The Valspar Corporation 4.200% Notes due 2022 Underwriting Agreement

Exhibit 1.1

$400,000,000

The Valspar Corporation

4.200% Notes due 2022

Underwriting Agreement

January 10, 2012

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

As representatives of the several underwriters
named in Schedule I hereto

c/o	Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Valspar Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you (the “Representatives”) are acting as representatives, $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.200% Notes due 2022 (the “Securities”), to be issued under a fourth supplemental indenture dated as of the Closing Date among the Company, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Original Trustee”) and U.S. Bank, N.A., as series trustee (the “Trustee”), supplementing that certain indenture, dated as of April 24, 2002, between the Company and the Original Trustee, as successor trustee (as supplemented to date, the “Indenture”). To the extent there are no additional Underwriters listed on Schedule I other than you, the term Representatives as used herein shall mean you, as Underwriters, and the terms Representatives and Underwriters shall mean either the singular or plural as the context requires.

Certain terms used herein are defined in Section 20 hereof.

Section 1. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each Underwriter as set forth below in this Section 1.

(a) The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Act and has prepared and filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement, as defined in Rule 405 (Registration No. 333-178948) on Form S-3, including a related Base Prospectus, for registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. Such Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto filed prior to the Execution Time, became effective upon filing and no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Act has been received by the Company. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act against the Company or related to the offering has been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission. The Company may have filed with the Commission, as part of an amendment to the Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 424(b), one or more preliminary prospectus supplements relating to the Securities, each of which has previously been furnished to you. The Company will file with the Commission a final prospectus supplement relating to the Securities in accordance with Rule 424(b). As filed, such final prospectus supplement shall contain all information required by the Act and the rules thereunder, and, except to the extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the Base Prospectus and any Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein. The Registration Statement, at the Execution Time, meets the requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(x).

Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the Exchange Act on or before the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.

(b) On each Effective Date, the Registration Statement did, and when the Final Prospectus is first filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date (as defined herein), the Final Prospectus (and any supplement thereto) will, comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act, the Exchange Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the respective rules thereunder; on each Effective Date and at the Execution Time, the Registration Statement did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date the Indenture did or will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and the rules thereunder; and on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date, the Final Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to (i) that part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee or (ii) the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(c) The Disclosure Package and each electronic road show when taken together as a whole with the Disclosure Package, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(d) (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), (iii) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c)) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption in Rule 163, and (iv) at the Execution Time (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (iv)), the Company was or is (as the case may be) a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405. The Company agrees to pay the fees required by the Commission relating to the Securities within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).

(e) (i) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Securities and (ii) as of the Execution Time (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (ii)), the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.

(f) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto does not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated therein by reference and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(g) The documents incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, when filed with the Commission, conformed or will conform, as the case may be, in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and, when read together with the other information in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, did not or will not, as the case may be, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(h) The Company and its subsidiaries employ disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is properly and effectively recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules, regulations and forms promulgated by the Commission and is properly and effectively accumulated and communicated to the Company’s officers, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(i) The Company’s historical financial statements and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of their operations and the changes in their consolidated cash flows for the periods specified; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, except as described in the notes to such financial statements; and the other historical financial information of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly, in all material respects, the information shown thereby.

(j) The Company and its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls designed to provided reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for material assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any material differences.

(k) Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, (i) there has not been any material change in the capital stock of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (except for (A) any subsequent issuances of capital stock pursuant to the exercise of outstanding stock options or under existing officer, director or employee benefit plans and options granted under, or contracts or commitments pursuant to, existing stock option or officer, director or employee benefit plans and (B) any repurchases of common stock pursuant to stock repurchase programs approved by the Company’s Board of Directors) or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock (other than regular cash dividends consistent with past practice), or any material adverse change in or affecting the business, properties, financial position or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or agreement that is material to the Company and subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

(l) The Company and each of its significant subsidiaries set forth on Schedule II hereto (each a “Significant Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Significant Subsidiaries”) have been duly organized and are validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, and have all corporate, or such other comparable, power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct their respective businesses as disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial position, results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Securities (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

(m) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus under the heading “Capitalization” (except for (1) any subsequent issuances of capital stock pursuant to the exercise of outstanding stock options or under existing officer, director or employee benefit plans and options granted under, or contracts or commitments pursuant to, existing stock option or officer, director or employee benefit plans and (2) any repurchases of common stock pursuant to stock repurchase programs approved by the Company’s Board of Directors); and all the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each Significant Subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party (except, (A) in the case of any foreign subsidiary, for directors’ qualifying shares, and (B) except as otherwise disclosed in or contemplated by the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus).

