Exhibit 4
XXXXXXXXX WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
and
CHEMICAL MELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
Rights Agent
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Rights Agreement
Effective as of March 21, 1996
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Section Page
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1. Certain Definitions 1
2. Appointment of Rights Agent 4
3. Issue of Rights Certificates 4
4. Form of Rights Certificates 6
5. Countersignature and Registration 7
6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights
Certificates 7
7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights 8
8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates 10
9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock 10
10. Preferred Stock Record Date 12
11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or
Number of Rights 12
12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares 20
13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power 20
14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares 23
15. Rights of Action 24
16. Agreement of Rights Holders 24
17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Xxxxxxxxxxx 00
00. Concerning the Rights Agent 25
19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent 26
20. Duties of Rights Agent 26
Section Page
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21. Change of Rights Agent 28
22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates 29
23. Redemption and Xxxxxxxxxxx 00
00. Notice of Certain Events 31
25. Notices 32
26. Supplements and Amendments 32
27. Successors 33
28. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc. 33
29. Benefits of this Agreement 34
30. Severability 34
31. Governing Law 34
32. Counterparts 34
33. Descriptive Headings 35
Exhibit A -- Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights
Exhibit B -- Form of Rights Certificate
Exhibit C -- Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, effective as of March 21, 1996 (the "Agreement"), between
Xxxxxxxxx World Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"),
and Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. (the "Rights Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, on September 25, 1995 (the "Rights Declaration Date"), the Board
of Directors of the Company authorized and declared a distribution of one Right
for each share of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the
"Common Stock") outstanding at the close of business on January 19, 1996 (the
"Record Date"), and has authorized the issuance on the close of business on
March 21, 1996 of one Right (as such number may hereinafter be adjusted pursuant
to the provisions of Section 11(p) hereof) for each share of Common Stock of the
Company issued between the Record Date (whether originally issued or delivered
from the Company's treasury) and the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date,
whichever shall occur first, each Right initially representing the right to
purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Series One of Class A Preferred Stock
of the Company having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in the form
of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights attached hereto as Exhibit
A, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth (the
"Rights");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby
agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions.
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For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings
indicated:
(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which, together
with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner
of outstanding shares of Voting Stock representing 20% or more of the Voting
Power, but shall not include the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any
employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any
Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for or
pursuant to the terms of any such plan.
(b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect on the date of
this Agreement (the "Exchange Act").
(c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and shall be
deemed to "beneficially own," any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to acquire (whether such
right is
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exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) or upon
the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants or
options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed
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the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," (A) securities
tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any
of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities
are accepted for purchase or exchange, or (B) securities issuable upon
exercise of the Rights at any time prior to the occurrence of a Triggering
Event, or (C) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights from and after
the occurrence of a Triggering Event which Rights were acquired by such
Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates prior to the
Distribution Date or pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof (the
"Original Rights") or pursuant to Section 11(i) in connection with an
adjustment made with respect to any Original Rights;
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or dispose of or
has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act), including pursuant
to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing;
provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner"
of, or to "beneficially own," any security under this subparagraph (ii) as
a result of an agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such
security if such agreement, arrangement or understanding: (A) arises
solely from a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or
consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the
applicable provisions of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act, and (B) is not also then reportable by such Person on
Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor
report); or
(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such
Person (or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates) has any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy
as described in the proviso to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (c)) or
disposing of any voting securities of the Company.
(d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close.
(e) "Close of business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., New
York City time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a
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Business Day, it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the next
succeeding Business Day.
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(f) "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value $1.00 per
share, of the Company, except that "Common Stock" when used with reference to
any Person other than the Company shall mean the capital stock of such Person
with the greatest aggregate voting power, or the equity securities or other
equity interest having power to control or direct the management, of such
Person.
(g) "Disinterested Director" shall mean (i) any member of the Board of
Directors of the Company, while such Person is a member of the Board, who is not
an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or a
representative of an Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or Associate, and
was a member of the Board prior to the time that the Acquiring Person became an
Acquiring Person, or (ii) any Person who subsequently becomes a member of the
Board to fill a vacancy created by an increase in the size of the Board, while
such Person is a member of the Board, who is not an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or a representative of an
Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or Associate, if such Person's
nomination for election by the shareholders or election to the Board is
recommended or approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors, or (iii)
any successor of a Disinterested Director who is not an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or a representative of an
Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or Associate, if such Person's
nomination for election by the shareholders or election to the Board is
recommended or approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors.
(h) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership
or other entity.
(i) "Preferred Stock" shall mean shares of Series One of Class A
Preferred Stock, no par value, of the Company.
(j) "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean any event described in
Section 11(a)(ii)(A) or (B) hereof.
(k) "Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in clauses (x),
(y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.
(l) "Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public
announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without
limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act) by
the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such.
(m) "Subsidiary" shall mean, with reference to any Person, any
corporation of which an amount of voting securities sufficient to elect at least
a majority of the directors of such corporation is beneficially owned, directly
or indirectly, by such Person, or otherwise controlled by such Person.
(n) "Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event or
Section 13(a) Event.
