will provide that the debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Unless otherwise provided, all debt securities of any one series may be reopened for issuance of additional debt securities of such series. (Section 3.1 of each indenture). We may authorize the issuance and provide for the terms of a series of debt securities pursuant to a supplemental indenture.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities will describe specific terms of the debt securities offered thereby, including, where applicable:

 

•

the title and any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

•

the price at which we are offering the debt securities, usually expressed as a percentage of the principal amount;

 

•

the date or dates on which the principal of and any premium on such debt securities, or any installments thereof, will mature or the method of determining such date or dates;

 

•

the rate or rates, which may be fixed, floating or zero, at which such debt securities will bear any interest or the method of calculating such rate or rates;

 

•

the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or the method of determining such dates;

 

•

the date or dates on which any interest will be payable and the applicable record dates;

 

•

the place or places where principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such debt securities, or installments thereof, if any, will be payable or may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;

 

•

any of our rights or obligations to redeem, repay, purchase or offer to purchase such debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon a specified event and the periods, prices and the other terms and conditions of such redemption or repurchase, in whole or in part;

 

•

the denominations in which such debt securities will be issued;

 

•

any currency or currency units for which such debt securities may be purchased or in which debt securities may be denominated, in which principal of, any premium and any interest on such debt securities, or any installments thereof will be payable and whether we or the holders of any such debt securities may elect to receive payments in a currency or currency unit other than that in which such debt securities are payable;

 

•

any index, formula or other method used, including reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable or changes in the prices of particular securities or commodities, to determine the amount of principal, any premium and any interest payments, or any installments thereof, on the debt securities;

 

•

if other than the entire principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities which becomes payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity or the method of determining such portion;

 

•

the person to whom any interest is payable if other than the person in whose name such debt security is registered on the applicable record date;

 

•

any addition to, or modification or deletion of, any term of subordination, event of default or covenant specified in the indenture with respect to such debt securities;

 

•

any manner of defeasance specified for such debt securities;

 

•

any terms upon which the holders may convert or exchange debt securities into or for our common or preferred stock or other securities or property of us or another issuer;

 

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in the case of the subordinated debt securities, provisions relating to any modification of the subordination provisions described elsewhere in this prospectus;

 

•

material federal income tax considerations, if applicable; and

 

•

any other special terms pertaining to such debt securities. (Section 3.1 of each indenture).

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange or included in any market.

None of our shareholders, officers or directors, past, present or future, will have any personal liability with respect to our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities on account of that status. (Section 1.14 of each indenture).

Debt securities may also be issued pursuant to the indenture in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Those debt securities will not be considered in determining the amount of securities issued under this registration statement.

Form and Denominations

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form, without coupons, and will be denominated in U.S. dollars issued only in denominations of U.S. $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. (Section 3.2 of each indenture).

Original Issue Discount Securities

Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount and may bear no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. Important federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Indexed Securities

If the amount of payments of principal of, and premium, if any, or any interest on, debt securities of any series is determined with reference to any type of index or formula or changes in prices of particular securities or commodities, the federal income tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to such debt securities and such index or formula and securities or commodities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Foreign Currencies

If the principal of, and premium, if any, or any interest on, debt securities of any series are payable in a foreign or composite currency, the restrictions, elections, federal income tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to such debt securities and such currency will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Optional Redemption, Prepayment or Conversion in Certain Events

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities which provides for the optional redemption, prepayment or conversion of such debt securities on the occurrence of certain events, such as a change of control of us, will provide if applicable:

 

•

a discussion of the effects that such provisions may have in deterring certain mergers, tender offers or other takeover attempts, as well as any possible adverse effect on the market price of our securities or our ability to obtain additional financing in the future;

 

•

a statement that we will comply with any applicable provisions of the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other applicable securities laws in connection with any optional redemption, prepayment or conversion provisions and any related offers by us, including, if such debt securities are convertible, Rule 13e-4;

 

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a disclosure as to whether the securities will be subject to any sinking fund or similar provision, and a description of any such provision;

 

•

a disclosure of any cross-defaults in other indebtedness which may result as a consequence of the occurrence of certain events so that the payments on such debt securities would be effectively subordinated;

 

•

a disclosure of the effect of any failure to repurchase under the applicable indenture, including in the event of a change of control of Leggett & Platt;

 

•

a disclosure of any risk that sufficient funds may not be available at the time of any event resulting in a repurchase obligation; and

 

•

a discussion of any definition of “change of control” contained in the applicable indenture.

Payment

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement:

 

•

payments in respect of the debt securities will be made in the designated currency at the office or agency we may designate from time to time, except that, at our option interest payments on debt securities in registered form may be made by checks mailed to the holders of debt securities entitled to payments at their registered addresses or, if provided in the applicable prospectus supplement or in the case of holders of $1 million or more in aggregate principal amount of debt securities, by wire transfer to an account designated by the registered holder; and

 

•

payment of any installment of interest on debt securities in registered form will be made to the person in whose name such debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest. (Section 3.7 of each indenture).