(n) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights or remedies generally and by equitable principles relating to enforceability, including principles of good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity) (collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”); and the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

(o) The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the Indenture and paid for as provided herein, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(p) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(q) Each of this Agreement, the Securities and the Indenture (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”) conforms or will conform, as the case may be, in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

(r) Neither (i) the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries is in violation of its charter, by-laws or similar organizational documents, (ii) the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject or (iii) the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clause (ii) or (iii) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(s) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents, the issuance and sale of the Securities and compliance by the Company with the terms thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter, by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(t) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents, the issuance and sale of the Securities and compliance by the Company with the terms thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as have been obtained or made or may be required under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and resale of the Securities by the Underwriters.

(u) Except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, suits or proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and to the knowledge of the Company, no such investigations, actions, suits or proceedings are threatened by any governmental or regulatory authority or others.

(v) Ernst & Young LLP, which has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of Rule 101 of the Code of Professional Conduct of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its interpretations and rulings thereunder.

(w) Except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple (in the case of real property) or good and marketable title (in the case of personal property) to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real and personal property that are material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims and defects and imperfections of title except those that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries or (ii) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(x) Except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, (i) the Company and its subsidiaries own, possess or can acquire on reasonable terms adequate rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service xxxx registrations, copyrights, licenses and know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”) necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, except any such failures to own or possess the right to use such Intellectual Property Rights that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the conduct of their respective businesses does not conflict in any material respect with any Intellectual Property Rights of others, except any such conflicts that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) the Company and its subsidiaries have not received any actual notice of any claim of infringement of or conflict with the asserted Intellectual Property Rights of others, except any such claims that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(y) The Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole carry or are entitled to the benefits of insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, including business interruption insurance, which insurance is in such amounts and insures against such losses and risks as are customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries as the Company and its subsidiaries.

(z) The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all tax returns material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole required to be filed through the date hereof and paid all taxes shown as due on such returns as filed, except for taxes being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and except as otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there is no tax deficiency material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole that has been, or would reasonably be expected to be, asserted against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets.

(aa) The Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received actual notice of any revocation or modification of any such license, certificate, permit or authorization, except any such revocations or modifications that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(bb) No labor disturbance by or imminent dispute with employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is contemplated or threatened, except any such disturbances or disputes that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(cc) Except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, (i) there is not any and there has been no storage, generation, transportation, handling, treatment, disposal, discharge, emission or other release of any kind of toxic or other wastes or other hazardous substances (“Hazardous Substances”) by, due to, or caused by the Company or any subsidiary (or any other entity for whose acts or omissions the Company is or may be liable) upon any property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or any subsidiary, or upon any other property, except in compliance with any applicable Environmental Laws (defined below), and (ii) Hazardous Substances are not otherwise present at any property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or any subsidiary, which in the case of either (i) or (ii) would be a violation of or give rise to any liability under any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit relating to pollution or protection of human health and the environment (“Environmental Law”), except in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, any action or circumstance that (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, neither the Company nor any subsidiary has agreed to assume, undertake or provide indemnification for any liability of any other person under any Environmental Law, including any obligation for cleanup or remedial action, except any such assumption, undertaking or provision that (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial action, claim or notice of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any subsidiary, except such actions, claims, notices of noncompliance, violations, investigations and proceedings that (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(dd) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), that is required to comply with ERISA and that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any of its affiliates for employees or former employees of the Company and its affiliates has been maintained in all material respects in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable laws, statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); and no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any such plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption, except for any such failures to comply and prohibited transactions that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, (i) for each such plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, the minimum funding standards of Section 412 of the Code have been satisfied, no waiver of those minimum funding standards has been granted and none of the Company or any of its affiliates has requested a funding waiver; and (ii) for each such plan that is subject to those funding rules and is a defined benefit plan (as defined in Section 414(j) of the Code), the funding target attainment percentage of the plan is not below 100%, as determined under Section 430 of the Code and as most recently certified by the plan’s actuaries, by any amount that, including the matters described in both clauses (i) and (ii), individually or in the aggregate is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. For purposes of this clause (dd), the term “affiliate” shall mean any entity that is treated with the Company as a single employer pursuant to Sections 414(b), (c) or (m) of the Code.

