Delivery of Securities Sold Notwithstanding Section 4.03 above or any other provision of this Agreement, the Custodian, when instructed to deliver Securities against payment, shall be entitled, if in accordance with generally accepted market practice, to deliver such Securities prior to actual receipt of final payment therefor. In any such case, the Fund shall bear the risk that final payment for such Securities may not be made or that such Securities may be returned or otherwise held or disposed of by or through the person to whom they were delivered, and the Custodian shall have no liability for any for the foregoing.
Delivery of Securities The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian, in a U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian or in an account at the Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio in accordance with customary or established market practices and procedures, including, without limitation, delivery to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent of such purchaser or dealer) against expectation of receiving later payment;
2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;
3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 hereof;
4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;
5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in accordance with “street delivery” custom; provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct;
8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the Portfolio (a) against receipt of collateral as agreed from time to time by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian’s account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the receipt of such collateral or (b) to the lending agent, or the lending agent’s custodian, in accordance with written Proper Instructions (which may not provide for the receipt by the Custodian of collateral therefor) agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund;
11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;
12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA,” formerly known as The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;
13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;
14) Upon the sale or other delivery of such investments (including, without limitation, to one or more (a) Special Sub-Custodians or (b) additional custodians appointed by the Fund, and communicated to the Custodian from time to time via a writing duly executed by an authorized officer of the Fund, for the purpose of engaging in repurchase agreement transactions(s), each a “Repo Custodian”), and prior to receipt of payment therefor, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such delivery in advance of payment, along with payment in advance of delivery made in accordance with Section 2.6(7), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a “Free Trade”), provided that such Proper Instructions shall set forth (a) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (b) the person(s) to whom delivery of such securities shall be made;
15) Upon receipt of instructions from the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information of the Fund related to the Portfolio (the “Prospectus”), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption;
16) In the case of a sale processed through the Underlying Transfer Agent of Underlying Shares, in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof;
17) For delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio; and
18) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio specifying (a) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (b) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
Delivery of Securities After Closing The Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, the respective Securities purchased by each Purchaser to such Purchaser within 3 Trading Days of the Closing Date.
Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Securities (a) On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell the Firm Shares to the several Underwriters, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Shares set opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto, subject to adjustments in accordance with Section 9 hereof. The purchase price for each Firm Share shall be $3.76 per share. In making this Agreement, each Underwriter is contracting severally and not jointly; except as provided in Section 8 hereof, the agreement of each Underwriter is to purchase only the respective number of Firm shares specified in Schedule I. The Firm Shares will be delivered by the Company to the Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters against payment of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of same day funds payable to the order of the Company at the offices of Xxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co., U.S. Bancorp Center, 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota, or such other location as may be mutually acceptable, at 9:00 am Central time on the third (or if the Firm Shares are priced, as contemplated by Rule 15c6-1(c) under the Exchange Act, after 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, the fourth) full business day following the date hereof, or at such other time and date as the Representatives and the Company determine pursuant to Rule 15c6-1(a) under the Exchange Act, such time and date of delivery being herein referred to as the “First Closing Date.” If the Representatives so elect, delivery of the Firm Shares may be made through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC system to the accounts at The Depository Trust Company designated by the Representatives.
(b) On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants to the several Underwriters an option to purchase all or any portion of the Option Shares to be sold by the Company hereunder, at the same purchase price as the Firm Shares, for use solely in covering any over-allotments made by the Underwriters in the sale and distribution of the Firm Shares. The option granted hereunder may be exercised in whole or in part at any time and from time to time within 30 days after the effective date of this Agreement upon notice (confirmed in writing) by the Representatives to the Company setting forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the several Underwriters are exercising the option, the names and denominations in which the certificates for the Option Shares are to be registered and the date and time, as determined by the Representatives, when the Option Shares are to be delivered, such time and date being herein referred to as the “Second Closing” and “Second Closing Date”, respectively; provided, however, that the Second Closing Date shall not be earlier than the First Closing Date nor earlier than the second business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised. The number of Option Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the same percentage of the total number of Option Shares to be purchased by the several Underwriters as the number of Firm Shares to be purchased by such Underwriter is of the total number of Firm Shares to be purchased by the several Underwriters, as adjusted by the Representatives in such manner as the Representatives deem advisable to avoid fractional shares. No Option Shares shall be sold and delivered unless the Firm Shares previously have been, or simultaneously are, sold and delivered. The Option Shares will be delivered by the Company to the Representatives or the accounts of the several Underwriters against payment of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of same day funds payable to the order of the Company at the offices of Xxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co., U.S. Bancorp Center, 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota, or such other location as may be mutually acceptable, at 9:00 am Central time, on the Second Closing Date. If the Representatives so elect, delivery of the Option Shares may be made be made through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC system to the accounts at The Depository Trust Company designated by the Representatives.
