As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2026
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AMEREN CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Missouri
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization) |
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43-1723446
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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1901 Chouteau Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
(314) 621-3222
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
(314) 621-3222
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
LEONARD P. SINGH
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
DAVID M. FEINBERG
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
1901 Chouteau Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
(314) 621-3222
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
DAVID M. FEINBERG
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
1901 Chouteau Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
(314) 621-3222
(Names, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agents for service)
including area code, of agents for service)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 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, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
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. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
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,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | Large accelerated filer | | | ☒ | | | Accelerated filer | | | ☐ | | | | ||||
| | Non-accelerated filer | | | ☐ | | |
Smaller reporting company
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Emerging growth company
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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. ☐
PROSPECTUS
![[MISSING IMAGE: lg_ameren-4c.jpg]](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001002910/000110465926062417/lg_ameren-4c.jpg)
DRPlus
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
Ameren Corporation has established its DRPlus Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“Plan”) to provide participants with a convenient way to purchase shares of our common stock and to reinvest all or a portion of the cash dividends paid on our common stock in additional shares of our common stock.
Participants in the Plan may:
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Automatically reinvest 10% (minimum dividend reinvestment requirement) or more of the cash dividends paid on each share of our common stock in additional shares of our common stock;
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Make an initial investment in our common stock with a cash investment of at least $250;
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Increase their investment in our common stock by making optional cash investments of at least $25 at any time;
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Upon request, remove whole shares of our common stock from the Plan and hold through the direct registration system;
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Deposit certificates representing our common stock into their Plan accounts for safekeeping; and
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Sell shares of our common stock credited to their Plan accounts.
Shares of our common stock purchased under the Plan will, at our option, be newly-issued shares or treasury shares purchased directly from us, or shares purchased in the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions. Any open market or privately-negotiated purchases will be made through a broker selected by the Plan Administrator. This prospectus relates to 1,894,702 shares of common stock offered under the Plan.
If you are currently participating in the Plan, you will remain enrolled in the Plan, and you do not have to take any action unless you wish to terminate your participation or change your election in the Plan.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AEE.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on May 14, 2026, was $109.60 per share.
Our principal executive offices are located at 1901 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103 and our telephone number is (314) 621-3222.
Investing in our common stock involves risks. Before buying our common stock, you should refer to the risk factors included in our annual, quarterly and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is May 15, 2026.
Table of Contents
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AMEREN CORPORATION
Ameren, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a public utility holding company whose primary assets are its equity interests in its subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate, independent legal entities with separate businesses, assets, and liabilities. Dividends on our common stock and the payment of expenses by us depend on distributions made to us by our subsidiaries. Our principal subsidiaries are listed below. We also have other subsidiaries that conduct other activities, such as providing shared services.
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Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri (“Ameren Missouri”), operates a rate-regulated electric generation, transmission, and distribution business and a rate-regulated natural gas distribution business in Missouri. Ameren Missouri was incorporated in Missouri in 1922 and is successor to a number of companies, the oldest of which was organized in 1881. Ameren Missouri is the largest electric utility in the state of Missouri. It supplies electric and natural gas service to a 24,000-square-mile area in central and eastern Missouri, which includes the Greater St. Louis area. Ameren Missouri supplies electric service to 1.3 million customers and natural gas service to 0.1 million customers.
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Ameren Illinois Company, doing business as Ameren Illinois (“Ameren Illinois”), operates rate-regulated electric transmission, electric distribution, and natural gas distribution businesses in Illinois. Ameren Illinois was incorporated in Illinois in 1923 and is the successor to a number of companies, the oldest of which was organized in 1902. Ameren Illinois supplies electric and natural gas utility service to a 43,700-square-mile area in central and southern Illinois. Ameren Illinois supplies electric service to 1.2 million customers and natural gas service to 0.8 million customers.
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Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (“ATXI”), operates a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rate-regulated electric transmission business in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. ATXI was incorporated in Illinois in 2006.
In this prospectus, “Ameren,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “Company” refer to Ameren Corporation and, unless the context otherwise requires, not any of its subsidiaries.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). This prospectus is part of the registration statement, but the registration statement also contains or incorporates by reference additional information and exhibits. We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and, therefore, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies, such as us, that file documents with the SEC electronically. The documents can be found by searching the EDGAR archives of the SEC electronically.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with the SEC which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and you should read it with the same care. Later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information and will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus (other than any documents, or portions of documents, not deemed to be filed). We incorporate by reference the following documents previously filed with the SEC:
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our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 9, 2026 (except for portions deemed to be furnished and not filed), February 11, 2026 (except for portions deemed to be furnished and not filed), February 27, 2026, March 4, 2026 and May 5, 2026 (except for portions deemed to be furnished and not filed); and
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the description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.98 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, including any further amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description
We are also incorporating by reference all additional documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus until the time that all of the shares of common stock registered are sold.
Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any separately filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this prospectus.
You may request a free copy of these filings by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Ameren Corporation
Attention: Office of the Secretary
P.O. Box 66149, Mail Code 1310
St. Louis, Missouri 63166-6149
Telephone: (314) 621-3222
Attention: Office of the Secretary
P.O. Box 66149, Mail Code 1310
St. Louis, Missouri 63166-6149
Telephone: (314) 621-3222
Upon such request, we will provide each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. Copies of these filings are also available from our website at www.amereninvestors.com. We do not intend for this website to be an active link or to otherwise incorporate the contents of the website into this prospectus.
This prospectus incorporates by reference information that you should consider when making your investment decision. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with additional or different information. We are not making an offer to sell these shares of common stock under the Plan in any
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jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that the information incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial position, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN
The provisions of the Plan in effect on and after the date hereof are presented in the following questions and answers. If you are not a participant in the Plan, you will continue to receive cash dividends, as declared, in the usual manner.
Purpose
1.
What is the purpose of the Plan?
The purpose of the Plan is to provide participants (see Question 9) with a convenient way to purchase our common stock and to reinvest all or a portion of the cash dividends paid on our common stock (“Eligible Securities”) in additional shares of our common stock. When shares of our common stock purchased under the Plan are acquired directly from us, we will receive additional equity funds which will be added to our general funds and used for general corporate purposes as described in “Use of Proceeds.”
Advantages
2.
What are the advantages of the Plan?
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Participants in the Plan may elect to have cash dividends automatically reinvested in common stock on all or a portion of their shares of common stock (subject to a 10% minimum). Dividend payments not reinvested will be paid to participants by check or through direct deposit.