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(o) "Voting Power" shall mean, at any particular point in time, the
total number of votes that all holders of the then outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Company would be entitled to cast in an annual election of the
directors of the Company, voting together as a single class.
(p) "Voting Stock" shall mean Common Stock of the Company and all
other equity securities of the Company that would entitle the holders thereof to
cast votes in an election of directors of the Company.
2. Appointment of Rights Agent.
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The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the
Company and the holders of the Rights (who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof,
shall prior to the Distribution Date also be the holders of the Common Stock) in
accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby
accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such Co-
Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.
3. Issue of Rights Certificates
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(a) Until the earlier of (i) the close of business on the tenth day,
(or, if the tenth day after the Stock Acquisition Date occurs before the Record
Date, the close of business on the Record Date), or such later date as specified
by the majority of the Disinterested Directors, after the Stock Acquisition
Date, or (ii) the close of business on the tenth business day, or such later
date as specified by the majority of the Disinterested Directors, after the date
that a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any
Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or
established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) is
first published or sent or given within the meaning of Rule 14e-2(a) of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, if upon consummation
thereof, such Person would be the Beneficial Owner of shares of Voting Stock
representing 28% or more of the Voting Power (the earlier of (i) and (ii) being
herein referred to as the "Distribution Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced
(subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 3) by the
certificates for the Common Stock registered in the names of the holders of the
Common Stock (which certificates for Common Stock shall be deemed also to be
certificates for Rights) and not by separate certificates, and (y) the Rights
will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying
shares of Common Stock (including a transfer to the Company). Unless otherwise
delayed by an action of the Board of Directors, as soon as practicable after the
Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will send, by first-class, insured, postage-
prepaid mail, to each record holder of the Common Stock as of the close of
business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the
records of the Company, one or more rights certificates, in substantially the
form of Exhibit B hereto (the "Rights Certificates"), evidencing one Right for
each share of Common Stock so held, subject to adjustment as provided herein.
In the event that an adjustment in the number of Rights per share of Common
Stock has been made pursuant to
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Section 11(p) hereof, at the time of distribution of the Rights Certificates,
the Company shall make the necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments in
accordance with Section 14(a) hereof) so that Rights Certificates representing
only whole numbers of Rights are distributed and cash is paid in lieu of any
fractional Rights. As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
evidenced solely by such Rights Certificates.
(b) As promptly as practicable following the Record Date, the Company
will send a copy of a Summary of Rights, in substantially the form attached
hereto as Exhibit C (the "Summary of Rights"), by first-class, postage-prepaid
mail, to each record holder of the Common Stock as of the close of business on
the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the
Company. With respect to certificates for the Common Stock outstanding as of
the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by
such certificates for the Common Stock and the registered holders of the Common
Stock shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights. Until the
earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date (as such term is defined
in Section 7 hereof), the transfer of any certificates representing shares of
Common Stock in respect of which Rights have been issued shall also constitute
the transfer of the Rights associated with such shares of Common Stock.
(c) Rights shall be issued in respect of all shares of Common Stock
which are issued after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the
Distribution Date or the Expiration Date. Certificates representing such shares
of Common Stock shall also be deemed to be certificates for Rights, and shall
bear the following legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
certain Rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between Xxxxxxxxx World
Industries, Inc. (the "Company") and Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services,
L.L.C. (the "Rights Agent") effective as of March 21, 1996 (the "Rights
Agreement") the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a
copy of which is on file at the principal offices of the Company. Under certain
circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be
evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this
certificate. The Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the holder of this
certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement, as in effect on the date of mailing,
without charge promptly after receipt of a written request therefor. Under
certain circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, or
held by, any Person who is, was or becomes an Acquiring Person or any Affiliates
or Associates thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement),
whether currently held by or on behalf of such Person or by any subsequent
holder, may become null and void. Rights will expire March 21, 2006 unless
earlier redeemed or otherwise extended as described in the Rights Agreement.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
earlier of (i) the Distribution Date or (ii) the Expiration Date, the Rights
associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates shall be
evidenced by such certificates alone and registered holders of Common Stock
shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights, and the
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transfer of any of such certificates shall also constitute the transfer of the
Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates.
4. Form of Rights Certificates.
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(a) The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase and
of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall each be substantially
in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks of
identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements
printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any
applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any
rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Rights may from time to
time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 11
and Section 22 hereof, the Rights Certificates, whenever distributed, shall be
dated as of the Record Date and on their face shall entitle the holders thereof
to purchase such number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock as
shall be set forth therein at the price set forth therein (such exercise price
per one one-hundredth of a share being hereinafter called the "Purchase Price"),
but the amount and type of securities purchasable upon the exercise of each
Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment as provided
herein.
(b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section
22 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by: (i) an Acquiring Person
or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an
Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a
transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an
Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a
transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and
receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for
consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such
Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom such Acquiring Person has any
continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred
Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has
determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a
primary purpose or effect avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof, and any Rights
Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer,
exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate referred to
in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible) the following legend:
The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were beneficially owned
by a Person who was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate
of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement).
