As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2020

Registration No. 333-         

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Carrier Global Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

13995 Pasteur Boulevard
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418
(561) 365-2000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Kevin O’Connor
13995 Pasteur Boulevard
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418
(561) 365-2000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

With copies to:

Joshua R. Cammaker
Edward J. Lee
Mark A. Stagliano
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 403-1000 (Telephone)
(212) 403-2000 (Facsimile)

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), check the following box. ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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 7(a)(2)(b) of the Securities Act.  o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 13, 2020

Carrier Global Corporation

The 10,000,000 shares of common stock covered by this prospectus may be acquired by participants in the Carrier Global Corporation 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), upon exercise of certain options to purchase shares of the common stock of Carrier Global Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Carrier,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) and upon vesting of certain restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units (collectively referred to as “awards”) issued pursuant to the Plan. All awards are subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable schedule of terms. Any proceeds received by Carrier from the exercise of stock options covered by the Plan will be used for general corporate purposes.

Carrier is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (“UTC”), which will distribute all of the outstanding shares of Carrier common stock on a pro rata basis to UTC stockholders. Following the distribution, Carrier will be a separate public company.

There is currently no trading market for Carrier common stock. We expect a limited trading market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, to develop on or prior to the record date for the distribution, and we expect “regular-way” trading of Carrier common stock to begin on the first trading day following the completion of the distribution. Carrier common stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “CARR.”

In reviewing this prospectus, you should carefully consider the matters described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15.

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

Prospectus dated [         ], 2020.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDUSTRY INFORMATION

Unless indicated otherwise, the information concerning the industries in which Carrier participates contained in this prospectus is based on Carrier’s general knowledge of and expectations concerning the industry. Carrier’s position, share and industry size are based on estimates using publicly available information, Carrier’s internal data and estimates, based on data from various industry analyses, our internal research and adjustments and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. Carrier has not independently verified data from publicly available information or industry analyses and cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness. In addition, Carrier believes that data regarding the industry, share and its position within such industry provide general guidance but are inherently imprecise. Further, Carrier’s estimates and assumptions involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates and assumptions.

TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES

Among the trademarks that Carrier and its subsidiaries own or have rights to use that appear in this prospectus are the names “Automated Logic,” “Autronica,” “Bryant,” “Carrier,” “Carrier Commercial Refrigeration,” “Carrier Transicold,” “CIAT,” “Chubb,” “Day & Night,” “Det-Tronics,” “Edwards,” “Fireye,” “GST,” “Heil,” “Kidde,” “Interlogix,” “LenelS2,” “Marioff,” “NORESCO,” “Onity,” “Riello,” “Sensitech” and “Supra.” Carrier and its subsidiaries’ names, abbreviations thereof, logos and product and service designators are all either the registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names of Carrier and its subsidiaries. Names, abbreviations of names, logos and product and service designators of other companies are either the registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names of their respective owners.

PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION

Unless the context otherwise requires:

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain significant aspects of our business. This is a summary of information contained elsewhere in this prospectus, is not complete and does not contain all of the information that may be relevant to you. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including the information presented under the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the financial statements and the notes thereto. This summary contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the information included in this prospectus about Carrier, including the combined financial statements, assumes the completion of all of the transactions referred to in this prospectus in connection with the separation and distribution, including the Otis distribution. Unless the context otherwise requires, or when otherwise specified, references in this prospectus to “Carrier,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company” and “the company” refer to Carrier Global Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “UTC” refer to United Technologies Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Carrier Business and the Otis Business prior to completion of the separation.

Unless the context otherwise requires, or when otherwise specified, references in this prospectus to our historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of our businesses are generally intended to refer to the historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of the Carrier Business of UTC as it was conducted as part of UTC prior to the separation.

Our Company

Carrier is a leading global provider of HVAC, refrigeration, fire and security solutions. Our innovative solutions promote smarter, safer and more sustainable buildings and infrastructure, and help to effectively preserve the freshness, quality and safety of perishables across a wide variety of industries. Our comprehensive range of products and services, reputation for quality and innovation and our industry-leading brands make us a trusted provider for our customers’ critical applications in the construction, transportation, security, food retail, pharmaceutical and other industries.

Our company is built on a legacy of innovation, beginning with its founders—Willis Carrier, who designed the world’s first modern air conditioning system; Robert Edwards, who patented the first electric alarm bell; and Walter Kidde, who produced the first integrated smoke detection and carbon dioxide extinguishing system for use onboard ships. This culture of innovation supports our core strategy of developing smart, sustainable and efficient solutions to meet the complex challenges resulting from the mega-trends of urbanization, climate change and increasing requirements for food safety driven by the food needs of our growing global population, rising standards of living and increasing energy and environmental regulation. The iconic Carrier brand, with its reputation for innovation and quality, is complemented by our other strong brands, including Automated Logic, Carrier Transicold, Edwards, GST, Kidde, LenelS2 and Marioff.

We believe that growth in our businesses is supported by favorable secular trends, including the mega-trends discussed above, which underpin growth across our HVAC, Refrigeration and Fire & Security businesses. We also believe that we are well positioned to benefit from these long-term trends as a result of the strength of our industry-leading brands and track record of innovation.

We have an extensive global footprint with approximately 53,000 employees globally, including approximately 3,600 engineers, and our solutions are sold in over 160 countries around the world. We sell our products and services directly to end customers and indirectly through distributors, independent sales representatives, wholesalers, dealers, other channel partners and retail outlets.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, our net sales were approximately $18.6 billion, and our operating profit was approximately $2.5 billion. Our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 were derived from the Americas (55 percent), Europe-Middle East (30 percent) and Asia-Pacific (15 percent). Our international operations, including U.S. export sales, represented approximately 52 percent of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019. During the same period, new equipment and service and aftermarket contributed 72 percent and 28 percent, respectively, of our net sales excluding inter-segment eliminations.

Our Segments

Our company is organized into three business segments—HVAC; Refrigeration; and Fire & Security, which, for the year ended December 31, 2019, contributed 51 percent, 20 percent and 29 percent, respectively, of our net sales excluding inter-segment eliminations, and 56 percent, 19 percent and 25 percent, respectively, of our operating profit excluding inter-segment eliminations and general corporate expenses.

HVAC. Our HVAC segment provides products, controls, services and solutions to meet the heating and cooling needs of residential and commercial customers, while enhancing building performance, energy efficiency and sustainability. Through an industry-leading family of brands, including Automated Logic, Bryant, Carrier, CIAT, Day & Night, Heil, NORESCO and Riello, we offer an innovative and complete product portfolio, including air conditioners, heating systems, controls and aftermarket components, as well as aftermarket repair and maintenance services and building automation solutions. Our broad product portfolio offers numerous solutions for our residential and commercial customers.

Refrigeration. Our Refrigeration segment is comprised of transport refrigeration and commercial refrigeration products and solutions. Our transport refrigeration products and services include refrigeration and monitoring systems for trucks, trailers, shipping containers, intermodal and rail. Our transport refrigeration products and cold chain monitoring solutions enable the safe, reliable transport of food and beverages, medical supplies and other perishable cargo. Our commercial refrigeration equipment solutions incorporate next-generation technologies to preserve freshness, ensure safety and enhance the appearance of retail food and beverage. Our Sensitech business provides targeted solutions and services for supply chain visibility—addressing quality and compliance, security and logistics performance management. Our Refrigeration segment includes our Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Carrier Transicold and Sensitech brands.

Fire & Security. Our fire and security products encompass a wide range of residential and building systems, including fire, flame, gas, smoke and carbon monoxide detection; portable fire extinguishers; fire suppression systems, intruder alarms; access control systems and video management systems; and electronic controls. In addition, our fire and security service offerings include audit, design, installation and system integration, as well as aftermarket maintenance, repair and monitoring services. We sell fire detection and suppression technologies to protect a variety of premises, including homes, commercial buildings and industrial sites. Our security solutions range from advanced physical security solutions, including access control, video surveillance, key management systems, electronic locks and mobile credentialing for a variety of commercial applications, such as corporate, healthcare, government, hospitality, education, real estate, property management,

industrial and automotive, to intrusion monitoring and life-safety solutions for the residential market. Our technology includes web-based and mobile applications enhanced by cloud-based services. Our Fire & Security brands include Autronica, Chubb, Det-Tronics, Edwards, Fireye, GST, Interlogix, Kidde, LenelS2, Marioff, Onity and Supra.

Our Strengths

We believe that Carrier is differentiated by our industry-leading portfolio of iconic brands, comprehensive product and service offerings and reputation for innovation and quality, which make us a trusted provider to our customers across a wide range of growing markets and channels for commercial and residential building, industrial and smart cold chain applications. Our competitive strengths include:

Portfolio of iconic brands and leading segment positions. Our iconic and enduring brands are among the most recognized in their respective industries. Individually, many of our brands are leaders within their respective segments, and we believe that, collectively, they represent a uniquely positioned portfolio of trusted assets that, together with our ability to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art solutions, make us a supplier and business partner of choice.

Extensive and diversified portfolio of solutions, industries and customers. We have a comprehensive and diverse set of products and services in many industries. While many of our products and brands are leaders in their respective industries, our business model is not dependent on any single product, brand, industry or customer. Our products solve different problems for a diverse set of customers in a range of applications and locations, while benefiting from our fundamental operational strategies and focus on innovation. The diversity of our product and service offerings better qualifies us to be a supplier of choice for a comprehensive range of solutions, while mitigating potential short-term headwinds in particular locations, applications or industries.

Global scale and presence in developing and growth markets. We believe that our global scale and comprehensive offering of products and services provide us with advantages over other providers with respect to design, manufacturing, sourcing, sales and marketing. Our understanding of local conditions, regulations and customer needs helps position us to focus on attractive verticals and geographies and respond more rapidly to changing regulatory requirements. This knowledge also enables us to take learnings, technologies and products developed for one region or customer and apply them to others, driving further growth and creating value for our stakeholders. Many of the geographical, product or service markets in which we currently operate, including China, India, Vietnam and other developing countries in Southeast Asia, are experiencing long-term sustained growth. These countries have high growth potential due to increasing demand for our products and services from currently low penetration rates, rising living standards and consumption, and increasing regulatory emphasis on safety, energy efficiency and the environment. Our global scale, presence and extensive distribution network create opportunities for targeted geographic expansion of our product and service offerings, allow us to serve a diversified customer base and provide exposure to short- and long-cycle end markets.

Strong, long-term distribution relationships. We have long-term relationships with an extensive network of channel partners that uniquely position us to meet customers’ demands across the industries and geographies we serve. In many instances, these relationships have been forged over decades of selling HVAC, refrigeration, fire and security products to provide tailored solutions for a variety of customers and applications. We also have a number of joint venture arrangements and strategic relationships with our channel partners that align our respective incentives and facilitate our collective ability to win new business. We believe that we share a trust, relationship and mutual respect with our channel partners that is unmatched in our industry. These deep relationships are the product of decades of effort, extensive personal connections and a long history of dedicated performance and satisfied expectations. The strength of our relationships with our channel partners, our channel partners’ relationships with end users and the breadth of our distribution network provide us with an important competitive advantage and help make Carrier a provider of choice even when we do not sell directly to the end user.

Proven track record of innovation with focus on world mega-trends. We have a strong history of innovation across all of our segments and our current priorities include solutions to address the challenges presented by the mega-trends of urbanization, climate change and the food needs of our growing global population. Since 2014, we have grown our engineering team globally by approximately 20 percent to approximately 3,600 engineers. We hold approximately 7,000 active patents and/or pending patent applications worldwide to protect our research and development (“R&D”) investments in new products and services. In the

last two years, we introduced over 200 new products. Our recent innovations include a suite of digital HVAC solutions that improve on-demand customer engagement, as well as visibility into system performance and remote management; combining carbon dioxide as a natural refrigerant with energy-efficient technology to reduce the carbon footprint of marine container refrigeration applications; and the first multi-criteria smoke detector to receive the UL 268 (7^th edition) Standard for Safety of Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarm Systems certification. Innovation in our product portfolio is a strong driver of continued growth as customers increasingly value energy efficiency, sustainability and digitally-connected building systems. These factors are an important aspect of customers’ buying decisions and serve as key differentiators for Carrier.

Sizable service and aftermarket business drives growth. By virtue of our global scale and market tenure, we have one of the largest installed bases in many of the industries we serve, which enables us to drive recurring revenue streams from the sale of repair and maintenance services, parts, components, and end of lifecycle product replacements that are required for installed products. Our sales of other value added recurring and non-recurring services provide additional revenue streams over and above sales derived from our equipment business. In 2019, approximately 28 percent of our net sales were generated by service and aftermarket.

Attractive financial profile underpinned by strong margins and operating cash flow. We benefit from attractive margins and a track record of strong cash flow generation. Over the past two years, our operating margins have consistently been over 13 percent, a level maintained through the reputational strength of our brands and our culture of operational efficiency. We also benefit from the low capital intensity of our businesses, which has contributed to our track record of generating strong operating cash flow. Over the past two years, our capital expenditures averaged approximately 1.3 percent of net sales and we generated a cumulative $4.1 billion of operating cash flow.

Experienced management team and skilled workforce. Our strategy is driven by an experienced global leadership team and implemented by skilled operating teams with approximately 53,000 employees worldwide, including approximately 3,600 engineers. Our global workforce, of which approximately 80 percent is located outside the United States, reflects our deep regional knowledge and enables us to maintain close relationships with our customers. Our leadership team includes executives who have deep industry expertise, as well as executives who have extensive experience driving growth and operational excellence across different businesses. This combination of collective industry experience and strong leadership supports our ability to successfully implement our business strategies.

Our Strategies

We intend to continue to grow by serving our diverse industries, geographies and customer bases with a broad range of solutions to address the complex challenges resulting from global mega-trends and by innovating ahead of regulatory requirements. Our key strategies include both a sustained focus on growth opportunities as well as a commitment to establishing a best-in-class cost structure as a stand-alone company, encompassing the following elements:

Focus on growth

Drive organic growth in existing served markets through technology and innovation. We plan to maintain our proven track record of innovation by leveraging our culture dedicated to designing smarter, more connected and more sustainable environments; our industry-leading brands; and our long-term relationships with channel partners and customers to provide solutions tailored for growing verticals and applications in the markets we serve. For example, in HVAC, through enhanced engagement with enterprise account owners and operators in key vertical segments, we are utilizing our broad building system offerings to provide innovative, intelligent building solutions to address our customers’ needs for energy efficiency, safety, security and an improved occupant experience. Our R&D efforts are focused on growing our products and services across our segments—we continue to invest in innovation and intend to continue to work closely with our distribution partners to offer best-in-class products and solutions that anticipate customer needs related to refrigerants, efficiency, emissions, noise levels and safety. As customer demands for more sustainable and connected equipment continue to evolve, our ability to innovate and provide cutting-edge products and technologies is key to our continued success and ability to grow our businesses. Our innovation efforts are supported by R&D investments, which were approximately 2.2 percent of net sales in 2019.

Invest for growth in attractive geographies. We believe that we are well positioned to expand our product, service and aftermarket offerings in a number of attractive geographies that have significant potential for substantial growth. Long-term growth opportunities in these geographies are supported by durable global mega-trends. We plan to leverage the scale of our global operations, the strength of our iconic brands and our proven track record in creating valuable partnerships to focus on targeted expansion into new locations and channels where we believe that we can drive profitable growth. We also continue to strengthen our long-term relationships with channel partners to ensure global market coverage and a superior level of customer service. We believe our understanding of local conditions, regulations and customer needs helps position us to focus on attractive geographies and to move more quickly to meet rapidly changing regulatory requirements.

Expand in higher value-added services and aftermarket. Products make up the majority of our sales today. Our product sales, including installations, are more than two-thirds of total sales and will continue to be the foundation of the business going forward. However, as service and aftermarket offerings evolve in the industry to include more highly sophisticated digital and “as-a-service” models enabled by data and analytics, we will pursue targeted opportunities for growth, leveraging our smart, connected products and our broad technological expertise across building systems. In addition, we plan to utilize digital technologies to enhance our internal operations and enable seamless transactions with customers across the customer experience and equipment lifecycles (for example, by providing customers visibility from order through delivery).

Strategically optimize product, technology and geographic portfolio to enhance growth. We intend to seek opportunities to optimize our portfolio of products and services to allocate resources toward profitable growth, and to selectively pursue strategic partnerships, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures that will enhance our core business, complement our existing array of brands, products and services, and leverage our global scale and scope.

Leading Cost Structure

Focus on cost-effective performance. As a stand-alone public company, we plan to continue to foster operational, financial and commercial excellence, to drive sales and earnings growth while maintaining an attractive cost structure, through Carrier’s longstanding way of doing business. With roots in our legacy manufacturing and business process excellence, the Carrier operating system is based on lean principles and a highly competitive cost structure that leverages low-cost manufacturing and R&D resources to drive end-to-end supply chain excellence. In connection with our focus on cost-effective performance, we launched a strategic cost reduction initiative in 2019 with the goal of reducing cumulative supply chain, factory and general administrative costs by up to $600 million in the aggregate by the end of 2022.

Summary of Risk Factors

An investment in our company is subject to a number of risks, including risks relating to our business, risks related to the distribution and risks related to our common stock. Set forth below is a high-level summary of some, but not all, of these risks. For a more thorough description of these risks, please read the information in “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Risks Related to Our Business

Risks Related to the Distribution

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

The Separation and Distribution

On November 26, 2018, UTC announced its intention to separate the Carrier Business and the Otis Business from the UTC Aerospace Businesses. The separation will occur through pro rata distributions to UTC shareowners of 100 percent of the shares of common stock of Carrier and 100 percent of the shares of common stock of Otis, which were formed to hold UTC’s Carrier Business and Otis Business, respectively.

On June 9, 2019, UTC entered into the Raytheon merger agreement, which provides for the combination of the UTC Aerospace Businesses and Raytheon in a merger of equals transaction with Raytheon surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of UTC. Under the Raytheon merger agreement, UTC has agreed with Raytheon that, subject to the terms and conditions of the Raytheon merger agreement, UTC will consummate the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution. In addition, the completion of the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution is a condition to the Raytheon merger under the Raytheon merger agreement. Accordingly, the Raytheon merger will not be completed unless and until the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution are completed. The completion of the Raytheon merger is not a condition to the completion of the distributions. Therefore, UTC may complete the distribution even if the conditions to the Raytheon merger under the Raytheon merger agreement have not been satisfied or waived, the Raytheon merger agreement has been terminated or the Raytheon merger will otherwise not be consummated. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Raytheon Merger Agreement.”

On March 11, 2020, the UTC Board of Directors approved the distribution of all of Carrier’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock on the basis of one share of Carrier common stock for every share of UTC common stock held as of the close of business on March 19, 2020, the record date. We currently expect the Otis distribution to occur on or around the date of the Carrier distribution, unless otherwise determined by the UTC Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion, but subject to UTC’s agreement to consummate each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution as required pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Raytheon merger agreement. Though UTC has agreed pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Raytheon merger agreement, that UTC will consummate the separation and each of the Carrier distribution

and the Otis distribution, there can be no assurance that the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution will occur on or around the same date or that either distribution will occur at all. UTC is making available an information statement relating to the Otis distribution that contains important additional information regarding the distribution of common stock of Otis.

Carrier’s Post-Separation Relationship with UTC and Otis

After the separation, UTC, Carrier and Otis will each be separate companies with separate management teams and separate boards of directors. Prior to the separation, UTC, Carrier and Otis will enter into the separation agreement. We will also enter into various other agreements to effect the separation and to provide a framework for our relationship with UTC and Otis after the separation, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and an intellectual property agreement. These agreements will allocate among Carrier, Otis and UTC the assets, liabilities and obligations (including, among others, investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) of UTC and its subsidiaries attributable to periods prior to, at and after the separation, provide for certain services to be delivered on a transitional basis and govern the relationship among Carrier, Otis and UTC following the separation. These agreements will not be impacted by the completion of the Raytheon merger. For additional information regarding the separation agreement and other transaction agreements, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Distribution” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities

The separation agreement will identify the assets to be transferred, the liabilities to be assumed and the contracts to be assigned to each of Carrier, Otis and UTC as part of the separation, and it will provide for when and how these transfers, assumptions and assignments will occur. In particular, the separation agreement will provide, among other things, that subject to the terms and conditions contained therein:

For additional information regarding the separation agreement and the transfer of assets and assumption of liabilities, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Distribution” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Reasons for the Separation

The UTC Board of Directors believes that the separation of UTC into three independent, publicly traded companies through the separation of its Carrier Business and Otis Business from UTC is in the best interests of UTC and its shareowners for a number of reasons (irrespective of whether or not the Raytheon merger is completed), including:

The UTC Board of Directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including:

In determining to pursue the separation, the UTC Board of Directors concluded that the potential benefits of the separation outweighed the foregoing factors. See “The Separation and Distribution—Reasons for the Separation” and “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Corporate Information

Carrier was incorporated in Delaware for the purpose of holding the Carrier Business in connection with the separation and distribution described herein. Prior to the contribution of the Carrier Business to Carrier by UTC, which will occur prior to the distribution, Carrier will have no operations other than those incidental to its formation and the separation. Our principal executive offices are located at 13995 Pasteur Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418, and our telephone number is (561) 365-2000. We maintain an Internet site at www.carrier.com. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated into this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or in any other filings with, or any information furnished or submitted to, the SEC.

