Exhibit 99.2
[JPMorgan Logo Omitted]
November 15, 2005
From: |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, National Association 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX Xxxxxxx |
From: |
X.X.
Xxxxxx Securities Inc., Solely as Agent tel: (000) 000-0000 fax: (000) 000-0000 |
Dear Sirs,
The purpose of this letter agreement
(this “Confirmation”) is to confirm the terms and conditions of the transaction
entered into between us on the Trade Date specified below (the “Transaction”).
This Confirmation constitutes a “Confirmation” as referred to in the ISDA Master
Agreement specified below.
1. |
The definitions and provisions contained in the 2000 ISDA Definitions (the
“2000 Definitions”) and the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions
(the “2002 Definitions” and, together with the 2000 Definitions, the
“Definitions”), each as published by the International Swaps and
Derivatives Association, Inc., are incorporated into this Confirmation. In the
event of any inconsistency between the 2002 Definitions and the 2000
Definitions, the 2002 Definitions will govern. In the event of any inconsistency
between the Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will govern. |
|
This
Confirmation evidences a complete and binding agreement between Party A and Party B as to
the terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. This Confirmation shall
supplement, form a part of, and be subject to an agreement in the form of the 2002 ISDA
Master Agreement (the “Agreement”) as if Party A and Party B had executed an
agreement in such form on the Trade Date (but without any Schedule except for the election
of (i) the laws of the State of New York as the governing law and (ii) United States
dollars as the Termination Currency). In the event of any inconsistency between provisions
of that Agreement and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of
the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. The parties hereby agree that no
Transaction other than the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates shall be
governed by the Agreement. For purposes of the 2002 Definitions, the Transaction is a
Share Forward Transaction. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
1
|
Party
A and Party B each represents to the other that it has entered into this Transaction in
reliance upon such tax, accounting, regulatory, legal, and financial advice as it deems
necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other. |
2. |
The
terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as
follows: |
|
Party A: |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, London Branch |
|
Trade Date: |
November 15, 2005 |
|
Effective Date: |
November 21, 2005 |
|
Base Amount: |
Initially, 2,700,000 Shares; provided that, as of each day immediately following
any Settlement Date, the Base Amount shall be reduced by the number of Settlement Shares
for such Settlement Date. |
|
Maturity Date: |
November 21, 2006 (or, if such date is not a Scheduled Trading Day, the next following
Scheduled Trading Day); provided that if the Maturity Date is a Disrupted Day,
then the Maturity Date shall be the first succeeding Scheduled Trading Day that is not a
Disrupted Day. |
|
Forward Price: |
On the Effective Date, the Initial Forward Price, and on any other day, the Forward Price
as of the immediately preceding calendar day multiplied by the sum of (i) 1 and (ii)
the Daily Rate for such day; provided that on each Forward Price Reduction Date,
the Forward Price in effect on such date shall be the Forward Price otherwise in effect
on such date minus the Forward Price Reduction Amount for such Forward Price Reduction
Date. |
|
Initial Forward
Price: |
$51.955, which is equal to the offering price per Share
minus the underwriting commission
(each as determined in the
Underwriting Agreement). |
|
Daily Rate: |
For any day, (i)(A) USD-Federal Funds Rate for such day
minus (B) the Spread divided by (ii)
365. |
|
USD–Federal Funds
Rate |
For any day,the rate set forth for such day opposite the caption “Federal
funds”, as such rate is displayed on the page “FedsOpen <Index> <GO>” on
the BLOOMBERG Professional Service, or any successor page; provided that if no
rate appears for any day on such page, the rate for the immediately preceding day for
which a rate appears shall be used for such day. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
2
|
Forward Price
Reduction Date: |
November 30, 2005, February 28, 2006, May 31, 2006, and
August 31, 2006. |
|
Forward Price
Reduction Amount: |
For each Forward Price Reduction Date, the Forward Price
Reduction Amount set forth opposite
such date in Schedule I. |
|
Shares: |
Common
Stock, $1.00 par value per share, of Party B (also
referred to herein as the
“Issuer”) (Exchange identifier: “WPS”). |
|
Related Exchange(s): |
All Exchanges. |
|
Calculation Agent: |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association. |
|
Settlement Date: |
Any
Scheduled Trading Day following the Effective Date and up to and including the Maturity
Date, as designated by Party B in a written notice (a “Settlement Notice”) that
satisfies the Settlement Notice Requirements and is delivered to Party A at least (i)
three Scheduled Trading Days prior to such Settlement Date, which may be the Maturity
Date, if Physical Settlement applies, and (ii) 90 Scheduled Trading Days prior to such
Settlement Date, which may be the Maturity Date, if Cash Settlement applies; provided that
(i) the Maturity Date shall be a Settlement Date if on such date the Base Amount is
