--- ticker: CARR company: Carrier Global Corporation filing_type: 10-K year_current: 2024 year_prior: 2023 risks_added: 0 risks_removed: 1 risks_modified: 9 risks_unchanged: 31 source: SEC EDGAR url: https://riskdiff.com/carr/2024-vs-2023/ markdown_url: https://riskdiff.com/carr/2024-vs-2023/index.md generated: 2026-05-11 --- # Carrier Global Corporation: 10-K Risk Factor Changes 2024 vs 2023 > Source: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR) > Generated: 2026-05-11 > All data extracted directly from official filings. No hallucinated content. > **[AI-Generated Summary]** The paragraph below was produced by a language > model and may contain errors. All other content on this page is deterministically > extracted from the original SEC filing. > Carrier Global Corporation removed its standalone COVID-19 risk factor in 2024, consolidating pandemic-related concerns into a broader natural disasters and unexpected events risk category. The company substantively revised nine risk disclosures, with notable modifications to risks covering U.S. government contracting, labor matters, and cybersecurity threats, reflecting evolving operational priorities and emerging business challenges. These changes represent a shift from pandemic-specific risk management toward enterprise-wide resilience concerns aligned with Carrier's current strategic environment. --- ## Summary | Status | Count | |--------|-------| | New risks added | 0 | | Risks removed | 1 | | Risks modified | 9 | | Unchanged | 31 | --- ## No Match in Current: Our business, financial condition and results of operations have been and may continue to be adversely affected by COVID-19. *This section from the 2023 filing does not have a high-confidence textual match in 2024. It may have been removed, merged, or substantially reworded.* The global outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 severely constrained economic activity and caused a significant contraction in the global economy. In response to this outbreak, governments took preventive or protective actions, including imposing restrictions on business operations and travel. Governments also implemented economic stabilization efforts and other measures to mitigate the economic effects of the outbreak; however, the effectiveness and continuation of those measures remains uncertain. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and could continue to have, an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The pandemic resulted in widespread and extended or partial shutdowns and other restrictions on the operations of non-essential businesses, specifically due to resurgence in cases and the spread of variants, including construction, hospitality venues, offices and travel. The nature and extent of the continuing impact of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition and results of operations is uncertain and will depend on future developments, including the emergence, severity and spread of COVID-19 variants. Nonetheless, further prolonged closures and restrictions throughout the world due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and decreases in the general level of economic activity may again disrupt our operations and the operations of our suppliers, distributors and customers. As a result of the foregoing, the pandemic and its impact have also affected and could continue to affect our ability to obtain necessary raw materials and parts, ship finished products to customers, the ability of our customers to pay for our products and services and to obtain financing for significant purchases and operations, which could result in a decrease and/or cancellation of orders and/or payment delays or defaults. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our supply chain as we experienced disruptions or delays in shipments of certain materials or components of our products. Facility closures or other restrictions could materially adversely affect our ability to adequately staff, supply or otherwise maintain our operations. Further, such conditions may also adversely affect our supply base and increase the potential for one or more of our suppliers to experience financial distress or bankruptcy, which could impact our ability to fulfill orders on time or at the anticipated cost. We also may be required to raise additional capital in the future and our access to and cost of financing will depend on, among other things, global economic conditions, conditions in the global financing markets, the availability of sufficient amounts of financing, our results of operations and our credit ratings. There is no guarantee that financing will be available in the future to fund our obligations, or that it will be available on terms consistent with our expectations. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. In addition, labor shortages due to prolonged illness or quarantine or an increase in the cost of labor could adversely affect our profit margins and results of operations. Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic impact may be slowed or reversed by a variety of factors. In addition, even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may continue to experience adverse impacts to our business as a result of its global economic impact. Further, many of the factors discussed under Risk Factors in this Form 10-K are, and we anticipate will continue to be further, heightened or exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. --- ## Modified: We are subject to risks arising from doing business with the U.S. government. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Such investigations often take years to complete and could result in administrative, civil or criminal liabilities, including repayments, fines, treble and other damages, forfeitures, restitution or 20 20 20 20 20 20 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents penalties, or could lead to suspension or debarment of U.S." - Removed sentence: "19 19 19 19 19 19 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents" **Prior (2023):** As a supplier and service provider to the U.S. government, including as a subcontractor under prime contracts with the U.S. government, we are subject to certain heightened risks, such as those associated with the government's rights to audit and conduct investigations and with its rights to terminate contracts for convenience or default. In light of the current U.S. government contracting environment, we are and will continue to be the subject of U.S. government investigations relating to our U.S. government contracts or subcontracts. Such investigations often take years to complete and could result in administrative, civil or criminal liabilities, including repayments, fines, treble and other damages, forfeitures, restitution or penalties, or could lead to suspension or debarment of U.S. government contracting or of export privileges. For instance, if a business unit were charged with wrongdoing in connection with a U.S. government investigation (including fraud or violation of certain environmental or export laws), the U.S. government could suspend us from bidding on or receiving awards of new U.S. government contracts or subcontracts. If convicted or found liable, the U.S. government could fine and debar us from receiving new awards for a period generally not to exceed three years and could void any contracts found to be tainted by fraud. We also could suffer reputational harm if allegations of impropriety were made against us, even if such allegations are later determined to be unsubstantiated. 19 19 19 19 19 19 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents **Current (2024):** As a supplier and service provider to the U.S. government, including as a subcontractor under prime contracts with the U.S. government, we are subject to certain heightened risks, such as those associated with the government's rights to audit and conduct investigations and with its rights to terminate contracts for convenience or default. In light of the current U.S. government contracting environment, we are and will continue to be the subject of U.S. government investigations relating to our U.S. government contracts or subcontracts. Such investigations often take years to complete and could result in administrative, civil or criminal liabilities, including repayments, fines, treble and other damages, forfeitures, restitution or 20 20 20 20 20 20 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents penalties, or could lead to suspension or debarment of U.S. government contracting or of export privileges. For instance, if a business unit were charged with wrongdoing in connection with a U.S. government investigation (including fraud or violation of certain environmental or export laws), the U.S. government could suspend us from bidding on or receiving awards of new U.S. government contracts or subcontracts. If convicted or found liable, the U.S. government could fine and debar us from receiving new awards for a period generally not to exceed three years and could void any contracts found to be tainted by fraud. We also could suffer reputational harm if allegations of impropriety were made against us, even if such allegations are later determined to be unsubstantiated. --- ## Modified: Labor matters may impact our business. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Any such work stoppages (or potential work stoppages) 18 18 18 18 18 18 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents or labor shortages could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, productivity, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations." **Prior (2023):** A significant portion of our employees are represented by labor unions or works councils in a number of countries under various collective bargaining agreements with varying durations and expiration dates. See the section entitled "Other Matters Relating to Our Business as a Whole - Human Capital Management." We may not be able to satisfactorily renegotiate these agreements before they expire. In addition, existing agreements may not prevent a strike or work stoppage, union and works council campaigns and other labor disputes. We may also be subject to general country strikes or work stoppages unrelated to our specific business or collective bargaining agreements. Additionally, a shortage in certain work forces, such as technicians, manufacturing workers or truck drivers, due to external forces such as geopolitical strife or pandemics, may impact our business by affecting the ability to produce, install, sell and deliver our products. Any such work stoppages (or potential work stoppages) or labor shortages could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, productivity, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. **Current (2024):** A significant portion of our employees are represented by labor unions or works councils in a number of countries under various collective bargaining agreements with varying durations and expiration dates. See the section entitled "Other Matters Relating to Our Business as a Whole - Human Capital Management." We may not be able to satisfactorily renegotiate these agreements before they expire. In addition, existing agreements may not prevent a strike or work stoppage, union and works council campaigns and other labor disputes. We may also be subject to general country strikes or work stoppages unrelated to our specific business or collective bargaining agreements. Additionally, a shortage in certain work forces, such as technicians, manufacturing workers or truck drivers, due to external forces such as geopolitical strife or pandemics, may impact our business by affecting the ability to produce, install, sell and deliver our products. Any such work stoppages (or potential work stoppages) 18 18 18 18 18 18 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents or labor shortages could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, productivity, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. --- ## Modified: Cybersecurity incidents could disrupt business operations, result in the loss of critical and confidential information, and adversely impact our reputation and results of operations. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Our business has been and may again in the future be impacted by disruptions to our or third-party providers' IT infrastructure, which have resulted and could in the future result from (among other causes) cyber-attacks, infrastructure failures or compromises to our physical security." - Removed sentence: "We have experienced cyber-based attacks and, due to the evolving threat landscape, may continue to experience them going forward, potentially with more frequency or severity." - Reworded sentence: "As a result, we could potentially experience: (i) production downtimes; (ii) operational delays or other detrimental impacts on our operations; (iii) destruction or corruption of our data (or data at or third-party providers); (iv) security breaches; (v) manipulation or improper use of our or third-party systems, networks or products; and (vi) financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business, liability, penalties, fines and/or damage to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition." - Reworded sentence: "Any disruption to our business arising from such issues, 14 14 14 14 14 14 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents or an increase in our costs to cover these issues that is greater than what we have anticipated, could have an adverse effect on our reputation, competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition." **Prior (2023):** Our business has been and may again in the future be impacted by disruptions to our or third-party IT infrastructure, which have resulted and could in the future result from (among other causes) cyber-attacks, infrastructure failures or compromises to our physical security. Cyber-based risks are evolving and include attacks: (i) on our IT infrastructure (ii) targeting the security, integrity and/or availability of hardware and software; (iii) on information installed, stored or transmitted in our products (including after the purchase of those products and when they are installed into third-party products); and (iv) on facilities or similar infrastructure. Such attacks could disrupt our systems (or those of third parties) and business operations, impact the ability of our products to work as intended or result in the unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification or destruction of information in violation of applicable law and/or contractual obligations. We have experienced cyber-based attacks and, due to the evolving threat landscape, may continue to experience them going forward, potentially with more frequency or severity. We continue to make investments and adopt measures to enhance our protection, detection, response and recovery capabilities, and to mitigate potential risks to our technology, products, services, operations and confidential data. However, depending on the nature, sophistication and scope of cyber-attacks, it is possible that potential vulnerabilities could go undetected for an extended period. As a result, we could potentially experience: (i) production downtimes; (ii) operational delays or other detrimental impacts on our operations; (iii) destruction or corruption of data (our or third party); (iv) security breaches; (v) manipulation or improper use of our or third-party systems, networks or products; and (vi) financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business, liability, penalties, fines and/or damage to our reputation - any of which could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. Due to the evolving nature of such risks, the impact of any potential incident cannot be predicted. In addition, because of the global nature of our business, our internal systems and products must comply with applicable laws, regulations and standards in a number of jurisdictions, and government enforcement actions and violations of data privacy and cybersecurity laws could be costly or interrupt our business operations. Any disruption to our business arising from such issues, or an increase in our costs to cover these issues that is greater than what we have anticipated, could have an adverse effect on our reputation, competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. **Current (2024):** Our business has been and may again in the future be impacted by disruptions to our or third-party providers' IT infrastructure, which have resulted and could in the future result from (among other causes) cyber-attacks, infrastructure failures or compromises to our physical security. Cyber-based risks are evolving and include attacks: (i) on our IT infrastructure; (ii) targeting the security, integrity and/or availability of hardware and software; (iii) exploiting weaknesses or vulnerabilities in our products, or capturing information installed, stored or transmitted in our products (including after the purchase of those products and when they are installed into, or into environments using, third-party products); and (iv) on facilities or similar infrastructure. Such attacks could disrupt our systems (or those of third parties) and business operations, impact the ability of our products to work as intended or result in the unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification or destruction of information in violation of applicable law and/or contractual obligations. We continue to make investments and adopt measures to enhance our protection, detection, response and recovery capabilities, and to mitigate potential risks to our technology, products, services, operations and confidential data. However, depending on the nature, sophistication and scope of cyber-attacks, it is possible that potential vulnerabilities could go undetected for an extended period. As a result, we could potentially experience: (i) production downtimes; (ii) operational delays or other detrimental impacts on our operations; (iii) destruction or corruption of our data (or data at or third-party providers); (iv) security breaches; (v) manipulation or improper use of our or third-party systems, networks or products; and (vi) financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business, liability, penalties, fines and/or damage to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. Due to the evolving nature of such risks, the impact of any potential incident cannot be predicted. In addition, because of the global nature of our business, our internal systems and products must comply with applicable laws, regulations and standards in a number of jurisdictions, and government enforcement actions and violations of data privacy and cybersecurity laws could be costly or interrupt our business operations. Any disruption to our business arising from such issues, 14 14 14 14 14 14 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents or an increase in our costs to cover these issues that is greater than what we have anticipated, could have an adverse effect on our reputation, competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. These risks are heightened by the increasingly connected nature of our products