Accordingly, this Rights Certificate and the Rights represented hereby may
become null and void in the circumstances specified in Section 7(e) of such
Agreement.
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5. Countersignature and Registration
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(a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company
by its Chairman of the Board, its President, any Vice President or its
Treasurer, either manually or by facsimile signature, and shall have affixed
thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof which shall be attested by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by
facsimile signature. The Rights Certificates shall be manually countersigned by
the Rights Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned.
In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Rights
Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before
countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company,
such Rights Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent
and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though
the person who signed such Rights Certificates had not ceased to be such officer
of the Company; and any Rights Certificate may be signed on behalf of the
Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Rights
Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Rights
Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights Agreement any
such person was not such an officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or
cause to be kept, at its principal office or offices designated as the
appropriate place for surrender of Rights Certificates upon exercise or
transfer, books for registration and transfer of the Rights Certificates issued
hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective
holders of the Rights Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face
by each of the Rights Certificates, the Certificate Number and the date of each
of the Rights Certificates.
6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates;
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Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates
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(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and
Section 14 hereof, at any time after the close of business on the Distribution
Date, and at or prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date, any
Rights Certificate or Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined or
exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Certificates entitling the
registered holder to purchase a like number of one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock (or, following a Triggering Event, Common Stock, other
securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as the Rights Certificate
or Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder (or former holder in the
case of a transfer) to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer,
split up, combine or exchange any Rights Certificate or Certificates shall make
such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the
Rights Certificate or Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or
exchanged at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for
such purpose. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to
take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered
Rights Certificate until the registered holder shall have completed and signed
the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such
Rights Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence of the
identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or
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Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request. Thereupon the
Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14 hereof,
countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or
Rights Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or
exchange of Rights Certificates.
(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity
or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the Company
and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon
surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Rights Certificate if
mutilated, the Company will execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like
tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered
owner in lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights
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(a) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof, the registered holder of any
Rights Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as
otherwise provided herein, including, without limitation, the restrictions on
exercisability set forth in Section 9(c), Section 11(a)(iii) and Section 23(a)
hereof) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon
surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase and
the certificate on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent
at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose, together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price with respect to
the total number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or other
securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as to which such
surrendered Rights are then exercisable, at or prior to the earlier of (i) the
close of business on March 21, 2006 unless otherwise extended (the "Final
Expiration Date") or (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided
in Section 23 hereof (the earlier of (i) and (ii) being herein referred to as
the "Expiration Date").
(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of a share of
Preferred Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $300, and
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and
13(a) hereof and shall be payable in accordance with paragraph (c) below (the
"Purchase Price").
(c) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing exercisable
Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate duly executed,
accompanied by payment, with respect to each Right so exercised, of the Purchase
Price per one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock (or other shares,
securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) to be purchased as set
forth below and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax, the Rights Agent
shall, subject to Section 20(k) hereof, thereupon promptly (i)(A) requisition
from any transfer agent of the shares of Preferred Stock (or make available, if
the Rights Agent is the
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transfer agent for such shares) certificates for the total number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock to be purchased, and the Company hereby
irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, or
(B) if the Company shall have elected to deposit the total number of shares of
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary
agent, requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing
such number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock as are to be
purchased (in which case certificates for the shares of Preferred Stock
represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the
depositary agent), and the Company will direct the depositary agent to comply
with such request, (ii) requisition from the Company the amount of cash, if any,
to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof,
(iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same
to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights
Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such
holder, and (iv) after receipt thereof, deliver such cash, if any, to or upon
the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate. The payment of
the Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof) may be made (x) in cash or by certified bank check or money order
payable to the order of the Company, or (y) if the Company shall in its sole
discretion so consent, by delivery of a certificate or certificates (with
appropriate stock powers executed in blank attached thereto) evidencing a number
of shares of Common Stock equal to the then Purchase Price divided by the
closing price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of
Common Stock on the Trading Date immediately preceding the date of such
exercise. In the event that the Company is obligated to issue other securities
(including Common Stock) of the Company, pay cash and/or distribute other
property pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Company will make all
arrangements necessary so that such other securities, cash and/or other property
are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when appropriate.
(d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate shall
exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights Certificate
evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued
by the Rights Agent and delivered to, or upon the order of, the registered
holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be
designated by such holder, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from
and after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, any Rights
beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or Affiliate of an
Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person
becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with
the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either
(A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to
holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom
the Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding
regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors
of the Company has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding
which has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 7(e)
shall become null and void without any further action, and no holder of such
Rights shall have any rights whatsoever
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with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of this Agreement or
otherwise. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the
provisions of this Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but
shall have no liability to any holder of Rights Certificates or other Person as
a result of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring
Person or its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any
action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported
exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have
(i) completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of election to
purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for
such exercise, and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the
Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates
thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.
8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates.
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All Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise,
transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company
or any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in
cancelled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by
it, and no Rights Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as
expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company
shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the
Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased
or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights
Agent shall deliver all cancelled Rights Certificates to the Company, or shall,
at the written request of the Company, destroy such cancelled Rights
Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction
thereof to the Company.
