Equity Awards You will be eligible to receive awards of stock options or other equity awards pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time. The Board or Committee, as applicable, will determine in its sole discretion whether you will be granted any such equity awards and the terms of any such award in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time.
Company Equity Awards (a) Each option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock that has been granted under the Company Stock Plans (each, a “Company Option”) and that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time will, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Company, Parent, Merger Sub or the holders thereof, be treated as follows:
(i) as of the Effective Time, each Company Option (whether or not vested) that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time and that has a per share exercise price less than the Merger Consideration (an “In-the-Money Option”) will be canceled in exchange for payment to the holder of such In-the-Money Option of an amount in cash equal to (A) the number of shares of Company Common Stock remaining subject to such In-the-Money Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (B) the amount by which (x) the Merger Consideration exceeds (y) the per share exercise price for such In-the-Money Option (the “Company Option Cash Out Amount”); and
(ii) each Company Option that is not an In-the-Money Option will be canceled at the Effective Time without payment of any consideration.
(b) As of the Effective Time, each restricted stock unit award subject to time-based or other vesting restrictions that is outstanding under any Company Stock Plan (each, a “Company RSU Award””) immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall, to the extent not vested, become fully vested and then (ii) each such Company RSU Award shall be canceled without any action of the part of any holder or beneficiary thereof in consideration for the right to receive a lump sum cash payment with respect thereto equal to the product of (x) the Merger Consideration and (y) the number of shares of Company Stock represented by such Company RSU Award (the “Company RSU Cash Out Amount”).
(c) All Company Options (whether or not vested) that are outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time, all Company RSU Awards that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, and rights under the Company Stock Plans, will terminate as of, and contingent upon the occurrence of, the Effective Time (after given effect to this Section 2.3), and, following the Effective Time, no holder of any Company Option, Company RSU Award, or any other rights under the Company Stock Plans will have any right to acquire any equity securities of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or the Surviving Corporation as a result of such holder’s Company Options, Company RSU Awards, or other rights under the Company Stock Plans and the Company shall have no further Liability under or with respect to any such Company Option, Company RSU Awards, or the Company Stock Plans (except as provided pursuant to Section 2.3(a)(i) in respect of In-The-Money Options), or as provided pursuant to Section 2.3(b) in respect of the Company RSU Awards.
(d) Payment of the Company Option Cash Out Amount for each In-the-Money Option and the Company RSU Cash Out Amount for each Company RSU Award is subject to Section 2.7 and will be made as follows: No later than thirty (30) Business Days after the Closing Date, Parent shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, deliver (through the Surviving Corporation payroll or such other means of payment as Parent may provide) to the holder of any In-the-Money Option or Company RSU Award the applicable Company Option Cash Out Amount or Company RSU Cash Out Amount, net of Tax withholdings. To the extent that such Taxes are so deducted or withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority, the amounts thereof will be treated for all purposes hereunder as having been paid to the Person to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid.
(e) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall take (or cause there to be taken, as the case may be) all such actions as are necessary to effect the treatment of Company Options and Company RSU Awards provided for under this Section 2.3, under all Contracts governing the terms of all Company Options and Company RSU Awards, and under any other applicable plan or arrangement to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound with respect to such Company Options, Company RSU Awards or the Company Stock Plans, including (A) to accelerate the vesting of any unvested Company Options that are outstanding and unvested immediately prior to the Effective Time and (B) at the request of Parent or as otherwise may be required, sending to any holders of Company Options notices (if drafted and at the request of Parent, subject to reasonable review and approval by the Company, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) with respect to the treatment of such instruments under this Agreement. The Company shall not send or otherwise make available any notices to any holders of Company Options, or solicit any consents or other approvals from the holders of any Company Options unless and until Parent has reviewed and approved all such notices and related documentation (including any email messages and notifications) to be sent or made available to such holders (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), in each case, solely to the extent such notices, consents or approvals relate to the Merger Transaction.