and services as we continue to focus on providing digitally-enabled lifecycle solutions to our customers, including due to the use of third-party products to connect these products and services to the internet, which may be subject to additional vulnerabilities beyond our control. --- ## Modified: Natural disasters, epidemics or other unexpected events (including those related to COVID-19) may disrupt our operations, adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition and may not be fully covered by insurance. **Key changes:** - Added sentence: "24 24 24 24 24 24 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents" **Prior (2023):** The occurrence of one or more natural disasters, power outages or other unexpected events, including hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods and other forms of severe weather, health epidemics, pandemics (including COVID-19) or other contagious outbreaks, conflicts, wars or terrorist acts, in the U.S. or in other countries in which we or our suppliers or customers operate could adversely affect our operations and financial performance. Natural disasters, power outages or other unexpected events could damage or close one or more of our facilities or disrupt our operations temporarily or long-term, such as by causing business interruptions or by affecting the availability and/or cost of materials needed for manufacturing. In some cases, we have one factory that can manufacture a specific product or product line. As a result, damage to or the closure of a certain factory or factories may disrupt or prevent us from manufacturing certain products. Existing insurance arrangements may not cover all of the costs or lost cash flows that may arise from such events. The occurrence of any of these events could also increase our insurance and other operating costs or harm our sales. **Current (2024):** The occurrence of one or more natural disasters, power outages or other unexpected events, including hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods and other forms of severe weather, health epidemics, pandemics (including COVID-19) or other contagious outbreaks, conflicts, wars or terrorist acts, in the U.S. or in other countries in which we or our suppliers or customers operate could adversely affect our operations and financial performance. Natural disasters, power outages or other unexpected events could damage or close one or more of our facilities or disrupt our operations temporarily or long-term, such as by causing business interruptions or by affecting the availability and/or cost of materials needed for manufacturing. In some cases, we have one factory that can manufacture a specific product or product line. As a result, damage to or the closure of a certain factory or factories may disrupt or prevent us from manufacturing certain products. Existing insurance arrangements may not cover all of the costs or lost cash flows that may arise from such events. The occurrence of any of these events could also increase our insurance and other operating costs or harm our sales. 24 24 24 24 24 24 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents --- ## Modified: Our defined benefit pension plans are subject to financial market risks that could adversely affect our results. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "See Note 10 - Employee Benefit Plans to the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for additional discussion on pension plans and related obligations and contingencies." **Prior (2023):** The performance of the financial markets and interest rates can impact our defined benefit pension plan expenses and funding obligations. Significant decreases in the discount rate or investment losses on plan assets may increase our funding obligations and adversely impact our financial results. See Note 10 - Employee Benefit Plans to the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion on pension plans and related obligations and contingencies. 17 17 17 17 17 17 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents **Current (2024):** The performance of the financial markets and interest rates can impact our defined benefit pension plan expenses and funding obligations. Significant decreases in the discount rate or investment losses on plan assets may increase our funding obligations and adversely impact our financial results. See Note 10 - Employee Benefit Plans to the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for additional discussion on pension plans and related obligations and contingencies. --- ## Modified: We engage in acquisitions and divestitures and may encounter difficulties integrating acquired businesses with, or disposing of businesses from, our current operations; therefore, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions and divestitures. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "In the past several years, we have acquired consolidated and minority-owned businesses in an effort to complement and expand our business, including the acquisition of the VCS Business, which we completed on January 2, 2024." - Reworded sentence: "In connection with these acquisitions, we have in the past incurred, and expect to incur in the future, significant costs, including in connection with the integration of such businesses." - Removed sentence: "In addition, accounting requirements relating to business combinations, including the requirement to expense certain acquisition costs as incurred, may cause us to incur greater earnings volatility and generally lower earnings subsequent to periods in which we acquire new businesses." - Reworded sentence: "On April 25, 2023, we announced plans to exit our Fire & Security and Commercial Refrigeration businesses over the course of 2024." - Reworded sentence: "The success of future acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures will depend on the satisfaction of conditions precedent to such transactions, which will depend in part on the ability of the parties to secure any required regulatory approvals in a timely manner, among other things." **Prior (2023):** We seek to grow through strategic acquisitions in addition to organic growth. In the past several years, we have acquired consolidated and minority-owned businesses in an effort to complement and expand our business. We expect to continue such pursuits in the future. Our due diligence reviews may not identify all of the issues necessary