9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock.
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(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved
and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock
(and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, out of its authorized and
unissued shares of Common Stock and/or other securities or out of its authorized
and issued shares held in its treasury) the number of shares of Preferred Stock
(and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other
securities) that, as provided in this Agreement, including Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof, will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding
Rights.
(b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the
occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other securities) issuable
and deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any national
securities exchange, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and
after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all shares reserved for such
issuance to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon
such exercise.
-10-
(c) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon as
practicable following the earliest date after the first occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event on which the consideration to be delivered by the Company upon
exercise of the Rights has been determined in accordance with Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof, or as soon as is required by law following the Distribution Date, as the
case may be, a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Act") with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on
an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration statement to become effective
as soon as practicable after such filing, and (iii) cause such registration
statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the
requirements of the Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of which the
Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities or (B) the date of the
expiration of the Rights. The Company will also take such action as may be
appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or "blue sky"
laws of the various states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights.
The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed ninety
(90) days after the date set forth in clause (i) of the first sentence of this
Section 9(c), the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such
registration statement and permit it to become effective. Upon any such
suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public
announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights
shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction unless the requisite qualification
in such jurisdiction shall have been obtained.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action
as may be necessary to ensure that all one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common
Stock and/or other securities) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the
time of delivery of the certificates for such shares (subject to payment of the
Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
nonassessable.
(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due
and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may
be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates and
of any certificates for a number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) upon the
exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any
transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of
Rights Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of a
number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock
and/or other securities, as the case may be) in respect of a name other than
that of, the registered holder of the Rights Certificates evidencing Rights
surrendered for exercise, or to issue or deliver any certificates for a number
of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or
other securities, as the case may be) in a name other than that of the
registered holder upon the exercise of any Rights until such tax shall have been
paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at the
time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company's
satisfaction that no such tax is due.
-11-
10. Preferred Stock Record Date
---------------------------
Each person in whose name any certificate for a number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for
all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such fractional
shares of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case
may be) represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date
upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered
and payment of the Purchase Price (and all applicable transfer taxes) was made;
provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon
--------
which the Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case
may be) transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to
have become the record holder of such shares (fractional or otherwise) on, and
such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the
Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be)
transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights
evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights Certificate shall not be entitled to
any rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to shares for which the
Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote,
to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive
rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of
the Company, except as provided herein.
11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or Number of
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rights.
------
The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares covered by each Right and
the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as
provided in this Section 11.
(a)
(i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date
of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Stock payable in
shares of Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Stock,
(C) combine the outstanding Preferred Stock into a smaller number of
shares, or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification
of the Preferred Stock (including any such reclassification in connection
with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or
surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a)
and Section 7(e) hereof, the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the
record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision,
combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of
Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, issuable on such
date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right
exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive, upon payment of the
Purchase Price then in effect, the aggregate number and kind of shares of
Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, which, if such Right
had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the
Preferred Stock transfer books of the Company were open, he would have
owned upon such exercise and been entitled
-12-
to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or
reclassification. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment
under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the
adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to,
and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section
11(a)(ii) hereof.
(ii) In the event:
(A) any Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of
any Acquiring Person, at any time after the date of this Agreement, directly or
indirectly, shall merge into the Company or otherwise combine with the Company
and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger
or combination and the Common Stock of the Company shall remain outstanding and
unchanged, or
(B) any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of
the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of
the Company, or any Person or entity appointed or established by the Company for
or pursuant to the terms of any such plan), alone or together with its
Affiliates and Associates, shall, at any time after the Rights Declaration Date,
become the Beneficial Owner of shares of Voting Stock representing 28% or more
of the Voting Power, other than pursuant to any transaction set forth in Section
13(a) hereof,
then, promptly following five (5) days after the date of the occurrence of an
event described in Section 11(a)(ii)(B) hereof and promptly following the
occurrence of an event described in Section 11(a)(ii)(A) hereof, proper
provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right (except as provided below
and in Section 7(e) hereof) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon
exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement, in lieu of a number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock of the Company as shall
equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by
the then number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a
Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event, and (y) dividing that product (which, following such first
occurrence, shall thereafter be referred to as the "Purchase Price" for each
Right and for all purposes of this Agreement) by 50% of the current market price
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Common Stock on the
date of such first occurrence (such number of shares hereinafter referred to as
the "Adjustment Shares").