greater than zero, (ii) if Cash Settlement applies and Party A shall have fully unwound
its hedge during an Unwind Period by a date that is more than three Scheduled Trading
Days prior to a Settlement Date specified above, Party A may, upon a three Business Days’ prior
written notice to Party B, specify any Scheduled Trading Day prior to such originally
specified Settlement Date as the Settlement Date, (iii) if any Settlement Date specified
above is not an Exchange Business Day, such Settlement Date shall instead be the next
Exchange Business Day and (iv) the Settlement Date may be modified as provided under
“Unwind Period” below. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Xxxxxxxxx
0
|
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx: |
With respect to any Settlement Date, a number of Shares, not to exceed the Base Amount,
designated as such by Party B in the related Settlement Notice; provided that on
the Maturity Date the number of Settlement Shares shall be equal to the Base Amount on
such date. |
|
Settlement: |
Physical
Settlement or Cash Settlement, at the election of Party B as set forth in a Settlement
Notice that satisfies the Settlement Notice Requirements; provided that Physical
Settlement shall apply (i) if no Settlement Method is validly selected, (ii) with respect
to any Settlement Shares in respect of which Party A is unable, in its reasonable
judgment, to unwind its hedge by the end of the Unwind Period in a manner that, in the
judgment of Party A, is consistent with the requirements for qualifying for the safe
harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act or due to the lack of sufficient
liquidity in the Shares on any Scheduled Trading Day during the Unwind Period or (iii) to
any Termination Settlement Date (as defined below under “Termination Settlement”). |
|
Settlement Notice Requirements: |
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, a Settlement Notice delivered by Party B that
specifies Cash Settlement will not be effective to establish a Settlement Date or require
Cash Settlement unless Party B delivers to Party A with such Settlement Notice a
representation signed by Party B substantially in the form: “As of the date of this
Settlement Notice, Party B is not aware of any material nonpublic information concerning
itself or the Shares, and is designating the date contained herein as a Settlement Date in
good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with the federal
securities laws.” |
|
Unwind Period: |
Each Exchange Business Day that is not a Disrupted Day during the period from and
including the first Exchange Business Day following the date Party B validly elects Cash
Settlement in respect of a Settlement Date through the third Scheduled Trading Day
preceding such Settlement Date; subject to “Termination Settlement” below. |
|
Exchange Act: |
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. |
|
Physical Settlement: |
On any Settlement Date in respect of which Physical Settlement applies, Party B shall
deliver to Party A the Settlement Shares for such Settlement Date, and Party A shall
deliver to Party B, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated by Party B, an amount in cash equal to the Physical Settlement Amount for such
Settlement Date, on a delivery versus payment basis. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
4
|
Physical Settlement
Amount: |
For any Settlement Date in respect of which Physical Settlement applies, an
amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the Forward Price on such Settlement Date and
(ii) the number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement Date. |
|
Cash Settlement: |
On any Settlement Date in respect of which Cash Settlement applies, if the Cash
Settlement Amount for such Settlement Date is a positive number, Party A will pay such
Cash Settlement Amount to Party B. If the Cash Settlement Amount is a negative number,
Party B will pay the absolute value of such Cash Settlement Amount to Party A. Such
amounts shall be paid on the Settlement Date. |
|
Cash Settlement
Amount: |
For any Settlement Date in respect of which Cash Settlement applies, an amount
determined by the Calculation Agent equal to the difference between (1) the product of
(i) (A) the Forward Price on the first day of the applicable Unwind Period minus (B)
the average 10b-18 VWAP per Share during such Unwind Period, multiplied by(ii) the
number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement Date, minus (2) the product of (i)
the Forward Price Reduction Amount for any Forward Price Reduction Date that occurs
during such Unwind Period multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares with respect to
which Party A has not unwound its hedge as of such Forward Price Reduction Date. |
|
10b-18 VWAP: |
For any Exchange Business Day during the Unwind Period which is not a Disrupted Day, the
volume-weighted average price at which the Shares trade as reported in the composite
transactions for the Exchange on such Exchange Business Day, excluding (i) trades that do
not settle regular way, (ii) opening (regular way) reported trades on the Exchange on
such Exchange Business Day, (iii) trades that occur in the last ten minutes before the
scheduled close of trading on the Exchange on such Exchange Business Day and ten minutes
before the scheduled close of the primary trading in the market where the trade is
effected, and (iv) trades on such Exchange Business Day that do not satisfy the
requirements of Rule 10b-18(b)(3), as determined in good faith by the Calculation Agent.