to accurately estimate the cost and potential loss contingencies of a particular transaction, including potential exposure to regulatory sanctions resulting from an acquisition target's historical activities. For example, we may incur unanticipated costs, expenses or other liabilities, or reduced sales, as a result of an acquisition's violation of applicable laws, such as the FCPA or other anti-corruption laws outside of the U.S. We also may incur - and have incurred - unanticipated costs or expenses, including asset impairment and other charges and expenses associated with eliminating duplicate facilities, litigation and other liabilities. We may encounter - and have encountered - difficulties in integrating acquired businesses with our operations, establishing internal controls at these acquired businesses, or in managing strategic investments. Additionally, we may not realize - and have sometimes not realized - the degree or timing of benefits we anticipate when we first enter into a transaction. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, accounting requirements relating to business combinations, including the requirement to expense certain acquisition costs as incurred, may cause us to incur greater earnings volatility and generally lower earnings subsequent to periods in which we acquire new businesses. We also make strategic divestitures from time to time. Our divestitures may result in continued financial exposure to the divested businesses, such as through guarantees, other financial arrangements, continued supply and services arrangements or through the retention of liabilities, such as for environmental and product liability claims. Under these arrangements, nonperformance by those divested businesses or claims against retained liabilities could result in the imposition of obligations that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. The success of future acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures will depend on the satisfaction of conditions precedent to such transactions and the timing of consummation of such transactions, which will depend in part on the ability of the parties to secure any required regulatory approvals in a timely manner, among other things. **Current (2024):** We seek to grow through strategic acquisitions in addition to organic growth. In the past several years, we have acquired consolidated and minority-owned businesses in an effort to complement and expand our business, including the acquisition of the VCS Business, which we completed on January 2, 2024. We expect to continue such pursuits in the future. Our due diligence reviews may not identify all of the issues necessary to accurately estimate the cost and potential loss contingencies of a particular transaction, including potential exposure to regulatory sanctions resulting from an acquisition target's historical activities. In connection with these acquisitions, we have in the past incurred, and expect to incur in the future, significant costs, including in connection with the integration of such businesses. For example, in connection with the integration of the VCS Business, we incurred transaction fees and costs related to formulating integration plans, we expect to incur a number of non-recurring costs associated with achieving cost synergies in connection with the acquisition, and the execution of our integration plans may lead to additional unanticipated costs, including costs related to employee retention, redeployment, relocation or severance fees, as well as costs necessary to maintain employee morale and to attract, motivate or retain management personnel and other key employees. Furthermore, integrating a business, including the VCS Business, may result in material challenges, including the diversion of management's attention from ongoing business concerns; retaining key management and other employees; retaining or attracting business and operational relationships; managing the expenses and operational challenges of the integration process; consolidating corporate and administrative infrastructures; coordinating geographically separate organizations; loss of customers, distributors, suppliers, and other business partners of the acquired business; unanticipated issues in integrating information technology, communications, internal controls and other systems; as well as potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen expenses related to integration. We ultimately may not realize, and have sometimes not realized, the degree or timing of benefits or cost synergies we anticipate when we first enter into a transaction. We also may incur - and have incurred - unanticipated costs or expenses, including asset impairment and other charges and expenses associated with litigation and other liabilities. In addition, in connection with certain acquisitions including the acquisition of the VCS Business, we have disclosed and may from time to time disclose, unaudited pro forma financial information. This pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what our actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the acquisition been completed on the dates indicated therein. Further, our actual results and financial position may differ materially and adversely from the unaudited pro forma financial information, including due to certain adjustments made by our management, and due to changes between preliminary estimates of the fair value of assets to be acquired and liabilities to be assumed, and the final acquisition accounting. Additionally, accounting requirements relating to business combinations, including the requirement to expense certain acquisition costs as incurred, may cause us to incur greater earnings volatility and generally lower earnings subsequent to periods in which we acquire new businesses. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business and results of operations. We also make strategic divestitures from time to time. On April 25, 2023, we announced plans to exit our Fire & Security and Commercial Refrigeration businesses over the course of 2024. On December 8, 2023, we announced entry into a definitive agreement to sell our global security business and on December 13, 2023, we announced the entry into a definitive agreement to sell our global commercial refrigeration business. These and other divestitures may result in continued financial exposure to the divested businesses, such as through guarantees, other financial arrangements, continued supply and services arrangements or through the retention of liabilities, such as for environmental and product liability claims. Under these arrangements, nonperformance by those divested businesses or claims against retained liabilities could result in the imposition of obligations that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. The success of future acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures will depend on the satisfaction of conditions precedent to such transactions, which will depend in part on the ability of the parties to secure any required regulatory approvals in a timely manner, among other things. 15 15 15 15 15 15 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents --- ## Modified: Shareowner's percentage of ownership in our common stock may be diluted in the future. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "The percentage ownership of shareowners in our common stock may be diluted because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions or otherwise, including any equity awards that we grant to our directors, officers and employees." - Reworded sentence: "Additionally, in connection with our acquisition of the VCS Business, we issued 58,608,959 shares of our common stock to Viessmann, with which we entered into an Investor Rights Agreement that provides for, among other things, customary resale, demand and piggyback registration rights." **Prior (2023):** The percentage ownership of shareowners in Carrier's common stock may be diluted because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions or otherwise, including any equity awards that we grant to our directors, officers and employees. Our employees have, and will receive from Carrier, stock-based awards that correspond to shares of our common stock. Such awards have had and will have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. See Note 14 - Stock-Based Compensation and Note 18 - Earnings Per Share in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information. **Current (2024):** The percentage ownership of shareowners in our common stock may be diluted because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions or otherwise, including any equity awards that we grant to our directors, officers and employees. Our employees have, and will receive from us, stock-based awards that correspond to shares of our common stock. Such awards have had and will have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Additionally, in connection with our acquisition of the VCS Business, we issued 58,608,959 shares of our common stock to Viessmann, with which we entered into an Investor Rights Agreement that provides for, among other things, customary resale, demand and piggyback registration rights. While the Investor Rights Agreement also provides that, for the time periods specified therein, Viessmann and its affiliates are subject to customary standstill, lockup and transfer restrictions, registration of the shares of common stock held by Viessmann will permit those shares to be sold into the public market, once eligible to be disposed of pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement. See Note 14 - Stock-Based Compensation and Note 18 - Earnings Per Share in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for additional information. --- ## Modified: Our business success depends on attracting and retaining qualified personnel. **Key changes:** - Added sentence: "This risk may be exacerbated as a result of our acquisitions, including our recent acquisition of the VCS Business, which is dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of its management personnel and other key employees to execute our business plans for the acquired business." - Added sentence: "Our success after completion of such acquisition will depend in part upon our ability to attract, motivate and retain key management personnel and other key employees within the acquired business, and current and prospective employees of the acquired business may experience uncertainty about their roles, which may have an adverse effect on the acquired business's ability to attract, motivate or retain management personnel and other key personnel." **Prior (2023):** Our ability to sustain and grow our business requires us to hire, retain and develop a highly skilled and diverse management team and workforce. Failure to ensure that we have leadership with the necessary skill sets and experience could impede our ability to deliver our growth objectives, execute our strategic plan and effectively transition our leadership. **Current (2024):** Our ability to sustain and grow our business requires us to hire, retain and develop a highly skilled and diverse management team and workforce. Failure to ensure that we have leadership with the necessary skill sets and experience could impede our ability to deliver our growth objectives, execute our strategic plan and effectively transition our leadership. This risk may be exacerbated as a result of our acquisitions, including our recent acquisition of the VCS Business, which is dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of its management personnel and other key employees to execute our business plans for the acquired business. Our success after completion of such acquisition will depend in part upon our ability to attract, motivate and retain key management personnel and other key employees within the acquired business, and current and prospective employees of the acquired business may experience uncertainty about their roles, which may have an adverse effect on the acquired business's ability to attract, motivate or retain management personnel and other key personnel. --- ## Modified: We have significant indebtedness, as well as unused borrowing capacity, and we may incur additional debt in the future. Servicing our indebtedness requires a significant amount of cash, and the terms of our current indebtedness, and the terms of any future indebtedness may restrict the activities of the company. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $14.3 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness, including debt incurred to close the acquisition of the VCS Business on January 2, 2024." **Prior (2023):** As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately $8.8 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness. See Note 7 - Borrowings and Lines of Credit in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the section entitled "Liquidity and Financial Condition" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information. We may also incur additional indebtedness in the future. 