(iii) In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock
which are authorized by the Company's Articles of Incorporation but not
outstanding or reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise
of the Rights is not sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the
Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) of this Section
11(a), the Company shall: (A) determine the excess of (1) the value of the
Adjustment Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the "Current
Value") over (2) the Purchase Price (such excess, the "Spread"), and (B)
with respect to each Right, make adequate
-13-
provision to substitute for the Adjustment Shares, upon payment of the
applicable Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in the Purchase Price,
(3) Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (including,
without limitation, shares, or units of shares, of preferred stock which
the Board of Directors of the Company has deemed to have the same value as
shares of Common Stock (such shares of preferred stock, "common stock
equivalents")), (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other assets, or
(6) any combination of the foregoing having an aggregate value equal to the
Current Value, where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board
of Directors of the Company based upon the advice of a nationally
recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board of Directors of
the Company; provided, however, if the Company shall not have made adequate
--------
provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30)
days following the later of (x) the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii)
Event and (y) the date on which the Company's right of redemption pursuant
to Section 23(a) expires (the later of (x) and (y) being referred to herein
as the "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date"), then the Company shall be
obligated to deliver, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and
without requiring payment of the Purchase Price, shares of Common Stock (to
the extent available) and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or
cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. If the Board of Directors
of the Company shall determine in good faith that it is likely that
sufficient additional shares of Common Stock could be authorized for
issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights, the thirty (30) day period
set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more than
ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that
the Company may seek shareholder approval for the authorization of such
additional shares (such period, as it may be extended, the "Substitution
Period"). To the extent that the Company determines that some action need
be taken pursuant to the first and/or second sentences of this Section
11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall provide, subject to Section 7(e) hereof,
that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights, and (y)
may suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the
Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares
and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant
to such first sentence. In the event of any such suspension, the Company
shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the
Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at
such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. For purposes of this
Section 11(a)(iii), the value of the Common Stock shall be the current
market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of
the Common Stock on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the value of any
"common stock equivalent" shall be deemed to have the same value as the
Common Stock on such date.
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of
rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Stock entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase (for a period expiring within forty-five (45) calendar
days after such record date) Preferred Stock
-14-
(or shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the shares of
Preferred Stock ("equivalent preferred stock")) or securities convertible into
Preferred Stock or equivalent preferred Stock at a price per share of Preferred
Stock or per share of equivalent preferred stock (or having a conversion price
per share, if a security convertible into Preferred Stock or equivalent
preferred stock) less than the current market price (as determined pursuant to
Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock on such record date, the
Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by
multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date
by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred
Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the number of shares of Preferred
Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of
Preferred Stock and/or equivalent preferred stock so to be offered (and/or the
aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be
offered) would purchase at such current market price, and the denominator of
which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such
record date, plus the number of additional shares of Preferred Stock and/or
equivalent preferred stock to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into
which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible). In
case such subscription price may be paid by delivery of consideration part or
all of which may be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration
shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company,
whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights
Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights.
Shares of Preferred Stock owned by or held for the account of the Company shall
not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such
adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and
in the event that such rights or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price
shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such
record date had not been fixed.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a distribution to
all holders of Preferred Stock (including any such distribution made in
connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash (other than a regular quarterly
cash dividend out of the earnings or retained earnings of the Company), assets
(other than a dividend payable in Preferred Stock, but including any dividend
payable in stock other than Preferred Stock) or subscription rights or warrants
(excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be
in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the current market price (as determined pursuant to
Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock on such record date, less the
fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the
Rights Agent) of the portion of the cash, assets or evidences of indebtedness so
to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to a
share of Preferred Stock, and the denominator of which shall be such current
market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of
Preferred Stock. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a
record date is fixed, and in the event that such distribution is not so made,
the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would have
been in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
-15-
(i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other than
computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current
market price" per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be
the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Common Stock for
the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter
defined) immediately prior to such date, and for purposes of computations
made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current market price" per
share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the
daily closing prices per share of such Common Stock for the ten (10)
consecutive Trading Days immediately following such date; provided,
--------
however, that in the event that the current market price per share of the
Common Stock is determined during a period following the announcement by
the issuer of such Common Stock of (A) a dividend or distribution on such
Common Stock payable in shares of such Common Stock or securities
convertible into shares of such Common Stock (other than the Rights), or
(B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Common Stock,
and prior to the expiration of the requisite thirty (30) Trading Day or ten
(10) Trading Day period, as set forth above, after the ex-dividend date for
such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision,
combination or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the "current
market price" shall be properly adjusted to take into account ex-dividend
trading. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price,
regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average
of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with
respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange or, if the shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to
trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed
on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of Common
Stock are listed or admitted to trading or, if the shares of Common Stock
are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange,
the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and
low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System
("NASDAQ") or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the
shares of Common Stock are not quoted by any such organization, the average
of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market
maker making a market in the Common Stock selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company. If on any such date no market maker is making a
market in the Common Stock, the fair value of such shares on such date as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be
used. The term "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal
national securities exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed
or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the
shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange, a Business Day. If the Common Stock is not
publicly held or not so listed or traded, "current market
-16-
price" per share shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall
be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be
conclusive for all purposes.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current
market price" per share of Preferred Stock shall be determined in the same
manner as set forth above for the Common Stock in clause (i) of this
Section 11(c) (other than the last sentence thereof). If the current
market price per share of Preferred Stock cannot be determined in the
manner provided above or if the Preferred Stock is not publicly held or
listed or traded in a manner described in clause (i) of this Section 11(d),
the "current market price" per share of Preferred Stock shall be
conclusively deemed to be an amount equal to 100 (as such number may be
appropriately adjusted for such events as stock splits, stock dividends and
recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock occurring after the date
of this Agreement) multiplied by the current market price per share of the
Common Stock. If neither the Common Stock nor the Preferred Stock is
publicly held or so listed or traded, "current market price" per share of
the Preferred Stock shall mean the fair value per share as determined in
good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination
shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be
conclusive for all purposes. For purposes of this Agreement, the "current
market price" of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock shall be
equal to the "current market price" of one share of Preferred Stock divided
by 100.