Summary of Selected Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Data

The following summary financial data reflect the historical combined operations of Carrier. We derived the summary historical combined statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and summary historical combined balance sheet data as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, as set forth below, from Carrier’s audited historical combined financial statements (which we refer to as the “combined financial statements”), which are included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus. The selected historical combined balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 was derived from our historical audited combined balance sheet not included in this prospectus. The selected unaudited historical combined financial data as of, and for each of, the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was derived from our underlying financial records, which were derived from the financial records of UTC. In management’s opinion, the unaudited combined financial data has been prepared on substantially the same basis as the audited combined financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of ordinary recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the selected historical combined financial data for the periods presented. To ensure a full understanding of this summary historical combined financial data, you should read the summary combined financial data presented below in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the combined financial statements and accompanying notes included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus.

The summary historical combined financial data does not necessarily reflect what our results of operations and financial position would have been if we had operated as a separate publicly traded company during the periods presented, including changes that will occur in our operations and capitalization as a result of the separation and distribution. Accordingly, the historical results should not be relied upon as an indicator of our future performance.

The summary unaudited pro forma combined financial data for the year ended December 31, 2019 has been prepared to reflect the separation, including the incurrence of principal indebtedness of an assumed amount equal to approximately $11.0 billion, as described in “Description of Material Indebtedness,” and the distribution of an assumed aggregate amount equal to approximately $10.9 billion of cash to UTC (which amounts of indebtedness incurred and cash distributed may be adjusted by UTC as described elsewhere in this prospectus). This indebtedness is expected to consist of a combination of long-term notes and bank term loans. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 assumes the separation occurred on January 1, 2019. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019 assumes the separation occurred on December 31, 2019. The pro forma adjustments give effect to amounts that are directly attributable to the separation and distribution, factually supportable and, with respect to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations, expected to have a continuing impact on Carrier. The assumptions used and pro forma adjustments derived from such assumptions are based on currently available information and we believe such assumptions are reasonable under the circumstances.

The unaudited pro forma combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of our results of operations or financial condition had the distribution and our anticipated post-separation capital structure been completed on the dates assumed. It may not reflect the results of operations or financial condition that would have resulted had we been operating as an independent, publicly traded company during such period. In addition, it is not necessarily indicative of our future results of operations or financial condition.

You should read this summary financial data together with “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information,” “Capitalization,” “Selected Historical Combined Financial Data of Carrier,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the combined financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus.

Summary of Selected Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Financial Data

THE OFFERING

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this prospectus in evaluating Carrier and Carrier common stock. Any of the following risks and uncertainties could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our international operations subject us to risk as our results of operations may be adversely affected by changes in local and regional economic conditions, such as fluctuations in exchange rates, risks associated with government policies on international trade and investments, including import quotas, capital controls, punitive taxes or tariffs or similar trade barriers, and risks associated with emerging markets.

We conduct our business on a global basis, with approximately 52 percent of our 2019 sales derived from international operations, including U.S. export sales. Changes in local and regional economic conditions, including fluctuations in exchange rates, may affect product demand and reported profits in our non-U.S. operations, where transactions are generally denominated in local currencies. In addition, currency fluctuations may affect the prices we pay for the materials used in our products, and as a result, our operating margins may be negatively impacted by higher costs for certain cross-border transactions. Our financial statements are denominated in U.S. Dollars. Accordingly, fluctuations in exchange rates may also give rise to gains or losses when financial statements of non-U.S. operating units are translated into U.S. Dollars. Given that the majority of our sales are non-U.S. based, a strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against other major foreign currencies could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our international sales and operations are subject to risks associated with changes in local government regulations and policies, investments, taxation, foreign exchange controls, capital controls, employment regulations and the repatriation of earnings. Government policies on international trade and investments such as import quotas, capital controls, punitive taxes or tariffs or similar trade barriers, whether imposed by individual governments or regional trade blocs, can affect demand for our products and services, impact the competitive position of our products or services or encumber our ability to manufacture or sell products in certain countries. The implementation of more restrictive trade policies or the renegotiation of existing trade agreements with the United States or countries, such as China and Mexico, where we sell or produce large quantities of products and services or procure materials incorporated into our products, including a further escalation of the trade conflict between the United States and China, could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. Our international sales and operations are also sensitive to political and economic instability and changes in foreign national priorities and government budgets. International transactions may involve increased financial and legal risks due to differing legal systems and customs in foreign countries. In addition, a novel strain of coronavirus surfaced in Wuhan, China in December 2019, resulting in increased travel restrictions and extended shutdown of certain businesses in the region and, as the virus has continued to spread, throughout other regions within China and other regions throughout the world, including among others Europe, the Middle East and North America. The impact of the coronavirus on our business is uncertain at this time and will depend on future developments, but prolonged closures in China and other regions throughout the world, including among others Europe, the Middle East and North America, may disrupt our operations and the operations of our suppliers, distributors and customers, which could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We expect that sales to emerging markets will continue to account for a significant portion of our sales as developing nations and regions around the world increase their demand for our products. In addition, as part of our globalization strategy, we have invested in certain countries, including Mexico, Brazil, China, India and countries in the Middle East. These emerging market operations can present many risks, including cultural differences (such as employment and business practices), compliance risks, economic and government instability, currency fluctuations, and the imposition of foreign exchange and capital controls. While these factors and their impact are difficult to predict, any one or more of them could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

We are party to joint ventures and other strategic relationships, which may not be successful and may expose us to special risks and restrictions.

Our business operations, particularly in our HVAC segment, depend on various strategic relationships, joint ventures and non-wholly owned subsidiaries. We sell our products and services through certain key distributor, joint venture and customer relationships, including the Carrier Enterprise joint ventures with subsidiaries of Watsco, Inc.; AHI-Carrier FZC (“AHI-Carrier”), a UAE-based joint venture with Airconditioning & Heating International FZC, a subsidiary of United Motors & Heavy Equipment Co. LLC; Beijer, a publicly traded company listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in which we maintain a significant ownership stake; various joint ventures with members of the Midea Group; and Toshiba Carrier, a joint venture with Toshiba with which we have several other joint ventures. Some of our strategic relationships or joint ventures engage in manufacturing and/or product development. Loss of a key channel partner, a significant downturn or deterioration in the business or financial condition of a key channel partner, joint venture or other partner, whether related to, among other things, a labor strike, diminished liquidity or credit unavailability, weak demand for products or delays in the launch of new products, could adversely affect our results of operations in a particular period or the value of our equity investment. If we are not successful in maintaining strategic distribution relationships, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be adversely affected.

We are party to numerous joint ventures, some of which we do not control. In addition, our ability to apply our internal controls and compliance policies to these businesses is limited and can expose us to additional financial and reputational risks. We seek to take proactive steps to mitigate these concerns, including through audits and similar reviews. During one such recent audit, for example, Carrier identified certain payments, representing (based on the preliminary analysis to date) an aggregate of approximately $380 million paid to AHI-Carrier over a ten-year period for products sold in the ordinary course by that minority-owned joint venture from entities of undetermined affiliation with AHI-Carrier’s distributors and customers, predominantly based in countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Based on the preliminary nature of the analysis to date, Carrier cannot reasonably predict that any, or what portion of, these payments may have violated applicable law. Carrier does not manage the joint venture and does not direct its treasury or related functions; however, Carrier has exercised its audit rights under the joint venture agreement and commenced an investigation of these third-party payments. This investigation is pending, and as noted above at this time, Carrier cannot reasonably predict the likelihood of a determination that any, or what portion of, these payments may have violated applicable law or reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of losses to the joint venture or to Carrier in the event of such a determination. In addition, Carrier has reported these preliminary findings to the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice and intends to fully cooperate with their inquiries.

Joint ventures and strategic relationships inherently involve special risks. Whether or not we hold a majority interest or maintain operational control in such arrangements, our partners may (1) have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with or contrary to ours, (2) exercise veto or other rights, to the extent available, to block actions that we believe to be in our or the joint venture’s or strategic relationship’s best interests, (3) take action contrary to our policies or objectives or (4) be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations.

Additionally, some of our joint venture or other strategic agreements prohibit us from competing in certain geographic markets or product and services channels, and these restrictions may apply to other products and services we develop, or businesses we acquire, in the future. There can be no assurance that any particular joint venture or strategic relationship will be beneficial to us.

Global climate change and related regulations could negatively affect our business.

The effects of climate change, such as extreme weather conditions, create financial risks to our business. For example, the demand for our products and services, such as residential air conditioning equipment, may be affected by unseasonable weather conditions. The effects of climate change could also disrupt our operations by impacting the availability and cost of materials needed for manufacturing and could increase insurance and other operating costs. These factors may impact our decisions to construct new facilities or maintain existing facilities in areas most prone to physical climate risks. We could also face indirect financial risks passed through the supply chain and disruptions that could result in increased prices for our products and the resources needed to produce them. Further, there is regulatory uncertainty around government incentives, which, if discontinued, could adversely impact the demand for energy-efficient buildings and could increase costs of compliance.

Increased public awareness and concern regarding global climate change may result in more international, regional and/or national requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The lack of consistent climate change legislation creates economic and regulatory uncertainty. These factors may impact the demand for our products, obsolescence of our products and our results of operations.

Additionally, refrigerants are essential to many of our products, and there is a growing concern regarding the ozone-depletion and global warming potential of such materials. As such, national, regional and international regulations and policies are being considered to curtail their use, which may, in some cases, render our existing technology and products noncompliant. While we are committed to pursuing sustainable solutions, there can be no assurance that our commitments will be successful, that our products will be accepted by the market, that proposed regulation or deregulation will not have a negative competitive impact or that economic returns will reflect our investments in new product development.

Cooler than normal summers or warmer than normal winters may depress our sales.

Demand for our HVAC products and services, representing our largest segment by sales, is seasonal and affected by the weather. Cooler than normal summers depress our sales of replacement air conditioning products and services. Similarly, warmer than normal winters have the same effect on our heating products. Additionally, sales to residential customers in our HVAC business historically tend to be higher in the second and third quarters of the year because, in the United States and other northern hemisphere regions, spring and summer are the peak seasons for sales of air conditioning systems and services. The results of any quarterly period may not be indicative of expected results for a full year, and unusual weather patterns or events could positively or negatively affect our business and impact overall results of operations.

Natural disasters or other unexpected events may disrupt our operations, adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, and may not be covered by insurance.

The occurrence of one or more natural disasters, power outages or other unexpected events, including hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods and severe weather in the United States 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 significant cases, we have only one factory that can manufacture a specific product or product line. As a result, damage to or the closure of that factory may disrupt or prevent us from manufacturing certain products. Existing insurance arrangements may not cover 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.

Information security, data privacy and identity protection may require significant resources and present certain risks to our business, reputation and financial condition.

We and certain of our products collect, store, have access to and otherwise process certain confidential or sensitive data that may be subject to data privacy and cybersecurity laws or customer-imposed controls. Although we seek to protect such data and design our products to enable our customers to use them while complying with applicable data privacy and cybersecurity laws and/or customer-imposed controls, our internal systems and products may be vulnerable to hacking or other cyber-attacks, theft, programming errors or employee errors, which could lead to the compromise of such data, unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification or destruction of information, improper use of our systems, software solutions or networks, defective products, production downtimes and/or operational disruptions in violation of applicable law and/or contractual obligations. A significant actual or perceived risk of theft, loss, fraudulent use or misuse of customer, employee or other data, whether by us, our suppliers, channel partners, customers or other third parties, as a result of employee error or malfeasance, or as a result of the imaging, software, security and other products we incorporate into our products, as well as non-compliance with applicable industry standards or our contractual or other legal obligations or privacy and information-security policies regarding such data, could result in costs, fines, litigation or regulatory actions, or could lead customers to select products and services of our competitors. In addition, any such event could harm our reputation, cause unfavorable publicity or otherwise adversely affect certain potential customers’ perception of the security and reliability of our services as well as our credibility and reputation, which could result in lost sales. In addition, because of the global nature of our business, both our

internal systems and products must comply with the 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 of the foregoing factors could result in reputational damage or civil or governmental proceedings, which could result in a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Our business and financial performance depend on continued substantial investment in information technology infrastructure, which may not yield anticipated benefits, and may be adversely affected by cyber-attacks on information technology infrastructure and products and other business disruptions.

The efficient operation of our business will require continued substantial investment in technology infrastructure systems, and we must attract and retain qualified people to operate these systems, expand and improve them, integrate new systems effectively and efficiently convert to new systems when required. An inability to fund, acquire and implement these systems might impact our ability to respond effectively to changing customer expectations, manage our business, scale our solutions effectively or impact our customer service levels, which could put us at a competitive disadvantage and negatively impact our financial results. Repeated or prolonged interruptions of service due to problems with our systems or third-party technologies, whether or not in our control, could have a significant negative impact on our reputation and our ability to sell products and services. Furthermore, we are highly dependent upon a variety of internal computer and telecommunication systems to operate our business. Failure to design, develop and implement new technology infrastructure systems in an effective and timely manner, or to adequately invest in and maintain these systems, could result in the diversion of management’s attention and resources and could materially adversely affect our operating results, competitive position and ability to efficiently manage our business. Our existing information systems may become obsolete, requiring us to transition our systems to a new platform. Such a transition could be time consuming, costly and damaging to our competitive position, and could require additional management resources. Failure to implement and deploy new systems or replacement systems on the schedules anticipated, could materially adversely affect our operating results.

In addition, our business may be impacted by disruptions to our own or third-party information technology (“IT”) infrastructure, which could result from (among other causes) cyber-attacks on or failures of such infrastructure or compromises to its physical security, as well as from damaging weather or other acts of nature. Cyber-based risks, in particular, are evolving and include attacks on our IT infrastructure, as well as attacks targeting the security, integrity and/or availability of the hardware, software and information installed, stored or transmitted in our products, including after the purchase of those products and when they are installed into third-party products, facilities or infrastructure. Such attacks could disrupt our business operations, our systems or those of third parties, and could impact the ability of our products to work as intended. We have experienced cyber-based attacks and, due to the evolving threat landscape, may continue to experience them going forward, potentially with more frequency. We continue to make investments and adopt measures designed to enhance our protection, detection, response and recovery capabilities, and to mitigate potential risks to our technology, products, services and operations from potential cyber-attacks. However, given the unpredictability, nature and scope of cyber-attacks, it is possible that potential vulnerabilities could go undetected for an extended period. As a result of a cyber-attack, we could potentially be subject to production downtimes, operational delays or other detrimental impacts on our operations or ability to provide products and services to our customers; destruction or corruption of data; security breaches; manipulation or improper use of our or third-party systems, networks or products; financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business, potential 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. Any disruption to our business due to 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 competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

There can be no assurance that our systems will not fail or experience disruptions, and any significant failure or disruption of these systems could prevent us from making sales, ordering supplies, delivering products, providing functional products and otherwise conducting our business.

We may be affected by global economic, capital market and political conditions in general, and conditions in the construction, transportation and infrastructure industries in particular.

Our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows may be adversely affected by changes in global economic conditions and geopolitical risks, including credit market conditions, levels of consumer and business confidence, fluctuations in residential, commercial and industrial construction activity, pandemic health issues (including coronavirus and its effects, among other things, on global supply, demand, and distribution disruptions as the coronavirus outbreak continues and results in an increasingly prolonged period of travel, commercial and/or other similar restrictions and limitations), natural disasters, regulatory changes, commodity prices, raw material and energy costs, interest rates, exchange rates, levels of government spending and deficits, trade policies (including tariffs, boycotts and sanctions), political conditions, regulatory changes, actual or anticipated default on sovereign debt and other challenges that could affect the global economy.

These economic and political conditions affect our business in a number of ways. At this point, the extent to which the coronavirus may impact the global economy is uncertain, but pandemics or other significant public health events, or the perception that such events may occur, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, the tightening of credit in the capital markets could adversely affect the ability of our customers, including individual end-customers and businesses, to obtain financing for significant purchases and operations, which could result in a decrease in or cancellation of orders for our products and services. Similarly, tightening credit may adversely affect our supply base and increase the potential for one or more of our suppliers to experience financial distress or bankruptcy. Additionally, because we have a number of factories and suppliers in foreign countries, the imposition of tariffs or sanctions, or unusually restrictive border crossing rules could adversely affect our supply chain and overall business.

Our business is also adversely affected by decreases in the general level of economic activity, such as decreases in business and consumer spending, construction activity and shipping activity. A slowdown in building and remodeling activity also can adversely affect our financial performance. In addition, our financial performance may be influenced by the production and utilization of transport equipment, including truck production cycles in North America and Europe, and, particularly in our HVAC business, weather conditions.

We use a variety of raw materials, supplier-provided parts, components, subcomponents and third-party service providers in our business, and significant shortages, supplier capacity constraints, supplier production disruptions, price increases, trade disruptions or tariffs could increase our operating costs and adversely impact the competitive positions of our products.

Our reliance on suppliers (including third-party logistics providers) and commodity markets to secure the raw materials and components used in our products, and on service providers to deliver our products, exposes us to volatility in the prices and availability of these materials and services. In certain instances, we depend upon a single source of supply, manufacturing, logistics support or assembly, or participate in commodity markets that may be subject to allocations of limited supplies. Issues with suppliers (such as a disruption in deliveries, capacity constraints, production disruptions, quality issues and consolidations, closings or bankruptcies), price increases, decreased availability of raw materials or commodities or decreased availability of trucks and other delivery service resources could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our commitments to customers or increase our operating costs. Tariffs can increase our costs, the impact of which is difficult to predict. We believe that our supply management and production practices are based on an appropriate balancing of the foreseeable risks and the costs of alternative practices. Nonetheless, these risks may have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

We design, manufacture and service products that incorporate advanced technologies. The introduction of new products and technologies involves risks, and we may not realize the degree or timing of benefits initially anticipated.

We seek to grow our business through the design, development, production, sale and support of innovative products that incorporate advanced technologies. The laws and regulations applicable to our products, and our customers’ product and service needs, change from time to time, and regulatory changes may render our products and technologies noncompliant. Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of our technological advancements or product improvements depends on a variety of factors, including meeting development, production, certification and regulatory approval schedules; execution of internal and external performance plans; availability of supplier and internally produced parts and materials; performance of suppliers and subcontractors; hiring and

training of qualified personnel; achieving cost and production efficiencies; identification of emerging regulatory and technological trends in our target end markets; validation and performance of innovative technologies; the level of customer interest in new technologies and products; and the costs and customer acceptance of the new or improved products.

Our products and services also may incorporate technologies developed or manufactured by third parties, which, when combined with our technology or products, creates additional risks and uncertainties. As a result, the performance and market acceptance of these third-party products and services could affect the level of customer interest and acceptance of our own products in the marketplace.

Our R&D efforts may not result in new technologies or products being developed on a timely basis or meet the needs of our customers as effectively as competitive offerings. Our competitors may develop competing technologies that gain market acceptance before or instead of our products. In addition, we may not be successful in anticipating or reacting to changes in the regulatory environments in which our products are sold, and the markets for our products may not develop or grow as we anticipate.

We operate in a competitive environment and our profitability depends on our ability to accurately estimate the costs and timing of providing our products and services.

In certain of our businesses, our contracts are typically awarded on a competitive basis. Our bids are based upon, among other items, the cost to provide the products and services. To generate an acceptable return on our investment in these contracts, we must be able to accurately estimate our costs to provide the services and deliver the products required by the contract and to be able to complete the contracts in a timely manner. If we fail to accurately estimate our costs or the time required to complete a contract, the profitability of our contracts may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, some of our contracts provide for liquidated damages if we do not perform in accordance with the contract. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Customers and others may take disruptive actions.

From time to time customers and others may seek to become competitive suppliers of our products and services or pursue other strategies to disrupt our business model. For example, an affiliate of a customer in our transport refrigeration business has started to produce refrigeration units for shipping containers that compete with our products, and another one of our transport refrigeration customers has started to produce refrigeration units for truck trailers that compete with our refrigeration units. In addition, our customers or existing or future competitors may seek to introduce non-traditional business models or disruptive technologies and products in the industries in which we participate, resulting in increased competition and new dynamics in these industries.

Labor matters may impact our business.

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 “Business—Employees and Employee Relations.” 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 workforces, such as technicians or truck drivers, may impact our business by affecting the ability to install, sell and deliver our products. Any such work stoppages (or potential work stoppages) could have a material adverse effect on our financial results, productivity, results of operations and reputation.