(ee) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of the Commission adopted pursuant thereto as such rules and regulations currently apply to the Company (collectively, the “Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act”). There is and has been no failure on the part of any of the Company’s officers or directors, in their capacities as such, to comply with any applicable provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act, except such failures as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(ff) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(gg) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, “Investment Company Act”).

(hh) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, has (i) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds, (ii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or (iii) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment, except in each case as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ii) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against any of them or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.

(jj) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

Section 2. Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at 99.204% of the principal amount thereof the respective principal amounts of the Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule I hereto.

Section 3. Delivery and Payment. Delivery of and payment for the Securities shall be made at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on January 13, 2012, or at such time on such later date not more than three Business Days after the foregoing date as the Representatives shall designate, which date and time may be postponed by agreement between the Representatives and the Company or as provided in Section 9 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Securities being herein called the “Closing Date”). Delivery of the Securities shall be made to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Company by wire transfer payable in same-day funds to an account specified by the Company. Delivery of the Securities shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

Section 4. Offering by Underwriters. It is understood that the several Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale to the public as set forth in the Final Prospectus.

Section 5. Agreements. The Company agrees with the several Underwriters that:

(a) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, the Company will not file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement (including the Final Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus) to the Base Prospectus unless the Company has furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object. The Company will cause the Final Prospectus, properly completed, and any supplement thereto to be filed in a form approved by the Representatives with the Commission pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Representatives of such timely filing. The Company will promptly advise the Representatives (i) when the Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if required) with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), (ii) when, prior to termination of the offering of the Securities, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become effective, (iii) of any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment of the Registration Statement, or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or for any supplement to the Final Prospectus or for any additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice objecting to its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the occurrence of any such suspension or objection to the use of the Registration Statement and, upon such issuance, occurrence or notice of objection, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal of such stop order or relief from such occurrence or objection, including, if necessary, by filing an amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement and using its best efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.

(b) To prepare a final term sheet, containing solely a description of final terms of the Securities and the offering thereof, in the form approved by you and substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and to file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) within the time required by such Rule.

(c) If, at any time prior to the filing of the Final Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b), any event occurs as a result of which the Disclosure Package would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or the circumstances then prevailing not misleading, the Company will (i) notify promptly the Representatives so that any use of the Disclosure Package may cease until it is amended or supplemented, (ii) amend or supplement the Disclosure Package to correct such statement or omission and (iii) supply any amendment or supplement to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

(d) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), any event occurs as a result of which the Final Prospectus as then supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made at such time not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement, file a new registration statement or supplement the Final Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder, including in connection with use or delivery of the Final Prospectus, the Company promptly will (i) notify the Representatives of any such event, (ii) prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 5, an amendment or supplement or new registration statement which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance, (iii) use its best efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable in order to avoid any disruption in use of the Final Prospectus and (iv) supply any supplemented Final Prospectus to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

(e) As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives an earnings statement or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158.

(f) The Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and to each other Underwriter a copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), as many copies of each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request. The Company will pay the expenses of printing or other production of all documents relating to the offering.

(g) The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities; provided that in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Securities, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.

(h) The Company agrees that, unless it has or shall have obtained the prior written consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company that, unless it has or shall have obtained, as the case may be, the prior written consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433, other than a free writing prospectus containing the information contained in the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule III hereto and any electronic road show. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representatives or the Company is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company agrees that (x) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (y) it has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.

(i) The Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Company or any affiliate of the Company or any person in privity with the Company or any affiliate of the Company), directly or indirectly establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company (other than the Securities) or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction, until the date that is 30 days after the Closing Date.

(j) The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(k) The Company agrees to pay the costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder, including all costs and expenses relating to the following matters: (i) the preparation, printing or reproduction and filing with the Commission of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to any of them, (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Securities, including any stamp or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of the Securities, (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, any blue sky memorandum and all other agreements or documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the Securities, (v) any registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of the several states as the Representatives may reasonably designate (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such registration and qualification), (vi) any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such filings), (vii) the transportation and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of Company representatives in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Securities, (viii) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the Company and (ix) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.

Section 6. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Securities shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company contained herein as of the Execution Time and the Closing Date, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) The Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); the final term sheet contemplated by Section 5(b) hereto, and any other material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened.