(c) Certificates evidencing the Securities in definitive form and in such denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives shall request pursuant to an instruction letter from the Representatives or in the notice of option exercise, as applicable, will be made available for checking at a reasonable time preceding the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as applicable, at the office of Xxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co., 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, or such other location as may be mutually acceptable.
(d) It is understood that Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, individually and not as Representatives of the several Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment to the Company, on behalf of any Underwriter for the Securities to be purchased by such Underwriter. Any such payment by you shall not relieve any such Underwriter of any of its obligations hereunder. Nothing herein contained shall constitute any of the Underwriters an unincorporated association or partner with the Company.
Deposit of Stock; Execution and Delivery of Receipts in Respect Thereof Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Company may from time to time deposit shares of Stock under this Deposit Agreement by delivery to the Depositary of a certificate or certificates for the Stock to be deposited, properly endorsed or accompanied, if required by the Depositary, by a duly executed instrument of transfer or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Depositary, together with all such certifications as may be required by the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, and together with a written order of the Company directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of Depositary Shares representing such deposited Stock. Deposited Stock shall be held by the Depositary at the Depositary’s Office or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine. Upon receipt by the Depositary of a certificate or certificates for Stock deposited in accordance with the provisions of this Section, together with the other documents required as above specified, and upon recordation of the Stock on the books of the Company in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall execute and deliver, to or upon the order of the person or persons named in the written order delivered to the Depositary referred to in the first paragraph of this Section, a Receipt or Receipts for the whole number of Depositary Shares representing, in the aggregate, the Stock so deposited and registered in such name or names as may be requested by such person or persons. The Depositary shall execute and deliver such Receipt or Receipts at the Depositary’s Office or such other offices, if any, as the Depositary may designate. Delivery at other offices shall be at the risk and expense of the person requesting such delivery.
Delivery or Sale of Securities; Settlement of Accounts Upon termination of each AAU, or prior thereto at the Manager’s discretion, the Manager will deliver to you any Securities paid for by you pursuant to Article VI hereof and held by the Manager for sale pursuant to Section 3.4 or 3.5 hereof but not sold and paid for and any Securities or Other Securities that are held by the Manager for your account pursuant to the provisions of Article V hereof or any Intersyndicate Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the termination of such AAU, if the aggregate initial Offering Price of any such Securities and the aggregate purchase price of any Other Securities so held and not sold and paid for does not exceed an amount equal to 20% of the aggregate initial Offering Price of the Securities, the Manager may, in its discretion, sell such Securities and Other Securities for the accounts of the several Underwriters, at such prices, on such terms, at such times, and in such manner as it may determine. Within the period specified by applicable FINRA Rules or, if no period is so specified, as soon as practicable after termination of such AAU, your account will be settled and paid. The Manager may reserve from distribution such amount as the Manager deems advisable to cover possible additional expenses. The determination by the Manager of the amount so to be paid to or by you will be final and conclusive. Any of your funds under the Manager’s control may be held with the Manager’s general funds without accountability for interest. Notwithstanding any provision of this Master AAU other than Section 10.11 hereof, upon termination of each AAU, or prior thereto at the Manager’s discretion, the Manager may: (i) allocate to the accounts of the Underwriters the expenses described in Section 7.2 hereof and any losses incurred upon the sale of Securities or Other Securities pursuant to the applicable AAU or any Intersyndicate Agreement (including any losses incurred upon the sale of securities referred to in Section 5.4(ii) hereof), (ii) deliver to the Underwriters any unsold Securities or Other Securities purchased pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof or any Intersyndicate Agreement, and (iii) deliver to the Underwriters any unsold Securities purchased pursuant to the applicable Underwriting Agreement, in each case in the Manager’s discretion. The only limitations on such discretion will be as follows: (a) no Underwriter that is not the Manager or a Co-Manager will bear more than its share of such expenses, losses, or Securities (such share will not exceed such Underwriter’s Underwriting Percentage and will be determined pro rata among all such Underwriters based on their Underwriting Percentages), (b) no such Underwriter will receive Securities that, together with any Securities purchased by such Underwriter pursuant to Article VI (but excluding any Securities that such Underwriter is required to repurchase pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof) exceed such Underwriter’s Original Underwriting Obligation, and (c) no Co-Manager will bear more than its share of such expenses, losses, or Securities (such share to be determined pro rata among the Manager and all Co-Managers based on their Underwriting Percentages). If any Securities or Other Securities returned to you pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) above were not paid for by you pursuant to Article VI hereof, you will pay to the Manager an amount per security equal to the amount set forth in clause (i) of Article VI, in the case of Securities returned to you pursuant to clause (iii) above, or the purchase price of such securities, in the case of Securities or Other Securities returned to you pursuant to clause (ii) above.