Party B acknowledges that Party A may refer to the Bloomberg Page “WPS <Equity>AQR
SEC” (or any successor thereto), in its discretion, for such Exchange Business Day
to determine the 10b-18 VWAP. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
5
|
Settlement Currency: |
USD. |
|
Failure to Deliver: |
Inapplicable. |
|
Method of
Adjustment: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment; notwithstanding anything in the 2002
Definitions to the contrary, the Calculation Agent may make an adjustment pursuant to
Calculation Agent Adjustment to any one or more of the Base Amount, the Forward Price and
any other variable relevant to the settlement or payment terms of the Transaction. |
|
Additional Adjustment: |
If, in Party A’s sole reasonable judgment, the actual cost to Party A, over any one
month period, of borrowing a number of Shares equal to the Base Amount to hedge its
exposure to the Transaction exceeds a weighted average rate equal to 75 basis points per
annum, the Calculation Agent shall reduce the Forward Price in order to compensate
Party A for the amount by which such cost exceeded a weighted average rate equal to 75
basis points per annum during such period. The Calculation Agent shall notify
Party B prior to making any such adjustment to the Forward Price and, upon the request of
Party B, Party A shall provide an itemized list of its stock loan costs for the
applicable one month period. |
|
Payments to
Party A: |
To be advised under separate cover or telephone confirmed prior to each
Settlement Date. |
|
Payments to
Party B: |
To be advised under separate cover or telephone confirmed prior to each
Settlement Date. |
|
Delivery of
Shares to Party A: |
To be advised. |
|
Delivery of
Shares to Party B: |
To be advised. |
3.
Other Provisions:
|
Conditions
to Effectiveness: |
|
The
effectiveness of this Confirmation on the Effective Date shall be subject to (i) the
condition that the representations and warranties of Party B contained in the
Underwriting Agreement dated the date hereof among Party B, Party A and X.X. Xxxxxx
Securities Inc. as Representative of the Several Underwriters (the “Underwriting
Agreement”) and any certificate delivered pursuant thereto by Party B are true and
correct on the Effective Date as if made as of the Effective Date, (ii) the condition
that Party B have performed all of the obligations required to be performed by it under
the Underwriting Agreement on or prior to the Effective Date, (iii) the satisfaction of
all of the conditions set forth in Section 6 of the Underwriting Agreement (including,
without limitation, delivery of additional opinions with respect to any regulatory issues)and
(iv) the condition that neither of the following has occurred (A) Party A is unable to
borrow and deliver for sale a number of Shares equal to the Base Amount, or (B) in Party A’s
sole reasonable judgment either it is impracticable to do so or Party A would incur a
stock loan cost of more than a rate equal to 75 basis points per annum to do so
(in which event this Confirmation shall be effective but the Base Amount for this
Transaction shall be the number of Shares Party A is required to deliver in accordance
with Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement). |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
6
|
Representations
and Agreements of Party B: |
|
Party
B (i) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business affairs as to be
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of entering into this Transaction; (ii) has
consulted with its own legal, financial, accounting and tax advisors in connection with
this Transaction; and (iii) is entering into this Transaction for a bona fide business
purpose. |
|
Party
B is not and has not been the subject of any civil proceeding of a judicial or
administrative body of competent jurisdiction that could reasonably be expected to impair
materially Party B’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder. |
|
Party
B will by the next succeeding Business Day notify Party A upon obtaining knowledge of the
occurrence of any event that would constitute an Event of Default, a Potential Event of
Default or a Potential Adjustment Event. |
|
Additional
Representations, Warranties and Agreements of Party B: Party B hereby represents and
warrants to, and agrees with, Party A as of the date hereof that: |
|
(a) |
Any
Shares, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the
Transaction, will be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, except as provided in Wisconsin Statutes 180.0622(2)(b),
and the issuance thereof will not be subject to any preemptive or similar
rights. |
|
(b) |
Party
B has reserved and will keep available at all times, free from preemptive
rights, out of its authorized but unissued Shares, solely for the purpose
of issuance upon settlement of the Transaction as herein provided, the
full number of Shares as shall be issuable at such time upon settlement of
the Transaction. All Shares so issuable shall, upon such issuance, be
accepted for listing or quotation on the Exchange. |
|
(c) |
Party
B agrees to provide Party A at least 30 days’ written notice (an
“Issuer Repurchase Notice”) prior to executing any repurchase of
Shares by Party B or any of its subsidiaries (or entering into any
contract that would require, or give the option to, Party B or any of its
subsidiaries, to purchase or repurchase Shares), whether out of profits or
capital or whether the consideration for such repurchase is cash,
securities or otherwise (an “Issuer Repurchase”), that alone or