Our defined benefit pension plans are subject to financial market risks that could adversely affect our results.

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 12 to the Combined Financial Statements included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus for further discussion on pension plans and related obligations and contingencies.

We may not realize expected benefits from our cost reduction and restructuring efforts, and our profitability may be hurt or our business otherwise might be adversely affected.

In order to operate more efficiently and cost effectively, we have from time to time, and may continue to, adjust employment, optimize our footprint or undertake other restructuring activities. These activities are complex and may involve or require significant changes to our operations. If we do not successfully manage restructuring activities, expected efficiencies and benefits might be delayed or not realized. Risks associated with these actions and other workforce management issues include unfavorable political responses and reputational harm, unforeseen delays in the implementation of the restructuring activities, additional costs, adverse effects on employee morale, the failure to meet operational targets due to the loss of employees or work stoppages, and difficulty managing our operations during or after facility consolidations, any of which may impair our ability to achieve anticipated cost reductions, otherwise harm our business or have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Additional tax expense or additional tax exposures could affect our future profitability.

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and various international jurisdictions. Changes to tax laws and regulations as well as changes and conflicts in related interpretations or other tax guidance could materially impact our tax receivables and liabilities and our deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, we are subject to examinations by various tax authorities. In addition, governmental authorities in various jurisdictions could launch new examinations and expand existing examinations. The global and diverse nature of our operations means that these risks will continue and additional examinations, proceedings and contingencies will arise from time to time. Our competitive position, cash flows, results of operation or financial condition may be affected by the outcome of examinations, proceedings and contingencies that cannot be predicted with certainty.

See “Business Overview,” “Results of Operations—Income Taxes” under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Notes 3 and 14 to the Combined Financial Statements included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus for further discussion on income taxes and related contingencies, including our provisional accounting and assessment of the effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”).

We depend on our intellectual property, and have access to certain intellectual property and information of our customers and suppliers; infringement or failure to protect our intellectual property could adversely affect our future growth and success.

We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, nondisclosure agreements, customer and supplier agreements, license agreements, information technology security systems, internal controls and compliance systems and other measures to protect our intellectual property. We also rely on nondisclosure agreements, information technology security systems and other measures to protect certain customer and supplier information and intellectual property that we have in our possession or to which we have access. Our efforts to protect such intellectual property and proprietary rights may not be sufficient. We cannot be sure that our pending patent applications will result in the issuance of patents to us, that patents issued to or licensed by us in the past or in the future will not be challenged or circumvented by competitors or that these patents will be found to be valid or sufficiently broad to preclude our competitors from introducing technologies similar to those covered by our patents and patent applications. Our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights also may be limited. In addition, we may be the target of competitor or other third-party patent enforcement actions seeking substantial monetary damages or seeking to prevent the sale and marketing of certain of our products or services. Our competitive position also may be adversely impacted by limitations on our ability to obtain possession of, and ownership or necessary licenses concerning, data important to the development or provision of our products or service offerings, or by limitations on our ability to restrict the use by others of data related to our products or services. Any of these events or factors could subject us to judgments, penalties and significant litigation costs or temporarily or permanently disrupt our sales and marketing of the affected products or services and could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Failure to achieve and maintain a high level of product and service quality could damage our reputation with customers and negatively impact our results.

Product and service quality issues could harm customer confidence in our company and our brands. If our product and service offerings do not meet applicable safety standards or our customers’ expectations regarding safety or quality, we could experience lost sales and increased costs and we could be exposed to legal, financial and reputational risks. Actual, potential or perceived product safety concerns could expose us to litigation as well as government enforcement action. In addition, if any of our products fail to perform as expected, we may be exposed to warranty and product liability claims.

We maintain strict quality controls and procedures. However, we cannot be certain that these controls and procedures will reveal defects in our products or their raw materials, which may not become apparent until after the products have been placed in beneficial use in the market. Accordingly, there is a risk that products will have defects, which could require a product recall or field corrective action. Product recalls and field corrective actions can be expensive to implement, and may damage our reputation, customer relationships and market share. We have conducted product recalls and field corrective actions in the past, and may do so again in the future.

In many jurisdictions, product liability claims are not limited to any specified amount of recovery. If any such claims or contribution requests or requirements exceed our available insurance or if there is a product recall, there could be an adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition, a recall or claim could require us to review our entire product portfolio to assess whether similar issues are present in other products, which could result in a significant disruption to our business and which could have a further adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. There can be no assurance that we will not experience any material warranty or product liability claim losses in the future, that we will not incur significant costs to defend such claims or that we will have adequate reserves to cover any recalls, repair and replacement costs.

We are subject to litigation, environmental, product safety and other legal and compliance risks.

We are subject to a variety of litigation, legal and compliance risks. These risks relate to, among other things, product safety, personal injuries, intellectual property rights, contract-related claims, taxes, environmental matters, employee health and safety, competition laws and laws governing improper business practices. If convicted or found liable in connection with such matters, we could be subject to significant fines, penalties, repayments and other damages (in certain cases, treble damages).

As a global business, we are subject to complex laws and regulations in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. Those laws and regulations may be interpreted in different ways. They may also change from time to time, as may related interpretations and other guidance. Changes in laws or regulations could result in higher expenses. Uncertainty relating to laws or regulations may also affect how we operate, structure our investments and enforce our rights.

Changes in environmental and climate change related-laws, including laws relating to refrigerants, efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, could require additional investments in product designs, which may be more expensive or difficult to manufacture, qualify and sell and/or may involve additional product safety risks, and could increase environmental compliance expenditures. Evolving climate change concerns or changes in regulations related to such concerns, including with respect to refrigerants, efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, could subject us to additional costs and restrictions, such as increased energy and raw materials costs. Furthermore, various jurisdictions and regulators may take different approaches to and impose differing or inconsistent requirements under environmental and climate change-related laws, which may make it more costly or difficult for us to sell our products (including by requiring that we monitor such developments, incur increased test and certification costs, increase time-to-market and develop additional country-specific variants for certain products) or prevent us from selling certain products in certain geographic markets.

At times we are involved in disputes with private parties over environmental issues, including litigation over the allocation of cleanup costs, alleged personal injuries and property damage. Existing and future asbestos-related and other product liability claims could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Personal injury lawsuits may involve individual and purported class actions alleging that contaminants originating from our current or former products or operating facilities caused or contributed to medical conditions. Property damage lawsuits may involve claims relating to environmental damage or diminution of real estate values. Even in litigation where we believe our liability is remote, there is a risk that a negative finding or decision could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of

operations, cash flows or financial condition, in particular with respect to environmental claims in regions where we have, or previously had, significant operations or where certain of our products have been used.

In addition, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and other anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The FCPA applies to companies, individual directors, officers, employees and agents. Under certain anti-corruption laws, U.S. companies also may be held liable for the actions of partners or representatives, including joint ventures. Certain of our customer relationships are with governmental entities and are, therefore, subject to the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws. Despite meaningful measures to ensure lawful conduct, which include training and internal controls, we may not always be able to prevent our employees or third-party agents or channel partners from violating the FCPA or other anti-corruption laws. As a result, we could be subject to criminal and civil penalties, disgorgement, changes or enhancements to our compliance measures that could increase our costs or other remedial actions. Moreover, we are subject to antitrust, anti-collusion and anti-money laundering laws in various jurisdictions throughout the world. Changes in these laws or their interpretation, administration and/or enforcement may occur over time, and any such changes may limit our future acquisitions or operations, or result in changes to our strategies, sales and distribution structures or other business practices. Though we have implemented policies, controls and other measures to prevent money laundering, collusion or anti-competitive behavior, our controls may not always be effective in preventing our employees, third-party agents or channel partners from violating anti-money laundering, antitrust or anti-collusion laws.

Violations of FCPA, antitrust, anti-money laundering or other anti-corruption or anti-collusion laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our operations, cause reputational harm, involve significant management distraction and result in a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

We also must comply with various laws and regulations relating to the export of products, services and technology from the U.S. and other countries having jurisdiction over our operations. In the United States, these laws include, among others, the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and embargoes and sanctions regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Restrictions on the export of our products could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

For a description of current material legal proceedings and regulatory matters, see “Business—Legal Proceedings” and Note 20 to the Combined Financial Statements included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus.

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.

We seek to grow through strategic acquisitions in addition to internal growth. In the past several years, we have acquired various businesses and entered into joint venture arrangements 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 material 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 previous 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 United States. We also may incur unanticipated costs or expenses, including post-closing asset impairment charges as well as expenses associated with eliminating duplicate facilities, litigation, and other liabilities. We may encounter difficulties in integrating acquired businesses with our operations, applying our internal controls to these acquired businesses, or in managing strategic investments. Additionally, we may not realize 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 during 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 obligations being imposed on us that could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, results of operations, 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. For constraints on mergers and acquisition activity after the completion of the distribution, see “—Risks Related to the Distribution.”

We may be required to recognize impairment charges for our goodwill and certain other intangible assets.

We may be required to recognize impairment charges for our goodwill and certain other intangible assets. Our other intangible assets primarily consists of trademarks. At December 31, 2019, the net carrying value of our goodwill and certain other intangible assets totaled $9.9 billion and $534 million, respectively. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we periodically assess these assets to determine if they are impaired. Significant negative industry or economic trends, disruptions to our business, planned or unexpected significant changes in the use of the assets, and sustained market capitalization declines may result in recognition of impairments to goodwill or certain other intangible assets. Any charges relating to such impairments could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations in the periods recognized.

We may need additional financing in the future to meet our capital needs or to make opportunistic acquisitions, and such financing may not be available on favorable terms, if at all, and may be dilutive to existing shareowners.

Upon completion of the distribution, we anticipate having approximately $11.4 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness. We may need additional financing for our general corporate purposes. For example, we may need funds to increase our investments in R&D activities, to make acquisitions or otherwise grow our business or refinance or repay existing debt. Volatility in the world financial markets could increase borrowing costs or affect our ability to access the capital markets. Our ability to issue debt or enter into other financing arrangements on acceptable terms could be adversely affected if there is a material decline in the demand for our products or in the solvency of our customers, suppliers or distributors or other significantly unfavorable changes in economic conditions. We may be unable to obtain additional financing on terms favorable to us, if at all. If we lose an investment grade credit rating or adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to successfully develop or enhance products, fund our expansion or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could negatively affect our business. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our shareowners will experience dilution of their ownership interest. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt, we may be subject to limitations on our operations due to restrictive covenants.

Failure to maintain a satisfactory credit rating could adversely affect our liquidity, capital position, borrowing costs and access to capital markets.

In connection with the distribution, we have completed certain financing transactions, and we intend to complete one or more additional financing transactions on or prior to the completion of the distribution, with an aggregate of approximately $10.9 billion of the proceeds of such financings expected to be used to distribute cash to UTC. As a result of these transactions, we anticipate having approximately $11.4 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness when the distribution is completed. The amount of indebtedness incurred by Carrier and the amount of cash distributed by Carrier may be adjusted by UTC as described elsewhere in this prospectus. In anticipation of the distribution, Carrier has been issued an investment grade credit rating by each of Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s. Despite these investment grade credit ratings at the time of the distribution, any future downgrades could increase the cost of borrowing under any indebtedness we may incur in connection with the distribution or otherwise, reduce market capacity for our commercial paper or require the posting of collateral under our derivative contracts. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our credit ratings once established, and any additional actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under review for a downgrade, may have a negative impact on our liquidity, capital position and access to the capital markets.

Risks Related to the Distribution

We have no recent history of operating as an independent company, and our historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

The historical information about Carrier in this prospectus refers to the Carrier Business as operated by and integrated with UTC. Our historical and pro forma financial information included in this prospectus is derived from the combined financial statements and accounting records of UTC. Accordingly, the historical and pro forma financial information included in this prospectus does not necessarily reflect the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company during the periods presented or those that we will achieve in the future primarily as a result of the factors described below:

Other significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of operating as a company separate from UTC. For additional information about the past financial performance of our business and the basis of presentation of the combined financial statements and the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of our business, see “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial

Information,” “Selected Historical Combined Financial Data of Carrier,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical combined financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Following the distribution, our financial profile will change, and we will be a smaller, less diversified company than UTC prior to the distribution.

Following the distribution, Carrier will be a smaller, less diversified company than UTC prior to the distribution. As a result, we may be more vulnerable to changing market conditions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the diversification of our sales, costs, and cash flows will diminish as a stand-alone company, such that our results of operations, cash flows, working capital and financing requirements may be subject to increased volatility and our ability to fund capital expenditures and investments, pay dividends and service debt may be diminished. Following the distribution, we may also lose capital allocation efficiency and flexibility because we will no longer be able to use cash flow from the UTC Aerospace Businesses or the Otis Business to fund our investments and operations.

We may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the separation and distribution, and the separation and distribution may materially adversely affect our business.

We may not be able to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the separation and distribution, or such benefits may be delayed or not occur at all. The separation and distribution are expected to provide the following benefits, among others: (1) enabling our management to more effectively pursue its own distinct operating priorities and strategies, while also enhancing our operational agility through a more nimble organization; (2) permitting us to allocate our financial resources to meet the unique needs of our businesses, which will allow us to intensify our focus on distinct strategic priorities and to more effectively pursue our own distinct capital structures and capital allocation strategies; (3) affording us the ability to offer an independent equity security to the capital markets and enabling us to more flexibly pursue strategic opportunities more closely aligned with our strategic goals and expected growth opportunities; (4) permitting us to more effectively recruit, retain and motivate employees through the use of stock-based compensation that more closely aligns management and employee incentives with specific business goals and objectives related to our businesses; and (5) allowing us to more effectively articulate a clear investment proposition to attract a long-term investor base suited to our businesses, growth profile and capital allocation priorities.

We may not achieve these and other anticipated benefits for a variety of reasons, including, among others: (1) the distribution will require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating our business; (2) following the distribution, we may lose capital allocation efficiency and flexibility because, for instance, we will no longer be able to use cash flow from one of UTC’s other businesses to fund investments and operations; (3) following the distribution, we may be more susceptible to certain market fluctuations and other adverse events because our businesses will be less diversified than UTC’s businesses prior to the completion of the distribution; (4) after the distribution, as a stand-alone company, we may be unable to obtain certain goods, services and technologies at prices or on terms as favorable as those UTC obtained prior to completion of the distribution; (5) the distribution may require us to incur substantial costs, including accounting, tax, legal and other professional services costs, costs related to retaining and attracting business and operational relationships with customers, suppliers and other counterparties, recruiting and relocation costs associated with hiring key senior management personnel who are new to Carrier, costs to retain key management personnel, tax costs and costs to separate shared systems and other unforeseen dis-synergy costs; (6) under the terms of the tax matters agreement that we will enter into with UTC and Otis, we will be restricted from taking certain actions that could cause the distribution or certain related transactions (or certain transactions undertaken as part of the internal reorganization) to fail to qualify as tax-free transactions and these restrictions may limit us for a period of time from pursuing certain strategic transactions and equity issuances or engaging in other transactions that might increase the value of our businesses; and (7) potential negative reactions from the financial markets if UTC fails to complete the distribution as currently expected or within the anticipated time frame. If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits expected to result from the distribution, or if such benefits are delayed, it could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

UTC’s plan to separate into three independent, publicly traded companies is subject to various risks and uncertainties and may not be completed in accordance with the expected plans or anticipated timeline, or at all, and will involve significant time and expense, which could disrupt or adversely affect our business.

On November 26, 2018, UTC announced plans to separate into three independent, publicly traded companies. The separation and distribution are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions (or waiver by UTC in its sole and absolute discretion), subject to UTC’s agreement to consummate the Carrier distribution pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Raytheon merger agreement. The conditions to the separation and distribution include final approval by UTC’s Board of Directors, receipt of tax rulings in certain jurisdictions and/or a tax opinion from external counsel (as applicable), the SEC declaring effective the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and satisfactory completion of financing. Furthermore, the separation is complex in nature, and unanticipated developments or changes, including changes in the law, the macroeconomic environment, competitive conditions of UTC’s markets, the uncertainty of the financial markets and challenges in executing the separation, could delay or prevent the completion of the proposed separation, or cause the separation to occur on terms or conditions that are different or less favorable than expected. We currently expect the Otis distribution to occur on or around the date of the Carrier distribution, unless otherwise determined by the UTC Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion, but subject to UTC’s agreement to consummate each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution as required pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Raytheon merger agreement. Though UTC has agreed pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Raytheon merger agreement, that UTC will consummate the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution, there can be no assurance that the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution will occur on or around the same date or that either distribution will occur at all.

The process of completing the separation has been and is expected to continue to be time-consuming and involves significant costs. The separation costs may be significantly higher than what we currently anticipate and may not yield a discernible benefit if the separation is not completed or is not well executed, or the expected benefits of the separation are not realized. Executing the proposed separation will also require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating and growing our business. Other challenges associated with effectively executing the separation include attracting, retaining, motivating and training employees, including additional employees that we will need to operate as a stand-alone company; addressing disruptions to our supply chain, manufacturing, sales and distribution, and other operations resulting from separating UTC into three independent public companies; and separating from UTC’s information systems.

The combined market value following the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution of one share of Carrier common stock, the number of shares of Otis common stock to be distributed per share of UTC common stock in the Otis distribution and one share of UTC common stock may not equal or exceed the pre-distribution value of one share of UTC common stock.

There can be no assurance that following the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution the aggregate market value of one share of Carrier common stock, the number of shares of Otis common stock to be distributed per share of UTC common stock in the Otis distribution and one share of UTC common stock will be higher than, lower than or the same as the market value of a share of UTC common stock if the separation did not occur.

We expect to incur both one-time and ongoing material costs as a result of the separation, which could adversely affect our profitability.

We expect to incur, as a result of the separation, both one-time and ongoing costs that are greater than those we currently incur. These increased costs may arise from various factors, including financial reporting, costs associated with complying with federal securities laws (including compliance with the Exchange Act, Sarbanes-Oxley and the Dodd-Frank Act), and costs associated with accounting, auditing, tax, legal, human resources, investor relations, risk management, treasury and other general and administrative related functions, and it is possible that these costs will be material to our business.

In connection with the distribution, we have incurred debt obligations, and we may incur additional debt obligations in the future, which could adversely affect our business and profitability and our ability to meet other obligations.

In connection with the distribution, on February 10, 2020, we entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement providing for a $2.0 billion unsecured, unsubordinated 5-year revolving credit facility and a Term Loan Credit Agreement providing for a $1.75 billion unsecured, unsubordinated 3-year term loan credit facility. Additionally, on February 27, 2020, we issued $9.25 billion of unsecured, unsubordinated notes in six series. We also intend to enter into a $2.0 billion unsecured, unsubordinated commercial paper program prior to the distribution. We expect an aggregate of approximately $10.9 billion of the proceeds of such financings to be used to distribute cash to UTC. As a result of such transactions, we anticipate having approximately $11.4 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness when the distribution is completed. See “Description of Material Indebtedness.” We may also incur additional indebtedness in the future. In addition, the amount of indebtedness actually incurred by Carrier and the amount of cash actually distributed by Carrier to UTC (or otherwise transferred to or from UTC or Carrier, as applicable, prior to the distribution) may be adjusted prior to the completion of the distribution in a manner that is intended to result in approximately $24.3 billion of adjusted net indebtedness of the UTC Aerospace Businesses immediately prior to the completion of the merger, subject to and in accordance with the Raytheon merger agreement; accordingly, the actual cash and debt balances of Carrier immediately following the distribution may be higher or lower than currently anticipated.

This significant amount of debt could potentially have important consequences to us and our debt and equity investors, including: (1) requiring a substantial portion of our cash flow 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 flow 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 with debt; 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 the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Material Indebtedness,” the terms of Carrier’s indebtedness contain covenants restricting its financial flexibility in a number of ways, including, among other things, restrictions on Carrier’s ability and the ability of certain of Carrier’s subsidiaries to incur liens, to make certain fundamental changes and to enter into sale and leaseback transactions. If Carrier breaches a restrictive covenant under any of its indebtedness, or an event of default occurs in respect of any of its indebtedness, Carrier’s 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 flow 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.

After the separation, certain members of management, directors and shareowners may own stock in UTC, Carrier and Otis, and as a result may face actual or potential conflicts of interest.

After the separation, the management and directors of each of UTC, Carrier and Otis may own common stock in all three companies. This ownership overlap could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when the management and directors of one company face decisions that could have different implications for themselves and the other two companies. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute regarding the terms of the agreements governing the separation and Carrier’s relationship with UTC and Otis thereafter. These agreements include the separation agreement, the transition services agreement, the tax matters agreement, the employee matters agreement, the intellectual property agreement and any commercial agreements between the parties or their affiliates. Potential conflicts of interest may also arise out of any commercial arrangements that we or UTC may enter into in the future.