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Participants in the Plan may make optional cash investments (including by authorizing direct debit from their personal bank accounts) in a minimum amount of $25 per transaction after the initial investment and up to a maximum of $360,000 per calendar year for the purchase of common stock.
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Full investment of funds is possible under the Plan because both full and fractional shares will be credited to participants’ Plan accounts.
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Participants may deposit their common stock certificates, at no cost, in their Plan accounts for safekeeping. Once the common stock certificate(s) is placed in safekeeping, the dividends paid on the common stock will be subject to a 10% minimum reinvestment.
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Participants may enroll and manage their Plan account through our website at shareowneronline.com.
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Personal recordkeeping is simplified by the issuance of statements showing account activity. Statements of account are a participant’s continuing record of transactions and should be retained for tax purposes.
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Participants may sell shares of common stock held or deposited in their Plan accounts.
Disadvantages
3.
What are the disadvantages of the Plan?
A participant will have no control over the prices at which shares are purchased or sold for his or her account, because:
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purchases for the participant’s account will be made during periods prescribed under the Plan. See Questions 12 and 17; and
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participants cannot designate a specific price or a specific date at which to sell shares or select the broker through which sales will be made. See Question 22.
Therefore, the participant will bear the risk of fluctuations in the market price of our common stock.
4.
Can shares held in the Plan be used as collateral?
No. Shares held in the Plan may not be used as collateral.
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Other Features
5.
What are other features of the Plan?
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Non-shareholders of legal age may participate in the Plan by making a minimum initial cash investment of $250 to purchase our common stock under the terms of the Plan.
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For each meeting of shareholders, participants will receive proxies that will enable them to vote all common shares registered in their names.
Administration
6.
Who administers the Plan?
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC serves as administrator of the Plan (the “Plan Administrator”). Among other things, the Plan Administrator will receive and hold participants’ funds pending investment in additional shares of common stock, effect transfers of common stock, keep a continuous record of participation and prepare and send to each participant statements of the participant’s Plan account. The responsibilities of the Plan Administrator in connection with the administration of the Plan are administrative in nature and, in large part, are consistent with the responsibilities of the Plan Administrator in acting as our registered transfer agent and registrar.
If we elect to meet the requirements of participants by purchasing shares of common stock in the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions, an independent agent will act on behalf of participants in buying such shares. An independent agent will also sell Plan shares on behalf of participants.
We reserve the right to interpret and administer the Plan as deemed necessary or desirable, including the right to limit or deny participation in the Plan where circumstances warrant. The terms and conditions of the Plan and its operation shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri. Ameren, the Plan Administrator, and any independent agent will not be liable for any act done in good faith or for any omission to act in good faith, provided that Ameren, the Plan Administrator and any independent agent shall not be relieved from any liability imposed under any federal, state or other applicable securities law which cannot be waived. We cannot assure you of a profit or protect you against a loss on shares purchased or sold under the Plan. A participant participates in the Plan at his or her sole discretion, risk and responsibility.
Ameren common stock is not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC or Ameren, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal amount invested. Common stock held in the Plan are not subject to protection under the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970.
7.
Who should I contact with questions concerning enrolling in the Plan or its administration?
Please contact the Plan Administrator as follows:
Internet
shareowneronline.com
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for access to your account information and answers for many common questions and general inquiries.
To register for online access:
If you are an existing, registered shareowner:
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Go to shareowneronline.com
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Click Register then I want to register for online access
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Select Ameren Corporation and enter your EQ Account Number
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4.
Select your Authentication* method
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Follow the steps to provide your information, create your secure profile, and access your online account.
* If you need your Authentication ID to continue, select Authentication ID and Please send my Authentication ID, then click Send ID.
If you are a new investor:
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Go to shareowneronline.com
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Select Register then I want to invest in a company
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Select Ameren Corporation
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Select Invest Now, and follow the instructions to buy shares
Email
Login to your account at shareowneronline.com and select Contact Us.
Telephone
1-800-255-2237/651-450-4064 outside the United States
Customer Care Specialists are available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time.
You may also access your account information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using the automated voice response system.
Written correspondence and deposit of certificated shares*
Equiniti
P.O. Box 64856
St. Paul, MN 55164-0874
P.O. Box 64856
St. Paul, MN 55164-0874
Certified and overnight delivery
Equiniti
1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101
Mendota Heights, MN 55120-4100
1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101
Mendota Heights, MN 55120-4100
* If sending in a certificate for deposit, see certificate deposit and withdrawal information.
8.
May the Plan be suspended, modified or discontinued?
We reserve the right to suspend, modify or discontinue the Plan at any time, including but not limited to the right to modify the fees and commissions charged to participants. We will announce any suspension, major modification or discontinuance of the Plan to all participants.
Eligibility
9.
Who is eligible to participate in the Plan?
Any person of legal age or entity, whether or not a holder of Eligible Securities, is eligible to participate in the Plan provided that such person or entity fulfills the prerequisites for participation described under Question 10 and participation would not violate the securities or other laws of the state, territory or country where the participant resides that are applicable to Ameren, the Plan or the participant.
Plan prospectus and enrollment information will be furnished upon request made to the Plan Administrator or it may be obtained online at shareowneronline.com.
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Participation
10.
How do I enroll in the Plan or change my method of participation?
After receiving a copy of this prospectus, eligible applicants may become participants in the Plan by completing and signing an Account Authorization Form. The minimum initial optional cash investment is $25 for shareholders and $250 for non-shareholders. The maximum aggregate optional cash investment that may be made by a participant in any calendar year is $360,000.
The Account Authorization Form requires a participant to choose a reinvestment option for participation in the Plan. By checking the appropriate box, a participant may select:
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Full Dividend Reinvestment — All cash dividends payable on shares held in the Plan, along with any shares held in physical certificate form or through book-entry Direct Registration Shares (“DRS”), will be reinvested to purchase additional shares. The participant will not receive cash dividends from us; instead, all dividends will be reinvested. Whole and fractional shares will be allocated to the Plan account. (RD)
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Partial Dividend Reinvestment — A participant may elect to reinvest a portion of the dividend and receive the remainder in cash. The percentage elected will be applied to the total shares held in the Plan, along with any shares held in physical certificate form or held through book-entry DRS. A participant may elect percentages from 10% – 90%, in increments of 10%. The cash portion of dividends will be sent by check unless the participant has elected to have those dividends deposited directly to a designated bank account. (RX-N)
An example of partial reinvestment by percentage: A participant has a total of 150 shares; 120 shares are held in the Plan, 15 in physical certificate form and 15 shares in book-entry DRS. The participant chooses to have 50% of the total dividend reinvested. This will equate to 75 shares having dividends reinvested and 75 shares having dividends paid in cash.