Reservation and Listing of Securities (a) The Company shall maintain a reserve from its duly authorized shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the Transaction Documents in such amount as may then be required to fulfill its obligations in full under the Transaction Documents.
(b) If, on any date, the number of authorized but unissued (and otherwise unreserved) shares of Common Stock is less than the Required Minimum on such date, then the Board of Directors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to amend the Company’s certificate or articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to at least the Required Minimum at such time, as soon as possible and in any event not later than the 75th day after such date.
(c) The Company shall, if applicable: (i) in the time and manner required by the principal Trading Market, prepare and file with such Trading Market an additional shares listing application covering a number of shares of Common Stock at least equal to the Required Minimum on the date of such application, (ii) take all steps necessary to cause such shares of Common Stock to be approved for listing or quotation on such Trading Market as soon as possible thereafter, (iii) provide to the Purchasers evidence of such listing or quotation and (iv) maintain the listing or quotation of such Common Stock on any date at least equal to the Required Minimum on such date on such Trading Market or another Trading Market.
Purchase of Securities Promptly upon each purchase of Securities for the Fund, Written Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian, specifying (i) the name of the issuer or writer of such Securities, and the title or other description thereof, (ii) the number of shares, principal amount (and accrued interest, if any) or other units purchased, (iii) the date of purchase and settlement, (iv) the purchase price per unit, (v) the total amount payable upon such purchase, and (vi) the name of the person to whom such amount is payable. The Custodian shall upon receipt of such Securities purchased by the Fund pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund the total amount specified in such Written Instructions to the person named therein. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay out moneys to cover the cost of a purchase of Securities for the Fund, if in the Fund Custody Account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund for which such purchase was made.
Sale and Delivery of Securities (a) On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell through the Sales Agent, as sales agent, and the Sales Agent agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell, as sales agent for the Company, the Shares on the following terms.
(i) The Shares are to be sold on a daily basis or otherwise as shall be agreed to by the Company and the Sales Agent on any day that (A) is a trading day for the NYSE (other than a day on which the NYSE is scheduled to close prior to its regular weekday closing time), (B) the Company has instructed the Sales Agent by telephone (confirmed promptly by electronic mail) (or as otherwise agreed to by the Company and the Sales Agent) from any of the individuals listed as authorized representatives of the Company on Schedule B hereto (the “Authorized Company Representatives”) to make such sales and (C) the Company has satisfied its obligations under Section 8 of this Agreement. The Company will designate the maximum amount of the Shares to be sold by the Sales Agent daily as agreed to by the Sales Agent and in any event not in excess of the amount available for issuance under the currently effective Registration Statement relating to the sale of up to $1,500,000,000 of Shares as described in the prospectus supplement dated September 20, 2024, or any Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 5(g), or in a number in excess of the number of Shares authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under this Agreement by the Company’s board of directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and notified to the Sales Agent in writing (a “Placement Notice”). Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Sales Agent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to offer and sell all of the Shares designated; provided, however, that the Sales Agent shall have no obligation to offer or sell any Shares, and the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Sales Agent shall have no such obligation, in the event an offer or sale of the Shares on behalf of the Company may in the judgment of the Sales Agent constitute the sale of a “block” under Rule 10b-18(a)(5) under the Exchange Act or a “distribution” within the meaning of Rule 100 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act or the Sales Agent reasonably believes it may be deemed an “underwriter” under the Act in a transaction that is other than by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions between members of the NYSE that qualify for delivery of a Prospectus to the NYSE in accordance with Rule 153 under the Act (such transactions are hereinafter referred to as “At-the-Market Offerings”).