(d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no adjustment in
the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an
increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) in the Purchase Price;
provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e)
--------
are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in
any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made
to the nearest cent or to the nearest ten-thousandth of a share of Common Stock
or other share or one-millionth of a share of Preferred Stock, as the case may
be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment
required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three
(3) years from the date of the transaction which mandates such adjustment or
(ii) the Expiration Date.
(e) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)
or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall
become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock other than Preferred
Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of
any Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment from
time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the
provisions with respect to the Preferred Stock contained in Sections 11(a), (b),
(c), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (m), and the provisions of Sections 7, 9,
10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred Stock shall apply on like
terms to any such other shares.
-17-
(f) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-hundredths of a
share of Preferred Stock purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise
of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
(g) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided
in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the
calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding immediately
prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-hundredths of a
share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest one-millionth) obtained by
(i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-hundredths of a share covered by a
Right immediately prior to this adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price, and (ii) dividing
the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such
adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(h) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of
the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights in lieu of any adjustment in
the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon
the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after the adjustment in
the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-hundredths
of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately
prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of
the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the
nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in
effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall
make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights,
indicating the record date for the adjustment and, if known at the time, the
amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may be the date on which
the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Rights
Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten (10) days later than the
date of the public announcement. If Rights Certificates have been issued, upon
each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the
Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of
record of Rights Certificates on such record date Rights Certificates
evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such
holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of
the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in
substitution and replacement for the Rights Certificates held by such holders
prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof if required by the
Company, new Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders
shall be entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates so to be
distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided
for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted Purchase
Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Rights
Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.
(i) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or
the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon the
exercise of the
-18-
Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue
to express the Purchase Price per one one-hundredth of a share and the number of
one one-hundredths of a share which were expressed in the initial Rights
Certificates issued hereunder.
(j) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing
the Purchase Price below the then stated value if any, of the number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights,
the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its
counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue
fully paid and nonassessable such number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(k) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a
specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such
event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date
the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock and other capital
stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and
above the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock and other
capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise
on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided,
--------
however, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due xxxx or other
appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional
shares (fractional or otherwise) or securities upon the occurrence of the event
requiring such adjustment.
(l) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in
addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to
the extent that in their good faith judgment the Board of Directors of the
Company shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation or
subdivision of the Preferred Stock, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of any shares
of Preferred Stock at less than the current market price, (iii) issuance wholly
for cash of shares of Preferred Stock or securities which by their terms are
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Preferred Stock, (iv) stock
dividends, or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this
Section 11 hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Stock shall
not be taxable to such shareholders.
(m) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time
after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other than a
Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o)
hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of
the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or (iii)
sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one
transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the
Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), if (x) at the time of or immediately after
such consolidation, merger or sale there are any rights, warrants or other
instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect which would
substantially diminish
-19-
or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights, or
(y) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such consolidation,
merger or sale, the shareholders of the Person who constitutes the "Principal
Party" for purposes of Section 13(a) hereof shall have received a distribution
of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates and
Associates.
(n) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution
Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 26 hereof, take
(or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such action is
taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially
or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.
(o) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event that the Company shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date and
prior to the Distribution Date (i) declare a dividend on the outstanding shares
of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the number of Rights associated
with each share of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or delivered
thereafter but prior to the Distribution Date, shall be proportionately adjusted
so that the number of Rights thereafter associated with each share of Common
Stock following any such event shall equal the result obtained by multiplying
the number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock immediately
prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence
of the event and the denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event.
12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares.
----------------------------------------------------------
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 and Section 13
hereof, the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such
adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment,
(b) promptly file with the Rights Agent, and with each transfer agent for the
Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, a copy of such certificate, and (c) mail a
brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights Certificate (or, if prior to
the Distribution Date, to each holder of a certificate representing shares of
Common Stock) in accordance with Section 25 hereof. The Rights Agent shall be
fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein
contained.