If we do not pay interest when due, that interest will no longer be payable to the registered holder of the debt security on the record date for such interest. We will pay any defaulted interest, at our election:

 

•

to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on a special record date set by the trustee between 10–15 days before the payment of such defaulted interest and at least 10 days after the receipt by the trustee of notice of the payment by us; or

 

•

in any other lawful manner that is consistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the debt securities are listed if, after we give notice to the trustee, the trustee determines the manner of payment is practicable. (Section 3.7 of each indenture).

Transfer and Exchange

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities in registered form will be transferable or exchangeable at the agency maintained for such purpose we designate from time to time. Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged generally without service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection with such transfer or exchange. (Section 3.5 of each indenture). We have appointed the trustee under the senior indenture as security registrar with respect to securities issued under that indenture.

 

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Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Sale of Assets and Other Transfers

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, whether or not we are the surviving corporation, or sell, assign, convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:

 

•

the surviving corporation or other person is organized and existing under the laws of the United States or one of the 50 states, any U.S. territory or the District of Columbia, and assumes the obligation to pay the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all the debt securities and coupons, if any, and to perform or observe all covenants of each indenture; and

 

•

immediately after the transaction, there is no event of default under each indenture. (Section 10.1 of each indenture).

Upon the consolidation, merger or sale, the successor corporation formed by the consolidation, or into which we are merged or to which the sale is made, will succeed to, and be substituted for us under each indenture. (Section 10.2 of each indenture).

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture and the terms of the debt securities will not contain any covenants designed to afford holders of any debt securities protection in a highly leveraged or other transaction involving us, whether or not resulting in a change of control, which may adversely affect holders of the debt securities.

Limitations on Liens

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or as permitted below, neither we nor any subsidiary will create or have outstanding any mortgage, lien, pledge or other encumbrance upon any property, without providing that the debt securities will be secured equally and ratably or prior to the debt.

A subsidiary generally is any corporation or other entity of which we or one of our subsidiaries owns more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock.

The limitation on liens does not apply to:

 

•

liens existing on the date of the indenture;

 

•

liens that secure or pay the costs of acquiring, developing, refurbishing, constructing or improving that property;

 

•

liens on any acquired property existing at the time it is acquired by us, whether or not we assume the related indebtedness;

 

•

liens on property, shares of capital stock or other assets of a subsidiary existing at the time it becomes a subsidiary;

 

•

liens securing debt of a subsidiary owed to us or another of our subsidiaries or securing our debt to a subsidiary;

 

•

liens on any property, shares of stock or assets existing at the time it is acquired by us, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase, lease or some other method;

 

•

liens on property which the creditor has recourse only to such property or proceeds from it;

 

•

liens on property which do not materially detract from its value;

 

•

any extension, renewal or replacement of any of the liens referred to above;

 

•

liens in connection with legal proceedings with respect to any of our material property;

 

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liens for taxes or assessments, landlords’ liens, mechanics’ liens, or charges incidental to the conduct of business or ownership of property, not incurred by borrowing money or securing debt, or not overdue, or liens we are contesting in good faith, or liens released by deposit or escrow; and

 

•

liens for penalties, assessments, clean-up costs or other governmental charges relating to environmental protection matters.

The limitation also does not apply to any liens not excluded by the above examples if at the time and after giving effect to any debt secured by a lien such liens do not exceed 15% of our consolidated assets.

“Consolidated assets” is defined to mean the gross book value of the assets of the Company and our subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (Section 12.5 of each indenture).

Limitations on Sale and Leaseback

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or as permitted below, neither we nor any subsidiary of ours will enter into any sale and leaseback transaction. A sale and leaseback transaction occurs when we or a subsidiary of ours sells or arranges to sell or transfer a principal property back to a lender or other third party and we or a subsidiary will in turn lease the principal property back from the lender or other third party, except for temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, if not more than three years and except for leases between us and one of our subsidiaries or between our subsidiaries. A “principal property” is any of our owned or leased manufacturing plants located in the United States of America, not including any plant(s) our board of directors determines are not of material importance to the business of our company and its subsidiaries taken as whole.

The restrictions on sale and leaseback transactions do not apply where either: (a) we or a subsidiary would be entitled to create debt secured by a lien on the property to be leased in an amount at least equal to “attributable debt” (as referred to below), without equally and ratably securing the debt securities, or (b) within a period twelve months before and twelve months after the consummation of the sale and leaseback transaction, we or one of our subsidiaries generally expends on the property, an amount equal to:

 

•

the net proceeds of the sale of the real property leased pursuant to the transaction and we designate this amount as a credit against the transaction, or

 

•

part of the net proceeds of the sale of the real property leased pursuant to the transaction and we designate this amount as a credit against the transaction and apply an amount equal to the remainder due as described below.

Attributable debt is the present value discounted at the interest rate implicit in the terms of the lease of the lessee’s obligation for the remaining net rent payments due under the remaining term of the lease, including any effective renewal term or period which may, at the option of the lessor, be extended.