(f) The Company shall promptly take (or cause there to be taken, as the case may be) all such actions as are necessary to ensure that no offering or purchase period commences under the Company ESPP and that no shares of Company Capital Stock are issued under the Company ESPP. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall take (or cause there to be taken, as the case may be) all such actions as are necessary to terminate the Company ESPP such that, from and after the time of such termination, the Company shall have no Liability under or with respect to the Company ESPP.
Company RSUs At the Effective Time, each restricted stock unit entitling the holder thereof to Company Shares or cash equal to the value of Company Shares with only time-based vesting requirements (each, a “Company RSU”) that is outstanding and unvested as of the Effective Time (after application of any vesting acceleration provisions set forth in the terms of such Company RSU) (each such Company RSU, an “Unvested Company RSU”) shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into a restricted stock unit denominated in Parent Shares entitling the holder thereof to solely cash equal to the value of the number of Parent Shares (rounded up to the nearest whole number) equal to (i) the number of Company Shares subject to such Unvested Company RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the Equity Award Exchange Ratio. Except as specifically provided above, following the Effective Time, each such restricted stock unit shall continue to be governed by substantially the same terms and conditions (including the terms set forth on Section 4.5 of the Company Disclosure Letter) as were applicable to such Unvested Company RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time. At the Effective Time, each Company RSU that is outstanding and vested as of the Effective Time (taking into account the application of any vesting acceleration provisions set forth in the terms of such Company RSU), shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be cancelled and converted into only the right to receive an amount solely in cash equal to the Equity Award Cash-Out Consideration, and an amount solely in cash equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividend equivalents, in each case, with respect to each Company Share subject to such Company RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time (without interest and less applicable withholdings in accordance with Section 4.6) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time (but in no event later than the end of the first regular payroll period commencing following the Effective Time); provided that, with respect to any Company RSUs that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and that are not permitted to be paid or settled as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time without triggering a Tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code, such payment or settlement shall be made at the earliest time permitted under the terms of such award that will not trigger a Tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code.
Company Stock Plans (a) Each option to purchase Company Common Stock (“Company Stock Options”) granted under any stock option plans or other equity-related plans of the Company (the “Company Stock Plans”), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become fully vested and be cancelled as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (without regard to the exercise price of such Company Stock Option) in exchange for the right to receive at the Effective Time, in accordance with this Section 2.9, a lump sum cash payment in the amount of the Option Consideration (as defined below), if any, with respect to such Company Stock Option.
(b) Each holder of a Company Stock Option shall receive from the Purchaser or the Parent, in respect and in consideration of each Company Stock Option so cancelled, promptly following the Effective Time (but in any event not later than 10 Business Days), an amount (net of applicable taxes) equal to the product of (i) the excess, if any, of (A) the Merger Consideration per share of Company Common Stock over (B) the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Stock Option, multiplied by (ii) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Stock Option (whether or not then vested or exercisable), without any interest thereon (the “Option Consideration”). In the event that the exercise price of any Company Stock Option is equal to or greater than the Merger Consideration, such Company Stock Option shall be cancelled, without any consideration being payable in respect thereof, and have no further force or effect.
(c) As soon as practicable following the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall mail to each Person who is a holder of Company Stock Options a letter describing the treatment of and payment for such Company Stock Options pursuant to this Section 2.9 and providing instructions for use in obtaining payment for such Company Stock Options, which letter shall be subject to the Parent’s prior review and comment. The Parent shall at all times from and after the Effective Time maintain sufficient liquid funds to satisfy its obligations to holders of Company Stock Options pursuant to this Section 2.9.