Eligible Securities include shares held through our direct registration system. These are shares registered directly on our books without physical certificates. The direct registration system is managed by The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation and enables its participants to electronically move securities between street-name ownership and our books. See Question 27.
Participants may change their reinvestment options by completing the correspondence portion of their statement of account or an Account Authorization Form and sending it to the Plan Administrator. Changes will become effective as soon as administratively possible after they are received. Any change in reinvestment options must be received by the dividend record date in order to be effective on the related dividend payment date.
11.
How does an Employee participate?
An Employee may join the Plan at any time by enrolling in the same manner as any other eligible person described under Question 10.
Dividend Reinvestment
12.
How and when will cash dividends be reinvested?
If a participant has elected full or partial dividend reinvestment on the Eligible Securities registered in the participant’s name and/or the participant’s Plan shares, we will reinvest those dividends in additional shares of our common stock. With respect to partial dividend reinvestment, a minimum of 10% with respect to shares held in a participant’s Plan account must be reinvested and the remaining dividends are paid in cash. The percentage elected will be applied to the total shares held in the Plan, along with any shares held in physical certificate form or held through book-entry DRS. The source of common stock to be purchased under the Plan may be, at our discretion, authorized but unissued or treasury shares of common stock or shares of common stock purchased in the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions by an independent agent.
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If we are meeting the requirements of the Plan with common stock purchased in the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions, an independent agent will determine the exact timing of such purchases and the number of shares to be purchased, depending on the amount of reinvested dividends, market conditions and the requirements of the federal securities laws, and the purchased shares will be credited to a participant’s Plan account as of the applicable investment date, as described below. If we elect to issue authorized but unissued or treasury shares of our common stock, these shares will be issued by us and credited to a participant’s Plan account as of the applicable investment date. The determination of the price for purchases of Plan shares is explained in Question 19.
If a participant’s Account Authorization Form electing full or partial dividend reinvestment is received by the Plan Administrator on or before the record date with respect to any common stock cash dividend payment date, then the dividend payable on such payment date will be used to purchase additional shares of common stock as of such payment date, with such payment date being the applicable investment date. If the Account Authorization Form is received after the record date for any such cash dividend payment date, the reinvestment of dividends will start with the next dividend payment date.
Common stock cash dividend payment dates normally occur on or about the last business day of March, June, September and December. You should contact the Plan Administrator for more information with respect to dividend payment dates.
Although the Plan provides for the reinvestment of common stock dividends, the amount and timing of dividends payable on our common stock are within the sole discretion of our board of directors. The board of directors has not set specific targets or payout parameters when declaring dividends on our common stock. However, as it has done in the past, the board of directors is expected to consider various issues, including our overall payout ratio, payout ratios of our peers, projected cash flow and potential future cash flow requirements, historical earnings and cash flow, projected earnings, impacts of regulatory orders or legislation, and other key business considerations.
Optional Cash Investments
13.
Who is eligible to make optional cash investments?
All Plan participants are eligible to make optional cash investments.
14.
How are optional cash investments made?
A Plan participant may make an initial cash investment when enrolling by enclosing a check with the Account Authorization Form. Checks should be made payable to “Equiniti” and returned in the envelope provided with the Account Authorization Form. Thereafter, optional cash investments may be made by using the Transaction Request Form attached to the statement of account or by the Automatic Additional Investment feature (see Question 15). Please go to shareowneronline.com or contact the Plan Administrator for additional Account Authorization Forms.
15.
What is the Automatic Additional Investment feature of the Plan and how does it work?
A participant may set up a one-time, recurring semi-monthly or monthly automatic withdrawal from a designated bank account. The request may be submitted online, by telephone or by sending an Account Authorization Form by mail. Requests are processed and become effective as promptly as administratively possible. Once the automatic withdrawal is initiated, funds will be debited from the participant’s designated bank account on or about the 11th and/or 26th of each month, as elected by the participant, and will be invested in our common stock within five (5) trading days. Changes or discontinuation of automatic withdrawals can be made online, by telephone or by using the Transaction Request Form attached to the participant’s statement. To be effective with respect to a particular investment date, a change request must be received by the Plan Administrator at least 15 trading days prior to the investment date. See Question 17. If an enrolled participant’s designated bank account does not have sufficient funds to cover the authorized deduction, no deduction or investment will occur. In such event, the participant will be charged a fee by the Plan Administrator.
For an Account Authorization Form, go to shareowneronline.com.
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16.
What are the limitations on making optional cash investments?
Optional cash investments cannot be less than $25 per investment ($250 in the case of the initial optional cash investment by a non-shareholder). The maximum aggregate optional cash investment that may be made by a participant in any calendar year cannot exceed $360,000.
17.
When will optional cash investments be invested?
The option to make cash investments is available to you at any time. Unless otherwise notified by us, there will be an optional cash investment date on the 15th, or the prior business day if the 15th is not a business day, and the last business day of each month. In any event, purchases on behalf of Plan participants will be made at least once a month. Participants will receive a notice at the beginning of each year specifying the optional cash investment dates for such year. Purchases may be made by the independent agent over a period of several days in the case of market purchases. All such purchases will be aggregated and credited to participants’ accounts on the optional cash investment date occurring on or after receipt of the optional cash investment.
Cash received after an optional cash investment date will be invested as of the next optional cash investment date. No interest will be paid by us on any cash investments received by us pending investment.
Participants will not earn interest on funds held by the Plan Administrator. During the period that an optional cash investment is pending, the collected funds in the possession of the Plan Administrator may be invested in certain Permitted Investments. For purposes of this Plan, “Permitted Investments” shall mean the Plan Administrator may hold the funds uninvested or invested in select deposit products. The risk of any loss from such Permitted Investments shall be the responsibility of the Plan Administrator. Investment income from such Permitted Investments shall be retained by the Plan Administrator.
Purchases
18.
How many shares of common stock will be purchased?