in the aggregate would result in the Base Amount Percentage (as defined
below) being (i) equal to or greater than 8% of the outstanding Shares and
(ii) greater by 0.5% or more than the Base Amount Percentage at the time
of the immediately preceding Issuer Repurchase Notice (or in the case of
the first such Issuer Repurchase Notice, greater than the Base Amount
Percentage as of the later of the date hereof or the immediately preceding
Settlement Date, if any). The “Base Amount Percentage” as of any
day is the fraction (1) the numerator of which is the Base Amount and (2)
the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding on such day. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
7
|
(d) |
No
filing with, or approval, authorization, consent, license registration,
qualification, order or decree of, any court or governmental authority or
agency, domestic or foreign, is necessary or required for the execution,
delivery and performance by Party B of this Confirmation and the
consummation of the Transaction (including, without limitation, the
issuance and delivery of Shares on any Settlement Date) except (i) such as
have been obtained under the Securities Act, and (ii) as may be required
to be obtained under state securities laws. |
|
(e) |
Party
B agrees not to make any Issuer Repurchase if, immediately following such
Issuer Repurchase, the Base Amount Percentage would be equal to or greater
than 9%. |
|
(f) |
Party
B is not insolvent, nor will Party B be rendered insolvent as a result of
this Transaction. |
|
(g) |
Neither
Party B nor any of its affiliates shall take any action that would cause
any purchases of Shares by Party A or any of its affiliates in connection
with any Cash Settlement of this Transaction not to meet the requirements
of the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act if such
purchases were made by Party B. |
|
(h) |
Party
B will not engage in any “distribution” (as defined in
Regulation M under the Exchange Act) of its equity securities or any other
security with respect to which any of its equity securities is a “reference
security” (as defined in Regulation M) that would cause a “restricted
period” (as defined in Regulation M) to occur during any Unwind
Period. |
|
(i) |
Party
B is an “eligible contract participant” (as such term is defined
in Section 1(a)(12) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended). |
|
(j) |
In
addition to any other requirements set forth herein, Party B agrees not to
elect Physical Settlement or Cash Settlement if, in the reasonable
judgment of either Party A or Party B, such settlement or Party A’s
related market activity would result in a violation of the U.S. federal
securities laws or any other federal or state law or regulation applicable
to Party B. |
|
The
parties acknowledge and agree that any Shares delivered by Party B to Party A on any
Settlement Date will be newly issued Shares and when delivered by Party A (or an
affiliate of Party A) to securities lenders from whom Party A (or an affiliate of Party
A) borrowed Shares in connection with hedging its exposure to the Transaction will be
freely saleable without further registration or other restrictions under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in the hands of those
securities lenders, irrespective of whether such stock loan is effected by Party A or an
affiliate of Party A. Accordingly, Party B agrees that the Settlement Shares that it
delivers to Party A on each Settlement Date will not bear a restrictive legend and that
such Settlement Shares will be deposited in, and the delivery thereof shall be effected
through the facilities of, the Clearance System. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
8
|
(a) |
Unless
the provisions set forth below under “Private Placement Procedures” shall
be applicable, Party A shall use any Shares delivered by Party B to Party
A on any Settlement Date to return to securities lenders to close out open
stock loans, if any, with respect to Shares. |
|
(b) |
In
connection with bids and purchases of Shares in connection with any Cash
Settlement of this Transaction, Party A shall use its reasonable best
efforts to conduct its activities, or cause its affiliates to conduct
their activities, in a manner consistent with the requirements of the safe
harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, as if such
provisions were applicable to such purchases. |
|
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, in the Agreement or in the Definitions, upon any
Insolvency Filing in respect of the Issuer, the Transaction shall automatically terminate
on the date thereof without further liability of either party to this Confirmation to the
other party (except for any liability in respect of any breach of representation or
covenant by a party under this Confirmation prior to the date of such Insolvency Filing). |
|
If
an ex-dividend date for an Extraordinary Dividend occurs on or after the Trade Date and
on or prior to the Maturity Date, Party B shall pay an amount, as determined by the
Calculation Agent, in cash equal to the product of such Extraordinary Dividend and the
Base Amount to Party A on the earlier of (i) the date on which such Extraordinary
Dividend is paid by the Issuer to holders of record of the Shares or (ii) the Maturity
Date. “Extraordinary Dividend” means the per Share amount of any cash dividend
or distribution declared by the Issuer with respect to the Shares that is specified by
the board of directors of the Issuer as an “extraordinary” dividend. |