The limitation on sale and leaseback transactions also does not apply if at the time of the sale and leaseback we apply, within 90 days of the effective date of any transaction, a cash amount equal to the attributable debt to retire debt for money we or our subsidiaries borrowed, not subordinate to the debt securities, which matures at, or is extendible or renewable to, a date more than 12 months after the creation of the debt at the obligor’s sole option without the consent of the obligee. (Section 12.6 of each indenture).

Waiver of Certain Covenants

The indentures provide that we will not be required to comply with certain restrictive covenants, including those described above under “—Limitations on Liens” and “—Limitations on Sale and Leaseback,” if the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of each series of outstanding debt securities affected waive compliance with the restrictive covenants. (Section 12.7 of each indenture).

 

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Modification or Amendment of the Indentures

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. If we receive the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected, we may enter into supplemental indentures with the trustee for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of each indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders under the indenture of such debt securities and coupons, if any.

However, unless we receive the consent of all of the affected holders, we may not enter into supplemental indentures that would, with respect to the debt securities of such holders:

 

•

conflict with the required provisions of the Trust Indenture Act;

 

•

except as described in any prospectus supplement:

 

•

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any debt security,

 

•

reduce the principal amount, interest or any premium payable upon redemption; provided, however, that a requirement to offer to repurchase debt securities will not be deemed a redemption for this purpose,

 

•

change the stated maturity or reduce the amount of any payment to be made with respect to any coupon,

 

•

change the currency or currencies in which the principal of, any premium or interest on such debt security is denominated or payable,

 

•

reduce the amount of the principal of a discount security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, any payment under any sinking fund or analogous provisions of any debt security,

 

•

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity date, or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date,

 

•

limit our obligation to maintain a paying agency outside the United States for payment on bearer securities, or

 

•

adversely affect the right to convert any debt security into shares of our common stock if so provided;

 

•

reduce the requirement for majority approval of supplemental indentures, or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of either indenture or certain defaults; or

 

•

modify any provisions of either indenture relating to waiver of past defaults with respect to that series, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of such indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holders of each such debt security of each series affected thereby. (Section 11.2 of each indenture).

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any holders, we and the trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures for certain purposes, including:

 

•

to evidence the succession of another corporation to our rights and covenants in each indenture;

 

•

to add to our covenants for the benefit of all or any series of debt securities, or to surrender any of our rights or powers conferred in the indenture;

 

•

to add any additional events of default;

 

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to add or change any provisions to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities of any series in uncertificated or bearer form;

 

•

to change or eliminate any provisions, when there are no outstanding debt securities of any series created before the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of the provisions being changed or eliminated;

 

•

to provide security for or guarantee of the debt securities;

 

•

to supplement any of the provisions to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities as long as such action does not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities;

 

•

to establish the form or terms of debt securities in accordance with each indenture;

 

•

to provide for the acceptance of the appointment of a successor trustee for any series of debt securities or to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee;

 

•

to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision of any indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision, to eliminate any conflict with the Trust Indenture Act or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under such indenture which are not inconsistent with any provision of the indenture, as long as the additional provisions do not adversely affect the interests of the holders in any material respect;

 

•

to adjust any conversion rights upon a merger of us or a sale by us of substantially all of our assets; or

 

•

in the case of the subordinated indenture, to modify the subordination provisions thereof, except in a manner which would be adverse to the holders of subordinated debt securities of any series then outstanding. (Section 11.1 of each indenture).

It is not necessary for holders of the debt securities to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it is sufficient if the holders approve the substance thereof. (Section 11.2 of each indenture).

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of the indenture to which it relates with respect to one or more particular series of debt securities and coupons, if any, or which modifies the rights of the holders of debt securities or any coupons of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, will be deemed not to affect the rights under such indenture of the holders of debt securities and coupons, if any, of any other series. (Section 11.2 of each indenture). If the changes contained in a supplemental indenture are so significant as to involve the offering of a new security, then we will file a new registration statement covering the issuance of such debt securities and containing the revised indenture.

Subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securities

Any subordinated debt securities issued by us will be subordinated and junior in right of payment to all present and future senior indebtedness to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture. (Section 17.1 of the subordinated indenture). Unless we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the term “senior indebtedness” means the principal, any premium, and interest on:

 

•

all of our indebtedness, whether outstanding or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, for money borrowed, or which is evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets, including securities;

 

•

any indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the preceding clause for the payment of which we are responsible or liable as guarantor or otherwise; and

 

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amendments, modifications, renewals, extensions, deferrals and refundings of any such indebtedness.

The senior indebtedness will continue to be senior indebtedness and entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of the senior indebtedness or extension or renewal of the senior indebtedness.

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, senior indebtedness will not include:

 

•

indebtedness incurred for the purchase of goods or materials or for services obtained in the ordinary course of business; and

 

•

any indebtedness which by its terms is expressly made pari passu, or equal in rank and payment, with or subordinated to the applicable debt securities. (Section 17.2 of the subordinated indenture).