The number of shares purchased for you under the Plan depends on what you have authorized in regard to dividend reinvestment, plus any optional cash investments made, and the price at which the shares are purchased by the Plan. With respect to Full Dividend Reinvestment, your available funds will be fully invested in both whole and fractional shares of common stock (computed to three decimal places). With respect to Partial Dividend Reinvestment, a minimum of 10% held in a participant’s Plan account must be reinvested and the remaining dividends will be paid in cash. The percentage elected will be applied to the total shares held in the Plan, along with any shares held in physical certificate form or held through book-entry DRS. No one can predict the number of shares that will be purchased for you during a particular purchase period, and you cannot direct the purchase of a specific number of shares.
19.
What is the price of shares purchased for the Plan?
If shares for the Plan are being purchased in the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions, the price of such shares will be the weighted average price at which the independent agent acquired the shares plus applicable brokerage commissions and other fees. If the shares are purchased directly from us, the price of such shares will be the average of the high and low sale prices of our common stock on the applicable investment date as reported on the Consolidated Tape System for New York Stock Exchange listed companies administered by the Consolidated Tape Association.
20.
Who purchases the shares for the Plan?
If we elect to purchase shares of common stock in the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions, an independent agent will make all such purchases necessary to meet the requirements of the Plan. We do not exercise any direct or indirect control over the timing or price of purchases made by an independent agent. If open market or privately-negotiated purchases are not made, the shares purchased under the Plan will come directly from our authorized and unissued shares of common stock or from our treasury shares.
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21.
Are any fees or expenses incurred by participants?
We will pay the costs of administering the Plan, but participants will be required to pay trading commissions and other fees for shares purchased in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and for shares sold under the Plan, as well as any taxes, if applicable.
Investment Summary and Fees
Summary
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Minimum cash investments
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Minimum one-time initial purchase for new investors*
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$250.00
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Minimum one-time optional cash investment
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$25.00
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Minimum recurring automatic investment
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$25.00
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Maximum cash investments
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Maximum annual investment
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$360,000.00
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Dividend reinvestment options
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Reinvestment options
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Full reinvestment
and partial reinvestment (minimum of 10%) |
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Fees
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Investment fees
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Initial enrollment (new investors only)
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Company paid
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Dividend reinvestment
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Company paid
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Check investment
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Company paid
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One-time automatic investment
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Company paid
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Recurring automatic investment
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Company paid
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Dividend purchase trading commission per share
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$0.04
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Optional cash purchase trading commission per share
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$0.04
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Sales fees
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Batch Order
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Company paid
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Market Order
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$25.00
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Limit Order per transaction (Day/GTD/GTC)
|
| |
$30.00
|
|
| |
Stop Order
|
| |
$30.00
|
|
| |
Sale trading commission per share (for all orders)
|
| |
$0.04
|
|
| |
Direct deposit of sale proceeds
|
| |
$5.00
|
|
| |
Other fees
|
| | | |
| |
Certificate deposit
|
| |
Company paid
|
|
| |
Returned check / Rejected automatic bank withdrawals
|
| |
$35.00 per item
|
|
| |
Prior year duplicate statements
|
| |
$15.00 per year
|
|
*
For those participants who elect to have cash contributions automatically withdrawn from their bank account pursuant to the Automatic Additional Investment feature, the minimum initial investment requirement will be waived.
10
Sales and Termination from the Plan
22.
How do I terminate my participation in the Plan or sell all or a portion of the shares held in my Plan account?
Termination
A participant may terminate participation in the Plan at any time by instruction to the Plan Administrator. Requests can be made by telephone or through the mail (see Question 7). A participant requesting termination may elect to retain Ameren shares or to sell all or a portion of the shares in the account. If a participant chooses to retain the Plan shares, the Plan shares will be moved into our direct registration system and held in the name of the participant. Any fractional shares will be sold and a check will be sent to the participant for the proceeds. If a participant chooses to sell the Plan shares, the Plan Administrator will sell such shares and will send the proceeds to the participant, less fees and any applicable taxes. If no election is made in the request for termination, whole Plan shares will be moved into our direct registration system and held in the name of the participant. Upon termination, any uninvested contributions will be returned to the participant. Any future dividends will be paid in cash, unless the participant rejoins the Plan.
If a participant’s request to terminate participation in the Plan is received on or after a dividend record date, but before the dividend payment date, the participant’s termination will be processed as soon as administratively possible, and a separate dividend check will be delivered to the participant.
The Plan Administrator reserves the right to terminate participation in the Plan if a participant does not have at least one whole share in the Plan. Upon termination the participant may receive the cash proceeds from the sale of any fractional share, less any transaction fee and trading commission.
Sale of Shares
Sales of Plan shares will be made through a broker, who will receive trading commissions. Typically, the shares are sold through the exchange on which the common shares of Ameren are traded. Depending on the number of shares to be sold and current trading volume, sale transactions may be completed in multiple transactions and over the course of more than one day. All sales are subject to market conditions, system availability, restrictions and other factors. The actual sale date, time or price received for any shares sold under the Plan cannot be guaranteed.
Participants may instruct the Plan Administrator to sell shares under the Plan through a Batch Order, Market Order, Day Limit Order, Good-‘Til-Date/Canceled Limit Order or Stop Order:
Batch Order (online, telephone, mail) — The Plan Administrator will combine each request to sell through the Plan with other Plan participant sale requests for a Batch Order. Shares are then periodically submitted in bulk to a broker for sale on the open market. Shares will be sold no later than five business days (except where deferral is necessary under state or federal regulations) following the request. Bulk sales may be executed in multiple transactions and over more than one day depending on the number of shares being sold and current trading volumes. Once entered, a Batch Order request cannot be canceled.
Market Order (online or telephone) — A participant’s request to sell shares in a Market Order will be at the prevailing market price when the trade is executed. If such an order is placed during market hours, the Plan Administrator will promptly submit the shares to a broker for sale on the open market. Once entered, a Market Order request cannot be canceled. Sales requests submitted near the close of the market may be executed on the next trading day, along with other requests received after market close.
Day Limit Order (online or telephone) — A participant’s request to sell shares in a Day Limit Order will be promptly submitted by the Plan Administrator to a broker. The broker will execute as a Market Order when and if the stock reaches or exceeds the specified price on the day the order was placed (for orders placed outside of market hours, the next trading day). The order is automatically canceled if
11
the price is not met by the end of that trading day. Depending on the number of shares being sold and current trading volumes, the order may only be partially filled and the remainder of the order canceled. Once entered, a Day Limit Order request cannot be canceled by the participant.