|
The
following events shall each constitute an “Acceleration Event”: |
|
(a) |
Stock
Borrow Events. In the reasonable judgment of Party A, Party A is
unable to hedge Party A’s exposure to the Transaction because of the
lack of sufficient Shares being made available for Share borrowing by
lenders (a “Stock Borrow Event”); |
|
(b) |
Dividends
and Other Distributions. On any day occurring after the Trade Date
Party B declares a distribution, issue or dividend to existing holders of
the Shares of (i) any cash dividend (other than an Extraordinary Dividend)
to the extent all cash dividends having an ex-dividend date during the
period from and including any Forward Price Reduction Date (with each of
the Trade Date and the Maturity Date being a Forward Price Reduction Date
for purposes of this clause (b) only) to but excluding the next subsequent
Forward Price Reduction Date exceeds, on a per Share basis, the Forward
Price Reduction Amount set forth opposite the first date of any such
period on Schedule I or (ii) share capital or securities of another issuer
acquired or owned (directly or indirectly) by Party B as a result of a
spin-off or other similar transaction or (iii) any other type of
securities (other than Shares), rights or warrants or other assets, for
payment (cash or other consideration) at less than the prevailing market
price as reasonably determined by Party A; |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
9
|
(c) |
ISDA
Early Termination Date. Either Party A or Party B has the right to
designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement
as a result of the occurrence of a Termination Date or an Event of Default
(other than any Event of Default in respect of which JPMorgan is the
Defaulting Party); |
|
(d) |
Other
ISDA Events. The occurrence of any Announcement Date in respect of an
Extraordinary Event or the occurrence of any Change in Law; and |
|
(e) |
Issuer
Repurchases. Party B publicly announces or discloses any Issuer
Repurchase (whether or not subsequently amended) that alone, or in the
aggregate, results in, or could result in, the Base Amount representing
more than 9% of the total outstanding Shares (assuming the consummation of
such proposed Issuer Repurchase). |
|
(f) |
Delisting.
A Delisting; provided that in addition to the provisions of Section
12.6(a)(iii) of the 2002 Definitions, it will also constitute a Delisting
if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not
immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock
Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ National Market System
(or their respective successors). |
|
Upon
the occurrence of any Acceleration Event, Party A shall have the right to designate, upon
one Scheduled Trading Day’s notice, any Scheduled Trading Day following such
occurrence to be a Settlement Date hereunder (a “Termination Settlement Date”)
to which Physical Settlement shall apply, and to select the number of Settlement Shares
relating to such Termination Settlement Date; provided that (i) in the case of an
Acceleration Event arising out of a Stock Borrow Event the number of Settlement Shares so
designated by Party A shall not exceed the number of Shares as to which such Stock Borrow
Event exists and (ii) in the case of an Acceleration Event arising out of an Issuer
Repurchase, the number of Settlement Shares so designated by Party A shall not exceed the
number of Shares necessary to cause the Base Amount to be less than 9% of the total
outstanding Shares (assuming consummation of such proposed Issuer Repurchase). If an
Acceleration Event occurs during an Unwind Period relating to a number of Settlement
Shares to which Cash Settlement applies, then on the Termination Settlement Date relating
to such Acceleration Event, notwithstanding any election to the contrary by Party B, Cash
Settlement shall apply to the portion of the Settlement Shares relating to such Unwind
Period as to which Party A has unwound its hedge and Physical Settlement shall apply in
respect of (x) the remainder (if any) of such Settlement Shares and (y) the Settlement
Shares designated by Party A in respect of such Termination Settlement Date. |
|
Private
Placement Procedures |
|
If
Party B is unable to comply with the provisions of “Covenant of Party B” above
because of a change in law or a change in the policy of the Securities and Exchange
Commission or its staff, or Party A otherwise determines that in its reasonable opinion
any Settlement Shares to be delivered to Party A by Party B may not be freely returned by
Party A to securities lenders as described under “Covenant of Party B” above,
then delivery of any such Settlement Shares (the “Restricted Shares”) shall be
effected pursuant to Annex A hereto, unless waived by Party A. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
10
|
It
is the intent of Party A and Party B that following any election of Cash Settlement by
Party B, the purchase of Shares by Party A during any Unwind Period comply with the
requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) of the Exchange Act and that this Confirmation
shall be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c). |
|
Party
B acknowledges that (i) during any Unwind Period Party B does not have, and shall not
attempt to exercise, any influence over how, when or whether to effect purchases of
Shares by Party A (or its agent or affiliate) in connection with this Confirmation and
(ii) Party B is entering into the Agreement and this Confirmation in good faith and not