(d) Each Restricted Share granted pursuant to the Company Stock Plans outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become fully vested and free of any vesting or other lapse restrictions immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(e) If the Effective Time occurs on or before the “Exercise Date” relating to the applicable “Plan Period” in effect as of the date of this Agreement (as such terms are defined in the Company ESPP) and there are “Options” (as defined in the Company ESPP) then outstanding with respect to such Plan Period, the Company Board shall, prior to such Effective Time, take such actions as are necessary to provide that all outstanding Options shall be cancelled as of the Closing Date, provided that notice of such cancellation shall be given to each holder of an Option, and to the extent that such holder does not elect to withdraw his or her participation in the Company ESPP prior to the Effective Time, then such Option shall be deemed to have been exercised in full on the Closing Date based on payroll deductions then credited to his or her account as of a date determined by the Company Board, which date shall not be less than ten (10) days preceding the Closing Date. The Company Board shall terminate the Company ESPP prior to the Effective Time. No new “Plan Period” shall commence after the date of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, “Company ESPP” means the Company’s Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(f) As of the Effective Time, the Company Stock Plans shall terminate and all rights under any provision of any other plan, program or arrangement providing for the issuance or grant of any other interest in respect of the capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company shall be cancelled.
Equity Award The Executive will be eligible to receive equity awards, if any, at such times and on such terms and conditions as the Board shall, in its sole discretion, determine.
Equity-Based Awards (a) As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company (or, if appropriate, any committee thereof administering the Company Stock Plans) shall adopt such resolutions or use commercially reasonable efforts to take such other actions (including obtaining any required consents) as may be required to effect the following:
(i) (A) prior to the Effective Time, each outstanding unvested Company Stock Option shall automatically accelerate so that each such Company Stock Option shall become fully exercisable for all shares of Company Common Stock at the time subject to such Company Stock Option and may be exercised by the holder thereof for any or all of such shares and (B) upon the Effective Time, all outstanding Company Stock Options shall be canceled, with the holder of each Company Stock Option becoming entitled to receive, in full satisfaction of the rights of such holder with respect thereto, an amount in cash equal to (x) the excess, if any, of the per share Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Stock Option, multiplied by (y) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Stock Option; provided that all amounts payable pursuant to this clause (i) shall be subject to any required withholding of taxes or proof of eligibility for exemption therefrom and shall be paid at or as soon as practicable following the Effective Time, without interest;
(ii) each share of Company Restricted Stock shall be adjusted as necessary to provide that the restrictions on such share shall lapse at the Effective Time, and at the Effective Time, each share of Company Restricted Stock shall be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with Section 2.01(c), subject to any applicable withholding pursuant to Section 2.02(h); and
(iii) make such other changes to the Company Stock Plans as Parent and the Company may reasonably agree are appropriate to give effect to the Merger.
(b) Each provision in each Company Benefit Plan and Company Benefit Agreement providing for the issuance, transfer or grant of any shares of Company Common Stock or any Company Stock Options, Company Restricted Stock or any other interests in respect of any capital stock (including any "phantom" stock, stock appreciation rights or performance units) of the Company shall be deleted prior to the Effective Time, and the Company shall ensure that, following the Effective Time, there shall be no rights to acquire shares of Company Common Stock, Company Stock Options, Company Restricted Stock or any other interests in respect of any capital stock (including any "phantom" stock, stock appreciation rights or performance units) of the Company or the Surviving Corporation.
Stock Plans (a) At the Effective Time, the Stock Plans (other than the ESPP) and each Option which is outstanding thereunder immediately prior to the Effective Time (whether or not then vested or exercisable) shall, subject to Schedule 5.8(a), be assumed by Parent. Each such Option so assumed by Parent under this Agreement shall continue to have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Stock Plans and the stock option agreements, immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that (i) such Option will be exercisable for that number of whole Parent Ordinary Shares equal to the product of the number of shares of Company Common Stock that were issuable upon exercise of such Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Option Exchange Ratio and rounded down to the nearest whole number of Parent Ordinary Shares, and (ii) the per share exercise price for the Parent Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of such assumed Option will be equal to the quotient determined by dividing the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock at which such Option was exercisable immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Option Exchange Ratio, rounded up to the nearest whole cent. Except as set forth in Section 5.8 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Merger nor the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will terminate any of the outstanding Options under the Stock Plans or accelerate the exercisability or vesting of such Options or the Parent Ordinary Shares which will be subject to those Options upon Parent’s assumption of the Options in the Merger. It is the intention of the parties that the Options so assumed by Parent hereunder qualify, to the maximum extent permissible, following the Effective Time as “incentive stock options” as defined in Section 422 of the Code to the extent such Options qualified as incentive stock options prior to the Effective Time.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, (i) “Option Exchange Ratio” shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the Merger Consideration by the Parent Fair Market Value, and (ii) “Parent Fair Market Value” means the average closing selling price per share of Parent Ordinary Shares as quoted on the London Stock Exchange for the ten (10) trading days preceding the Closing Date (as converted to U.S. Dollars at the Currency Exchange Rate as quoted in the New York edition of The Wall Street Journal on the Effective Date).
