UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 8, 2021

CIMAREX ENERGY CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-31446		45-0466694
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 3700 Denver Colorado		80203
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(303)295-3995

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

x Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

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

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

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock ($0.01 par value)		XEC		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b—2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b—2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations

On September 8, 2021, Cimarex Energy Co. (“Cimarex”) announced that, in connection with the anticipated merger of Cimarex with a wholly owned subsidiary of Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (“Cabot”), Cabot has commenced offers to exchange any and all outstanding notes issued by Cimarex (the “Existing Cimarex Notes”) for (1) up to $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of new notes to be issued by Cabot (the “New Cabot Notes”) and (2) cash (each, an “Exchange Offer” and, collectively, the “Exchange Offers”). In conjunction with the Exchange Offers, Cimarex is soliciting consents (each, a “Consent Solicitation” and, collectively, the “Consent Solicitations”) to adopt certain proposed amendments to each of the indentures governing the Existing Cimarex Notes to eliminate certain of the covenants, restrictive provisions and events of default from such indentures.

The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are subject to the consummation of the merger transaction contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 23, 2021, as amended on June 29, 2021 (as it may be further amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), among Cimarex, Double C Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Cabot (“Merger Sub”), and Cabot, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Cimarex (the “Merger”), with Cimarex surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Cabot. In addition, each Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation is conditioned upon the completion of the other Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations, although Cabot may waive such condition at any time with respect to an Exchange Offer.

The New Cabot Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state or foreign securities laws. Therefore, the New Cabot Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States or to any U.S. person absent registration, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement dated as of September 8, 2021 (as it may be amended or supplemented, the “Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement”). A copy of the press release announcing the Exchange Offers and the Consent Solicitations is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this Item 7.01, as well as Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is being furnished, not filed. Accordingly, such information will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by Cabot under the Securities Act, unless specifically identified as being incorporated by reference therein.

ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

Anticipated Board of Directors Upon Effectiveness of the Merger

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Cabot has agreed to take all actions as may be necessary to cause (1) the number of directors constituting the Cabot board of directors as of the effective time of the Merger to be ten and (2) the Cabot board of directors as of the effective time of the Merger to be composed of (A) five persons who are current members of the Cabot board of directors (the “designated Cabot directors”) to be selected by the Cabot board of directors prior to the effective time of the Merger, one of whom will be Mr. Dan O. Dinges, and (B) five persons who are current members of the Cimarex board of directors (the “designated Cimarex directors”) to be selected by the Cimarex board of directors prior to the effective time of the Merger, one of whom will be Mr. Thomas E. Jorden. Subject to formal action to be taken by the Cabot board of directors, it is currently anticipated that: (1) in addition to Mr. Dinges, the designated Cabot directors will be Ms. Dorothy M. Ables, Mr. Robert S. Boswell, Ms. Amanda M. Brock and Mr. Marcus A. Watts; and (2) in addition to Mr. Jorden, the designated Cimarex directors will be Ms. Lisa A. Stewart (who is expected to serve as Lead Director), Mr. Paul N. Eckley, Mr. Hans Helmerich and Ms. Frances M. Vallejo. Background information concerning the anticipated designated Cabot directors can be found in Cabot’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on April 29, 2021, and background information concerning the anticipated designated Cimarex directors can be found in Cimarex’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 12, 2021.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Exhibit Name
99.1		Joint press release, dated September 8, 2021

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

No Offer or Solicitation

This filing is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made, except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act. The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made to eligible holders solely pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement and only to such persons and in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law.

Additional Information about the Merger and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed Merger, Cabot filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 on June 30, 2021 (as amended on August 13, 2021), that includes a joint proxy statement of Cabot and Cimarex and that also constitutes a prospectus of Cabot. The registration statement was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 20, 2021, and on August 23, 2021 Cabot and Cimarex each filed the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus in connection with the proposed Merger with the SEC. Cabot and Cimarex commenced mailing the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to stockholders on or about August 23, 2021. Each of Cabot and Cimarex will also file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed Merger. This press release is not a substitute for the registration statement, the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus or any other document that Cabot or Cimarex has filed or may file with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CABOT, CIMAREX AND THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the registration statement, the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and all other documents containing important information about Cabot, Cimarex and the proposed Merger, once such documents are filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Cabot may be obtained free of charge on Cabot’s website at www.cabotog.com/investor-relations. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Cimarex may be obtained free of charge on Cimarex’s website at www.cimarex.com/investor-relations.

Participants in the Solicitation

Cabot, Cimarex and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed Merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of Cabot, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in Cabot’s proxy statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021, and Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021. Information about the directors and executive officers of Cimarex, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in Cimarex’s proxy statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 26, 2021, and Cimarex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on February 23, 2021. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of those persons and other persons who may be deemed participants in the proposed Merger by reading the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the proposed Merger when such materials become available. Investors should read the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from Cabot or Cimarex using the sources indicated above.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Words such as anticipates, believes, expects, intends, plans, outlook, will, should, may and similar expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect Cabot’s and Cimarex’s current views about future events. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed merger involving Cabot and Cimarex, including future financial and operating results; Cabot’s and Cimarex’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the transaction; the expected timing and amount of any future dividends; and other statements that are not historical facts, including estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and resources, estimates of future production, assumptions regarding future oil and natural gas pricing, planned drilling activity, future results of operations, projected cash flow and liquidity, the achievement of synergies, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements contained in this communication will occur as projected and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the ability to obtain the requisite Cabot and Cimarex stockholder approvals; the risk that an event, change or other circumstances could give rise to the termination of the proposed merger; the risk that a condition to closing of the merger may not be satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the length of time necessary to close the proposed transaction, which may be longer than anticipated for various reasons; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk that any announcement relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Cabot’s common stock or Cimarex’s common stock; the risk of litigation related to the proposed transaction; the effect of future regulatory or legislative actions on the companies or the industry in which they operate, including the risk of new restrictions with respect to well spacing, hydraulic fracturing, natural gas flaring or other oil and natural gas development activities; the risk that the credit ratings of the combined business may be different from what the companies expect; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; the diversion of management time on merger-related issues; the volatility in commodity prices for crude oil and natural gas; the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact thereof on Cabot’s and Cimarex’s businesses, financial condition and results of operations; actions by, or disputes among or between, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producer countries; the presence or recoverability of estimated reserves; the ability to replace reserves; environmental risks; drilling and operating risks; exploration and development risks; competition; the ability of management to execute its plans to meet its goals; and other risks inherent in Cabot’s and Cimarex’s businesses. In addition, the declaration and payment of any future dividends, whether regular base quarterly dividends, variable dividends or special dividends following completion of the proposed transaction, will depend on the combined business financial results, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors of Cabot (as then constituted). These risks, as well as other risks related to the proposed transaction, are described in the registration statement on Form S-4 and preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus that was filed with the SEC and the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus if and when it becomes available in connection with the proposed transaction. While the list of factors presented here is, and the list of factors to be presented in the registration statement on Form S-4 are, considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. For additional information about other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, please refer to: (1) Cabot’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, which are available on Cabot’s website at www.cabotog.com/investorrelations and on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov; and (2) Cimarex’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, which are available on its website at www.cimarex.com/investor-relations and on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.

Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. Except to the extent required by applicable law, neither Cabot nor Cimarex undertakes any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

SIGNATURE

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

CIMAREX ENERGY CO.

Dated: September 8, 2021	By:	/s/ Francis B. Barron
		Francis B. Barron
		Senior Vice President—General Counsel

CIMAREX ENERGY CO 8-K