Good-‘Til-Date/Canceled (GTD/GTC) Limit Order (online or telephone) — A GTD/GTC Limit Order request will be promptly submitted by the Plan Administrator to a broker. The broker will execute as a Market Order when and if the stock reaches or exceeds the specified price at any time while the order remains open (up to the date requested or 90 days for GTC). Depending on the number of shares being sold and current trading volumes, sales may be executed in multiple transactions and may be traded on more than one day. The order or any unexecuted portion will be automatically canceled if the price is not met by the end of the order period. The order may also be canceled by the applicable stock exchange or the participant.
Stop Order (online or telephone) — The Plan Administrator will promptly submit a participant’s request to sell shares in a Stop Order to a broker. A sale will be executed when the stock reaches a specified price, at which time the Stop Order becomes a Market Order and the sale will be at the prevailing market price when the trade is executed. The price specified in the order must be below the current market price (generally used to limit a market loss).
Sales proceeds will be net of any fees to be paid by the participant (see Question 21 for details). The Plan Administrator will deduct any fees or applicable tax withholding from the sale proceeds. Sales processed on accounts without a valid Form W-9 for U.S. citizens or Form W-8BEN for non-U.S. citizens will be subject to federal backup withholding. Federal backup withholding can be avoided by furnishing the appropriate and valid form prior to the sale. Forms are available online at shareowneronline.com.
Unless direct deposit arrangements have been made as provided below, a check for the proceeds of the sale of shares (in U.S. dollars), less applicable taxes and fees, will generally be mailed by first class mail as soon as administratively possible after settlement date. If a participant submits a request to sell all or part of the Plan shares, and the participant requests net proceeds to be automatically deposited to a checking or savings account, the participant must provide a voided blank check for a checking account or blank savings deposit slip for a savings account. If the participant is unable to provide a voided check or deposit slip, the participant’s written request must have the participant’s signature(s) medallion guaranteed by an eligible financial institution for direct deposit. Requests for automatic deposit of sale proceeds that do not provide the required documentation will not be processed and a check for the net proceeds will be issued.
A participant who wishes to sell shares currently held in certificate form may send them in for deposit to the Plan Administrator and then proceed with the sale. To sell shares through a broker of their choice, the participant may request the broker to transfer shares electronically from the Plan account to their brokerage account.
Ameren’s share price may fluctuate between the time the sale request is received and the time the sale is completed on the open market. The Plan Administrator shall not be liable for any claim arising out of a failure to sell on a certain date or at a specific price. Neither the Plan Administrator nor any of its affiliates will provide any investment recommendations or investment advice with respect to transactions made through the Plan. This risk should be evaluated by the participant and is a risk that is borne solely by the participant.
Transfer of Shares Held in the Plan
23.
Can shares in the Plan be transferred?
Upon written request, shares in the Plan can be transferred into names other than the account name (including to a participant’s brokerage account), subject to compliance with any applicable laws and the payment by the participant of any applicable taxes, provided that the request is accompanied by a duly executed stock power that bears the signature(s) of the participant(s) and the signature(s) is/are Medallion Signature Guaranteed by a financial institution, such as a commercial bank or a brokerage firm, that is a member of either the STAMP, SEMP or MSP Medallion Signature Guarantee programs. Unless instructed otherwise, the Plan Administrator will move the transferred shares to an account in the transferee’s name in the Plan and apply the same dividend reinvestment options as existed with respect to the transferred account.
12
If a participant’s request to transfer all Plan shares in an account is received between a dividend record date and dividend payment date, the request will be processed and a separate dividend check will be delivered to the participant.
A participant can also gift shares from a Plan account to a non-participant by making an initial cash investment to establish an account in the recipient’s name. An optional cash investment can also be submitted on behalf of an existing Plan participant. If a participant’s investments or transfers are made to an existing account, dividends on the shares credited to such investments or transfers will be invested in accordance with the elections made by the existing account owner.
Reports to Participants
24.
How will participants be advised of their purchase of shares of common stock and other activity in their Plan accounts?
Participants will receive an account statement at least annually. These statements are participants’ continuing record of their Plan transactions and should be retained for tax and other purposes. Participants should be aware that it is important to retain all statements received as there may be a fee incurred to provide historical statement information. Any other statements will be available electronically by accessing your account through shareowneronline.com. In addition, participants may elect to have statements and other information sent to them automatically by initiating eDelivery through shareowneronline.com.
Participants will also receive the same communications sent to other registered shareholders of common stock, including our annual report, notice of annual meeting and proxy statement, and certain tax information.
Certificates
25.
Will stock certificates be issued for shares of common stock acquired under the Plan?
No. The number of shares credited to your Plan account will be held by the Plan Administrator, as agent, and will be shown on your statement of account. Our by-laws provide generally that all shares of common stock shall be uncertificated shares. See “Description of Common Stock — Uncertificated Shares and Certificates of Stock.”
Safekeeping Service for Common Stock Certificates
26.
What is the Plan’s safekeeping service and how does it work?
The Plan’s safekeeping service allows you to deposit your common stock certificate(s) into your Plan account. The benefits of this service include the convenience of keeping all of your shares in one place, and the protection against the cost of replacing your certificates should they be lost, stolen or destroyed. If you would like to take advantage of this service, please contact the Plan Administrator. Because the participant bears the risk of loss in sending stock certificate(s), it is recommended that the participant sends them registered, insured for at least 5% of the current market value and request a return receipt. Once the common stock certificate(s) is placed in safekeeping, the dividends paid on the common stock will be subject to a 10% minimum reinvestment.
Direct Registration System
27.
What is the Direct Registration System?
Shares held through the direct registration system can be registered directly on our books without physical certificates. Participants in the Plan may choose to have their direct registration/book-entry shares electronically delivered to or from their brokerage accounts.
You may move at any time, free of charge, all or a portion of the whole Plan shares of our common stock credited to your account to the direct registration system upon written request to the Plan Administrator. The movement of Plan shares into the direct registration system will not change your reinvestment
13
instructions unless you direct otherwise. No fractional shares of our common stock may be held in the direct registration system under any circumstances.
If the shares in the direct registration system are to be issued in a name other than the name(s) reflected on your Plan account, the signature on the instructions or stock power must be guaranteed by a financial institution participating in the Medallion Signature Guarantee program. See Question 23.
Online Services
28.
What transactions can a participant conduct online?
Through the Plan Administrator’s website, a participant may:
•
enroll in the Plan;
•
authorize the reinvestment of his or her cash dividends; and
•
authorize optional cash investments;
and a participant may:
•
review and manage his or her Plan account at his or her convenience;
•
arrange for sales of some or all of his or her shares of common stock; and
•
request that some or all of his or her shares of common stock be moved into the direct registration system.