(b) The Company shall have requested and caused Xxxx Xxxx, Esq., the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Brand, LLP, outside counsel for the Company, to have furnished to the Representatives their opinions, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, to the effect set forth in Exhibits B and C hereto.

(c) On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, Ernst & Young LLP shall have furnished to the Underwriters letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the Company’s financial statements and certain financial information of the Company contained or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus; provided that each letter shall use a “cut-off” date no more than three business days prior to the date of such letter.

(d) Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof) and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (c) of this Section 6 or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto) the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof), the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(e) Subsequent to the Execution Time, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any of the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act) or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or of a possible change in any such rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change.

(f) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further information, certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 shall be delivered at the office of Xxxxx Xxxxx LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, at 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, on the Closing Date.

Section 7. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses. If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, because of any termination pursuant to Section 10 hereof or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters severally through Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. on demand for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been reasonably incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

Section 8. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration statement for the registration of the Securities as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or any other preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Securities, the Final Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the information contained in the final term sheet required to be prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have. The Company acknowledges that the statements set forth (i) in the last paragraph of the cover page regarding delivery of the Securities and (ii) under the heading “Underwriting” (A) the list of Underwriters and their respective participation in the sale of the Securities, (B) the sentences related to concessions and reallowances and (C) the sentences related to stabilization, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in any Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several Underwriters for inclusion in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of a single separate counsel for the indemnified parties (in addition to local counsel) if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 8 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters severally agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending the same) (collectively “Losses”) to which the Company and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and by the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities; provided, however, that in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters severally shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by it, and benefits received by the Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and commissions, in each case as set forth on the cover page of the Final Prospectus. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 8, each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of an Underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

Section 9. Default by an Underwriter. If any one or more Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided, however, that in the event that the aggregate principal amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth in Schedule I hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Securities, and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter or the Company. In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 9, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding five Business Days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the Company and any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

Section 10. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on the New York Stock Exchange or the over-the-counter market, (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium or material disruption shall have occurred in commercial banking activities or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets or any calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the judgment of the Representatives, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

Section 11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive. The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or any of the officers, directors, employees, agents or controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

Section 12. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to the Underwriters c/o Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention: Debt Capital Markets Syndicate Desk, fax: (000) 000-0000; c/o Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., Attention: Capital Markets Group, fax: (646) 434−3455 and confirmed to Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc. at 0000 Xxxxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention: Capital Markets Group; and c/o U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., 000 X. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Debt Capital Markets, fax: (000) 000-0000. Notices to the Company shall be given to it at: The Valspar Corporation, 000 0xx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxx Xxxx, fax: (000) 000-0000, telephone: (000) 000-0000.

Section 13. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers, directors, employees, agents and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

Section 14. No Fiduciary Duty. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Securities (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person. Additionally, no Underwriter is advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by the Underwriters of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the Company.

Section 15. Integration. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 16. Applicable Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York.

Section 17. Waiver of Jury Trial. The Company hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 19. Headings. The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 20. Definitions. The terms that follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated.

“Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Base Prospectus” shall mean the base prospectus referred to in paragraph 1(a) above contained in the Registration Statement at the Execution Time.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.

“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Base Prospectus, (ii) the Preliminary Prospectus used most recently prior to the Execution Time, (iii) the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule III hereto, (iv) the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto, if any, and (v) any other Free Writing Prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package.

“Effective Date” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto became or becomes effective.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Execution Time” shall mean 2:25p.m. New York City time on the date hereof.

“Final Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that was first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) after the Execution Time, together with the Base Prospectus.

“Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.

“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433.

“Preliminary Prospectus” shall mean any preliminary prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus referred to in paragraph 1(a) above which is used prior to the filing of the Final Prospectus, together with the Base Prospectus.

“Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement referred to in paragraph 1(a) above, including exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B, as amended on each Effective Date and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto becomes effective prior to the Closing Date, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended.

“Rule 158,” “Rule 163,” “Rule 164,” “Rule 172,” “Rule 405,” “Rule 415,” “Rule 424,” “Rule 430B” and “Rule 433” refer to such rules under the Act.

“Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Well-Known Seasoned Issuer” shall mean a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405.

[Signatures appear on next page]

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters.

	Very truly yours,

	THE VALSPAR CORPORATION

	By:
		Name:
		Title:

The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed
and accepted as of the date first set forth above

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

By:
	Name:
	Title:

By:
	Name:
	Title:

MITSUBISHI UFJ SECURITIES (USA), INC.