Unless we specify otherwise in a prospectus supplement, no direct or indirect payment, in cash, property or securities, by setoff or otherwise, shall be made or agreed to be made on account of the subordinated debt securities or interest thereon or in respect of any repayment, redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition of subordinated debt securities, if:

 

•

we default in the payment of any principal, or any premium or interest on any senior indebtedness, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or declaration or otherwise; or

 

•

an event of default occurs with respect to any senior indebtedness permitting the holders to accelerate the maturity and written notice of such event of default, requesting that payments on subordinated debt securities cease, is given to us by the holders of senior indebtedness, unless and until such default in payment or event of default has been cured or waived or ceases to exist. (Section 17.4 of the subordinated indenture.)

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, all present and future senior indebtedness, including, without limitation, interest accruing after the commencement of any proceeding described below, assignment or marshaling of assets, shall first be paid in full before we make any payment or distribution, in cash, securities or other property, on account of subordinated debt securities in the event of:

 

•

any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshalling of assets, readjustment, composition or other similar proceeding relating to us, our creditors or our property; or

 

•

any proceeding for our liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up, voluntary or involuntary, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings. (Section 17.3 of the subordinated indenture.)

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in any such event, payments or distributions which would be made on subordinated debt securities will generally be paid to the holders of senior indebtedness in accordance with the priorities existing until the senior indebtedness is paid in full. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if the payments or distributions on subordinated debt securities are in the form of our securities or those of any other corporation under a plan of reorganization or readjustment and are subordinated to outstanding senior indebtedness and to any securities issued with respect to senior indebtedness under such a plan, they will be made to the holders of the subordinated debt securities (Section 17.3 of the subordinated indenture). No holder of any senior indebtedness will be prejudiced in the right to enforce the subordination of subordinated or debt securities by any act or failure to act on the part of us. (Section 17.9 of the subordinated indenture).

 

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Senior indebtedness will only be deemed to have been paid in full if the holders of that indebtedness have received cash, securities or other property which is equal to the amount of the outstanding senior indebtedness. After payment in full of all present and future senior indebtedness, holders of subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of any holders of senior indebtedness to receive any further payments or distributions that are applicable to the senior indebtedness until all the subordinated debt securities are paid in full. In matters between holders of subordinated debt securities and any other type of our creditors, any payments or distributions that would otherwise be paid to holders of senior debt securities and that are made to holders of subordinated debt securities because of this subrogation will be deemed a payment by us on account of senior indebtedness and not on account of subordinated debt securities. (Section 17.7 of the subordinated indenture).

The subordinated indenture provides that the foregoing subordination provisions may be changed, except in a manner which would be adverse to the holders of subordinated debt securities of any series then outstanding. (Sections 11.1 and 11.2 of the subordinated indenture.) The prospectus supplement relating to such subordinated debt securities would describe any such change.

The prospectus supplement delivered in connection with the offering of a series of subordinated debt securities will set forth a more detailed description of the subordination provisions applicable to any such debt securities.

As of December 31, 2008, we had a carrying value of approximately $863.6 million of senior unsecured long-term indebtedness and current maturities of long-term indebtedness that would rank equally with any senior debt securities. We will disclose material changes to this amount in any prospectus supplement relating to an offering of our debt securities. If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference will set forth the approximate amount of indebtedness senior to such subordinated indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date. The subordinated indenture will place no limitation on the amount of additional senior indebtedness that we may incur. We expect from time to time to incur additional indebtedness constituting senior indebtedness. Our outstanding short- and long-term indebtedness would rank equally with our senior debt securities and prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities.

Events of Default

Unless we specify otherwise in a prospectus supplement, an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities issued under each indenture means:

 

•

default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on any debt security when due;

 

•

default in the payment of the principal of, and any premium on, any debt security of such series when due;

 

•

default for 30 days in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due by the terms of any debt security;

 

•

default for 90 days after we receive notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series in the performance of any covenant or breach of any warranty in the indenture governing that series;

 

•

default as defined under any other debt instrument with an outstanding amount due exceeding $50,000,000 that is accelerated and that continues for 10 days without being discharged or the acceleration being rescinded after the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series notifies us of the acceleration;

 

•

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership; or

 

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any other events which we specify for that series, which will be indicated in the prospectus supplement for that series. (Section 5.1 of each indenture).

Within 90 days after a default in respect of any series of debt securities, the trustee must give to the holders of such series notice of all uncured and unwaived defaults by us known to it. However, except in the case of payment default, the trustee may withhold such notice if it determines that such withholding is in the interest of the holders. (Section 6.2 of each indenture).

If an event of default occurs and is continuing in respect of any outstanding series of debt securities, the trustee of the senior or subordinated indentures or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the applicable principal amount of all of the debt securities of that series to be immediately due and payable. However, with respect to any debt securities issued under the subordinated indenture, the payment of principal and interest on such debt securities shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in Article XVII of the subordinated indenture. In addition, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of that series may, subject to specified conditions, rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 5.2 of each indenture).