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company, through any of the Authorized Company Representatives, may instruct the Sales Agent by telephone (confirmed promptly by electronic mail) (or as otherwise agreed to by the Company and the Sales Agent) not to sell the Shares if such sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by the Company in any such instruction. In addition, the Company or the Sales Agent may, upon notice to the other party hereto by telephone (confirmed promptly by electronic mail) (or as otherwise agreed to by the Company and the Sales Agent), suspend the offering of the Shares; provided, however, that such suspension shall not affect or impair the parties’ respective obligations with respect to the Shares sold hereunder prior to the giving of such notice.
(iii) The Sales Agent hereby covenants and agrees not to make any sales of the Shares on behalf of the Company, pursuant to this Section 4(a), other than (A) by means of At-the-Market Offerings and (B) such other sales of the Shares on behalf of the Company in its capacity as agent of the Company as shall be agreed by the Company and the Sales Agent.
(iv) The compensation to the Sales Agent, as an agent of the Company, for sales of the Shares shall be up to 1.25% of the gross sales price of the Shares sold pursuant to this Section 4(a) or such lower amount as otherwise mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Sales Agent from time to time. The remaining proceeds, after further deduction for any transaction fees imposed by any governmental or self-regulatory organization in respect of such sales, shall constitute the net proceeds to the Company for such Shares (the “Net Proceeds”).
(v) The Sales Agent shall provide written confirmation to the Company following the close of trading on the NYSE each day in which the Shares are sold under this Section 4(a) setting forth the amount of the Shares sold on such day, the Net Proceeds to the Company and the compensation payable by the Company to the Sales Agent with respect to such sales.
(vi) Settlement for sales of the Shares pursuant to this Section 4(a) will occur on the first business day following the date on which such sales are made or such other date as may be agreed by the Company and the Sales Agent (each such date, a “Settlement Date”). On each Settlement Date, the Shares sold through the Sales Agent for settlement on such date shall be issued and delivered by the Company to the Sales Agent against payment of the Net Proceeds for the sale of such Shares. Settlement for all such Shares shall be effected by free delivery of the Shares by the Company or its transfer agent to the Sales Agent’s account, or to the account of the Sales Agent’s designee, at The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian System (“DWAC”) or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto, which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered shares in good deliverable form, in return for payments in same day funds delivered to the account designated by the Company. If the Company, or its transfer agent (if applicable), shall default on its obligation to deliver the Shares on any Settlement Date, the Company shall (A) indemnify and hold the Sales Agent harmless against any loss, claim or damage arising from or as a result of such default by the Company and (B) pay the Sales Agent any commission to which it would otherwise be entitled absent such default. The Authorized Company Representatives shall be the contact persons for the Company for all matters related to the settlement of the transfer of the Shares through DWAC for purposes of this Section 4(a)(vi).
(vii) At each Time of Sale, Settlement Date and Representation Date (as defined in Section 5(q)), the Company shall be deemed to have affirmed each of their respective representations and warranties contained in this Agreement. Any obligation of the Sales Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell the Shares on behalf of the Company shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the continuing satisfaction of the additional conditions specified in Section 8 of this Agreement.
(i) If the Company wishes to issue and sell the Shares other than as set forth in Section 4(a) of this Agreement (each, a “Placement”), it will notify the Sales Agent of the proposed terms of such Placement. If the Sales Agent, acting as principal, wishes to accept such proposed terms (which it may decline to do for any reason in its sole discretion) or, following discussions with the Company, wishes to accept amended terms, the Sales Agent and the Company will enter into a Terms Agreement setting forth the terms of such Placement. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any Terms Agreement, the terms of such Terms Agreement will control.