as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with federal securities laws including,
without limitation, Rule 10b-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act. |
|
Party
B hereby agrees with Party A that during any Unwind Period Party B shall not communicate,
directly or indirectly, any Material Non-Public Information (as defined herein) to any
EDG Personnel (as defined below). For purposes of this Transaction, “Material
Non-Public Information” means information relating to Party B or the Shares that (a)
has not been widely disseminated by wire service, in one or more newspapers of general
circulation, by communication from Party B to its shareholders or in a press release, or
contained in a public filing made by Party B with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and (b) a reasonable investor might consider to be of importance in making an investment
decision to buy, sell or hold Shares. For the avoidance of doubt and solely by way of
illustration, information should be presumed “material” if it relates to such
matters as dividend increases or decreases, earnings estimates, changes in previously
released earnings estimates, significant expansion or curtailment of operations, a
significant increase or decline of orders, significant merger or acquisition proposals or
agreements, significant new products or discoveries, extraordinary borrowing, major
litigation, liquidity problems, extraordinary management developments, purchase or sale
of substantial assets, or other similar information For purposes of this Transaction,
“EDG Personnel” means any employee on the trading side of the Equity
Derivatives Group of X.X. Xxxxxx Securities, Inc. but does not include Messrs. Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
and Xx. Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx (or any other person or persons designated from time to time
by the Compliance Group of Party A). |
|
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Confirmation, in no event will Party B be required to deliver
on any Settlement Date, whether pursuant to Physical Settlement, Termination Settlement
or any Private Placement Settlement, more than 100,000,000 Shares to Party A, subject to
reduction by the amount of any Shares delivered by Party B on any prior Settlement Date. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
11
|
Section
6.3(a) of the 2002 Definitions is amended by deleting the words “at any time during
the one hour period that ends at the relevant Valuation Time, Latest Exercise Time,
Knock-in Valuation Time or Knock-out Valuation Time, as the case may be,”. |
|
Party
A may assign or transfer any of its rights or delegate any of its duties hereunder to any
affiliate of Party A or any entity organized or sponsored by Party A without the prior
written consent of Party B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Confirmation to
the contrary requiring or allowing Party A to purchase or receive any Shares from Party
B, Party A may designate any of its affiliates to purchase or receive such Shares or
otherwise to perform Party A’s obligations in respect of this Transaction and any
such designee may assume such obligations, and Party A shall be discharged of its
obligations to Party B only to the extent of any such performance; provided that
any such assignment shall not result in a Termination Event under Section 5(b)(i) of the
Agreement. |
|
Matters
Relating to Agent: |
|
Each
party agrees and acknowledges that (i) X.X. Xxxxxx Securities Inc., as agent, (the
“Agent”) acts solely as agent on a disclosed basis with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereunder, and (ii) the Agent has no obligation, by guaranty,
endorsement or otherwise, with respect to the obligations of either Party B or Party A
hereunder, either with respect to the delivery of cash or Shares, either at the beginning
or the end of the transactions contemplated hereby. In this regard, each of Party A and
Party B acknowledges and agrees to look solely to the other for performance hereunder,
and not to the Agent. |
|
Party
B agrees to indemnify Party A and its affiliates and their respective directors,
officers, agents and controlling parties (Party A and each such affiliate or person being
an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages
and liabilities, joint and several, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnified
Party arising out of, in connection with, or relating to, the execution or delivery of
this Confirmation, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations
under the Transaction, any breach of any covenant or representation made by Party B in
this Confirmation or the Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and will reimburse any Indemnified Party for all reasonable expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) as they are incurred in connection with the
investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim or any
action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party
thereto. Party B will not be liable under this Indemnity paragraph to the extent that any
loss, claim, damage, liability or expense is found in a judgment by a court of competent
jurisdiction to have resulted from Party A’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or
material breach of this Confirmation or the Agreement. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
12
|
Additional Acknowledgements: |
Applicable |
|
Agreements and
Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging Activities: |
Applicable |
4.