Unless we specify otherwise in a prospectus supplement, if an event of default because of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership as described above shall occur and be continuing, then the principal amount of all the debt securities outstanding shall be and become due and payable immediately, without notice or other action by any holder or the applicable trustee, to the full extent permitted by law. (Section 5.2 of each indenture).

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, may waive any past default and its consequences, except that they may not waive an uncured default in payment or a default which cannot be waived without the consent of the holders of all outstanding securities of that series. (Section 5.13 of each indenture).

We must file annually with the trustee a statement, signed by specified officers, stating whether or not such officers have knowledge of any default under the indenture and, if so, specifying each such default and the nature and status of each such default. (Section 12.2 of each indenture).

Subject to provisions in the applicable indenture relating to its duties in case of default, the trustee is not required to take action at the request of any holders of debt securities, unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. (Section 6.3 of each indenture).

Subject to indemnification requirements and other limitations set forth in the applicable indenture, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting proceedings for remedies available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, in respect of such series. (Section 5.12 of each indenture).

Defeasance; Satisfaction and Discharge

Legal or Covenant Defeasance. Each indenture provides that we may be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of any series, as described below. These provisions will apply only to any registered securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe any defeasance provisions that apply to other types of debt securities. (Section 15.1 of each indenture).

At our option, we may choose one of the following alternatives:

 

•

We may elect to be discharged from any and all of our obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series, except for, among other things, certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of such series, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by the trustee for defeasance. We refer to this as “legal defeasance.”

 

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•

Alternatively, we may decide not to comply with the covenants described under the headings “—Limitations on Liens,” “—Limitations on Sale and Leaseback” and certain covenants described under “—Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Sale of Assets and Other Transfers” and any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any noncompliance with those covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series. We refer to this as “covenant defeasance.”

In either case, we will be discharged from our obligations if we deposit with the trustee, in trust, sufficient money and/or U.S. Government Obligations (as referred to below), in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay principal, including any mandatory sinking fund payments, any premium, and interest on the debt securities of that series on the maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities. This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel or an Internal Revenue Service ruling which provides that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance. (Section 15.2 of each indenture).

In addition, with respect to the subordinated indenture, in order to be discharged, no event or condition shall exist that, pursuant to certain provisions described under “—Subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securities” above, would prevent us from making payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on subordinated debt securities and coupons at the date of the irrevocable deposit referred to above. (Section 15.2 of the subordinated indenture).

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series on the dates installments of interest or principal are due but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. However, we will remain liable for those payments.

“U.S. Government Obligations” generally means securities which are (1) direct obligations of the United States backed by its full faith and credit, or (2) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and will also include certain depository receipts. (Section 15.2 of each indenture).

We may exercise our legal defeasance option even if we have already exercised our covenant defeasance option. (Section 15.2 of each indenture).

There may be additional provisions relating to defeasance which we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 15.1 of each indenture).

Conversion or Exchange

Any series of the debt securities may be convertible or exchangeable into common or preferred stock or other debt securities registered under the registration statement relating to this prospectus or other property or securities of us or other securities or property of another issuer. The specific terms and conditions on which such debt securities may be so converted or exchanged will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Those terms may include the conversion or exchange price, provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at our option, whether we have an option to convert debt securities into cash, rather than common stock, and provisions under which the number of shares of common or preferred stock or other securities to be received by the holders of debt securities would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Sections 3.1 and 16.1 of each indenture).

 

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Notices to Registered Holders

Notices to registered holders of debt securities will be sent by mail to the addresses of those holders as they appear in the security register. (Section 1.5 of each indenture).

Replacement of Securities

We will replace any mutilated debt security at the expense of the holder upon surrender of the mutilated debt security to the trustee in the circumstances described in the indenture. We will replace debt securities that are destroyed, stolen or lost at the expense of the holder upon delivery to the trustee of evidence of the destruction, loss or theft of the debt securities satisfactory to us and to the trustee in the circumstances described in the indenture. In the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen debt security, an indemnity satisfactory to the trustee and us may be required at the expense of the holder of the debt security before a replacement debt security will be issued. (Section 3.6 of each indenture).

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York. (Section 1.11 of each indenture).

Regarding the Trustee

We expect U.S. Bank National Association to act as trustee under the senior indenture. U.S. Bank is a lender under our primary credit facility and is also a trustee for certain of our other debt instruments. From time to time, we may also enter into other banking or other relationships with U.S. Bank. We may designate the trustee under the senior and subordinated indentures in a prospectus supplement at various times. From time to time, we may enter into banking or other relationships with any of such trustees or their affiliates.

If the trustee is or becomes one of our creditors, the indenture limits the right of the trustee to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claims as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions. However, if after a specified default has occurred and is continuing, it acquires or has a conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or receive permission from the SEC to continue as a trustee or resign.

There may be more than one trustee under each indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. (Section 1.1 of each indenture). Any trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series. (Section 6.10 of each indenture).