By:
	Name:
	Title:

U.S. BANCORP INVESTMENTS, INC.

By:
	Name:
	Title:

For themselves and the other several Underwriters, if any,
named in Schedule I to the foregoing Agreement.

SCHEDULE I

Underwriters	Principal Amount of Notes due 2022 to be Purchased

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.	$	80,000,000
Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.		80,000,000
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.		80,000,000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co.		28,000,000
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated		28,000,000
Xxxxx Fargo Securities, LLC		28,000,000
ANZ Securities, Inc.		18,000,000
PNC Capital Markets LLC		18,000,000
ING Financial Markets LLC		12,000,000
Lloyds Securities Inc.		12,000,000
Comerica Securities, Inc.		8,000,000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.		8,000,000
Total	$	400,000,000

I-1

SCHEDULE II

List of Significant Subsidiaries

Engineered Polymer Solutions, Inc.

Valspar Finance Corporation

Valspar Coatings Finance Corporation

Valspar Sourcing, Inc.

Valspar Credit Corporation

The Valspar (Asia) Corporation Limited

Guangdong Huarun Paints Company Limited

Valspar Coatings (Guangdong) Co., Ltd.

Valspar Yueda Coating (Foshan) Co., Ltd.

Wattyl Australia Pty Ltd.

Wattyl Australia Group Pty Ltd.

II-1

SCHEDULE III

Schedule of Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Disclosure Package

None.

III-1

Exhibit A

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration No. 333-178948

Supplementing the Preliminary Prospectus

Supplement dated January 10, 2012

(To Prospectus dated January 10, 2012)

$400,000,000

The Valspar Corporation
4.200% Senior Notes due 2022

Final Term Sheet

January 10, 2012

Issuer:	The Valspar Corporation
Type of Offering:	SEC Registered (No. 333-178948)
Listing:	None
Trade Date:	January 10, 2012
Settlement Date (T+3):	January 13, 2012
Title of Securities:	4.200% Senior Notes due 0000
Xxxxxxxxx Principal Amount Offered:	$400,000,000
Maturity Date:	January 15, 2022
Interest Payment Dates:	Semi-annually on January 15 and July 15, beginning on July 15, 2012
Coupon (Interest Rate):	4.200% per annum
Price to Public (Issue Price):	99.854% of principal amount
Yield to Maturity:	4.218%
Benchmark Treasury:	UST 2.00% due November 15, 2021
Benchmark Treasury Price and Yield:	100-9; 1.968%
Spread to Benchmark Treasury:	2.25% (225 basis points)
Optional Redemption:	The Notes will be redeemable at the Issuer’s option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, prior to October 15, 2021, at a redemption price equal to (A) the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of such Notes and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) on such Notes discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury Rate plus 0.30% (30 basis points), plus (B) accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date. At any time on or after October 15, 2021, the Notes will be redeemable, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at the Issuer’s option at par plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the redemption date.
Change of Control Offer:	If a “change of control repurchase event” occurs, the Issuer will be required, subject to certain conditions, to offer to repurchase the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date (all as described in the Issuer’s Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated January 10, 2012 relating to the Notes).
Denominations:	$2,000 x $1,000
CUSIP/ISIN Number:	920355 AG9 / US920355AG93
Joint Book-Running Managers:	Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc. U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

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Co-Managers:	Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co. Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated Xxxxx Fargo Securities, LLC ANZ Securities, Inc. PNC Capital Markets LLC ING Financial Markets LLC Lloyds Securities Inc. Comerica Securities, Inc. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

Conflicts of Interest:	A portion of the proceeds from this offering will be used to repay borrowings under our commercial paper program. Affiliates of certain of the co-managers are dealers under the commercial paper program and may receive an amount in excess of 5% of the net proceeds from this offering. Such payments constitute a “conflict of interest” under Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Because the notes offered hereby are investment grade rated, no “qualified independent underwriter” is required to be appointed in connection with the offering. However, as required by FINRA Rule 5121, no sale of the notes offered hereby will be made by any affected underwriter to an account over which it exercises discretion without the prior specific written consent of the account holder.

The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the Issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting the SEC website at xxx.xxx.xxx. Alternatively, the Issuer, or any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering, will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. toll-free at 1-800-503-4611, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc. toll-free at 1−877−649−6848 or U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. toll-free at 1−877−558−2607.