We could experience temporary interruptions in business operations and incur additional costs as we further develop information technology infrastructure and transition our data to our stand-alone systems.

We are in the process of further developing an IT infrastructure and systems to support our critical business functions, including accounting and reporting, in order to replace many of the systems and functions UTC currently provides. We may experience temporary interruptions in business operations if we cannot transition effectively to our own stand-alone systems and functions, which could disrupt our business operations and have a material adverse effect on our profitability. In addition, our costs for the operation of these systems may be higher than the amounts reflected in the combined financial statements.

We may not be able to engage in desirable capital-raising or strategic transactions following the separation.

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, a spin-off that otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment can be rendered taxable to the parent corporation and its shareowners as a result of certain post-spin-off transactions, including certain acquisitions of shares or assets of the spun-off corporation. To preserve the tax-free treatment of the separation and the distribution, and in addition to Carrier’s indemnity obligation described below, the tax matters agreement will restrict us, for the two-year period following the distribution, except in specific circumstances, from: (1) entering into any transaction pursuant to which all or a portion of the shares of Carrier stock would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise; (2) issuing equity securities beyond certain thresholds; (3) repurchasing shares of Carrier stock other than in certain open-market transactions; and (4) ceasing to actively conduct certain of our businesses. The tax matters agreement will also prohibit us from taking or failing to take any other action that would prevent the distribution and certain related transactions from qualifying as a transaction that is generally tax-free, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code or for applicable non-U.S. income tax purposes. Further, the tax matters agreement will impose similar restrictions on us and our subsidiaries during the two-year period following the distribution that are intended to prevent certain transactions undertaken as part of the internal reorganization from failing to qualify as transactions that are generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code or for applicable non-U.S. income tax purposes. These restrictions may limit our ability to pursue certain equity issuances, strategic transactions, repurchases or other transactions that we may otherwise believe to be in the best interests of our shareowners or that might increase the value of our business. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Matters Agreement” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

In connection with the separation into three independent public companies, each of UTC, Carrier and Otis will indemnify the other parties for certain liabilities. If we are required to pay under these indemnities to UTC and/or Otis, our financial results could be negatively impacted. Also, the UTC or Otis indemnities may not be sufficient to hold us harmless from the full amount of liabilities for which UTC and Otis will be allocated responsibility, and UTC and/or Otis may not be able to satisfy their respective indemnification obligations in the future.

Pursuant to the separation agreement and certain other agreements among UTC, Carrier and Otis, each party will agree to indemnify the other parties for certain liabilities as discussed further in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.” Indemnities that we may be required to provide UTC and/or Otis are not subject to any cap, may be significant and could negatively impact our business. Third parties could also seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that UTC and/or Otis has agreed to retain. The indemnities from UTC and Otis for our benefit may not be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities, and UTC and/or Otis may not be able to fully satisfy their respective indemnification obligations. Any amounts we are required to pay pursuant to such indemnification obligations and other liabilities could require us to divert cash that would otherwise have been used in furtherance of our operating business.

Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from UTC or Otis, as applicable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses ourselves. Each of these risks could negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

UTC or Otis may fail to perform under various transaction agreements that will be executed as part of the separation, or we may fail to have the necessary systems and services in place when the transition services agreement expires.

In connection with the separation and prior to the distribution, Carrier, Otis and UTC will enter into the separation agreement and will also enter into various other agreements, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement, and an intellectual property agreement.

These agreements, together with the documents and agreements by which the internal reorganization will be effected, will determine the allocation of assets and liabilities among the companies following the separation and will include any necessary indemnifications related to liabilities and obligations. The transition services agreement will provide for the performance of certain services by UTC for the benefit of Carrier and/or Otis and by Carrier and/or Otis for the benefit of UTC for a period of time after the separation. If UTC or Otis is unable or unwilling to satisfy its obligations under these agreements, including its indemnification obligations, we could incur operational difficulties and/or losses. We are in the process of creating systems and services to replace many of the systems and services that UTC currently provides to us. However, we may not be successful in implementing these systems and services in a timely manner or at all, we may incur additional costs in connection with, or following, the implementation of these systems and services, and we may not be successful in transitioning data from UTC’s systems to ours.

The terms we will receive in our agreements with UTC or Otis could be less beneficial than the terms we may have otherwise received from unaffiliated third parties.

The agreements we will enter into with UTC and Otis in connection with the separation, including the separation agreement, a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and an intellectual property agreement, were prepared in the context of the separation while Carrier was still a wholly owned subsidiary of UTC. Accordingly, Carrier did not have a board of directors or a management team that were independent of UTC. In addition, certain of the terms in these agreements were provided for in, and were the result of negotiations between UTC and Raytheon in connection with, the Raytheon merger agreement. As a result of these factors, the terms of those agreements may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations between unaffiliated third parties. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including as a result of subsequent acquisitions of our stock or the stock of UTC (including pursuant to the Raytheon merger), we, as well as UTC, Otis and UTC’s shareowners, could be subject to significant tax liabilities. In addition, if certain internal restructuring transactions were to fail to qualify as transactions that are generally tax-free for U.S. federal or non-U.S. income tax purposes, we, as well as UTC and Otis could be subject to significant tax liabilities. In certain circumstances, we could be required to indemnify UTC for material taxes and other related amounts pursuant to indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement.

The distribution is conditioned on, among other things, (1) the IRS ruling regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution received by UTC remaining valid and satisfactory to the UTC Board of Directors and (2) the receipt by UTC and continued validity of an opinion of outside counsel, satisfactory to the UTC Board of Directors, regarding the qualification of certain elements of the distribution under Section 355 of the Code. The IRS ruling and the opinion of counsel will be based upon and rely on, among other things, various facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations, statements and undertakings of UTC, Carrier and Otis, including those relating to the past and future conduct of UTC, Carrier and Otis. If any of these representations, statements or undertakings is, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, or if any of the representations or covenants contained in any of the separation-related agreements and documents or in any documents relating to the IRS ruling and/or the opinion of counsel are inaccurate or not complied with by UTC, Carrier, Otis or any of their respective subsidiaries, the IRS ruling and/or the opinion of counsel may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized.

Notwithstanding receipt of the IRS ruling and the opinion of counsel, the IRS could determine that the distribution and/or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions or undertakings upon which the IRS ruling or the opinion of counsel was based are inaccurate or have not been complied with. In addition, the IRS ruling does not address all of the issues that are relevant to determining whether the distribution, together with certain related transactions, qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The opinion of counsel represents the judgment of such counsel and is not binding on the IRS or any court, and the IRS or a court may disagree with the conclusions in the opinion of counsel. Accordingly, notwithstanding receipt by UTC of the IRS ruling and the opinion of counsel, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert that the distribution and/or certain related transactions do not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including by reason of the Raytheon merger) or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. In the event the IRS were to prevail with such challenge, we, as well as UTC, Otis and UTC’s shareowners, could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability.

If the distribution were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, in general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, UTC would recognize a taxable gain as if it had sold the Carrier common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value, and UTC shareowners who receive Carrier common stock in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such shares. Even if the distribution were to otherwise qualify as a tax-free transaction under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, it may result in taxable gain to UTC (but not its shareowners) under Section 355(e) of the Code if the distribution were deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, shares representing a 50 percent or greater interest (by vote or value) in UTC or Carrier. For this purpose, any acquisitions of UTC or Carrier shares within the period beginning two years before the distribution and ending two years after the distribution are presumed to be part of such a plan, although UTC or Carrier may be able to rebut that presumption (including by qualifying for one or more safe harbors under applicable Treasury Regulations). Further, for purposes of this test, even if the Raytheon merger were treated as part of such a plan, the Raytheon merger alone should not cause the distribution to be taxable to UTC under Section 355(e) of the Code because pre-Raytheon merger holders of UTC common stock will own over 50 percent of the UTC common stock immediately following the Raytheon merger. However, if the IRS were to determine that other acquisitions of UTC or Carrier stock, either before or after the distribution, were part of a plan or series of related transactions that included the distribution, such determination could result in significant tax liabilities to UTC. For more information, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

In addition, as part of the separation, and prior to the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution, UTC and its subsidiaries expect to complete the internal reorganization, and UTC, Carrier, Otis and their respective subsidiaries expect to incur certain tax costs in connection with the internal reorganization, including non-U.S. tax costs resulting from transactions in non-U.S. jurisdictions, which may be material. With respect to certain transactions undertaken as part of the internal reorganization, UTC has requested and intends to obtain tax rulings in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions and/or opinions of external tax advisors, in each case, regarding the tax treatment of such transactions. Such tax rulings and opinions will be based upon and rely on, among other things, various facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations (including with respect to certain valuation matters relating to the internal reorganization), statements and undertakings of UTC, Carrier, Otis or their respective subsidiaries. If any of these representations or statements is, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, or if UTC, Carrier, Otis or any of their respective subsidiaries do not fulfill or otherwise comply with any such undertakings or covenants, such tax rulings and/or opinions may be invalid or the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized. Further, notwithstanding receipt of any such tax rulings and/or opinions, there can be no assurance that the relevant taxing authorities will not assert that the tax treatment of the relevant transactions differs from the conclusions reached in the relevant tax rulings and/or opinions. In the event any such tax rulings and/or opinions cannot be obtained or the relevant taxing authorities prevail with any challenge in respect of any relevant transaction, we, as well as UTC and Otis could be subject to significant tax liabilities.

Under the tax matters agreement to be entered into among UTC, Carrier and Otis in connection with the separation, Carrier generally would be required to indemnify UTC and Otis for any taxes resulting from the separation (and any related costs and other damages) to the extent such amounts resulted from (1) an acquisition of all or a portion of the equity securities or assets of Carrier, whether by merger or otherwise (and regardless of whether we participated in or otherwise facilitated the acquisition), (2) other actions or failures to act by Carrier or (3) certain of Carrier’s representations, covenants or undertakings contained in any of the separation-related agreements and documents or in any documents relating to the IRS ruling and/or the opinion of counsel being incorrect or violated. Further, under the tax matters agreement, we generally would be required to indemnify UTC and Otis for a specified portion of any taxes (and any related costs and other damages) (a) arising as a result of the failure of either of the distributions and certain related transactions to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free (including as a result of Section 355(e) of the Code) or a failure of any internal separation transaction that is intended to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free to so qualify, in each case, to the extent such amounts did not result from a disqualifying action by, or acquisition of equity securities of, Carrier, Otis or UTC or (b) arising from an adjustment, pursuant to an audit or other tax proceeding, with respect to any separation transaction that is not intended to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free. Any such indemnity obligations could be material. For a more detailed discussion, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Matters Agreement.”

The transfer to us by UTC or Otis of certain contracts, permits and other assets and rights may require the consents or approvals of, or provide other rights to, third parties and governmental authorities. If such consents or approvals are not obtained, we may not be entitled to the benefit of such contracts, permits and other assets and rights, which could increase our expenses or otherwise harm our business and financial performance.

The separation agreement will provide that certain contracts, permits and other assets and rights are to be transferred from UTC, Otis or their subsidiaries to Carrier or its subsidiaries in connection with the separation. The transfer of certain of these contracts, permits and other assets and rights may require consents or approvals of third parties or governmental authorities or provide other rights to third parties. In addition, in some circumstances, Carrier and UTC or Otis are joint beneficiaries of contracts, and we and UTC or Otis may need the consents of third parties in order to split, separate, replace, novate or replicate the existing contracts or the relevant portion of the existing contracts. While we anticipate entering into new contracts in place of transferring such contracts, we may not be successful in doing so in many instances.

Some parties may use consent requirements or other rights to terminate contracts or obtain more favorable contractual terms from us, which, for example, could take the form of price increases, require us to expend additional resources in order to obtain the services or assets previously provided under the contract, or require us to make arrangements with new third parties or obtain letters of credit or other forms of credit support. If we do not obtain required consents or approvals, we may be unable to obtain the benefits, permits, assets and contractual commitments that are intended to be allocated to us as part of our separation from UTC, and we may be required to seek alternative arrangements to obtain services and assets which may be more costly and/or of lower quality. The termination, modification, replacement or replication of these contracts or permits or the failure to timely complete the transfer or separation of these contracts or permits could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Until the distribution occurs, the UTC Board of Directors may change the terms of the separation in ways that may be unfavorable to us.

Until the distribution occurs, Carrier will continue to be a wholly owned subsidiary of UTC. Accordingly, UTC has the discretion to determine and change the terms of the separation, including the establishment of the record date and the distribution date; provided, that any such determination or change will be subject to UTC’s obligations to complete the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Raytheon merger agreement (including, with respect to certain changes, the requirement that UTC obtain Raytheon’s prior written consent). These changes could be unfavorable to us, and as a general matter, Raytheon’s consent would not be required to effect changes that are unfavorable to us. In addition, subject to UTC’s obligations under the Raytheon merger agreement, the UTC Board of Directors may decide not to proceed with the distribution at any time prior to the distribution date.

Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could materially and adversely affect us.

As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act and will be required to prepare our financial statements according to the rules and regulations required by the SEC. In addition, the Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports. Our failure to prepare and disclose this information in a timely manner or to otherwise comply with applicable law could subject us to penalties under federal securities laws, expose us to lawsuits and restrict our ability to access financing. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that, among other things, we establish and maintain effective internal controls and procedures for financial reporting and disclosure purposes. Internal control over financial reporting is complex and may be revised over time to adapt to changes in our business, or changes in applicable accounting rules. We cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting will be effective in the future or that a material weakness will not be discovered with respect to a prior period for which we had previously believed that internal controls were effective. If we are not able to maintain or document effective internal control over financial reporting, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be able to certify as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting when required. While we have been adhering to these laws and regulations as a subsidiary of UTC, after the distribution we will need to demonstrate our ability to manage our compliance with these laws and regulations as an independent, public company.

Matters affecting our internal controls may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, or may cause us to restate previously issued financial information, and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions or investigations by the SEC, or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in our company and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements is also likely to suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm report a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. This could have a material and adverse effect on us by, for example, leading to a decline in our share price and impairing our ability to raise additional capital.

The allocation of intellectual property rights among us, UTC and Otis as part of the separation could adversely impact our competitive position and our ability to develop and commercialize certain future products and services.

In connection with the separation, we are entering into an intellectual property agreement with UTC and Otis governing, among other things, the allocation of intellectual property rights related to our and their businesses. As a result of the separation and such allocation, we will no longer have an ownership interest in certain intellectual property rights, but will become a non-exclusive licensee of such rights. This loss of the ownership of certain intellectual property rights could adversely affect our ability to maintain our competitive position through the enforcement of these rights against third parties that infringe these rights. In addition, we may lose our ability to license these rights to third parties in exchange for a license to such third parties’ rights that we may need to operate our business.

The terms of the intellectual property agreement also include cross-licenses among the parties of certain intellectual property rights owned by Carrier, Otis and UTC and needed for the continuation of the operations of the Carrier Business, Otis Business and the UTC Aerospace Businesses, respectively. The licenses granted to us by UTC and Otis are nonexclusive and, accordingly, UTC and Otis could license such licensed intellectual property rights to our competitors, which could adversely affect our competitive position in the industry. Moreover, our use of the intellectual property rights licensed to us by UTC and Otis will be restricted to certain fields of use related to our business. The limited nature of such licenses, and the other rights granted to Carrier pursuant to the intellectual property agreement, may not provide us with all the intellectual property rights that UTC or Otis currently holds or may in the future hold that we may need as our business changes in the future. Accordingly, if we were to expand our business to include new products and services outside of our current fields of use, we may not have the benefit of such licenses for such new products or services. As a result, it may be necessary for us to develop our technology independently of such licensed rights, which could make it more difficult, time consuming and/or expensive for us to develop and commercialize certain new products and services.

Potential liabilities may arise due to fraudulent transfer considerations, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

In connection with the separation (including the internal reorganization), UTC has undertaken and will undertake several corporate reorganization transactions involving its subsidiaries which, along with the distribution, may be subject to various fraudulent conveyance and transfer laws. If, under these laws, a court were to determine that, at the time of the separation, any entity involved in these reorganization transactions or the separation:

then the court could void the separation and distribution, in whole or in part, as a fraudulent conveyance or transfer. The court could then require our shareowners to return to UTC some or all of the shares of Carrier common stock issued in the distribution, or require UTC or Carrier, as the case may be, to fund liabilities of the other company for the benefit of creditors. The measure of insolvency will vary depending upon the jurisdiction and the applicable law. Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent if the fair value of its assets was less than the amount of its liabilities (including the probable amount of contingent liabilities), or if it

incurred debt beyond its ability to repay the debt as it matures. No assurance can be given as to what standard a court would apply to determine insolvency or that a court would determine that Carrier or any of its subsidiaries were solvent at the time of or after giving effect to the distribution.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

We cannot be certain that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained after the distribution and, following the distribution, our stock price may fluctuate significantly.

A public market for our common stock does not currently exist. We anticipate that on or prior to the record date, trading of shares of our common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis and will continue through the distribution date. However, we cannot guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be sustained for our common stock after the distribution, nor can we predict the prices at which shares of our common stock may trade after the distribution. Similarly, we cannot predict the effect of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution on the trading prices of our common stock or whether the combined market value of one share of our common stock, the number of shares of Otis common stock to be distributed per share of UTC common stock in the Otis distribution and one share of UTC common stock will be less than, equal to or greater than the market value of one share of UTC common stock prior to the distributions.

Until the market has fully evaluated the Carrier distribution, the Otis distribution and the transactions contemplated by the Raytheon merger agreement, including the pendency, completion or termination, as applicable, of the Raytheon merger, the price at which each share of UTC common stock trades may fluctuate more significantly than might otherwise be typical, even with other market conditions, including general volatility, held constant. Such fluctuations may be due to a variety of factors, including uncertainty as to the expected timing of completion of the Raytheon merger or whether it will be completed at all, the value of UTC’s remaining businesses without Otis and Carrier in the event the Raytheon merger is not completed and investors’ assessment of the likelihood that UTC will realize the expected benefits of the Raytheon merger. The completion of the Raytheon merger is not a condition to the completion of the Carrier distribution or the Otis distribution, and UTC may complete the distributions (in accordance with the terms of the Raytheon merger agreement, to the extent in effect) even if the Raytheon merger agreement has been terminated.

Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated our business as a stand-alone entity, the prices at which shares of Carrier common stock trade may fluctuate more significantly than might otherwise be typical, even with other market conditions, including general volatility, held constant. The increased volatility of our stock price following the distribution may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including: (1) actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results; (2) changes in earnings estimated by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates; (3) the operating and stock price performance of comparable companies; (4) changes to the regulatory and legal environment under which we operate; (5) actual or anticipated fluctuations in commodities prices; and (6) domestic and worldwide economic conditions.

A significant number of shares of our common stock may be sold following the distribution, which may cause our stock price to decline.

Any sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market or the perception that such sales might occur, in connection with the distribution or otherwise, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Upon completion of the distribution, we expect that we will have an aggregate of approximately 866,223,435 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. Shares distributed to UTC shareowners in the separation will generally be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except for shares owned by one of our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

We are unable to predict whether large amounts of our common stock will be sold in the open market following the distribution. We are also unable to predict whether a sufficient number of buyers of our common stock to meet the demand to sell shares of our common stock at attractive prices would exist at that time.

There may be substantial changes in our shareowner base.

Investors holding UTC common stock may hold UTC common stock because of a decision to invest in a company with UTC’s profile. Following the distribution, the shares of our common stock held by those investors will represent an investment in a company with a different profile than that of UTC. This change may not match some shareowners’ investment strategies, which could cause them to sell our common stock. As a result, our stock price may decline or experience volatility as our shareowner base changes.

Your percentage of ownership in Carrier may be diluted in the future.

In the future, your percentage ownership in Carrier may be diluted because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions or otherwise, including any equity awards that we will grant to our directors, officers and employees. Our employees will have stock-based awards that correspond to shares of our common stock after the distribution as a result of the conversion of and/or adjustments to their UTC stock-based awards. Such awards will have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. We also plan to issue additional stock-based awards, including annual awards, new hire awards and periodic retention awards, as applicable, to our directors, officers and other employees under our employee benefits plans as part of our ongoing equity compensation program.

We cannot guarantee the timing, amount or payment of dividends on our common stock.

Following the distribution, we expect that Carrier will initially pay a cash dividend on a quarterly basis at an aggregate annual rate of approximately $550 million. However, the timing, declaration, amount of, and payment of any dividends will be within the discretion of Carrier’s Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our operating subsidiaries, covenants associated with certain of our debt service obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, ability to access capital markets, and other factors deemed relevant by Carrier’s Board of Directors. Moreover, if as expected we determine to initially pay a dividend following the distribution, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends in the same amounts or at all thereafter. For more information, see “Dividend Policy.”

Anti-takeover provisions could enable our Board of Directors to resist a takeover attempt by a third party and limit the power of our shareowners.