If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate from the trust administered by any other such trustee. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or in an applicable prospectus supplement, any action to be taken by the trustee may be taken by each such trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of debt securities for which it is trustee under the indenture. (Sections 1.1 and 6.10 of each indenture).

Global Debt Securities

Unless we specify otherwise in a prospectus supplement for a particular series of debt securities, each series of debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in global form and will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. Global securities will be registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee, which will be the sole direct holder of the global securities. Any person wishing to own a debt security must do so indirectly through an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that, in turn, has an account with the depositary.

Special Investor Considerations for Global Securities. Under the terms of the indentures, our obligations with respect to the debt securities, as well as the obligations of each trustee, run only to persons who are registered holders of debt securities. For example, once we make payment to the registered holder, we have no further responsibility for that payment even if the recipient is legally required to pass the payment along to an individual investor but fails to do so. As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to transfers of debt securities.

 

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An investor should be aware that when debt securities are issued in the form of global securities:

 

•

the investor cannot have debt securities registered in his or her own name;

 

•

the investor cannot receive physical certificates for his or her debt securities;

 

•

the investor must look to his or her bank or brokerage firm for payments on the debt securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the debt securities;

 

•

the investor may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance or other institutions that are required by law to hold the physical certificates of debt that they own;

 

•

the depositary’s policies will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to the investor’s interest in the global security; and

 

•

the depositary will usually require that interests in a global security be purchased or sold within its system using same-day funds.

Neither we nor the trustees have any responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in the global security, and neither we nor the trustees supervise the depositary in any way.

Special Situations When the Global Security Will Be Terminated. In a few special situations described below, the global security will terminate, and interests in the global security will be exchanged for physical certificates representing debt securities. After that exchange, the investor may choose whether to hold debt securities directly or indirectly through an account at the investor’s bank or brokerage firm. In that event, investors must consult their banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in debt securities transferred to their own names so that they may become direct holders.

The special situations where a global security is terminated are:

 

•

when the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary, unless a replacement is named;

 

•

when an event of default on the debt securities has occurred and has not been cured; or

 

•

when and if we decide (subject to the procedures of the depositary) to terminate a global security. (Section 3.4 of each indenture).

A prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to a particular series of debt securities. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not us or one of the trustees, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

The Depository Trust Company. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, will act as securities depository for the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued as fully-registered securities in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully-registered security certificate will be issued for each debt security, each in the aggregate principal amount of such security and will be deposited with DTC.

Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through participants (for example, your broker) who will receive credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security will be recorded on the records of the participant. Beneficial owners of the debt securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the participant through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the debt securities except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.

 

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To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited by participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to participants and by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Proceeds, distributions or other payments on the debt securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participant and not DTC, or Leggett & Platt, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, certificates representing the debt securities are required to be printed and delivered. We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC, or a successor depository. In that event, certificates representing the debt securities will be printed and delivered.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC’s participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between direct participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the SEC.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following is a summary of some of the terms of our common and preferred stock. You should refer to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2009 and subsequent incorporated documents for additional information about our capital stock, as described in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Common Stock

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 600,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of February 15, 2009, 156,856,585 shares of common stock were outstanding.

Dividends. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, in cash, securities, or property, as may from time to time be declared by out board of directors, subject to the rights of holders of the preferred stock.

Voting. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters requiring a vote of the shareholders.

Rights Upon Liquidation. In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holder of common stock will be entitled to share equally in our assets available for distribution after payment in full of all debts and after the holders of preferred stock have received their liquidation preferences in full.

Miscellaneous. Shares of common stock are not redeemable and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive rights.

Preferred Stock

The following is a description of general terms and provisions of the preferred stock. The particular terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

All of the terms of the preferred stock are, or will be contained in our Articles of Incorporation or in one or more certificates of designation relating to each series of the preferred stock, which will be filed with the SEC at or prior to the issuance of the series of preferred stock.

Our Articles of Incorporation vest our board of directors with authority to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share, from time to time in one or more classes and one or more series, with such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as may be stated in the resolutions providing for the issuance of such stock adopted by our board of directors. As of February 15, 2009, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

Our board of directors is authorized to fix or determine, for each series of preferred stock, and the prospectus supplement will set forth with respect to the series the following information:

 

•

the specific designation of the shares of the series;

 

•

the consideration for which the shares of the series are to be issued;

 

•

the voting rights appertaining to shares of preferred stock;

 

•

the rate and conditions, if any, under which dividends will be payable on shares of that series, and the status of those dividends as cumulative or non-cumulative;

 

•

the price, times, terms and conditions, if any, upon which the shares of the series may be redeemed;

 

•

the rights, if any, which the holders of shares of the series have in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

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•

the rights, if any, of holders of a series of preferred stock to convert or exchange such shares for shares of any other class or series of our capital stock or any other corporation, including the determination of the price or the rate applicable to such right to convert or exchange and the adjustment thereof, the time during which the rights to convert or exchange will be applicable and the time during which a particular price or rate will be applicable; and

 

•

any other preferences, rights, privileges and restrictions applicable to the series as may be permitted by law.