Participation in the Plan through these online services is voluntary. A participant can access such services at shareowneronline.com.
Income Taxes
29.
What are the federal income tax consequences of participation in the Plan?
In general, participants in the Plan have the same federal income tax obligations with respect to their dividends as do shareholders who are not Plan participants. This means that dividends reinvested under the Plan are taxable as having been received even though the participants did not actually receive them in cash but, instead, used them to purchase additional shares under the Plan.
With respect to reinvested cash dividends on our common stock used to purchase authorized but unissued shares from us, a participant will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value on the dividend payment date of the full number of shares and fractional shares purchased with reinvested dividends. The fair market value of such shares on the dividend payment date will be treated as dividend income to the participant to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for federal income tax purposes. The basis of the shares so purchased will be equal to the fair market value of such shares on the dividend payment date.
With respect to reinvested cash dividends on our common stock used to purchase shares in the open market or through negotiated transactions, a participant will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received a distribution in an amount equal to the cash reinvested to obtain the shares. The cash reinvested will be treated as dividend income to the participant to the extent of the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the distributing entity, as determined for federal income tax purposes. The basis of the shares so purchased will be equal to the amount of this distribution, plus the amount of any brokerage commissions and other fees paid by the participant.
In the case of either the issuance of shares by us or the purchase of shares in the open market, if the amount of a distribution is in excess of our earnings and profits, such excess will not be treated as dividend income, but instead, a return of capital to you. In the event of a return of capital distribution, we will provide you with reports indicating the amount of the return of capital. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but would reduce the tax basis of the stock on which the distribution is paid by
14
the amount of the distribution that is a return of capital. To the extent any return of capital distribution exceeds your tax basis in your stock, the excess must be reported as capital gains.
Dividends paid are eligible for a reduced rate of federal income taxation for individuals of up to 20% (plus the 3.8% tax described below, if applicable), provided that the dividend is paid with respect to shares held for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date, the individual is not obligated to make related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property, and certain other conditions are met.
U.S. individuals, trusts and estates having adjusted gross income in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of married, filing jointly) will be subject to a 3.8% tax on their net investment income, including dividends and gains received or recognized with respect to our stock.
A participant who purchases shares with optional cash payments will not recognize taxable income upon such purchases. The tax basis of shares purchased in this manner will be the amount of the optional cash investment.
A participant does not realize any taxable income when receiving whole shares of common stock credited to the participant’s account under the Plan, either upon transfer of those shares to the direct registration system, termination of the participant’s participation in the Plan, or termination of the Plan by us. However, the sale of shares by a participant under the Plan may give rise to a capital gain or loss, provided such shares are held as a capital asset by the participant. Any such gain or loss will be measured by the difference between the proceeds received by the participant (net of commissions and fees) and the participant’s tax basis in the shares sold. Such gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the participant held the shares for more than one year immediately prior to such disposition. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers (i.e., individuals, trusts and estates) are taxed at a maximum of 20% (plus the 3.8% tax described above, if applicable). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. The holding period for shares acquired under the Plan begins on the day after the shares are credited to a participant’s Plan account.
The Plan qualifies as a Dividend Reinvestment Plan under the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.1012-1(e)(6)(i), which enables participants to use the “average basis method” when determining the tax basis of any shares sold. As a result, in order to participate in the Plan, a participant must elect to reinvest a minimum of 10% of the dividends (if any) paid on shares held in the Plan.
When you sell shares held in your Plan account which are acquired after 2011, we will be required to report to you and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) the basis and holding period of those shares on IRS Form 1099-B. We have adopted the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method as our default method for these shares and will report the sale of these shares to you and the IRS under this method unless you notify us that you are electing to use some other acceptable basis to identify the stock sold. If you would like to use a method other than FIFO for such shares, you will need to contact the Plan Administrator to make a written election for the methodology to apply to your shares held in the Plan. Once you sell your shares, the method used to calculate your adjusted basis and any gains or losses with respect to such shares cannot be changed. Therefore, it is important to consider the tax implications before you elect a method other than FIFO.
For participants who are subject to U.S. withholding tax or backup withholding, we will withhold the required taxes from the gross dividends or proceeds from the sale of shares. The dividends or proceeds received by the participant, or dividends reinvested on behalf of the participant, will be net of the required withholding taxes. With respect to any foreign participants, certain withholding taxes may be reduced or eliminated by treaty between the U.S. and the country in which the participant resides, if the participant provides appropriate documentation to claim the benefit of the treaty. Additionally, backup withholding may be eliminated by providing proper documentation (IRS Forms W-9, W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or other applicable IRS Form).
In addition, under legislation generally known as “FATCA” (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), U.S. withholding at a 30% tax rate will be imposed on U.S. source interest and dividends if paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)), unless (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, such
15
institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury (the “Treasury”) to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide substantial information regarding U.S. account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or a certification identifying its direct or indirect substantial United States owners, or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. While such withholding would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the shares on or after January 1, 2019, recently proposed Treasury regulations eliminate such withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury regulations until final Treasury regulations are issued. An applicable intergovernmental agreement regarding FATCA between the U.S. and a foreign jurisdiction may modify the rules discussed in this paragraph. If U.S. federal withholding tax under FATCA, or otherwise, is required on payments made to the participant, such withheld amount will be paid to the IRS. That payment, if made, will be treated as a payment of cash to the participant with respect to whom the payment was made and will reduce the amount of cash to which such participant would otherwise be entitled. Under certain circumstances, you might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes from the IRS. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of FATCA to their participation in the Plan.
The information explained above is only a summary and does not purport to be a complete description of all tax consequences of participation in the Plan. The description may be affected by future legislation, Internal Revenue Service rulings and regulations, or court decisions. In addition, the taxation of foreign shareholders, except as noted, and state and local tax consequences are not discussed in this prospectus. Accordingly, you should consult your own tax advisors with respect to the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of your participation in the Plan.
16
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
General
The following statements describing Ameren’s common stock are not intended to be a complete description but rather are a summary of certain rights and distinguishing characteristics relating to the common stock currently authorized by our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (“articles of incorporation”). For additional information, please see our articles of incorporation and by-laws. Each of these documents has been previously filed with the SEC and each is an exhibit to the registration statement filed with the SEC of which this prospectus is a part. Reference is also made to the laws of the state of Missouri.
Under our articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue 400,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share. As of May 11, 2026, 276,751,616 shares of common stock were outstanding and, on the date of this prospectus, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.