No Equity Awards Except for grants pursuant to equity incentive plans disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company has not granted to any person or entity, a compensatory stock option or other compensatory equity-based award to purchase or receive common stock of the Company or OP Units of the Operating Partnership pursuant to an equity-based compensation plan or otherwise.
Annual Equity Awards (i) TCCC shall not grant any equity-based awards to any Continuing Employee from the date of this Agreement through the Closing other than equity-based awards made (A) to newly hired employees, within one year following the employee’s date of hire, that are in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with TCCC and the Nordic Companies’ past practice of compensating newly hired employees or (B) with the consent of CCE, which consent shall not be unreasonably, withheld, conditioned or delayed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that as of December 16, 2010, the parties reasonably determine that the Closing shall not occur prior to March 15, 2011, following consultation with CCE, TCCC may make grants of equity-based awards no later than March 15, 2011 to Continuing Employees that are in accordance with past practice and guidelines with respect to annual grants made most recently in February 2010 to the Continuing Employees and that do not have an aggregate value as of the grant date (based on a reasonable Black-Scholes valuation or grant date fair value methodology, as applicable, to be agreed upon between CCE and TCCC) that is greater than the aggregate value as of the grant date of the aggregate annual equity awards made by TCCC in February 2010 to the Continuing Employees.
(ii) To the extent that (x) the Closing occurs during the period beginning on October 15, 2010 and ending on December 15, 2010 (the “Interim Period”), and (y) CCE makes an annual grant of equity-based awards during such Interim Period to eligible CCE employees, Splitco shall make a grant of equity-based awards to the Continuing Employees immediately following the Closing Date, with such grant made in a manner consistent with TCCC’s target award levels, award ranges, and performance adjustment criteria employed in such February 2010 annual equity grant by TCCC; provided, however, that such grants shall only be made to those Continuing Employees who were eligible to receive an annual equity grant in February 2010, or would be eligible to receive an annual equity grant in February 2011; and provided, further, that, in no event shall such grant have an aggregate value as of the grant date (based on a reasonable Black-Scholes valuation or grant date fair value methodology, as applicable, to be agreed upon between TCCC and Splitco) that is greater than the aggregate value on the grant date of the aggregate annual equity awards made by TCCC in February 2010 to such employees.
(iii) To the extent that the Closing occurs after December 15, 2010, at such time after the Closing as Splitco makes its regular annual equity awards to its employees in 2011, Splitco shall provide equity-based awards to Continuing Employees who hold a position that was (or, in the case of a new hire, would have been) eligible to receive an equity grant from TCCC in 2010, having a substantially comparable value in the aggregate, for a comparable number of employees, as of the grant date (based on a reasonable Black-Scholes value for stock option grants and based on the grant date fair value for whole share-based awards) as awarded by TCCC to employees providing services to the Nordic Companies in February 2010, with such grant made in a manner consistent with TCCC’s target award levels, award ranges, and performance adjustment criteria employed in such February 2010 annual equity grant by TCCC; provided, however, that Splitco shall have no obligation to replicate the form of award or the terms and conditions of awards previously granted by TCCC, including, without limitation, the number of shares to be subject to such Splitco equity-based awards and the vesting conditions and exercise or purchase price of such Splitco equity-based awards.
Equity Plans Executive shall be entitled to participate in any equity or other employee benefit plan that is generally available to senior executive officers, as distinguished from general management, of the Company. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Executive’s participation in and benefits under any such plan shall be on the terms and subject to the conditions specified in the governing document of the particular plan.