Carrier’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will contain, and Delaware law contains, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with Carrier’s Board of Directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions are expected to include, among others, (1) the ability of our remaining directors to fill vacancies on Carrier’s Board of Directors (except in an instance where a director is removed by shareowners and the resulting vacancy is filled by shareowners); (2) limitations on shareowners’ ability to call a special shareowner meeting; (3) rules regarding how shareowners may present proposals or nominate directors for election at shareowner meetings; and (4) the right of Carrier’s Board of Directors to issue preferred stock without shareowner approval.

In addition, we expect to be subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), which could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control that you may favor. Section 203 provides that, subject to limited exceptions, persons that acquire, or are affiliated with persons that acquire, more than 15 percent of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation may not engage in a business combination with that corporation, including by merger, consolidation or acquisitions of additional shares, for a three-year period following the date on which that person or any of its affiliates becomes the holder of more than 15 percent of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock.

We believe these provisions will protect our shareowners from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with Carrier’s Board of Directors and by providing Carrier’s Board of Directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make Carrier immune from takeovers; however, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some shareowners and could delay or prevent an acquisition that Carrier’s Board of Directors

determines is not in the best interests of Carrier and our shareowners. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors. See “Description of Carrier Capital Stock—Charter and Bylaw Provisions” and “Description of Carrier Capital Stock—Change of Control.”

In addition, an acquisition or further issuance of our stock could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the Code, causing the distribution to be taxable to UTC. For a discussion of Section 355(e) of the Code, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” Under the tax matters agreement, we would be required to indemnify UTC for the resulting tax, and this indemnity obligation might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that our shareowners may consider favorable.

Our amended and restated bylaws will designate the state courts within the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our shareowners, which could discourage lawsuits against Carrier and our directors and officers.

Carrier’s amended and restated bylaws will provide that unless Carrier’s Board of Directors otherwise determines, the state courts within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of Carrier, any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director or officer or other employee of Carrier to Carrier or to Carrier shareowners, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against Carrier or any current or former director or officer or other employee of Carrier arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws, any action asserting a claim relating to or involving Carrier governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, this exclusive forum provision will apply to state and federal law claims, including claims under the federal securities laws, including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, although Carrier shareowners will not be deemed to have waived Carrier’s compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with claims arising under federal securities laws or otherwise, a court could find the exclusive forum provision contained in the amended and restated bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable.

This exclusive forum provision may limit the ability of our shareowners to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such shareowners find favorable for disputes with Carrier or our directors or officers, which may discourage such lawsuits against Carrier and our directors and officers. Alternatively, if a court were to find this exclusive forum provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings described above, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and other materials UTC and Carrier have filed or will file with the SEC contain or incorporate by reference statements which, to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, constitute “forward-looking statements” under the securities laws. From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements may also be included in other information released to the public. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide management’s current expectations or plans for our future operating and financial performance, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “expectations,” “plans,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “anticipate,” “will,” “should,” “see,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “confident” and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance or the separation. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements relating to future sales, earnings, cash flow, results of operations, uses of cash, share repurchases, tax rates and other measures of financial performance or potential future plans, strategies or transactions of Carrier, Otis or UTC following UTC’s separation into three independent public companies and/or following completion of the Raytheon merger, the separation, including the expected timing of completion of the separation and estimated costs associated with the separation, the Raytheon merger, including synergies or customer cost savings and the expected timing of the completion of the Raytheon merger, and other statements that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation:

There can be no assurance that the separation, distribution or any other transaction described above will in fact be consummated in the manner described or at all. The above list of factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance. For additional information on identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in forward-looking statements, see the discussions under “Risk Factors.” Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Carrier assumes no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

THE SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION
   
OVERVIEW

On November 26, 2018, UTC announced its intention to separate the Carrier Business and the Otis Business from UTC’s Aerospace Businesses. The separation will occur through pro rata distributions to UTC shareowners of 100 percent of the shares of common stock of Carrier and 100 percent of the shares of common stock of Otis, which were formed to ultimately hold UTC’s Carrier Business and Otis Business, respectively.

In connection with the Carrier distribution, we expect that:

On June 9, 2019, UTC entered into the Raytheon merger agreement, which provides for the combination of the UTC Aerospace Businesses and Raytheon in a merger of equals transaction with Raytheon surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of UTC. Under the Raytheon merger agreement, UTC has agreed with Raytheon that, subject to the terms and conditions of the Raytheon merger agreement, UTC will consummate the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution. In addition, the completion of the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution is a condition to the Raytheon merger pursuant to the Raytheon merger agreement. Accordingly, the Raytheon merger will not be completed unless and until the separation and each of the distributions are completed. The completion of the Raytheon merger is not a condition to the completion of the distributions. Therefore, UTC may complete the distribution even if the conditions to the Raytheon merger under the Raytheon merger agreement have not been satisfied or waived, the Raytheon merger agreement has been terminated or the Raytheon merger will otherwise not be consummated. For additional information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Raytheon Merger Agreement.”

On March 11, 2020, the UTC Board of Directors approved the distribution of all of Carrier’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock on the basis of one share of Carrier common stock for every share of UTC common stock held as of the close of business on March 19, 2020, the record date.

At 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on April 3, 2020, the distribution date, each UTC shareowner will receive one share of Carrier common stock for every share of UTC common stock held at the close of business on the record date, as described below. UTC shareowners will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Carrier common stock that they would have received after application of this ratio. Upon completion of the separation, each UTC shareowner as of the record date will continue to own shares of UTC and will receive a proportionate share of the outstanding common stock of Carrier to be distributed. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your UTC common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of Carrier common stock in the distribution. The distribution as described elsewhere in this prospectus is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. For a more detailed description of these conditions, see “—Conditions to the Distribution.” We currently expect the Otis distribution to occur on or around the date of the Carrier distribution, unless otherwise determined by the UTC Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion, but subject to UTC’s agreement to consummate each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution as required pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Raytheon merger agreement. Though UTC has agreed pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Raytheon merger agreement, that UTC will consummate the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution, there can be no assurance that the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution will occur on or around the same date or that either distribution will occur at all.

Reasons for the Separation

The UTC Board of Directors believes that the separation of UTC into three independent, publicly traded companies through the separation of its Carrier Business and Otis Business is in the best interests of UTC and its shareowners for a number of reasons (irrespective of whether or not the Raytheon merger is completed), including:

The UTC Board of Directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including:

In determining to pursue the separation, the UTC Board of Directors concluded that the potential benefits of the separation outweighed the foregoing factors. For additional information, see “Risk Factors.”

Formation of Carrier

Carrier was formed in Delaware on March 15, 2019, for the purpose of ultimately holding UTC’s Carrier Business. As part of the plan to separate the Carrier Business from the remainder of UTC’s businesses, UTC plans to transfer the equity interests of certain entities that are expected to operate the Carrier Business and the assets and liabilities of the Carrier Business to Carrier prior to the distribution. For additional information, see “—Internal Reorganization.”

Treatment of Equity-Based Compensation

UTC equity-based compensation awards outstanding as of the distribution date are expected to be adjusted as described below; however, the Compensation Committee of the UTC Board of Directors may alter the treatment of awards in any non-U.S. jurisdiction to the extent that it determines such alteration is necessary or

appropriate, including to avoid adverse tax consequences to the award holders. The description below assumes that the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution occur on the same day. If the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution do not occur on the same day, then it is expected that the adjustment methodology described below would be appropriately modified by the Compensation Committee of the UTC Board of Directors in a manner that is intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of each award immediately after each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to such distribution (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding.

Because the distribution is expected to be completed prior to the consummation of the Raytheon merger and may occur even if the Raytheon merger agreement is terminated or the Raytheon merger will otherwise not be consummated, the award adjustments described below will occur independent of the Raytheon merger. If the Raytheon merger is consummated, UTC common stock will remain outstanding and UTC will be renamed “Raytheon Technologies Corporation.” Accordingly, following the Raytheon merger, adjusted equity-based compensation awards relating to UTC common stock will continue to relate to UTC common stock, which will trade on the NYSE under the symbol “RTX.”

Vested Stock Appreciation Right Awards

As of the distribution date, each outstanding and vested UTC stock appreciation right (“SAR”) award will be converted into a SAR award relating to shares of UTC common stock, a SAR award relating to shares of Carrier common stock, and a SAR award relating to shares of Otis common stock. The number of shares subject to each SAR award and the exercise price of each SAR award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC SAR award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted SAR award will be subject to the same terms, post-termination exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC SAR award immediately before the distributions.

Unvested Stock Appreciation Right Awards

Awards Held by UTC Employees. As of the distribution date, each outstanding and unvested UTC SAR award held by an employee who is employed by UTC or its subsidiaries (other than Carrier and Otis and their respective subsidiaries) immediately prior to the distributions will remain denominated in shares of UTC common stock, although the number of shares subject to the award and the exercise price of the award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC SAR award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted UTC SAR award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions, post-termination exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC SAR award immediately before the distributions.

Awards Held by Carrier Employees. As of the distribution date, each outstanding and unvested UTC SAR award held by an employee who is employed by Carrier or one of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the distributions will be converted into an award of SARs relating to Carrier common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award and the exercise price of the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC SAR award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted Carrier SAR award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions, post-termination exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC SAR award immediately before the distributions.

Awards Held by Otis Employees. As of the distribution date, each outstanding and unvested UTC SAR award held by an employee who is employed by Otis or one of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the distributions will be converted into an award of SARs relating to Otis common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award and the exercise price of the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC SAR award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the

applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted Otis SAR award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions, post-termination exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC SAR award immediately before the distributions.

Vested Stock Option Awards

As of the distribution date, each outstanding and vested UTC stock option award will be converted into a stock option award denominated in shares of UTC common stock, a stock option award denominated in shares of Carrier common stock and a stock option award denominated in shares of Otis common stock. The number of shares subject to each option award and the exercise price of each option award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC stock option award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted stock option award will be subject to the same terms, post-termination exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC stock option award immediately before the distributions.

Unvested Stock Option Awards

Awards Held by UTC Employees. As of the distribution date, each outstanding and unvested UTC stock option award held by an employee who is employed by UTC and its subsidiaries (other than Carrier and Otis and their respective subsidiaries) immediately prior to the distributions will remain denominated in shares of UTC common stock, although the number of shares subject to the award and the exercise price of the award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC stock option award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted UTC stock option award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions, post-termination exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC stock option award immediately before the distributions.

Awards Held by Carrier Employees. As of the distribution date, each outstanding and unvested UTC stock option award held by an employee who is employed by Carrier or one of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the distributions will be converted into a stock option award denominated in shares of Carrier common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award and the exercise price of the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC stock option award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted Carrier stock option award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions, post-termination exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC stock option award immediately before the distributions.

Awards Held by Otis Employees. As of the distribution date, each outstanding and unvested UTC stock option award held by an employee who is employed by Otis or one of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the distributions will be converted into a stock option award denominated in shares of Otis common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award and the exercise price of the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC stock option award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted Otis stock option award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions, post-termination exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC stock option award immediately before the distributions.

Performance Share Unit Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Conversion of Certain Performance Share Unit Awards into Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Effective as of immediately prior to the distribution date, the level of achievement of the performance goals applicable to outstanding UTC performance share unit awards (other than performance share unit awards with performance goals relating exclusively to the Carrier Business or the Otis Business) will be determined by the Compensation

Committee of the UTC Board of Directors and such performance share unit awards will be converted into restricted stock unit awards, which will be subject only to time-based vesting conditions. UTC performance share unit awards with performance goals relating exclusively to the Carrier Business or the Otis Business will remain subject to such performance goals and will continue to constitute performance share unit awards after the adjustments contemplated below.

Awards Held by UTC Employees and Former UTC Employees. As of the distribution date, each outstanding UTC restricted stock unit award (including each such award that was originally granted as a performance share unit award that was subject to vesting based on UTC performance) held by an employee who is employed by UTC and its subsidiaries (other than Carrier and Otis and their respective subsidiaries) immediately prior to the distributions or a former employee whose last employment was not with Carrier or Otis will remain denominated in shares of UTC common stock, although the number of shares subject to the award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC restricted stock unit award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted UTC restricted stock unit award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC restricted stock unit award immediately before the distributions.

Awards Held by Carrier Employees and Former Carrier Employees. As of the distribution date, each outstanding UTC restricted stock unit award (including each such award that was originally granted as a performance share unit award that was subject to vesting based on UTC performance) and each outstanding performance share unit award held by an employee who is employed by Carrier or one of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the distributions or a former employee who was last employed by Carrier or one of its subsidiaries will be converted into an award of restricted stock units or performance share units, respectively, relating to Carrier common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted Carrier restricted stock unit award and each adjusted Carrier performance share unit award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC award immediately before the distributions.

Awards Held by Otis Employees and Former Otis Employees. As of the distribution date, each outstanding UTC restricted stock unit award (including each such award that was originally granted as a performance share unit award that was subject to vesting based on UTC performance) and each outstanding performance share unit award held by an employee who is employed by Otis or one of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the distributions or a former employee who was last employed by Otis or one of its subsidiaries will be converted into an award of restricted stock units or performance share units, respectively, relating to Otis common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted Otis restricted stock unit award and each adjusted Otis performance share unit award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC award immediately before the distributions.

Vested Director Deferred Stock Unit Awards and Vested Director Deferred Restricted Stock Unit Awards

As of the distribution date, each outstanding and vested UTC deferred stock unit award and vested, deferred UTC restricted stock unit award held by a current or former director of UTC will be converted into an award of deferred stock units or deferred restricted stock units, as applicable, relating to shares of UTC common stock, an award of deferred stock units or deferred restricted stock units, as applicable, relating to shares of Carrier common stock and an award of deferred stock units or deferred restricted stock units, as applicable, relating to shares of Otis common stock. The number of shares subject to each deferred stock unit award or deferred restricted stock unit award, as applicable, will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC deferred stock unit award or deferred restricted stock unit award, as applicable, immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately

prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. UTC will retain the liability for adjusted deferred stock unit awards and deferred restricted stock unit awards held by each current director who will serve as a director of UTC after the distributions and each former director, and Carrier or Otis, as applicable, will assume the liability for adjusted deferred stock unit awards and deferred restricted stock unit awards held by each director who will serve as a director of Carrier or Otis after the distributions. The adjusted deferred stock unit awards and deferred restricted stock unit awards will be subject to the same terms, payment timing rules and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC deferred stock unit awards or deferred restricted stock unit awards, as applicable, immediately before the distributions, except that (1) for each director who will serve as a director of UTC after the distributions, the adjusted deferred stock unit awards and deferred restricted stock unit awards relating to shares of Carrier common stock and shares of Otis common stock will be cash-settled, (2) for each director who will serve as a director of Carrier after the distributions, the adjusted deferred stock unit awards and adjusted deferred restricted stock unit awards relating to shares of UTC common stock and Otis common stock will be cash-settled and (3) for each director who will serve as a director of Otis after the distributions, the adjusted deferred stock unit awards and deferred restricted stock unit awards relating to shares of UTC common stock and Carrier common stock will be cash-settled.

Unvested Director Deferred Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Awards Held by UTC Directors. As of the distribution date, each outstanding and unvested UTC restricted stock unit award held by a director of UTC who will serve as a director of UTC after the distributions (whether or not such person will also serve as a director of Carrier or Otis) will remain denominated in shares of UTC common stock, although the number of shares subject to the award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC restricted stock unit award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted UTC restricted stock unit award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC restricted stock unit award immediately before the distributions.

Awards Held by Carrier Directors. As of the distribution date, each outstanding and unvested UTC restricted stock unit award held by a director of UTC who will serve as a director of Carrier (and not as a director of UTC) after the distributions will be converted into a restricted stock unit award relating to shares of Carrier common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC restricted stock unit award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted Carrier restricted stock unit award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC restricted stock unit award immediately before the distributions.

Awards Held by Otis Directors. As of the distribution date, each outstanding and unvested UTC restricted stock unit award held by a director of UTC who will serve as a director of Otis (and not as a director of UTC) after the distributions will be converted into a restricted stock unit award relating to shares of Otis common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original UTC restricted stock unit award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distributions (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted Otis restricted stock unit award will be subject to the same terms, vesting conditions and other restrictions that applied to the original UTC restricted stock unit award immediately before the distributions.

Internal Reorganization

As part of the separation, and prior to the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution, it is expected that UTC will complete an internal reorganization in order to transfer: (1) the Carrier Business to Carrier, which Carrier will hold following the separation; and (2) the Otis Business to Otis, which Otis will hold following the separation. Among other things and subject to limited exceptions, the internal reorganization is expected to result in Carrier and Otis owning, directly or indirectly, the operations comprising, and the entities that conduct, the Carrier Business and the Otis Business, respectively.

The internal reorganization is expected to include various restructuring transactions pursuant to which (1) the operations, assets and liabilities of UTC used to conduct the Carrier Business and the Otis Business will be separated from the operations, assets and liabilities of UTC used to conduct the UTC Aerospace Businesses, (2) such Carrier Business operations, assets and liabilities will be contributed, transferred or otherwise allocated to Carrier or one of its direct or indirect subsidiaries and (3) such Otis Business operations, assets and liabilities will be contributed, transferred or otherwise allocated to Otis or one of its direct or indirect subsidiaries. These restructuring transactions may take the form of asset or equity transfers, mergers, demergers, distributions, contributions and similar transactions, and will involve the formation of new subsidiaries in U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions to own and operate the Carrier Business, the Otis Business or the UTC Aerospace Businesses in such jurisdictions.

Following the completion of the internal reorganization and immediately prior to the distribution:

Results of the Distribution

After the distribution, Carrier will be an independent, publicly traded company. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined at the close of business on March 19, 2020, the record date, and will reflect any exercise of UTC options that occurs, and any settlement of performance share unit awards or restricted stock unit awards initiated, between the date the UTC Board of Directors declares the distribution and the record date. The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of UTC common stock or any rights of UTC shareowners. UTC will not distribute any fractional shares of Carrier common stock.

Carrier will enter into a separation agreement and other related agreements with UTC and Otis to effect the separation and to provide a framework for our relationship with UTC and Otis after the separation, and will enter into certain other agreements, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and an intellectual property agreement. These agreements will allocate among Carrier, Otis and UTC the assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including, among others, investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) of UTC and its subsidiaries attributable to periods prior to, at and after Carrier’s and Otis’ separation from UTC, provide for certain services to be delivered on a transitional basis and govern the relationship among Carrier, Otis and UTC following the separation. These agreements will not be impacted by the completion of the Raytheon merger. For additional information regarding the separation agreement and other transaction agreements, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Distribution” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Market for Carrier Common Stock

There is currently no public trading market for Carrier common stock. Carrier intends to apply to list its common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “CARR.” Carrier has not and will not set the initial price of its common stock. The initial price will be established by the public markets.

We cannot predict the price at which Carrier common stock will trade after the distribution. In fact, the combined trading prices, after the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution, of one share of Carrier common stock, the number of shares of Otis common stock to be distributed per share of UTC common stock in the Otis distribution and one share of UTC common stock, may not equal the “regular-way” trading price of one share of UTC common stock immediately prior to the distributions. The price at which Carrier common stock trades may fluctuate significantly, particularly until an orderly public market develops. Trading prices for Carrier common stock will be determined in the public markets and may be influenced by many factors. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Common Stock.”

Incurrence of Debt

In connection with the distribution, on February 10, 2020, Carrier entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement providing for a $2.0 billion unsecured, unsubordinated 5-year revolving credit facility and a Term Loan Credit Agreement providing for a $1.75 billion unsecured, unsubordinated 3-year term loan credit facility. Additionally, on February 27, 2020, Carrier issued $9.25 billion of unsecured, unsubordinated notes in six series. Carrier also intends to enter into a $2.0 billion unsecured, unsubordinated commercial paper program prior to the distribution. Carrier expects an aggregate of approximately $10.9 billion of the proceeds of such financings to be used to distribute cash to UTC. As a result of such transactions, Carrier anticipates having approximately $11.4 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness upon completion of the distribution. On the distribution date, Carrier anticipates that this debt will consist of a combination of long-term notes and bank term loans. The amount of indebtedness incurred by Carrier and the amount of cash distributed by Carrier may be adjusted by UTC as described elsewhere in this prospectus. For more information, see “Description of Material Indebtedness.”

Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date

Beginning on or shortly before the record date and continuing up to and including through the distribution date, it is expected that there will be two markets in UTC common stock: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. UTC common stock that trades on the “regular-way” market will trade with an entitlement to Carrier common stock distributed in the distribution. UTC common stock that trades on the “ex-distribution” market will trade without an entitlement to Carrier common stock distributed in the distribution. Therefore, if you sell shares of UTC common stock in the “regular-way” market up to and including through the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of Carrier common stock in the distribution. If you own UTC common stock at the close of business on the record date and sell those shares on the “ex-distribution” market up to and including through the distribution date, you will receive the shares of Carrier common stock that you are entitled to receive pursuant to your ownership of shares of UTC common stock as of the record date.