Dividend Rights and Limitations
The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as our board of directors may from time to time declare, subject to any rights of the holders of our preferred stock, if any is outstanding. Our ability to pay dividends depends primarily upon the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or otherwise transfer funds to us. Various financing arrangements, corporate organizational documents and statutory and regulatory requirements may impose restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.
Voting Rights
Except as otherwise provided by law and subject to the voting rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any is outstanding, the holders of our common stock have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes. Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders, including the election of directors, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of directors can elect 100% of the directors and the holders of the remaining shares voting for the election of directors will not be able to elect any directors. The common stock shall vote together as a single class. The holders of our common stock are not entitled to cumulate votes for the election of directors. At annual and special meetings of shareholders, a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock constitutes a quorum.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive the remainder, if any, of our assets after the payment of all our debts and liabilities and after the payment in full of any preferential amounts to which holders of any preferred stock may be entitled.
Uncertificated Shares and Certificates of Stock
The interest of each shareholder of any class of our stock shall not be evidenced by certificates for shares and all shares of all classes of stock shall be uncertificated shares; provided, however, that (a) any shares of our stock represented by a certificate shall continue to be represented by such certificate until such certificate is surrendered to us and (b) we may, at our option but without obligation, issue certificates for some or all of any shares of some or all of any classes of stock as we determine from time to time.
Miscellaneous
The outstanding shares of common stock are, and any shares of common stock sold hereunder will be, upon payment for them, fully paid and non-assessable. The holders of our common stock are not entitled
17
to any preemptive or preferential rights to subscribe for or purchase any part of any new or additional issue of stock or securities convertible into stock. Our common stock does not contain any redemption provisions or conversion rights.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC serves as transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
Certain Anti-Takeover Matters
Our articles of incorporation and by-laws include a number of provisions that may have the effect of discouraging persons from acquiring large blocks of our stock or delaying or preventing a change in our control. The material provisions that may have such an effect include:
•
authorization for our board of directors to issue our preferred stock in series and to fix rights and preferences of the series (including, among other things, whether, and to what extent, the shares of any series will have voting rights and the extent of the preferences of the shares of any series with respect to dividends and other matters);
•
advance notice procedures with respect to nominations of directors or proposals other than those adopted or recommended by our board of directors;
•
the prohibition of shareholder action by less than unanimous written consent without a meeting; and
•
provisions specifying that only the chief executive officer, the board of directors (by a majority vote of the entire board of directors) or, for certain purposes, shareholders owning 25% of our outstanding common stock for certain purposes may call special meetings of shareholders, and that the chairman of the meeting may adjourn a meeting of shareholders from time to time, whether or not a quorum is present.
In addition, The General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri, or the MGBCL, contains certain provisions, including control share acquisition provisions and business combination provisions that would be applicable to certain mergers, share exchanges or sales of substantially all assets involving us or a subsidiary and a significant shareholder and which could have the effect of substantially increasing the cost to the acquiror and thus discouraging any such transaction. The MGBCL permits shareholders to adopt an amendment to the articles of incorporation opting out of the control share acquisition provisions, and our articles of incorporation opt out of such provisions.
Under the Illinois Public Utilities Act, Illinois Commerce Commission approval is required for any transaction which, regardless of the means by which it is accomplished, results in a change in the ownership of a majority of the voting capital stock of an Illinois public utility or the ownership or control of any entity which owns or controls a majority of the voting capital stock of a public utility. Because we control a majority of the voting stock of Ameren Illinois, a public utility subject to Illinois utility regulation, any change in our ownership or control, within the meaning of the Illinois Public Utilities Act, would require Illinois Commerce Commission approval. Certain acquisitions by any person of our outstanding voting shares would also require approval under the Federal Power Act and the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The number of shares of common stock, if any, that we will sell under the Plan and the prices at which such shares will be sold cannot presently be determined. The number and prices of shares sold will be affected by the level of participation in the Plan, the prevailing prices of our common stock and whether the shares are newly-issued or treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market or privately-negotiated transactions. If newly-issued or treasury shares of common stock are sold by us under the Plan, we will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale:
•
to finance our subsidiaries’ ongoing construction and maintenance programs;
•
to redeem, repurchase, repay or retire outstanding indebtedness, including indebtedness of our subsidiaries;
18
•
to finance strategic investments in, or future acquisitions of, other entities or their assets; and
•
for other general corporate purposes.
If shares are purchased by an independent agent in the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions for sale under the Plan, we will not receive any proceeds from such sales.
LEGAL MATTERS
Stephen C. Lee, Esq., our Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, has issued a legal opinion as to certain legal matters in connection with the common stock offered by this prospectus. As of May 11, 2026, Mr. Lee owned 5,840 shares of Ameren’s common stock held directly and owned 346 share equivalents of Ameren’s common stock held indirectly through the Ameren Corporation Savings Investment Plan.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information to or represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date.
19
Ameren Corporation
DRPlus
Dividend Reinvestment
and Stock Purchase Plan
Dividend Reinvestment
and Stock Purchase Plan
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
May 15, 2026
PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
| |
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee(1)
|
| | | $ | 9,401.55* | | |
| |
Stock exchange listing fees
|
| | | | 10,000 | | |
| |
Printing expenses
|
| | | | 5,000 | | |
| |
Fees of accountants
|
| | | | 25,000 | | |
| |
Fees of attorneys
|
| | | | 50,000 | | |
| |
Miscellaneous expenses
|
| | | | 598.45 | | |
| |
Total
|
| | | $ | 100,000 | | |
(1)
The filing fee of $9,401.55 was previously paid in connection with the registration of 1,894,702 shares of common stock that were previously registered for offer and sale, but not sold, pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-272053) filed with the SEC and effective as of May 18, 2023, and that are included on this registration statement pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act (the “Carry Forward Securities”). Therefore, in accordance with Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the filing fee specified in the prior sentence will continue to be applied to such Carry Forward Securities.
*
Actual expenses; all other expenses are estimates and are not presently determinable.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Article IV of the By-Laws of Ameren, consistent with the applicable provisions of the MGBCL, provides for indemnification of directors and officers. Article IV provides as follows:
Each person who now is or hereafter becomes a director, officer or employee of the Company, or who now is or hereafter becomes a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of the Company, shall be entitled to indemnification to the extent permitted by law and these By-Laws. Such right of indemnification shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Section 1. (a) The Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the Company, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(b) The Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification
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shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the Company unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability and in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
(c) The Company shall further indemnify to the maximum extent permitted by law, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding (including appeals), whether civil, criminal, investigative (including private Company investigations), or administrative, including an action by or in the right of the Company, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, from and against any and all expenses incurred by such person, including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that the Company shall not indemnify any person from or on account of such person’s conduct which was finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent, deliberately dishonest or willful misconduct.