Before we issue any shares of preferred stock of any class or series, a certificate setting forth a copy of the resolutions of the board of directors, fixing the voting power, designations, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions, if any, appertaining to the shares of preferred stock of such class or series, and the number of shares of preferred stock of such class or series, authorized by our board of directors to be issued will be made and filed in accordance with applicable law and set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The description of certain provisions of any deposit agreement and any related depositary shares and depositary receipts in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of that deposit agreement and of the depositary shares and depositary receipts. These descriptions do not restate those agreements and do not contain all of the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define many of your rights as a holder of the depositary shares. For more information, please review the form of deposit agreement and form of depositary receipts relating to each series of the preferred stock, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of that series of preferred stock and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General

We may elect to have shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares. The shares of any series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company that we select. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares will set forth the name and address of this preferred stock depositary. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of the preferred stock represented by such depositary share, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement, each of which will represent the applicable interest in a number of shares of a particular series of the preferred stock described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the shares of preferred stock, but only in whole shares of preferred stock, underlying those depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the whole number of shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to that holder at the same time a new depositary receipt for the excess number of depositary shares.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The preferred stock depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions in respect of the series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion, to the extent possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders. The depositary, however, will distribute only the amount that can be distributed without attributing to any depositary share a fraction of one cent, and any undistributed balance will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary receipts then outstanding.

 

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If there is a distribution other than in cash in respect of the preferred stock, the preferred stock depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders, unless the preferred stock depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such a distribution. In that case, the preferred stock depositary may, with our approval, adopt any method that it deems equitable and practicable to effect the distribution, including a public or private sale of the property and distribution of the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

The amount distributed in any of the above cases will be reduced by any amount we or the preferred stock depositary are required to withhold on account of taxes.

Conversion and Exchange

If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to provisions relating to its conversion or exchange as set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement, each record holder of depositary receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts pursuant to those provisions.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the preferred stock depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of the preferred stock held by the preferred stock depositary. Whenever we redeem a share of preferred stock held by the preferred stock depositary, the preferred stock depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date a proportionate number of depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock that were redeemed. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the aggregate redemption price payable with respect to the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or proportionately as we may determine.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the redemption price. Any funds that we deposit with the preferred stock depositary relating to depositary shares which are not redeemed by the holders of the depositary shares will be returned to us after a period of two years from the date the funds are deposited by us.

Voting

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares are entitled to vote, the preferred stock depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary receipts. Each record holder of the depositary receipts on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, may then instruct the preferred stock depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock underlying that holder’s depositary shares. The preferred stock depositary will try to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action which the preferred stock depositary deems necessary to enable the preferred stock depositary to do so. The preferred stock depositary will abstain from voting the preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific written instructions from holders of depositary receipts representing the preferred stock.

Record Date

Subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement, whenever:

 

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any cash dividend or other cash distribution becomes payable;

 

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any distribution other than cash is made;

 

•

any rights, preferences or privileges are offered with respect to the preferred stock;

 

•

the preferred stock depositary receives notice of any meeting at which holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote or of which holders of preferred stock are entitled to notice; or

 

•

the preferred stock depositary receives notice of the mandatory conversion of or any election by us to call for the redemption of any preferred stock, the preferred stock depositary will in each instance fix a record date, which will be the same as the record date for the preferred stock, for the determination of the holders of depositary receipts:

 

•

who will be entitled to receive dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of any sale, or

 

•

who will be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to receive notice of the meeting or the redemption or conversion.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the preferred stock depositary, upon payment of any unpaid amount due the preferred stock depositary, and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, the owner of the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts is entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by the depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the preferred stock depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock that are withdrawn will not be entitled to deposit the shares that have been withdrawn under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

We and the preferred stock depositary may at any time agree to amend the form of depositary receipt and any provision of the deposit agreement. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us or by the preferred stock depositary only if all outstanding shares have been redeemed or if a final distribution in respect of the underlying preferred stock has been made to the holders of the depositary shares in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary

We will pay all charges of the preferred stock depositary including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock, the initial issuance of the depositary receipts, the distribution of information to the holders of depositary receipts with respect to matters on which preference stock is entitled to vote, withdrawals of the preferred stock by the holders of depositary receipts or redemption or conversion of the preferred stock, except for taxes (including transfer taxes, if any) and other governmental charges and any other charges expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be at the expense of holders of depositary receipts or persons depositing preferred stock.

Miscellaneous

Neither we nor the preferred stock depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing any obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of the preferred stock depositary under the deposit agreement are limited to performing its duties under the agreement without negligence or bad faith. Our obligations under the deposit agreement are limited to performing our duties in good faith. Neither we nor the preferred stock depositary is

 

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obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the preferred stock depositary may rely on advice of or information from counsel, accountants or other persons that they believe to be competent and on documents that they believe to be genuine.