Furthermore, beginning on or shortly before the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, Carrier expects that there will be a “when-issued” market in its common stock. “When-issued” trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The “when-issued” trading market will be a market for Carrier common stock that will be distributed to holders of UTC common stock on the distribution date. If you owned UTC common stock at the close of business on the record date, you would be entitled to Carrier common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. You may trade this entitlement to shares of Carrier common stock, without trading the UTC common stock you own, on the “when-issued” market. On the first trading day after the distribution is completed, “when-issued” trading with respect to Carrier common stock will end, and “regular-way” trading with respect to Carrier common stock will begin.

Conditions to the Distribution

The distribution will be effective at 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on April 3, 2020, which is the distribution date, provided that the conditions set forth in the separation agreement have been satisfied (or waived by UTC in its sole and absolute discretion), subject to UTC’s agreement to consummate the distribution pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Raytheon merger agreement. The conditions set forth in the separation agreement include, among others:

Until the distribution occurs, UTC will have the discretion to determine (and change) the terms of the distribution and to determine the record date, the distribution date and the distribution ratio; however, any such determination or change will be subject to UTC’s obligations to complete the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Raytheon merger agreement (including, with respect to certain changes, the requirement that UTC obtain Raytheon’s prior written consent).

UTC may waive any of the conditions to the distribution. UTC can decline at any time to go forward with the distribution, may go forward with the Carrier distribution even if the Otis distribution does not occur or may go forward with the Otis distribution even if the Carrier distribution does not occur. However, under the Raytheon merger agreement, UTC has agreed with Raytheon that, subject to the terms and conditions of the Raytheon merger agreement, UTC will consummate the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution. In addition, the completion of the separation and each of the Carrier distribution and the Otis distribution is a condition to the Raytheon merger pursuant to the Raytheon merger agreement. Accordingly, the Raytheon merger will not be completed unless and until the separation and each of the distributions are completed. The completion of the Raytheon merger is not a condition to the completion of the distributions. Therefore, UTC may complete the distribution even if the conditions to the Raytheon merger under the Raytheon merger agreement have not been satisfied or waived, the Raytheon merger agreement has been terminated or the Raytheon merger will otherwise not be consummated.

UTC does not intend to notify its shareowners of any modifications to the terms of the separation or distribution that, in the judgment of its Board of Directors, are not material. For example, the UTC Board of Directors might consider material such matters as significant changes to the distribution ratio and the assets to be contributed or the liabilities to be assumed in the separation. To the extent that the UTC Board of Directors determines that any modifications by UTC materially change the material terms of the distribution, UTC will notify UTC shareowners in a manner reasonably calculated to inform them about the modification as may be required by law, by, for example, publishing a press release, filing a current report on Form 8-K or circulating a supplement to the Carrier information statement.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Any proceeds received by Carrier from the exercise of Carrier stock options covered by the Plan will be used for general corporate purposes. These proceeds represent the exercise prices for the Carrier stock options.

DIVIDEND POLICY

Following the distribution, we expect that Carrier will initially pay a cash dividend on a quarterly basis at an aggregate annual rate of approximately $550 million. However, the timing, declaration, amount of, and payment of any dividends will be within the discretion of Carrier’s Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our operating subsidiaries, covenants associated with certain of our debt service obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, ability to access capital markets, and other factors deemed relevant by Carrier’s Board of Directors. Moreover, if as expected we determine to initially pay a dividend following the distribution, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends in the same amounts or at all thereafter.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 2019, on a historical basis and on a pro forma basis to give effect to the pro forma adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma combined financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus. The information below is not necessarily indicative of what our capitalization would have been had the separation, distribution and related financing transactions been completed as of December 31, 2019. In addition, it is not indicative of our future capitalization and may not reflect the capitalization or financial condition that would have resulted had we operated as a stand-alone public company as of the applicable dates presented. This table should be read in conjunction with “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information,” “Selected Historical Combined Financial Data of Carrier,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the combined financial statements and notes included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus.

SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA OF CARRIER

The following selected historical combined financial data reflect the combined operations of Carrier. The historical combined statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and the related historical combined balance sheet data as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 have been derived from Carrier’s audited combined financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus. The historical combined balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 was derived from our historical audited combined balance sheet not included in this prospectus. The selected unaudited historical combined financial data as of, and for each of, the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was derived from our underlying financial records, which were derived from the financial records of UTC. In management’s opinion, the unaudited combined financial data has been prepared on substantially the same basis as the audited combined financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of ordinary recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the selected historical combined financial data for the periods presented.

Our audited historical combined financial statements include certain expenses of UTC that were allocated to us for certain functions, including general corporate expenses related to finance, legal, insurance, compliance, employee benefits and incentives, information technology and human resources services. These expenses have been allocated to us on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis with UTC and Otis of net sales, headcount or other measures when applicable. We believe the basis on which the expenses have been allocated are a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or the benefit received by us during the periods presented. Nevertheless, such allocations may not represent the actual expenses that we may have incurred if Carrier had been an independent public company during the periods or at the dates presented. As such, the combined financial statements do not necessarily reflect what our financial condition and results of operations would have been had Carrier operated as an independent public company during the periods or at the dates presented.

The selected historical combined financial data below are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or financial condition that may be expected for any future period or date. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the combined financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The unaudited pro forma combined financial information presented below has been derived from our audited historical combined financial statements included in this prospectus. While the audited historical combined financial statements reflect the past financial results of the Carrier Business, this pro forma information gives effect to the separation of that business into an independent, publicly traded company. The pro forma adjustments to reflect the separation, distribution and related transactions from and with UTC include:

The pro forma adjustments are based on the available information and assumptions our management believes are reasonable; however, such adjustments are subject to change as the costs of operating as a stand-alone company are determined. In addition, such adjustments are estimates and may not prove to be accurate. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information has been derived from the historical combined financial statements included in this prospectus and includes certain adjustments to give effect to events that are (1) directly attributable to the separation, distribution and related transactions, (2) factually supportable and (3) with respect to the statement of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results of the operations of Carrier.

The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 has been prepared as though the distribution occurred on January 1, 2019. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019 has been prepared as though the distribution occurred on December 31, 2019. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information, which was prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, is for illustrative purposes only, and does not reflect what our financial position and results of operations would have been had the distribution occurred on the date indicated and is not necessarily indicative of our future financial position and future results of operations. One-time transaction-related costs incurred prior to, or concurrent with, the separation, distribution and related transactions are not included in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations. Carrier will incur certain nonrecurring third-party costs related to the separation, distribution and related transactions. Such nonrecurring amounts will include financial advisory, information technology, legal, accounting, consulting and other professional advisory fees and other transaction-related costs that will not be capitalized. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations does not reflect these nonrecurring expenses. Liabilities associated with such one-time transaction-related costs, however, are accrued in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet.

The unaudited pro forma combined financial information should be read in conjunction with our audited historical combined financial statements and the accompanying notes in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements,” “Capitalization” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information constitutes forward-looking information and is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2019

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited pro forma combined financial information was prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the SEC and presents the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet based on the audited historical combined financial statements included in this prospectus, after giving effect to the separation, distribution and related transactions. The audited historical combined financial statements of Carrier have been adjusted in the accompanying unaudited pro forma combined financial information to give effect to pro forma events that are: (1) directly attributable to the separation, distribution and related transactions, (2) factually supportable, and (3) with respect to the statement of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results of operations of Carrier.

The accompanying unaudited pro forma combined financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the actual results that would have been achieved by Carrier if the separation, distribution and related transactions had been consummated for the period presented or that will be achieved in the future.

In addition, for the period presented in the unaudited pro forma combined financial information, the operations of Carrier were conducted and accounted for as part of UTC. The audited historical combined financial statements and unaudited pro forma combined financial information of Carrier have been derived from UTC’s historical accounting records and reflect certain allocations of expenses. All of the allocations and estimates in such financial statements are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of Carrier do not necessarily represent the financial position or results of operations of Carrier had it been operated as a stand-alone company during the period or at the date presented.

As a stand-alone public company, we expect to incur incremental recurring costs. The significant assumptions involved in determining our estimates of recurring costs of being a stand-alone public company include:

No pro forma adjustments have been made to reflect the additional costs and expenses described above because they are projected amounts based on estimates and would not be factually supportable. Our preliminary estimates of these additional recurring costs expected to be incurred annually are approximately $110 million to $140 million greater than the expenses historically allocated to us from UTC, and primarily relate to general and administrative expenses.

We currently estimate that we will incur one-time expenses of between $125 million and $150 million associated with becoming a stand-alone public company. The accompanying unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are not adjusted for these estimated expenses as they are also projected amounts based on estimates and would not be factually supportable and in addition are not expected to have an ongoing effect on our operating results. These expenses primarily relate to the following:

Note 2: Pro Forma Adjustments

(A)   Reflects (1) the removal of approximately $58 million of one-time separation costs directly related to the separation, distribution and related transactions that were incurred during the historical period and are not expected to have a continuing impact on the operating results following the consummation of the distribution and (2) the accrual of approximately $30 million of liabilities associated with such one-time transaction-related costs expected to be incurred by Carrier prior to the separation from UTC.

(B)   Represents the reclassification of UTC’s net investment in Carrier, including the additional net assets expected to be contributed by UTC and other pro forma adjustments, into Additional paid-in capital and common stock, par value $0.01 to reflect the number of shares of Carrier’s common stock expected to be outstanding at the distribution date. We have assumed the number of outstanding shares of common stock based on the number of UTC common shares of 866,223,435 outstanding at February 28, 2020 and an assumed pro-rata distribution ratio of one share of Carrier common stock for each share of UTC common stock.

(C)   Represents the income tax impact of the pro forma adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2019. This adjustment was primarily calculated by applying the statutory tax rates in the respective jurisdictions to each of the pre-tax pro forma adjustments. The estimated pro forma tax reduction is $67 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Pursuant to the tax matters agreement, Carrier is responsible for unrecognized tax benefits to the extent a reserve relates exclusively to the Carrier Business. Accordingly, the pro forma combined financial information reflects a decrease to the Future income tax obligations in the amount of $26 million.

(D)   Pro forma basic earnings per share and pro forma weighted-average basic shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2019 reflect the number of shares of Carrier’s common stock which are expected to be outstanding upon completion of the distribution. We have assumed the number of outstanding shares of common stock based on the number of UTC common shares outstanding at February 28, 2020 and an assumed pro-rata distribution ratio of one share of Carrier common stock for each share of UTC common stock. The actual number of shares of Carrier’s common stock currently outstanding may be different from this estimated amount.

(E)   Pro forma diluted earnings per share and pro forma weighted-average diluted shares outstanding reflect the estimated number of shares of Carrier’s common stock that are expected to be outstanding upon completion of the distribution and reflect the potential issuance of shares of our common stock under our equity plans, based on the distribution ratio of one share of Carrier common stock for every share of UTC common stock. The actual number of shares of Carrier common stock currently outstanding may be different from this estimated amount. Pro forma diluted earnings per share excludes the potential conversion of unvested equity awards in UTC that are held by Carrier employees, as the conversion factor is dependent on various factors, including the UTC and Carrier share prices before and after the separation, which cannot be fully estimated at this time.

(F)   Reflects the issuance of $9.25 billion of unsubordinated, unsecured notes, which occurred on February 27, 2020, as well as the expected draw down on our unsubordinated, unsecured term loan credit facility in the amount of $1.75 billion. The adjustment to Long-term debt is net of issuance costs of approximately $66 million and also includes the reclassification of existing debt of approximately $84 million and existing finance lease obligations of approximately $5 million from Other long-term liabilities. Details of the unsubordinated, unsecured notes and the amount drawn under our unsubordinated, unsecured term loan credit facility are as follows:

In addition, on or about the distribution date, an unsecured, unsubordinated 5-year revolving credit facility that provides for the availability of $2.0 billion of borrowings is expected to become available. The undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility will serve as a backup facility for the issuance of commercial paper under an unsecured, unsubordinated $2.0 billion commercial paper program that is also expected to become effective, on or about the distribution date. No adjustment has been made to the unaudited pro forma financial information to reflect the potential issuance of commercial paper or draw down on the revolving credit facility. The cash proceeds received from the assumed debt issuance are assumed to be distributed to UTC. The amount of indebtedness actually incurred by Carrier and the amount of cash actually distributed by Carrier to UTC (or otherwise transferred to or from UTC or Carrier, as applicable, prior to the distribution) may be adjusted prior to the completion of the distribution in a manner that is intended to result in approximately $24.3 billion of adjusted net indebtedness of the UTC Aerospace Businesses as of immediately prior to the completion of the merger, subject to and in accordance with the Raytheon merger agreement; accordingly, the actual cash and debt balances of Carrier immediately following the distribution may be higher or lower than currently anticipated.

The expected debt balance at the time of the distribution was determined by senior management based on a review of a number of factors, including forecast liquidity and capital requirements, expected operating results and general economic conditions.

(G)   The adjustment of $336 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 represents approximately $330 million of interest expense based on an assumed weighted-average interest rate of approximately 3.00 percent and approximately $6 million of amortization of issuance costs in connection with the incurrence of debt as described in Note F above. A 1/8 percent variance in the assumed interest rate on the floating rate indebtedness would change annual interest expense by $2 million.

(H)   The adjustment of $36 million for fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 represents elimination of net related party interest income, principally related to legacy related party cash pooling activity.

(I)   Primarily reflects the removal of Non-service pension benefit historically allocated to us for a UTC-sponsored defined benefit pension plan. No portion of this plan will transfer to us upon separation and our employees will no longer accrue additional benefits. The remaining Non-service pension benefit relates to pension plans expected to be retained by Carrier.

(J)   Pursuant to the tax matters agreement, we are required to make payments to UTC representing Carrier’s portion of UTC’s remaining net tax liability attributable to a U.S. income tax on previously undistributed earnings of Carrier’s international subsidiaries resulting from the passage of the TCJA. For purposes of the unaudited pro forma combined financial information, we removed the balance, which was computed on a separate return methodology, of approximately $68 million that was recorded within Accrued liabilities and $701 million that was recorded within Future income tax obligations. A future obligation of $481 million is recorded within Other long-term liabilities, and is expected to be settled in six annual installments, beginning April 15, 2021.

(K)   Represents approximately $58 million of net assets that will be contributed by UTC to us prior to the separation, primarily related to fixed assets previously owned and operated by UTC and approximately $7 million of related activity associated with the net assets that were not part of our historical operations.

BUSINESS

This section discusses Carrier’s business assuming the completion of all of the transactions described in this prospectus, including the separation and distribution.

Our Company

Carrier is a leading global provider of HVAC, refrigeration, fire and security solutions. Our innovative solutions promote smarter, safer and more sustainable buildings and infrastructure, and help to effectively preserve the freshness, quality and safety of perishables across a wide variety of industries. Our comprehensive range of products and services, reputation for quality and innovation, and our industry-leading brands make us a trusted provider for our customers’ critical applications in the construction, transportation, security, food retail, pharmaceutical and other industries.

Our company is built on a legacy of innovation, beginning with its founders—Willis Carrier, who designed the world’s first modern air conditioning system; Robert Edwards, who patented the first electric alarm bell; and Walter Kidde, who produced the first integrated smoke detection and carbon dioxide extinguishing system for use onboard ships. This culture of innovation supports our core strategy of developing smart, sustainable and efficient solutions to meet the complex challenges resulting from the mega-trends of urbanization, climate change and increasing requirements for food safety driven by the food needs of our growing global population, rising standards of living and increasing energy and environmental regulation. The iconic Carrier brand, with its reputation for innovation and quality, is complemented by our other strong brands, including Automated Logic, Carrier Transicold, Edwards, GST, Kidde, LenelS2 and Marioff.

We believe that growth in our businesses is supported by favorable secular trends, including the mega-trends discussed above, which underpin growth across our HVAC, Refrigeration and Fire & Security businesses. We also believe that we are well positioned to benefit from these long-term trends as a result of the strength of our industry-leading brands and track record of innovation.

We have an extensive global footprint with approximately 53,000 employees globally, including over approximately 3,600 engineers, and our solutions are sold in over 160 countries around the world. We sell our products and services directly to end customers and indirectly through distributors, independent sales representatives, wholesalers, dealers, other channel partners and retail outlets.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, our net sales were approximately $18.6 billion, and our operating profit was approximately $2.5 billion. Our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 were derived from the Americas (55 percent), Europe-Middle East (30 percent) and Asia-Pacific (15 percent). Our international operations, including U.S. export sales, represented approximately 52 percent of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019. During the same period, new equipment and service and aftermarket contributed 72 percent and 28 percent, respectively, of our net sales excluding inter-segment eliminations.

Our Strengths

We believe that Carrier is differentiated by our industry-leading portfolio of iconic brands, comprehensive product and service offerings and reputation for innovation and quality, which make us a trusted provider to our customers across a wide range of growing markets and channels for commercial and residential building, industrial and smart cold chain applications. Our competitive strengths include:

Portfolio of iconic brands and leading segment positions. Our iconic and enduring brands are among the most recognized in their respective industries. Individually, many of our brands are leaders within their respective segments and we believe that, collectively, they represent a uniquely positioned portfolio of trusted assets that, together with our ability to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art solutions, make us a supplier and business partner of choice.

Extensive and diversified portfolio of solutions, industries and customers. We have a comprehensive and diverse set of products and services in many industries. While many of our products and brands are leaders in their respective industries, our business model is not dependent on any single product, brand, industry or customer. Our products solve different problems for a diverse set of customers in a range of applications and locations, while benefiting from our fundamental operational strategies and focus on innovation. The diversity of our product and service offerings better qualifies us to be a supplier of choice for a comprehensive range of solutions, while mitigating potential short-term headwinds in particular locations, applications or industries.

Global scale and presence in developing and growth markets. We believe that our global scale and comprehensive offering of products and services provide us with advantages over other providers with respect to design, manufacturing, sourcing, sales and marketing. Our understanding of local conditions, regulations and customer needs helps position us to focus on attractive verticals and geographies and respond more rapidly to changing regulatory requirements. This knowledge also enables us to take learnings, technologies and products developed for one region or customer and apply them to others, driving further growth and creating value for our stakeholders. Many of the geographical, product or service markets in which we currently operate, including China, India, Vietnam and other developing countries in Southeast Asia, are experiencing long-term sustained growth. These countries have high growth potential due to increasing demand for our products and services from currently low penetration rates, rising living standards and consumption, and increasing regulatory emphasis on safety, energy efficiency and the environment. Our global scale, presence and extensive distribution network create opportunities for targeted geographic expansion of our product and service offerings, allow us to serve a diversified customer base and provide exposure to short- and long-cycle end markets.

Strong, long-term distribution relationships. We have long-term relationships with an extensive network of channel partners that uniquely position us to meet customers’ demands across the industries and geographies we serve. In many instances, these relationships have been forged over decades of selling HVAC, refrigeration, fire and security products to provide tailored solutions for a variety of customers and applications. We also have a number of joint venture arrangements and strategic relationships with our channel partners that align our respective incentives and facilitate our collective ability to win new business. We believe that we share a trust, relationship and mutual respect with our channel partners that is unmatched in our industry. These deep relationships are the product of decades of effort, extensive personal connections and a long history of dedicated performance and satisfied expectations. The strength of our relationships with our channel partners, our channel partners’ relationships with end users and the breadth of our distribution network, provide us with an important competitive advantage and help make Carrier a provider of choice even when we do not sell directly to the end user.

Proven track record of innovation with focus on world mega-trends. We have a strong history of innovation across all of our segments and our current priorities include solutions to address the challenges presented by the mega-trends of urbanization, climate change and the food needs of our growing global population. Since 2014, we have grown our engineering team globally by approximately 20 percent to approximately 3,600 engineers. We hold approximately 7,000 active patents and/or pending patent applications worldwide to protect our R&D investments in new products and services. In the last two years, we introduced over 200 new products. Our recent innovations include a suite of digital HVAC solutions that improve on-demand customer engagement, as well as visibility into system performance and remote management; combining carbon dioxide as a natural refrigerant with energy-efficient technology to reduce the carbon footprint of marine container refrigeration applications; and the first multi-criteria smoke detector to receive the UL 268 (7^th edition) Standard for Safety of Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarm Systems certification. Innovation in

our product portfolio is a strong driver of continued growth as customers increasingly value energy efficiency, sustainability and digitally-connected building systems. These factors are an important aspect of customers’ buying decisions and serve as key differentiators for Carrier.