The Agreement is further supplemented by the following provisions:
|
Notwithstanding
Section 6(f) or any other provision of the Agreement or any other agreement between the
parties to the contrary, the obligations of Party B hereunder are not secured by any
collateral. Obligations under this Transaction shall not be set off against any other
obligations of the parties, whether arising under the Agreement, this Confirmation, under
any other agreement between the parties hereto, by operation of law or otherwise, and no
other obligations of the parties shall be set off against obligations under this
Transaction, whether arising under the Agreement, this Confirmation, under any other
agreement between the parties hereto, by operation of law or otherwise, and each party
hereby waives any such right of setoff. In calculating any amounts under Section 6(e) of
the Agreement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, (a) separate
amounts shall be calculated as set forth in such Section 6(e) with respect to (i) this
Transaction and (ii) all other Transactions, and (b) such separate amounts shall be
payable pursuant to Section 6(d)(ii) of the Agreement. |
|
Status
of Claims in Bankruptcy: |
|
Party
A acknowledges and agrees that this confirmation is not intended to convey to Party A
rights with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby that are senior to the claims
of common stockholders in any U.S. bankruptcy proceedings of Party B; provided,
however, that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Party A’s
right to pursue remedies in the event of a breach by Party B of its obligations and
agreements with respect to this Confirmation and the Agreement; and provided further,
that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Party A’s rights in
respect of any transaction other than the Transaction. |
|
Limit
on Beneficial Ownership: |
|
Notwithstanding
any other provisions hereof, Party A shall not be entitled to receive Shares hereunder
(whether in connection with the purchase of Shares on any Settlement Date or any
Termination Settlement Date, any Private Placement Settlement or otherwise) to the extent
(but only to the extent) that such receipt would result in JPMorgan Chase & Co.
directly or indirectly beneficially owning (as such term is defined for purposes of
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act or the Wisconsin Statutes 196.795(3)) at any time in
excess of 4.5% of the outstanding Shares. Any purported delivery hereunder shall be void
and have no effect to the extent (but only to the extent) that such delivery would result
in JPMorgan Chase & Co. directly or indirectly so beneficially owning in excess of
4.5% of the outstanding Shares. If any delivery owed to Party A hereunder is not made, in
whole or in part, as a result of this provision, Party B’s obligation to make such
delivery shall not be extinguished and Party B shall make such delivery as promptly as
practicable after, but in no event later than one Exchange Business Day after, Party A
gives notice to Party B that such delivery would not result in JPMorgan Chase & Co.
directly or indirectly so beneficially owning in excess of 4.5% of the outstanding Shares. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
13
(a) |
Addresses
for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of the Agreement: |
|
Address
for notices or communications to Party A:
|
|
|
|
|
Address: |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association |
|
|
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx |
|
|
0xx Xxxxx |
|
|
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 |
|
Attention: |
Equity Derivatives Group |
|
Telephone No.: |
(000) 000-0000 |
|
Facsimile No.: |
(000) 000-0000 |
|
|
|
|
With a copy to: |
|
|
Address: |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association |
|
|
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx |
|
|
00xx Xxxxx |
|
|
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 |
|
Attention: |
Equity Derivatives Group – Marketing Support |
|
Telephone No.: |
(000) 000-0000 |
|
Facsimile No.: |
(000) 000-0000 |
|
Address
for notices or communications to Party B:
|
|
|
|
|
Address: |
WPS Resources Corporation |
|
|
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx |
|
|
X.X. Xxx 00000 |
|
|
Xxxxx Xxx, XX 00000-0000 |
|
Attention: |
Xxxxx Xxxx |
|
(b) |
Waiver
of Right to Trial by Jury. Each party waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by
jury in respect of any suit, action or proceeding relating to this
Confirmation. Each party (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of
the other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other
party would not, in the event of such a suit action or proceeding, seek to
enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other
party have been induced to enter into this Confirmation by, among other
things, the mutual waivers and certifications herein. |
|
(c) |
London
Branch. Party A is entering into this Confirmation and the Agreement
through its London branch. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Party A
represents to Party B that the obligations of Party A are the same as if
it had entered into this Confirmation and the Agreement through its head
or home office in New York. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
14
|
The
parties hereto intend for: |
|
(a) |
this
Transaction to be a “securities contract” as defined in Section
741(7) of Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”),
qualifying for the protections under Section 555 of the Bankruptcy Code; |
|
(b) |
a
party’s right to liquidate this Transaction and to exercise any other
remedies upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under the Agreement
with respect to the other party to constitute a “contractual right” as
defined in the Bankruptcy Code; |
|
(c) |
Party
A to be a “financial institution” within the meaning of Section