(i) Under no circumstances shall the aggregate number of Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement exceed the number of Shares authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under this Agreement by the Company’s board of directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and notified to the Sales Agent in writing.
(ii) If either party has reason to believe that the exemptive provisions set forth in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M under the Exchange Act are not satisfied with respect to the Shares, it shall promptly notify the other party and sales of the Shares under this Agreement shall be suspended until that or other exemptive provisions have been satisfied in the judgment of each party.
(d) Each sale of the Shares to or through the Sales Agent shall be made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or, if applicable, a Terms Agreement.
(e) Any offer, solicitation or sale of the Shares shall be effected by or through only one of the Agents on any single trading day.
(f) Subject to the limitations set forth herein and as may be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Sales Agent, sales pursuant to this Agreement may not be requested by the Company and need not be made by the Sales Agent during any period in which the Company is or could be deemed to be, in possession of material non-public information.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not offer, sell or deliver, or request the offer or sale, of any Shares pursuant to this Agreement at any time during the period from and including the time the Company issues a press release containing, or shall otherwise publicly announce, its earnings, revenues or other operating results for a fiscal period or periods (each, an “Earnings Announcement”) through and including the Representation Date that occurs in connection with the Company filing a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an Annual Report on Form 10-K (a “Filing Time”) that includes consolidated financial statements as of and for the same fiscal period or periods, as the case may be, covered by such Earnings Announcement, unless the Company shall first (i) prepare and deliver to the Sales Agent (with a copy to counsel for the Sales Agent) a Current Report on Form 8-K that includes substantially the same financial and related information that was included in such Earnings Announcement (other than any earnings projections and similar forward-looking data and officers’ quotations) (each, an “Earnings 8-K”), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Sales Agent, and, prior to its filing, obtain the written consent of the Sales Agent to such filing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), (ii) provide the Sales Agent with the officers’ certificates, opinions and letters of counsels and accountants’ letter specified in Sections 5(q) through 5(u), inclusive, hereof, (iii) afford the Sales Agent the opportunity to conduct a due diligence review in accordance with Section 5(v) hereof prior to filing such Earnings 8-K and (iv) file (rather than furnish) such Earnings 8-K with the Commission. For purposes of clarity, the parties hereto agree that (A) the delivery of any officers’ certificates, opinions or letters of counsel or accountants’ letter pursuant to this Section 4(g) shall not relieve the Company from any of its obligations under this Agreement with respect to any Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as the case may be, including, without limitation, the obligation to deliver officers’ certificates, opinions and letters of counsel and accountants’ letters as provided in Sections 5(q) through 5(u), inclusive, hereof, and (B) this Section 4(g) shall in no way affect or limit the operation of Section 4(d) hereof, which shall have independent application.
(h) The Company acknowledges and agrees that (A) there can be no assurance that the Sales Agent will be successful in selling the Shares, (B) the Sales Agent will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other person or entity if it does not sell Shares for any reason other than a failure by the Sales Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell such Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (C) the Sales Agent shall be under no obligation to purchase Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the Sales Agent and the Company.
Purchase and Redemption of Trust Portfolio Shares 3.1 We will make shares of the Portfolios available to the Accounts for the benefit of the Contracts. The shares will be available for purchase at the net asset value per share next computed after we (or our agent) receive a purchase order, as established in accordance with the provisions of the then current prospectus of the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust's Board of Trustees ("Trustees") may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or may suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the Trustees, acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, they deem such action to be in the best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.
3.2 We agree that shares of the Trust will be sold only to life insurance companies which have entered into fund participation agreements with the Trust ("Participating Insurance Companies") and their separate accounts or to qualified pension and retirement plans in accordance with the terms of the Shared Funding Order. No shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
3.3 You shall be the designee for us for receipt of purchase orders and requests for redemption resulting from investment in and payments under the Contracts ("Instructions"). The Business Day on which such Instructions are received in proper form by you by the close of trading will be the date as of which Portfolio shares shall be deemed purchased, exchanged, or redeemed as a result of such Instructions, provided you transmit such instructions to us no later than 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on the next Business Day. Instructions received in proper form by you after the close of trading on any given Business Day shall be treated as if received on the next following Business Day. Instructions we receive from you after 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time shall be processed on the next Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Trust calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC and its current prospectus.