The preferred stock depositary may resign at any time or be removed by us, effective upon the acceptance by its successor of its appointment. If we have not appointed a successor preferred stock depositary and the successor depositary has not accepted its appointment within 60 days after the preferred stock depositary delivered a resignation notice to us, the preferred stock depositary may terminate the deposit agreement. See “—Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement” above.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities described in this prospectus. We may issue warrants independently or as part of a unit with other securities. Warrants sold with other securities as a unit may be attached to or separate from the other securities. We will issue warrants under separate warrant agreements between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants we are offering will describe specific terms relating to the offering, including a description of any other securities sold together with the warrants. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

•

the title of the warrants;

 

•

the aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

•

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

 

•

terms relating to the currency or currencies, in which the prices of the warrants may be payable;

 

•

the designation, number and terms of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities or rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies or indices, purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and procedures by which those numbers may be adjusted;

 

•

the exercise price of the warrants, including any provisions for changes or adjustments to the exercise price, and terms relating to the currency in which such price is payable;

 

•

the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable;

 

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the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants are issued as a unit;

 

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if the warrants are issued as a unit with another security, the date on or after which the warrants and the other security will be separately transferable;

 

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if the exercise price is not payable in U.S. dollars, terms relating to the currency in which the exercise price is denominated;

 

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any minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; any terms relating to the modification of the warrants;

 

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a discussion of material federal income tax considerations, if applicable; and

 

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any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange, exercise or redemption of the warrants.

Warrants issued for securities other than our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock will not be exercisable until at least one year from the date of sale of the warrant.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any warrant units.

 

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The descriptions of the warrant agreements in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements. These descriptions do not restate those agreements in their entirety and do not contain all of the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define many of your rights as holders of the warrants or any warrant units. For more information, please review the form of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of warrants or warrant units and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, a number or amount of debt securities, shares of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares or warrants at a future date or dates. The price per equity security and the number of securities may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula stated in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts. The payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis to be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to any purchase contracts we are offering will describe the material terms of the purchase contracts and any applicable pledge or depository arrangements, including one or more of the following:

 

•

the stated amount a holder will be obligated to pay in order to purchase our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants or the formula to determine such amount;

 

•

the settlement date or dates on which the holder will be obligated to purchase the securities. The prospectus supplement will specify whether certain events may cause the settlement date to occur on an earlier date and the terms on which an early settlement would occur;

 

•

the events, if any, that will cause our obligations and the obligations of the holder under the purchase contract to terminate;

 

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the settlement rate, which is a number that, when multiplied by the stated amount of a purchase contract, determines the number of securities that we will be obligated to sell and a holder will be obligated to purchase under that purchase contract upon payment of the stated amount of a purchase contract. The settlement rate may be determined by the application of a formula specified in the prospectus supplement. If a formula is specified, it may be based on the market price of such securities over a specified period or it may be based on some other reference statistic. Purchase contracts may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of securities to be delivered upon the occurrence of specified events;

 

•

whether the purchase contracts will be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract and an underlying security with an aggregate principal amount equal to the stated amount. Any underlying securities will be pledged by the holder to secure its obligations under a purchase contract. Underlying securities may be our debt securities, depositary shares, preferred securities, common stock, warrants or debt obligations or government securities;

 

•

the terms of any pledge arrangement relating to any underlying securities; and

 

•

the amount of the contract fee, if any, that may be payable by us to the holder or by the holder to us, the date or dates on which the contract fee will be payable and the extent to which we or the holder, as applicable, may defer payment of the contract fee on those payment dates. The contract fee may be calculated as a percentage of the stated amount of the purchase contract or otherwise.

 

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The descriptions of the purchase contracts and any applicable underlying security or pledge or depository arrangements in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements. These descriptions do not restate those agreements in their entirety and may not contain all the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define many of your rights as holders of the purchase contracts. For more information, please review the form of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of purchase contracts or purchase contract units and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit may also include debt obligations of third parties, such as U.S. Treasury securities. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The prospectus supplement will describe:

 

•

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately;

 

•

a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;

 

•

a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units;

 

•

a discussion of material federal income tax considerations, if applicable; and

 

•

whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

The descriptions of the units and any applicable underlying security or pledge or depository arrangements in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements. These descriptions do not restate those agreements in their entirety and may not contain all the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define many of your rights as holders of the units. For more information, please review the form of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of units and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,”

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or any selling security holder may sell any of the securities being offered by this prospectus in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

•

through agents or dealers;

 

•

to or through underwriters;

 

•

directly by us or by any selling security holder to purchasers; or

 

•

through a combination of any of these methods.

We will describe the details of any such offering and the plan of distribution for any securities offering by us or any selling security holder in a prospectus supplement.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Ernest C. Jett, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Leggett & Platt, will issue an opinion about the validity of the securities. We pay Mr. Jett a salary and a bonus and he is a participant in various employee benefit plans offered by the company and owns and has options to purchase shares of common stock of the company.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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