(d) To the extent that a director, officer or employee of the Company or a person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in this Section or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding.
Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board, in no event shall any person who is or was an agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or enterprise, be entitled to any indemnification by the Company in any action, suit or proceeding, regardless of the fact that such person may have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein. The preceding sentence is intended to eliminate any right any such person might otherwise have to be indemnified by the Company pursuant to Section 351.355.3. of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri.
(e) Any indemnification under this Section, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the Company only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer or employee is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Section. The determination shall be made by the Board by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit, or proceeding, or if such a quorum is not obtainable, or even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or by the shareholders.
(f) Where full and complete indemnification is prohibited by law or public policy, any person referred to in subsection (a) above who would otherwise be entitled to indemnification nevertheless shall be entitled to partial indemnification to the extent permitted by law and public policy. Furthermore, where full and complete indemnification is prohibited by law or public policy, any person referred to in this Section who would otherwise be entitled to indemnification nevertheless shall have a right of contribution to the extent permitted by law and public policy in cases where said party is held jointly or concurrently liable with the Company.
Section 2. The indemnification provided by Section 1 of this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws or any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and the Company is hereby specifically authorized to provide such indemnification by any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. The indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer or employee entitled to indemnification under this Article and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
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Section 3. The Company is authorized to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of, or provide another method or methods of assuring payment to, any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article.
Section 4. Expenses incurred by a person who is or was serving as a director or officer of the Company or a person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 1 of this Article shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding as shall be authorized by the Board in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the Company as may be authorized in this Article. Expenses incurred by a person who is or was serving as an employee of the Company in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 1 of this Article may be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding as may be authorized by the Board in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such employee to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized in this Article.
Section 5. If any provision or portion of this Article shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, the validity, legality and enforceability of all other provisions and portions not specifically held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected or impaired thereby and shall be construed according to the original intent, to the extent not precluded by applicable law.
Section 6. For purposes of this Article:
(a) References to “the Company” include all constituent corporations absorbed in a consolidation or merger as well as the resulting or surviving corporation so that any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of such a constituent corporation or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would if he had served the resulting or surviving corporation in the same capacity.
(b) The term “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; the term “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and the term “serving at the request of the Company” shall be established as specified below in this Section 6(b) and shall include any service as a director, officer or employee of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer or employee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and the word “include” or “includes” shall be construed in its expansive sense and not as a limiter; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Article. For purposes of this Article, “serving at the request of the Company” shall be established solely by (1) express approval by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of such person’s service as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, (2) the annual review by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of a list of non-affiliated corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts or other enterprises that Company officers are serving as a director or officer of, so long as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not notify any such officer within 30 days after receiving such list that such person is not serving at the request of the Company or (3) a person serving as a director or officer of a Company Subsidiary, as hereinafter defined. The term “Company Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, whether domestic or foreign, in which the Company has or obtains, directly or indirectly, a proprietary interest of more than fifty percent (50%) by reason
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of stock ownership or otherwise. Upon establishing that a person is “serving at the request of the Company” as described under (1) (2) and (3) above, such person’s service for purposes of this Article shall begin at the time of his initial service as a director or officer of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The obligations of the Company under this Article to provide indemnification or advancement of expenses to a person serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another entity shall only apply to the extent that such person is not entitled to or does not receive indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other entity.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these By-Laws or in Section 351.355.3 of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri, the maximum liability of the Company to any person “serving at the request of the Company,” at any time for all claims for indemnification and advancement of expenses for such person under these By-Laws or applicable law for such service shall for all purposes be limited to $25 million, except as otherwise expressly approved by the Board; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 6(c) shall not be applicable in any respect to a person’s service only as a director or officer of a Company Subsidiary.
Section 7. This Article may be hereafter amended or repealed; provided, however, that no amendment or repeal shall reduce, terminate or otherwise adversely affect the right of a person who is or was a director, officer or employee to obtain indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to an action, suit, or proceeding that pertains to or arises out of actions or omissions that occur prior to the effective date of such amendment or repeal.
Consistent with the applicable provisions of the MGBCL and the by-laws, the Company has purchased insurance on behalf of its officers and directors which insures them against certain liabilities and expenses, including those under the Securities Act.
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Item 16. Exhibits
| |
Exhibit
No. |
| |
Description
|
|
| | *4.1 | | | | |
| | *4.2 | | | | |
| | *4.3 | | | | |
| | *4.4 | | | | |
| | *4.5 | | | | |
| | 5 | | | | |
| | 23.1 | | | | |
| | 23.2 | | | | |
| | 24 | | | | |
| | 107 | | | Filing Fee Table. | |
Note:
Reports of the Company on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under file number 1-14756.
*
Incorporated by reference herein as indicated.
Item 17. Undertakings
a. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those subsections is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Company’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
b. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 of this registration statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
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such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, on the 15th day of May, 2026.
AMEREN CORPORATION (REGISTRANT)
By:
/s/ Martin J. Lyons, Jr.
Martin J. Lyons, Jr.
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
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Name
|
| |
Title
|
| |
Date
|
|
| |
/s/ Martin J. Lyons, Jr.
Martin J. Lyons, Jr.
|
| |
Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
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/s/ Leonard P. Singh
Leonard P. Singh
|
| |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
|
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May 15, 2026
|
|
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/s/ Theresa A. Shaw
Theresa A. Shaw
|
| |
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting and Transformation Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*
Cynthia J. Brinkley
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*
Ward H. Dickson
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*
Jamie L. Engstrom
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*
Ellen M. Fitzsimmons
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*
Rafael Flores
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*
Richard J. Harshman
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
Name
|
| |
Title
|
| |
Date
|
|
| |
*
Craig S. Ivey
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*
Steven H. Lipstein
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*
Leo S. Mackay, Jr.
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*
Timothy S. Rausch
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*
Steven O. Vondran
|
| |
Director
|
| |
May 15, 2026
|
|
| |
*By:
/s/ Leonard P. Singh
Leonard P. Singh
Attorney-in-Fact |
| | | | |
May 15, 2026
|
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