101(22) of the Bankruptcy Code; and |
|
(d) |
all
payments for, under or in connection with this Transaction, all payments for
the Shares and the transfer of such Shares to constitute “settlement
payments” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code. |
|
If
any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Confirmation, or the application
thereof to any party or circumstance, shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable in
whole or in part for any reason, the remaining terms, provisions, covenants, and
conditions hereof shall continue in full force and effect as if this Confirmation had
been executed with the invalid or unenforceable provision eliminated, so long as this
Confirmation as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original
intentions of the parties as to the subject matter of this Confirmation and the deletion
of such portion of this Confirmation will not substantially impair the respective
benefits or expectations of parties to this Agreement; provided, however, that this
severability provision shall not be applicable if any provision of Section 2, 5, 6 or 13
of the Agreement (or any definition or provision in Section 14 to the extent that it
relates to, or is used in or in connection with any such Section) shall be so held to be
invalid or unenforceable. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
15
|
Please
confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of our agreement by signing and
returning this Confirmation. |
|
|
|
Yours faithfully, |
|
X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC., |
|
as agent for JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association |
|
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx |
|
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx |
|
Title: Vice President |
Confirmed
as of the date first written above:
WPS
RESOURCES CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. X'Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. X'Xxxxx
Title: Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
ANNEX A
PRIVATE PLACEMENT
PROCEDURES
(i) |
If Party B elects to deliver the Restricted Shares pursuant to this clause (i)
(a “Private Placement Settlement”), then delivery of Restricted Shares
by Party B shall be effected in customary private placement procedures with
respect to such Restricted Shares reasonably acceptable to Party A; provided
that Party B may not elect a Private Placement Settlement if, on the date of its
election, it has taken, or caused to be taken, any action that would make
unavailable either the exemption pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act
for the sale by Party B to Party A (or any affiliate designated by Party A) of
the Restricted Shares or the exemption pursuant to Section 4(1) or Section 4(3)
of the Securities Act for resales of the Restricted Shares by Party A (or any
such affiliate of Party A). The Private Placement Settlement of such Restricted
Shares shall include customary representations, covenants, blue sky and other
governmental filings and/or registrations, indemnities to Party A, due diligence
rights (for Party A or any designated buyer of the Restricted Shares by Party
A), opinions and certificates, and such other documentation as is customary for
private placement agreements, all reasonably acceptable to Party A. In the case
of a Private Placement Settlement, Party A shall, in its good faith discretion,
adjust the amount of Restricted Shares to be delivered to Party A hereunder in a
commercially reasonable manner to reflect the fact that such Restricted Shares
may not be freely returned to securities lenders by Party A and may only be
saleable by Party A at a discount to reflect the lack of liquidity in Restricted
Shares. Notwithstanding the Agreement or this Confirmation, the date of delivery
of such Restricted Shares shall be the Exchange Business Day following notice by
Party A to Party B of the number of Restricted Shares to be delivered pursuant
to this clause (i). For the avoidance of doubt, delivery of Restricted Shares
shall be due as set forth in the previous sentence and not be due on the
Settlement Date or Termination Settlement Date that would otherwise be
applicable. |
(ii) |
If Party B delivers any Restricted Shares in respect of the Transaction, Party B
agrees that (i) such Shares may be transferred by and among JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association and its affiliates and (ii) after the minimum “holding
period” within the meaning of Rule 144(d) under the Securities Act has
elapsed after the applicable Settlement Date, Party B shall promptly remove, or
cause the transfer agent for the Shares to remove, any legends referring to any
transfer restrictions from such Shares upon delivery by Party A (or such
affiliate of Party A) to Party B or such transfer agent of seller’s and
broker’s representation letters customarily delivered by Party A or its
affiliates in connection with resales of restricted securities pursuant to Rule
144 under the Securities Act, each without any further requirement for the
delivery of any certificate, consent, agreement, opinion of counsel, notice or
any other document, any transfer tax stamps or payment of any other amount or
any other action by Party A (or such affiliate of Party A). |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
A-1
Schedule I
FORWARD PRICE REDUCTION
Forward Price Reduction Date
|
Forward Price Reduction Amount
|
Trade Date |
$0.00 |
November 30, 2005 |
$0.565 |
February 28, 2006 |
$0.565 |
May 31, 2006 |
$0.565 |
August 31, 2006 |
$0.575 |
Maturity Date |
$0.00 |
JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association
Organized under the laws of the United States as a National Banking
Association.
Main Xxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Registered as a branch in England &Wales branch
No. BR000746.
Registered Branch
Office 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority
A-1