13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) In the event that, following the Stock Acquisition Date, directly
or indirectly, (x) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and into,
any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), and the Company shall not be the continuing
or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, (y) any Person (other
than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction
-20-
which complies with Section 11(o) hereof) shall consolidate with, or merge with
or into, the Company, and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation of such consolidation or merger and, in connection with such
consolidation or merger, all or part of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other
Person or cash or any other property, or (z) the Company shall sell or otherwise
transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer),
in one transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person or Persons (other than the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company in one or more transactions each of which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), then, and in each such case, proper
provision shall be made so that: (i) each holder of a Right, except as provided
in Section 7(e) hereof, shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the
exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement, such number of validly authorized and issued, fully paid,
nonassessable and freely tradeable shares of Common Stock of the Principal Party
(as such term is hereinafter defined), not subject to any liens, encumbrances,
rights of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall be equal to the result
obtained by (1) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is exercisable
immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event (or, if a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event has occurred prior to the first occurrence of a Section
13 Event, multiplying the number of such one one-hundredths of a share for which
a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event by the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such first
occurrence), and (2) dividing that product (which, following the first
occurrence of a Section 13 Event, shall be referred to as the "Purchase Price"
for each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement) by 50% of the current
market price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) per share of the
Common Stock of such Principal Party on the date of consummation of such Section
13 Event; (ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall
assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the obligations and duties of
the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term "Company" shall
thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party, it being specifically
intended that the provisions of Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such
Principal Party following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event; (iv) such
Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the
reservation of a sufficient number of shares of its Common Stock) in connection
with the consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to assure that
the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably
may be, in relation to its shares of Common Stock thereafter deliverable upon
the exercise of the Rights; and (v) the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof
shall be of no effect following the first occurrence of any Section 13 Event.
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean:
-21-
(i) In the case of any transaction described in clause (x) or
(y) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the issuer
of any securities into which shares of Common Stock of the Company are
converted in such merger or consolidation, and if no securities are so
issued, the Person that is the other party to such merger or consolidation;
and
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause (z) of
the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the party receiving
the greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to
such transaction or transactions;
provided, however, that in any such case, (1) if the Common Stock of such Person
--------
is not at such time and has not been continuously over the preceding twelve (12)
month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and such Person is
a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the Common Stock of which is
and has been so registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to such other Person,
and (2) in case such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more
than one Person the Common Stocks of two or more of which are and have been so
registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the
issuer of the Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market value.
(c) The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger,
sale or transfer unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient number of
authorized shares of its Common Stock which have not been issued or reserved for
issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with this
Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Company and such Principal Party shall
have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement
providing for the terms set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 13
and further providing that, as soon as practicable after the date of any
consolidation, merger or sale of assets mentioned in paragraph (a) of this
Section 13, the Principal Party will:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Act
with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of
the Rights on an appropriate form, and will use its best efforts to cause
such registration statement to (A) become effective as soon as practicable
after such filing and (B) remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the Act) until the Expiration Date; and
(ii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial
statements for the Principal Party and each of its Affiliates which comply
in all respects with the requirements for registration on Form 10 under the
Exchange Act.
The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or
consolidations or sales or other transfers. In the event that a Section 13
Event shall occur at any time after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event,
the Rights which have not theretofore been exercised shall thereafter become
exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a).
-22-
14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares
---------------------------------------
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights,
except prior to the Distribution Date as provided in Section 11(p) hereof, or to
distribute Rights Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of
such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the
Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise
be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value of a whole Right. For purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market
value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading
Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have
been otherwise issuable. The closing price of the Rights for any day shall be
the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such
day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either
case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with
respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York
Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting
system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities
exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights
are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the
last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low
asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by NASDAQ or such other
system then in use, or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any
such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished
by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the
Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such market maker is
making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of
Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-
hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or to
distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Preferred Stock
(other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a
share of Preferred Stock). In lieu of fractional shares of Preferred Stock that
are not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock,
the Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time
such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same
fraction of the current market value of one one-hundredth of a share of
Preferred Stock. For purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value
of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock shall be one one-hundredth of
the closing price of a share of Preferred Stock (as determined pursuant to
Section 11(d)(ii) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of
such exercise.
(c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Company shall
not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of
the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of
Common Stock. In lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company may pay
to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are
exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current market value of one (1) share of Common Stock. For purposes of this
-23-
Section 14(c), the current market value of one share of Common Stock shall be
the closing price of one share of Common Stock (as determined pursuant to
Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of
such exercise.
(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Rights expressly
waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon
exercise of a Right, except as permitted by this Section 14.
15. Rights of Action.
-----------------
All rights of action in respect of this Agreement are vested in the
respective registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Common Stock); and any
registered holder of any Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date,
of the Common Stock), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder
of any other Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the
Common Stock), may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may
institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to
enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights
evidenced by such Rights Certificate in the manner provided in such Rights
Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any
remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged
that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any
breach of this Agreement and shall be entitled to specific performance of the
obligations hereunder and injunctive relief against actual or threatened
violations of the obligations hereunder of any Person subject to this Agreement.
16. Agreement of Rights Holders.
----------------------------
Every holder of a Right by accepting the same consents and agrees with
the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date and the Expiration
Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of
Common Stock;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at
the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purposes, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and
with the appropriate forms and certificates fully executed;
(c) subject to Section 6(a) and Section 7(f) hereof, the Company and
the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Rights
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Stock
certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights
evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the
Rights Certificates or the associated Common Stock certificate made by anyone
other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and
neither the
-24-
Company nor the Rights Agent, subject to the last sentence of Section 7(e)
hereof, shall be required to be affected by any notice to the contrary; and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder
of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent
injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent
jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or
commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or
enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining
performance of such obligation; provided, however, the Company must use its best
--------
efforts to have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned
as soon as possible.