Sizable service and aftermarket business drives growth. By virtue of our global scale and market tenure, we have one of the largest installed bases in many of the industries we serve, which enables us to drive recurring revenue streams from the sale of repair and maintenance services, parts, components, and end of lifecycle product replacements that are required for installed products. Our sales of other value added recurring and non-recurring services provide additional revenue streams over and above sales derived from our equipment business. In 2019, approximately 28 percent of our net sales were generated by service and aftermarket.

Attractive financial profile underpinned by strong margins and operating cash flow. We benefit from attractive margins and a track record of strong cash flow generation. Over the past two years, our operating margins have consistently been over 13 percent, a level maintained through the reputational strength of our brands and our culture of operational efficiency. We also benefit from the low capital intensity of our businesses, which has contributed to our track record of generating strong operating cash flow. Over the past two years, our capital expenditures averaged approximately 1.3 percent of net sales and we generated a cumulative $4.1 billion of operating cash flow.

Experienced management team and skilled workforce. Our strategy is driven by an experienced global leadership team and implemented by skilled operating teams with approximately 53,000 employees worldwide, including approximately 3,600 engineers. Our global workforce, of which approximately 80 percent is located outside the United States, reflects our deep regional knowledge and enables us to maintain close relationships with our customers. Our leadership team includes executives who have deep industry expertise, as well as executives who have extensive experience driving growth and operational excellence across different businesses. This combination of collective industry experience and strong leadership supports our ability to successfully implement our business strategies.

Our Strategies

We intend to continue to grow by serving our diverse industries, geographies and customer bases with a broad range of solutions to address the complex challenges resulting from global mega-trends and by innovating ahead of regulatory requirements. Our key strategies include both a sustained focus on growth opportunities as well as a commitment to establishing a best-in-class cost structure as a stand-alone company, encompassing the following elements:

Focus on growth

Drive organic growth in existing served markets through technology and innovation. We plan to maintain our proven track record of innovation by leveraging our culture dedicated to designing smarter, more connected and more sustainable environments; our industry-leading brands; and our long-term relationships with channel partners and customers to provide solutions tailored for growing verticals and applications in the markets we serve. For example, in HVAC, through enhanced engagement with enterprise account owners and operators in key vertical segments, we are utilizing our broad building system offerings to provide innovative, intelligent building solutions to address our customers’ needs for energy efficiency, safety, security and an improved occupant experience. Our R&D efforts are focused on growing our products and services across our segments—we continue to invest in innovation and intend to continue to work closely with our distribution partners to offer best-in-class products and solutions that anticipate customer needs related to refrigerants, efficiency, emissions, noise levels and safety. As customer demands for more sustainable and connected equipment continue to evolve, our ability to innovate and provide cutting-edge products and technologies is key to our continued success and ability to grow our businesses. Our innovation efforts are supported by R&D investments, which were approximately 2.2 percent of net sales in 2019.

Invest for growth in attractive geographies. We believe that we are well positioned to expand our product, service and aftermarket offerings in a number of attractive geographies that have significant potential for substantial growth. Long-term growth opportunities in these geographies are supported by durable global mega-trends. We plan to leverage the scale of our global operations, the strength of our iconic brands and our proven track record in creating valuable partnerships to focus on targeted expansion into new locations and channels where we believe that we can drive profitable growth. We also continue to strengthen our long-term

relationships with channel partners to ensure global market coverage and a superior level of customer service. We believe our understanding of local conditions, regulations and customer needs helps position us to focus on attractive geographies and to move more quickly to meet rapidly changing regulatory requirements.

Expand in higher value-added services and aftermarket. Products make up the majority of our sales today. Our product sales, including installations, are more than two-thirds of total sales and will continue to be the foundation of the business going forward. However, as service and aftermarket offerings evolve in the industry to include more highly sophisticated digital and “as-a-service” models enabled by data and analytics, we will pursue targeted opportunities for growth, leveraging our smart, connected products and our broad technological expertise across building systems. In addition, we plan to utilize digital technologies to enhance our internal operations and enable seamless transactions with customers across the customer experience and equipment lifecycles (for example, by providing customers visibility from order through delivery).

Strategically optimize product, technology and geographic portfolio to enhance growth. We intend to seek opportunities to optimize our portfolio of products and services to allocate resources toward profitable growth, and to selectively pursue strategic partnerships, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures that will enhance our core business, complement our existing array of brands, products and services, and leverage our global scale and scope.

Leading Cost Structure

Focus on cost-effective performance. As a stand-alone public company, we plan to continue to foster operational, financial and commercial excellence, to drive sales and earnings growth while maintaining an attractive cost structure, through Carrier’s longstanding way of doing business. With roots in our legacy manufacturing and business process excellence, the Carrier operating system is based on lean principles and a highly competitive cost structure that leverages low-cost manufacturing and R&D resources to drive end-to-end supply chain excellence. In connection with our focus on cost-effective performance, we launched a strategic cost reduction initiative in 2019 with the goal of reducing cumulative supply chain, factory and general administrative costs by up to $600 million in the aggregate by the end of 2022.

Our Products, Services and Customers

Under a broad portfolio of iconic brands, we provide a wide range of products and solutions, including cooling, heating, ventilating and building automation systems; refrigeration; fire, flame, gas, smoke and carbon monoxide detection; portable fire extinguishers; fire suppression systems; intruder alarms; access control systems and video management systems; and electronic controls. Our broad range of products is complemented by a spectrum of related services, including audit, design, installation, system integration, repair, maintenance and monitoring services.

HVAC

Our HVAC segment provides products, controls, services and solutions to meet the heating and cooling needs of residential and commercial customers, while enhancing building performance, energy efficiency and sustainability. Through an industry-leading family of brands, including Automated Logic, Bryant, Carrier, CIAT, Day & Night, Heil, NORESCO and Riello, we offer an innovative and complete product portfolio, including air conditioners, heating systems, controls and aftermarket components, as well as repair and maintenance services and building automation solutions. Our broad product portfolio offers numerous solutions for our residential and commercial customers.

We have a leadership position serving residential customers in North America, supported by a large, installed base and new construction demand in both single-family and multi-family housing. We take a full system approach to commercial building solutions, from modeling a building’s HVAC needs to delivering innovative equipment and easy-to-use controls. We also leverage our commercial HVAC equipment sales to offer a portfolio of services to support the efficient, safe and predictable operation of our equipment.

As proven innovators in HVAC, our solutions are found in some of the most advanced, sustainable, and prestigious buildings around the world. Our HVAC products and solutions are sold directly, including to building contractors and owners, and indirectly through joint ventures, independent sales representatives, distributors, wholesalers, dealers and retail outlets, as well as through direct sales offices, which sell, in part, to mechanical contractors.

Our HVAC segment had net sales excluding inter-segment eliminations of $9.7 billion in 2019, and, as of December 31, 2019, remaining performance obligations (“RPO”), or the aggregate amount of total contract transaction price that is unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied, of approximately $2.7 billion.

Refrigeration

Our Refrigeration segment is comprised of transport refrigeration and commercial refrigeration products and solutions. Our transport refrigeration products and solutions include refrigeration and monitoring systems for trucks, trailers, shipping containers, intermodal and rail. Our transport refrigeration products and cold chain monitoring solutions enable the safe, reliable transport of food and beverages, medical supplies and other perishable cargo. Our commercial refrigeration equipment solutions incorporate next-generation technologies to preserve freshness, ensure safety and enhance the appearance of retail food and beverage.

We sell our refrigeration products and solutions directly, including to transportation companies and retail stores, and indirectly through joint ventures, independent sales representatives, distributors, wholesalers and dealers. Our refrigeration products and solutions are sold under established brand names, including Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Carrier Transicold and Sensitech. Carrier Transicold is an established industry leader providing customers around the world with advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive truck units, trailer refrigeration systems and marine container refrigeration. Under the Carrier and other brand names, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of next-generation commercial refrigeration products, including refrigerated cabinets, freezers, systems and controls, all of which help maximize merchandising opportunities while reducing energy consumption and operating costs. Carrier Commercial Refrigeration sells products and services to customers in a wide range of food retail formats concentrated primarily in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Sensitech offers leading solutions and services for supply chain visibility addressing quality and compliance, security and logistics performance management. Sensitech’s innovative monitoring products and services help to maintain the quality, integrity and security of our customers’ valuable products at every step in their journey around the world.

Our Refrigeration segment had net sales excluding inter-segment eliminations of $3.8 billion in 2019 and, as of December 31, 2019, RPO of approximately $836 million.

Fire & Security

We offer a broad array of fire and security products to meet the needs of our customers. Our fire and security products and solutions encompass a wide range of residential and building systems, including fire, flame, gas, smoke and carbon monoxide detection; portable fire extinguishers; fire suppression systems; intruder alarms; access control systems and video management systems; and electronic controls.

Our fire detection and suppression technologies protect a variety of premises, including homes, commercial buildings and industrial sites, and are sold under our trusted brands, including Autronica, Det-Tronics, Edwards, Fireye, GST, Kidde and Marioff. Our security products are sold under top-tier brands, including Interlogix, LenelS2, Onity and Supra. Our security solutions range from advanced physical security solutions, including access control, video surveillance, key management systems, electronic locks and mobile credentialing for a range of commercial applications including corporate, healthcare, government, hospitality, education, real estate, property management, industrial and automotive, to intrusion monitoring and life-safety solutions for the residential market. Our technology includes web-based and mobile applications enhanced by cloud-based services.

Our fire and security service offerings include audit, design, installation, system integration, repair, maintenance and monitoring services. These solutions, primarily sold under our Chubb brand, complement our fire and security products. Chubb has a network of skilled technicians and 24/7 monitoring centers providing continuous support for customers in a number of countries across the world.

We sell our fire and security products and solutions directly to end customers, including governments, financial institutions, architects, building owners and developers, security and fire consultants and homeowners, as well as through manufacturers’ representatives, distributors, dealers, value-added resellers and retailers. Key purchasing factors considered by our fire and security customers include route to market, quality, innovation, brand loyalty, price and performance.

Our Fire & Security segment had net sales excluding inter-segment eliminations of approximately $5.5 billion in 2019 and, as of December 31, 2019, RPO of approximately $1.2 billion.

Competition and Other Factors Affecting the Carrier Business

As a global business, our operations can be affected by a variety of economic, industry and other factors, including those described in this section and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.”

Carrier is subject to significant competition from a large number of companies in the United States and other countries, and each competes on the basis of price, delivery schedule, product performance and service. The geographies in which we sell our products, solutions and services in the HVAC, Refrigeration and Fire & Security segments tend to have a large number of local companies. We believe that Carrier is one of the leading equipment manufacturers in each of its addressable segments and that our portfolio of strong brands, together with our ability to provide comprehensive solutions in state-of-the-art building, refrigeration and industrial systems and services, make us a supplier and business partner of choice.

HVAC

Competition in HVAC equipment includes many international, regional and local companies, the largest of which include Daikin Industries, Ltd., Gree Electric, Ingersoll-Rand PLC, Johnson Controls International PLC, Lennox International, Midea Group and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, among others. Contracts are typically awarded or negotiated on the basis of price, product availability, delivery schedule, product performance, product line breadth, brand reputation, design, technical expertise and service. We focus on technical innovation to produce sustainable solutions, which provide our customers with higher efficiency and lower operating costs. We believe that our ability to innovate in anticipation of regulatory requirements is a key advantage in HVAC equipment, and we leverage, both directly and through our local distributors and joint ventures, our knowledge and expertise in our own equipment and controls to sell our portfolio of services to customers. We regularly offer incentives and training, such as credits/discounts for offering promotional pricing and contract terms on our products, to our distribution partners to purchase and sell our products to ensure an adequate supply of our products.

Refrigeration

Competition in refrigeration includes multinational companies, including Ingersoll-Rand PLC, Daikin Industries, Ltd. and Panasonic Corporation, as well as numerous regional and local companies. Sales depend heavily on product performance, efficiency and reliability, as well as service and support. We believe that our track record of technical innovation in producing environmentally sustainable solutions for precision temperature and humidity control, as well as our global parts and service support footprint, differentiate us from the competition. The transport refrigeration business can be affected by truck production cycles in North America and Europe, which result from a variety of factors, including general economic conditions, replacement cycles, age of fleet and pre-buys.

Fire & Security

Competition in fire and security products, solutions and services includes several large multinational companies, including Assa Abloy AB, Bosch Group, Zhejiang Dahua, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital, Honeywell International Inc., Johnson Controls International PLC and Siemens AG, among others. We believe that our trusted brands (including Autronica, Chubb, Det-Tronics, Edwards, Fireye, GST, Interlogix, Kidde, LenelS2, Marioff, Onity and Supra), our understanding of our customers’ fire and security needs, our reputation for technical innovation and the reliable performance of our products and solutions are key competitive advantages.

Compliance with Government Regulations

We conduct our business through subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Changes in legislation or government policies, including the ongoing changes in regulations, including with respect to climate change concerns, can affect our worldwide operations. In particular, our business may be affected by changes in governmental regulation of refrigerants and energy efficiency standards, noise regulation and product and fire safety regulations, including changes related to hydro fluorocarbons/emissions reductions efforts in the United States and Canada, energy conservation standards in the United States, the regulation of fluorinated gases in the European Union (“EU”), the EU’s Ecodesign implementation regulations and chemical regulations, the EU’s regulations on hazardous substances, electric and electronic equipment waste, and by other regulations promulgated by the European Committee for Standardization. Additionally, the increased fragmentation of regulatory requirements may increase our costs by requiring the development of country-specific variants, the monitoring and compliance of additional regulations as well as additional testing and certifications. The laws and regulations applicable to our products and services change regularly, and certain regulatory changes may render our products and technologies noncompliant. We do not anticipate that changes in laws and regulations applicable to our products will have a material adverse effect upon our cash flows, competitive position, financial condition or results of operations.

Our operations are also subject to and affected by environmental regulations promulgated by federal, state and local authorities in the United States and by authorities with jurisdiction over our foreign operations. Most U.S. laws governing environmental matters include criminal penalties. We have incurred and will likely continue to incur liabilities under various statutes for the cleanup of pollutants previously released into the environment. We do not anticipate that compliance with current provisions relating to the protection of the environment or that any payments we may be required to make for cleanup liabilities will have a material adverse effect upon our cash flows, competitive position, financial condition or results of operations. Environmental matters are further addressed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Notes 3 and 19 to the Combined Financial Statements included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus.

Certain of our fire and security products are subject to certification by governmental agencies and regulatory bodies in the various jurisdictions in which we operate, including, among others, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, Health Canada, Transport Canada and the Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor in Mexico. In addition, certain fire and safety products may be impacted by recent legislative and regulatory changes, such as the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 and the changing landscape related to tariffs and trade regulations.

U.S. laws, regulations, orders and other measures concerning the export or re-export of products, software, services and technology to, and other trade-related activities involving, non-U.S. countries and parties affect the operations of Carrier and its affiliates.

For further discussion of risks related to environmental matters and other government regulations, see “Risk Factors,” “—Legal Proceedings” and Note 20 to the Combined Financial Statements included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus.

Working Capital and Operations

We maintain levels of inventory consistent with industry practices. These levels are impacted from time to time by seasonality and fluctuations in demand, and vary across and within segments. Additional requirements are usually met with procurement from suppliers and vendors.

RPO consists of the aggregate amount of total contract transaction price that is unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied. As of December 31, 2019, our total RPO for the HVAC, Refrigeration and Fire & Security segments is approximately $2.7 billion, $836 million and $1.2 billion, respectively. Of these totals, we expect approximately 57 percent, 74 percent and 72 percent, respectively, will be recognized as sales over the following 12 months.

Intellectual Property

We maintain a broad portfolio of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses and franchises related to our business. We hold approximately 7,000 active patents and/or pending patent applications worldwide to protect our R&D investments in new products and services. From time to time, we take actions to protect our business by asserting our intellectual property rights against third-party infringers. We believe we have taken reasonable measures to build this portfolio of intellectual property rights, but we cannot be assured that none of these intellectual property rights may be challenged, found invalid or unenforceable. See the “Risk Factors” section for further discussion of intellectual property matters.

Raw Materials and Supplies

We believe that we have adequate sources for materials, components, services and supplies used in our manufacturing. We work continuously with our supply base to ensure an adequate source of supply and to reduce costs. We pursue cost reductions through a number of mechanisms, including consolidating purchases, reducing the number of suppliers, global sourcing, design changes and competitive bidding. In some instances, we depend upon a single source of supply or participate in commodity markets, including rare-earth metals, that may be subject to allocations of limited supplies. We believe that our supply management practices are based on an appropriate balancing of the foreseeable risks and the costs of alternative practices. Although at times high prices for some raw materials important to our business (for example, steel, copper and aluminum) have caused margin and cost pressures, we do not foresee near term unavailability of materials, components or supplies that would have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. Additionally, because we have a number of factories and suppliers in foreign countries, the imposition of tariffs or sanctions, or unusually restrictive border-crossing rules, could adversely affect our supply chain. For further discussion of the possible effects of the cost and availability of raw materials on our business, see the “Risk Factors” section.

Employees and Employee Relations

At December 31, 2019, we had approximately 53,000 employees, of which approximately 80 percent are based outside the United States. During 2019, we negotiated or concluded five domestic collective bargaining agreements. In 2020, two domestic collective bargaining agreements are subject to renegotiation, the largest of which covers certain workers at our Indianapolis, Indiana facility. Although some previous contract renegotiations have had a significant impact on our financial condition or results of operations in prior years, we do not anticipate that the renegotiation of these contracts in 2020 will have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, cash flows, financial condition or results of operations. At December 31, 2019, approximately 30 percent of our employees in the United States were covered by collective bargaining agreements. Employees in certain foreign jurisdictions are represented by local works councils as may be customary or required in those jurisdictions. Our business may be adversely affected by work stoppages, union negotiations, labor disputes and other matters associated with our labor force. For discussion of the effects of our restructuring actions on employment, see “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 15 to the Combined Financial Statements included in the “Index to Combined Financial Statements” section of this prospectus.

Properties

We operate approximately 1,200 sites, which comprise approximately 35 million square feet of productive space. Of these, our large footprint facilities and key manufacturing sites comprise approximately 24 million square feet of productive space. Approximately 56 percent, 15 percent and 26 percent of these significant properties are associated with our HVAC, Refrigeration and Fire & Security segments, respectively, with approximately 3 percent not associated with a particular segment. Approximately 30 percent of these significant properties are leased and the remainder are owned. Approximately 31 percent of these significant properties are located in the United States.

Our fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 include manufacturing facilities and non-manufacturing facilities, such as warehouses, and a substantial quantity of machinery and equipment, most of which is general purpose machinery and equipment that use special jigs, tools and fixtures and that, in many instances, have automatic control features and special adaptations. The facilities, warehouses, machinery and equipment in use as of December 31, 2019 are in good operating condition, are well-maintained and substantially all are generally in regular use.

Joint Ventures

Our joint venture arrangements and strategic relationships are an important part of our business. We hold interests in approximately 60 such entities, which are either consolidated within our combined financial statements, accounted for by the equity method of accounting or the cost basis of accounting. While all three of our segments participate in joint ventures and strategic relationships, the majority of such interests are in our HVAC business. Our joint ventures and strategic relationships engage in various activities including distribution, manufacturing and product development. We consider our relationships with these joint ventures and strategic relationships to be integral to our business operations. We sell products to and purchase products from many of these related parties. See Note 16 to the Combined Financial Statements for additional information.

Seasonality

Demand for certain of our products and services is seasonal and can be impacted by weather. For instance, sales and services of our HVAC products to residential customers have historically been higher in the second and third quarters of the calendar year, which represents the peak seasons of spring and summer for sales and services related to air conditioning in North America. For further discussion of the possible effects of seasonality on our business, see the “Risk Factors” section.

Legal Proceedings

Asbestos

Like many other industrial companies, we and our subsidiaries have been named as defendants in lawsuits alleging personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos that was integrated into certain of our historical products or business premises. While we have never manufactured asbestos and no longer incorporate it in any of our products, certain of our historical products, like those of many other manufacturers, contained components incorporating asbestos. A substantial majority of these asbestos-related claims have been dismissed without payment or were covered in full or in part by insurance or other forms of indemnity. Additional cases were litigated and settled without any insurance reimbursement. The amounts involved in asbestos-related claims were not material individually or in the aggregate in any year.

The estimated range of total liabilities to resolve all pending and unasserted potential future asbestos claims through 2059 is approximately $255 million to $290 million. Where no amount within a range of estimates is more likely, the minimum is accrued. We have recorded the minimum amount of $255 million, which is principally recorded in Other long-term liabilities on the Combined Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019. This amount is on a pre-tax basis, not discounted, and excludes our legal fees to defend the asbestos claims, which will continue to be expensed as they are incurred. This estimate was developed by UTC with the assistance of an outside actuarial expert and was based not only on UTC’s analysis of its own asbestos claims history from 2010 through 2015 and its contractual insurance coverage litigations, but also on broader nationwide asbestos trend data, including a substantial drop in non-malignant asbestos claims; an increasing focus on malignancy claims, primarily those involving mesothelioma, a cancer that now has an historical and fairly predictable future annual incidence rate; and a substantial decrease in average annual claim filings. In addition, we have an insurance recovery receivable for probable asbestos related recoveries of approximately $104 million, which is included primarily in Other assets on our Combined Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019.