20 20 20 20 20 20 Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents Our debt obligations could potentially have important consequences to us and our debt and equity investors, including: (1) requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to make interest payments; (2) making it more difficult to satisfy debt service and other obligations; (3) increasing the risk of a future credit ratings downgrade of our debt, which could increase future debt costs and limit the future availability of debt financing; (4) increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; (5) reducing the cash flows available to fund capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to grow our business; (6) limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry; (7) placing us at a competitive disadvantage relative to our competitors that may not be as highly leveraged; and (8) limiting our ability to borrow additional funds as needed or take advantage of business opportunities as they arise, pay cash dividends or repurchase shares. As described in Note 7 - Borrowings and Lines of Credit in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and "Liquidity and Financial Condition" the terms of our indebtedness contain covenants restricting our financial flexibility in a number of ways, including, among other things, restrictions on our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to incur liens, to make certain fundamental changes and to enter into sale and leaseback transactions. In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility and the Japanese Term Loan Facility (both defined subsequently) require that we not exceed a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio. If we breach a restrictive covenant under any of our indebtedness, or an event of default occurs in respect of any of our indebtedness, our lenders may be entitled to declare all amounts owing in respect thereof to be immediately due and payable. To the extent that we incur additional indebtedness, the foregoing risks could increase. In addition, our actual cash requirements in the future may be greater than expected. Our cash flows from operations may not be sufficient to repay all of the outstanding debt as it becomes due, and we may not be able to borrow money, sell assets or otherwise raise funds on acceptable terms, or at all, to refinance our debt. **Current (2024):** As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $14.3 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness, including debt incurred to close the acquisition of the VCS Business on January 2, 2024. See Note 7 - Borrowings and Lines of Credit and Note 25 - Subsequent Events in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the section entitled "Liquidity and Financial Condition" in this Annual Report for additional information. Although not expected, we may also incur additional indebtedness in the future, including via issuance of commercial paper, under either our Revolving Credit Facility or under the Revolver. Our debt obligations could potentially have important consequences to us and our debt and equity investors, including: (1) requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to make debt service payments or to refinance our indebtedness as it becomes due, making it more difficult for us to satisfy our other priorities and obligations; (2) resulting in higher interest expenses, (3) increasing the risk of a future credit ratings downgrade of our debt, which could increase future debt costs and limit the future availability of debt financing; (4) increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; (5) reducing the cash flows available to fund capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to grow our business; (6) limiting our flexibility in pursuing strategic opportunities or planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry; (7) placing us at a competitive disadvantage relative to our competitors that may not be as highly leveraged; and (8) limiting our ability to borrow additional funds as needed or take advantage of business opportunities as they arise, pay cash dividends or repurchase shares. Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive, regulatory factors, and other factors beyond our control. Our cash flow from operations in the future may be insufficient to service our indebtedness because of factors beyond our control, including if our actual cash requirements in the future are greater than expected. If we are unable to generate the necessary cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations. As described in Note 7 - Borrowings and Lines of Credit in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and "Liquidity and Financial Condition," the agreements governing our indebtedness contain covenants restricting our financial flexibility in a number of ways, including, among other things, restrictions on our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to incur liens, to make certain fundamental changes and to enter into sale and leaseback transactions. In addition, some of the agreements governing our indebtedness require that we not exceed a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio and contain certain customary events of default, including related to changes of control. As of the date of this report, we were in compliance with the covenants under the agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness. Our ability to comply with such restrictions and covenants, some of which have already been amended as described above, may be affected by events beyond our control. If we breach any of these restrictions or covenants and do not obtain a waiver from the lenders or holders, as applicable, then, subject to the applicable cure periods and conditions, any outstanding indebtedness could be declared immediately due and payable. Apart from these covenants, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are restricted from incurring additional unsecured debt or liabilities, and to the extent that we incur additional indebtedness, the foregoing risks could increase. --- *Data sourced from SEC EDGAR. Last updated 2026-05-11.*