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Exhibit B

[Form of Opinion of Xxxx Xxxx, Esq.]

1. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus. The Company is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the ownership or lease of its property or the conduct of its businesses requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

2. Each of the Significant Subsidiaries of the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, except where any failure would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All the outstanding shares of capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, and (except (i) as otherwise set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus or (ii) in the case of any foreign subsidiary, with respect to directors’ qualifying shares) all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Significant Subsidiaries of the Company are owned by the Company either directly or through wholly owned subsidiaries free and clear of any perfected security interest and, to the knowledge of such counsel, after due inquiry, any other security interest, claim, lien or encumbrance, except that Guangdong Huarun Paints Company Limited, Valspar Coatings (Guangdong) Co., Ltd. and Valspar Yueda Coating (Foshan) Co., Ltd. are wholly owned subsidiaries of Hua Run Paints Holding Company Limited, a subsidiary of which the Company owns in excess of 98% of the outstanding capital stock.

3. The Company’s authorized equity capitalization is as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

4. The issue and sale of the Securities by the Company, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture will not breach or result in a default under any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action violate the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company.

5. The issue and sale of the Securities by the Company, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture will not violate any order known to such counsel issued pursuant to any federal or Minnesota law, statute or the Delaware General Corporation Law by any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties.

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6. There is no pending or, to my knowledge, threatened action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or its or their property that is not adequately disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, except in each case for such proceedings that, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

7. To my knowledge, (a) there are no statutes or pending or threatened legal or governmental proceedings that are required to be described in the Registration Statement that are not described as required in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and (b) there is no contract or other document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or Final Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit thereto, which is not described or filed as required.

In addition, such counsel or deputy counsel shall state that he has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, its outside counsel and accountants and representatives of the Underwriters and their counsel, at which conferences he discussed the contents of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and related matters and, although he is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts have come to his attention that lead him to believe that (i) the Registration Statement, at the most recent time of effectiveness with respect to the Underwriters as determined pursuant to Rule 430B, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; (ii) the Final Prospectus, as of its date or at the Closing Date contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (iii) the Disclosure Package, as of the Execution Time, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (except that such counsel in such statement need express no view as to (i) financial statements, financial statement schedules and other financial information therein or (ii) that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee).

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Exhibit C

[Form of Opinion of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Brand, LLP]

1. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

2. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming that the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights or remedies generally and by equitable principles relating to enforceability, including principles of good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity) (collectively, the "Enforceability Exceptions”). The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

3. The Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authentication thereof by the Trustee, constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

4. The issue and sale of the Securities by the Company, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, will not violate any federal, New York (assuming that New York law is the same as Minnesota law) or Minnesota law or statute or the Delaware General Corporation Law or any rule or regulation that has been issued pursuant to any federal, New York (assuming that New York law is the same as Minnesota law) or Minnesota law, statute or the Delaware General Corporation Law.

5. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any U.S. federal, New York (assuming that New York law is the same as Minnesota law), Minnesota or Delaware governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company, and the compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company and the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters.

6. The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

7. The statements made in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus under the captions “Description of the Notes” and “Description of Debt Securities,” insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of certain terms of documents referred to therein, constitute accurate summaries of the terms of such documents in all material respects.

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8. The documents incorporated by reference into the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, when filed with the Commission, complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

9. The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act; any required filing of the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, and any supplements thereto, pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); and to the knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or threatened.

10. The Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus (other than (i) the financial statements, financial statement schedules and other financial information contained therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion and (ii) that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee) comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the respective rules thereunder.

In addition, such counsel shall state that they have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, and representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company and representatives of the Underwriters and their counsel at which conferences they made inquiries of such officers, representatives and accountants and discussed the contents of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and related matters and, although they are not passing upon and do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus except as set forth in paragraph 7 above, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts have come to their attention that lead them to believe that (i) the Registration Statement, at the most recent time of effectiveness with respect to the Underwriters as determined pursuant to Rule 430B, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; (ii) the Final Prospectus, as of its date or at the Closing Date contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (iii) the Disclosure Package, as of the Execution Time, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (except that such counsel in such statement need express no view as to (i) financial statements, financial statement schedules and other financial information therein or (ii) that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee).

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The Valspar Corporation 4.200% Notes due 2022 Underwriting Agreement

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