The amounts we have recorded for asbestos-related liabilities and insurance recoveries are based on currently available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable. Our actual liabilities or insurance recoveries could be higher or lower than those recorded if actual results vary significantly from the assumptions. Key variables in these assumptions include the number and type of new claims to be filed each year, the outcomes or resolution of such claims, the average cost of resolution of each new claim, the amount of insurance available, allocation methodologies, the contractual terms with each insurer with whom we have reached settlements, the resolution of coverage issues with other excess insurance carriers with whom we have not yet achieved settlements and the solvency risk with respect to co-defendants and our insurance carriers. Other factors that may affect our future liability include uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, legal rulings that may be made by state and federal courts and the passage of state or federal legislation. At the end of each year, we will evaluate all of these factors and, with input from an outside actuarial expert, make any necessary adjustments to both our estimated asbestos liabilities and insurance recoveries.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam Litigation

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (“AFFF”) is a firefighting foam developed in the 1970s pursuant to U.S. military specification and used to extinguish certain types of fires primarily at airports and military bases. AFFF was manufactured by several companies, including National Foam and Angus Fire, which had a very small share of the AFFF market both in the United States and worldwide. UTC acquired the National Foam and Angus Fire businesses in 2005 as part of the acquisition of Kidde, which has been operated by Carrier. In 2013, UTC divested the National Foam and Angus Fire businesses to a third party.

Carrier and many other parties, including the third party buyer of the National Foam and Angus Fire businesses, have been named as defendants in numerous putative class actions and other lawsuits alleging that the historic use of AFFF caused personal injuries and property damage. Additionally, several state and municipal plaintiffs have commenced litigation against the same defendants to recover remediation costs related to historic use of AFFF. In December 2018, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred and consolidated all of the AFFF cases pending in the federal courts to the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina for pre-trial proceedings.

Plaintiffs allege that an ingredient in AFFF contains, or breaks down into, chemicals known as perflourooctane sulfonate (“PFOS”) and perflourooctane acid (“PFOA”) that were released into the environment and, in some instances, ultimately into drinking water supplies. National Fire and Angus Fire purchased these perflourinated chemical ingredients from third party chemical manufacturers. PFOS and PFOA have also been used by many third parties to manufacture carpets, clothing, fabrics, cookware and other consumer products.

Carrier is vigorously defending these cases and believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted. At this time, however, given the numerous factual, scientific and legal issues to be resolved relating to these claims, Carrier is unable to assess the probability of liability or reasonably estimate the damages, if any, to be allocated to Carrier, if one or more plaintiffs were to prevail in these cases.

Other

We have commitments and contingent liabilities related to legal proceedings, self-insurance programs and matters arising out of the ordinary course of business. We accrue contingencies based on a range of possible outcomes. If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other, we accrue the minimum amount.

In the ordinary course of business, Carrier is also routinely a defendant in, party to or otherwise subject to many pending and threatened legal actions, claims, disputes and proceedings. These matters are often based on alleged violations of contract, product liability, warranty, regulatory, environmental, health and safety, employment, intellectual property, tax and other laws. In some of these proceedings, claims for substantial monetary damages are asserted against Carrier and could result in fines, penalties, compensatory or treble damages or non-monetary relief. We do not believe that these matters will have a material adverse effect upon our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

For a further discussion, see “Risk Factors” and “—Compliance with Government Regulations.”

Corporate Information

Carrier was incorporated in Delaware for the purpose of holding the Carrier Business in connection with the separation and distribution described herein. Prior to the contribution of the Carrier Business to us by UTC, which will occur prior to the distribution, Carrier will have no operations other than those incidental to the separation. Our principal executive offices are located at 13995 Pasteur Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418, and our telephone number is (561) 365-2000. We maintain an Internet site at www.carrier.com. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated into this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or in any other filings with, or any information furnished or submitted to, the SEC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion of our results of operations and financial condition together with the audited historical combined financial statements (referred to as the “combined financial statements”) and the notes thereto included in this prospectus as well as the discussion in the “Business” section of this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and future financial results. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this prospectus. The financial information discussed below and included in this prospectus may not necessarily reflect what our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow would have been had we been a stand-alone company during the periods presented or what our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be in the future.

Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated.

Separation from UTC

On November 26, 2018, UTC announced its intention to separate the Carrier Business and the Otis Business from the UTC Aerospace Businesses. The separation will occur through pro rata distributions to UTC shareowners of 100 percent of the shares of common stock of Carrier and 100 percent of the shares of common stock of Otis, which were formed to hold UTC’s Carrier Business and Otis Business, respectively.

The combined financial statements included in this prospectus have been prepared from UTC’s historical accounting records and are presented on a stand-alone basis and are derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of the Carrier business of UTC. The combined financial statements reflect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows as we were historically managed, in conformity with GAAP.

Our combined financial statements include all revenues and costs directly attributable to Carrier, including costs for facilities, functions and services used by Carrier. Costs for certain functions and services performed by centralized UTC organizations are directly charged to Carrier based on specific identification when possible or based on a reasonable allocation driver such as net sales, headcount, usage or other allocation methods. The results of operations include allocations of costs for administrative functions and services performed on behalf of Carrier by centralized groups within UTC.

We intend to enter into a transition services agreement with UTC and Otis in connection with the separation pursuant to which UTC will provide us with certain services and we will provide certain services to UTC for a limited time to help ensure an orderly transition following the separation.

Under the transition services agreement, Carrier will receive certain services, including information technology services, technical and engineering support, application support for operations, legal, payroll, finance, tax and accounting, general administrative services and other support services. As costs for these services historically were included in our operating results through expense allocations from UTC, we do not expect the costs associated with the transition services agreement to be materially different and, therefore, we do not expect such costs to materially affect our results of operations or cash flows after becoming a stand-alone company.

Subsequent to the separation, we will incur expenditures consisting primarily of employee-related costs, costs to establish certain stand-alone functions and information technology systems and other transaction-related costs. Additionally, we will incur increased costs as a result of becoming an independent, publicly traded company, primarily from establishing or expanding the corporate support for our businesses, including information technology, human resources, treasury, tax, internal audit, risk management, stock-based compensation programs, accounting and financial reporting, investor relations, governance, legal, procurement and other services. Our preliminary estimates of these additional recurring costs expected to be incurred annually are approximately $110 million to $140 million greater than the expenses historically allocated to us from UTC, and primarily relate to Selling, general and administrative expenses. We believe our cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund these additional corporate expenses.

In connection with the separation, we will enter into a tax matters agreement with UTC and Otis that will govern the parties’ respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to tax matters (including responsibility for taxes, entitlement to refunds, allocation of tax attributes, preparation of tax returns, control of tax contests and other tax matters).

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the tax matters agreement, Carrier generally will be responsible for federal, state and foreign taxes imposed on a separate return basis on Carrier (or any of its subsidiaries) with respect to taxable periods (or portions thereof) that end on or prior to the date of the distribution.

The tax matters agreement will provide special rules that allocate responsibility for tax liabilities arising from a failure of the separation transactions to qualify for tax-free treatment based on the reasons for such failure. The tax matters agreement also imposes restrictions on each of Carrier and Otis during the two-year period following the distribution that are intended to prevent certain transactions from failing to qualify as transactions that are generally tax-free. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” “Risks Factors – Risk Related to the Distribution” and “Material U.S. Federal Tax Consequences” for additional discussion.

In connection with the separation, we will also enter into an employee matters agreement and intellectual property agreement with UTC and Otis. These agreements are not expected to have a material impact on the financial results of Carrier. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” for additional discussion.

In connection with the separation, we have completed certain financing transactions, and we intend to complete one or more additional financing transactions on or prior to the completion of the distribution, with an aggregate of approximately $10.9 billion of the proceeds of such financings expected to be used to distribute a cash dividend to UTC. We anticipate having approximately $11.0 billion of outstanding principal indebtedness related to these financing transactions and $11.4 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness when the distribution is completed. The amount of indebtedness incurred by Carrier and the amount of cash distributed by Carrier may be adjusted by UTC as described elsewhere in this prospectus. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Financial Condition,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information” and “Description of Material Indebtedness” included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional details regarding financing transactions undertaken or expected to be undertaken and the anticipated distribution of cash to UTC in connection with the separation.

Business Overview

We are a global provider of HVAC, refrigeration, fire and security solutions. Carrier also provides a broad array of related services, including audit, design, installation, system integration, repair, maintenance and monitoring services.

Our worldwide operations can be affected by industrial, economic and political factors on both a regional and global level. This includes mega-trends of urbanization, climate change and increasing requirements for food safety driven by the food needs of our growing global population, rising standards of living and increasing energy and environmental regulation. We believe that growth in our businesses is supported by favorable secular trends, including the mega-trends discussed above, which underpin growth across our HVAC, Refrigeration and Fire & Security businesses. We also believe that we are well positioned to benefit from these long-term trends as a result of the strength of our industry-leading brands and track record of innovation.

The effects of climate change, such as extreme weather conditions, create financial risks to our business. For example, the demand for our products and services, such as residential air conditioning equipment, may be affected by unseasonable weather conditions. Demand for our HVAC products and services, representing our largest segment by sales, is seasonal and affected by the weather. Cooler than normal summers depress our sales of replacement air conditioning products and services. Similarly, warmer than normal winters have the same effect on our heating products.

Our business is also affected by changes in the general level of economic activity, such as changes in business and consumer spending, construction activity and shipping activity. A change in building and remodeling activity also can affect our financial performance. In addition, our financial performance may be influenced by the production and utilization of transport equipment, including truck production cycles in North America and Europe.

Our operations are organized into three segments: HVAC, Refrigeration and Fire & Security. Our HVAC segment provides products, controls, services and solutions to meet the heating and cooling needs of residential and commercial customers. Our Refrigeration segment provides refrigeration and monitoring systems for trucks, trailers, shipping containers, intermodal and rail, as well as commercial refrigeration products. Our Fire & Security products encompass a wide range of residential and commercial building systems and security and service solutions. Our customers are in both the public and private sectors, and our businesses reflect an extensive geographic diversification that has evolved with continued globalization. See Note 21 to the Combined Financial Statements for additional discussion of sales attributed to geographic regions.

Our combined net sales (excluding inter-segment eliminations) were as follows:

As part of our growth strategy, we invest in businesses in certain countries that carry high levels of currency, political and/or economic risk, such as Mexico, China, Brazil, India and countries in the Middle East. As of December 31, 2019, the net assets in any one of these countries did not exceed 10% of our combined equity.

Organic sales growth was 1% in 2019 and 6% in 2018. 2019 reflects growth in HVAC (1%) and Fire & Security (1%), partially offset by declines in Refrigeration (1%). 2018 reflected growth across all segments, as Refrigeration, HVAC and Fire & Security sales were up (9%), (7%) and (2%), respectively.

Our earnings growth strategy contemplates earnings from organic sales growth, including growth from new product development and product improvements, structural cost reductions, operational improvements and incremental earnings from future investments in acquisitions.

Operating profit in 2019, 2018 and 2017 includes the impact from activities that are not expected to recur often or that are not otherwise reflective of our underlying operations, such as net gains from sales of businesses, the unfavorable impact of contract matters with customers, transaction, acquisition and integration costs, impairments and other significant non-recurring and non-operational items. For additional discussion, see “Results of Operations.”

Our investments in businesses in 2019, 2018 and 2017 included a number of small acquisitions primarily in our HVAC and Fire & Security segments.

Both acquisition and restructuring costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred. Depending on the nature and level of acquisition activity, earnings could be adversely impacted due to acquisition and restructuring actions initiated in connection with the integration of businesses acquired. For additional discussion of acquisitions and restructuring, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Financial Condition,” “Restructuring Costs” and Notes 9 and 15 to the Combined Financial Statements.

On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was enacted. For additional discussion, see “Critical Accounting Estimates — Income Taxes” and Note 14 to the Combined Financial Statements.

Results of Operations

Net Sales

The factors contributing to the total percentage change year-over-year in total net sales are as follows:

The 2019 organic sales increase of 1% was primarily driven by growth in HVAC (1%) as well as increases in Fire & Security (1%) and partially offset by declines in Refrigeration (1%). HVAC organic sales growth was driven by stronger sales in the North America residential HVAC market, as well as growth in Asia and the Americas for commercial HVAC. Organic growth in the Fire & Security segment was driven by stronger product sales globally, as well as field service growth primarily within Asia. Refrigeration declines were driven by transport refrigeration, primarily the container business, partially offset by growth in North America Truck Trailer as well as a decline in commercial refrigeration, primarily in Europe. The divestiture related sales decrease in 2019 was due to the 2018 sale of the Taylor business within the Refrigeration segment.

All three segments experienced organic sales growth during 2018 compared to 2017. Refrigeration grew 9% organically, reflecting stronger transport refrigeration sales and additional growth in commercial refrigeration sales. HVAC organic sales growth of 7% was driven by higher sales to residential customers in North America, as well as global growth for commercial HVAC. Organic sales growth of 2% in the Fire & Security segment was driven by growth in both product and field service sales.

Cost of Products and Services Sold

The factors contributing to the total percentage change year-over-year in cost of products and services sold are as follows:

The decrease in total cost of products and services sold in 2019 was primarily driven by favorable foreign currency translation and net acquisition and divestiture activity, which more than offset increases from organic sales growth as well as higher tariffs and unfavorable commodity impacts.

The increase in total cost of products and services sold in 2018 was primarily driven by the organic sales increases noted above.

Gross Margin

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased 30 basis points in 2019 as the favorable impact of pricing and productivity net of unfavorable commodities and tariffs was more than offset by unfavorable mix, the absence of a favorable prior year contract adjustment related to a large commercial project and the unfavorable year-over-year impact resulting from the revaluation of certain long-term liabilities.

The 30 basis point increase in 2018 gross margin as a percentage of net sales was primarily driven by favorable pricing, the absence of a large commercial HVAC project adjustment and the absence of a product recall program in the Fire & Security segment, partially offset by increased commodities and logistics costs.

Research and Development

Research and development spending is subject to the variable nature of program development schedules and, therefore, year-over-year variations in spending levels are expected. Research and development expenses increased by 10 basis points as a percentage of net sales in 2019 primarily driven by a prior year acquisition and investments in the Fire & Security segment, partially offset by relatively lower spend in the HVAC and Refrigeration segment, partially due to the 2018 divestiture of Taylor.

Research and development expenses increased by 10 basis points as a percentage of net sales in 2018 primarily driven by increased investment in new products across all Carrier businesses.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 60 basis points as a percentage of net sales in 2019, primarily driven by $53 million of costs relating to the separation, as well as a consultant contract termination fee of $34 million, neither of which were incurred in 2018, partially offset by lower year-over-year corporate allocations from UTC.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 4% in 2018, primarily driven by higher employee compensation and benefit related expenses and higher technology related allocations from UTC, but decreased 30 basis points as a percentage of net sales primarily due to favorable sales volume leverage.

We are continuously evaluating our cost structure and have implemented restructuring actions as a method of keeping our cost structure competitive. The amounts reflected above include the impact of restructuring actions on Selling, general and administrative expenses. For additional discussion, see “Restructuring Costs” and Note 15 to the Combined Financial Statements.

Restructuring Costs

Restructuring actions are an essential component of our operating margin improvement efforts and relate to existing and recently acquired operations. Charges generally arise from severance related to workforce reductions, facility exit and lease termination costs associated with the consolidation of field and manufacturing operations and costs to exit legacy programs. We continue to closely monitor the economic environment and may undertake further restructuring actions to keep our cost structure aligned with the demands of prevailing market conditions.

2019 Actions. During 2019, we recorded net pre-tax restructuring charges of $110 million relating to ongoing cost reduction actions initiated in 2019. For actions initiated in 2019, we are targeting to complete the majority of the remaining workforce and facility-related cost reductions in 2020. During 2019, we had cash outflows of approximately $63 million related to the 2019 actions. As of December 31, 2019, we expect to incur additional restructuring and other charges of $10 million to complete these actions.

2018 Actions. During 2019 and 2018, we recorded net pre-tax restructuring charges of $16 and $63 million, respectively, relating to ongoing cost reduction actions initiated in 2018. During 2019, we had cash outflows of

approximately $37 million related to the 2018 actions. As of December 31, 2019, we expect to incur additional restructuring and other charges of $8 million to complete the 2018 actions.

2017 Actions. During 2019, 2018 and 2017, we recorded net pre-tax restructuring charges of zero, $1 million and $76 million, respectively, relating to ongoing cost reduction actions initiated in 2017. During 2019, we had cash outflows of approximately $8 million related to the 2017 actions. As of December 31, 2019, we do not expect to incur additional restructuring charges related to the 2017 actions.

In addition, during 2019, 2018 and 2017, we recorded net pre-tax restructuring costs totaling zero, $16 million and $35 million, respectively, for restructuring actions initiated in 2016 and prior. For additional discussion of restructuring, see Note 15 to the Combined Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2019, we do not expect to incur additional restructuring charges related to the 2016 actions.

Equity Method Investment Net Earnings

Investments over which we do not exercise control but have significant influence are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Equity in earnings of uncombined equity method investments increased in 2019 by $16 million, primarily due to stronger earnings from our investments in HVAC joint ventures in Europe and Asia.

Equity in earnings of uncombined equity method investments increased in 2018 by $2 million, primarily due to stronger earnings from our investments in HVAC joint ventures in Europe, partially offset by decreases in earnings from equity investees in the Middle East and Asia.

For additional discussion, see Notes 3 and 16 to the Combined Financial Statements.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net primarily includes the impact of foreign exchange gains and losses as well as other ongoing or infrequently occurring items such as gains and losses on business divestitures.

The year-over-year decrease of $939 million in Other income (expense), net in 2019 was primarily driven by the absence of a prior year gain of $799 million from the divestiture of Taylor, as well as the 2019 impairment of an equity method investment ($108 million).

The year-over-year increase of $362 million in Other income (expense), net in 2018 was primarily driven by the 2018 gain on the divestiture of Taylor of $799 million, partially offset by the absence of a prior year gain of $379 million from the sale of our investment in Watsco, Inc.

See Notes 9, 16 and 17 to the Combined Financial Statements for further discussion of these transactions.

Interest (Income) Expense, Net

Interest income and expense relates primarily to interest on related party activity between us and UTC. See Note 5 to the Combined Financial Statements.

Interest (income) expense, net decreased 27% in 2019 as compared with 2018, which primarily reflects changes in interest earned on related party receivables due from UTC.

Interest (income) expense, net decreased 132% in 2018 as compared with 2017 due to a related party payable with UTC that was settled in November 2017. The increase in interest income in 2018 as compared with 2017 primarily reflects interest earned on related party receivables due from UTC.

Income Taxes

The 2019 effective tax rate reflects a net tax benefit of $149 million as a result of the filing by a subsidiary of Carrier to participate in an amnesty program offered by the Italian Tax Authority and conclusion of the audit by the Examination Division of the Internal Revenue Service for the UTC 2014, 2015, and 2016 tax years.

The 2018 effective tax rate reflects a net tax charge of $102 million as a result of UTC’s change of assertion of no longer intending to reinvest certain undistributed earnings of its international subsidiaries. The effective income tax rate for 2018 also reflects the incremental tax cost associated with the divestiture of Taylor.

The 2017 effective tax rate reflects a net tax charge of $799 million attributable to the passage of the TCJA. This amount primarily relates to U.S. income tax attributable to previously undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries and equity investments and the revaluation of U.S. deferred income taxes. The 2017 effective tax rate also includes a favorable adjustment of $18 million related to the expiration of statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions.

For additional discussion of income taxes and the effective income tax rate, see “Critical Accounting Estimates—Income Taxes” and Note 14 to the Combined Financial Statements.

Net Income Attributable to Carrier

Net income attributable to Carrier for the year ended December 31, 2019 includes restructuring charges, net of tax benefit, of $94 million ($126 million pre-tax), as well as the impact of a $108 million pre-tax impairment of an equity method investment.

Net income attributable to Carrier for the year ended December 31, 2018 includes restructuring charges, net of tax benefit, of $66 million ($80 million pre-tax), as well as the impact of a $799 million pre-tax gain on the divestiture of Taylor in 2018.

Net income attributable to Carrier for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes restructuring charges, net of tax benefit, of $81 million ($111 million pre-tax), as well as the net unfavorable impact of a $799 million tax charge in connection with the passage of the TCJA as described in Note 14 to the Combined Financial Statements, and the unfavorable impact of a product recall program in our Fire & Security segment and an unfavorable contract adjustment on a large commercial HVAC project, partially offset by a gain resulting from the sale of our investment in Watsco, Inc.

Segment review