17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder.
--------------------------------------------------
No holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to
vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of
one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock or any other securities of the
Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights
represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights
Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights Certificate, as
such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for
the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as
provided in Section 24 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights,
or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate
shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.
18. Concerning the Rights Agent.
---------------------------
(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time,
on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and
disbursements and other disbursements incurred in the administration and
execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties
hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to
hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent for
anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance
and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of
defending against any claim of liability in the premises.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability
for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection
with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Rights
Certificate or certificate for Common Stock or for other securities of the
Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement,
affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement or other
paper or document
-25-
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and,
where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.
19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent
---------------------------------------------------------
(a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any
corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent
or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to
the corporate trust business or stock transfer business of the Rights Agent or
any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under
this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act
on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided, however, that such
--------
corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under
the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights
Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Rights
Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor
Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of a predecessor Rights Agent and
deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any
of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor
Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the
predecessor or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases
such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights
Certificates and in this Agreement.
(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed
and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned
but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its
prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that
time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the
Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in its prior name
or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall
have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
20. Duties of Rights Agent.
------------------------
The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this
Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company
and the holders of Rights Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be
bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal
counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and
complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken
or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the
Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter
(including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and the
determination of "current market price")
-26-
be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action
hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President,
any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and delivered
to the Rights Agent, and such certificate shall be full authorization to the
Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the
provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of
the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Rights
Certificates or be required to verity the same (except as to its
countersignature on such Rights Certificates), but all such statements and
recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect
of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except
the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or
execution of any Rights Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor
shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or
condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it
be responsible for any adjustment required under the provisions of Section 11 or
Section 13 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such
adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any
such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by
Rights Certificates after actual notice of any such adjustment); nor shall it by
any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the
authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock to
be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights Certificate or as to whether
any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock will, when so issued, be validly
authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and
deliver, or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered, all
such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be
required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights
Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the
Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary or the
Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or
instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any
action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
instructions of any such officer.
(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or
employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other
securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in
which the Company may be interested, or
-27-
contract with or lend money to the Company, or otherwise act as fully and freely
as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall
preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or
for any other legal entity.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or
through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default,
neglect or misconduct; provided, however, reasonable care was exercised in the
--------
selection and continued employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if
there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it.
(k) If, with respect to any Right Certificate surrendered to the
Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of
assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has either not
been completed or indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2
thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such
requested exercise of transfer without first consulting with the Company.
21. Change of Rights Agent.
-----------------------
The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be
discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon thirty (30) days' notice in
writing mailed to the Company, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock
and Preferred Stock, by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the
Rights Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights
Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing,
mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to
each transfer agent of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, by registered or
certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class
mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become
incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent.
If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty
(30) days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in
writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated
Rights Agent or by the holder of a Rights Certificate (who shall, with such
notice, submit his Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then any
registered holder of any Rights Certificate may apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights
Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (a) a
corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or
of the State of New York (or of any other state of the United States so long as
such corporation is authorized to do business as a banking institution in the
State of New York), in good standing, having a principal office in the State of
-28-
New York, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust or
stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or
state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a
combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 or (b) an Affiliate
controlled by a corporation described in clause (a). After appointment, the
successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and
responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without
further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer
to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and
execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for
the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the
Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent
and each transfer agent of the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock, and mail a
notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates.
Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any
defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or
removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as
the case may be.
22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates.
------------------------------------
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the
Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Rights
Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of
Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the
number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable
under the Rights Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of
Common Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the redemption or
expiration of the Rights, the Company (a) shall, with respect to shares of
Common Stock so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or
under any employee plan or arrangement, or upon the exercise, conversion or
exchange of securities hereinafter issued by the Company, and (b) may, in any
other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the
Company, issue Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights
Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with
such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) no such Rights Certificate
--------
shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by
counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse
tax consequences to the Company or the person to whom such Rights Certificate
would be issued, and (ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to
the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu
of the issuance thereof.
23. Redemption and Termination.
--------------------------
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any
time prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the earlier of (i) the close of
business on the tenth day following the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the Stock
Acquisition Date shall have occurred prior to the Record Date, the close of
business on the tenth day following the Record Date) or
-29-
(ii) the Final Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than all of the then
outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $.05 per Right, as such amount may
be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being
hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price"); provided, however, if the
--------
Board of Directors of the Company authorizes redemption of the Rights in either
of the circumstances set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) below, then there must be
Disinterested Directors then in office and such authorization shall require the
concurrence of a majority of such Disinterested Directors: (i) such
authorization occurs on or after the time a Person becomes an Acquiring Person,
or (ii) such authorization occurs on or after the date of a change (resulting
from a proxy or consent solicitation) in a majority of the directors in office
at the commencement of such solicitation if any Person who is a participant in
such solicitation has stated (or, if upon the commencement of such solicitation,
a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company has determined in good
faith) that such Person (or any of its Affiliates or Associates) intends to
take, or may consider taking, any action which would result in such Person
becoming an Acquiring Person or which would cause the occurrence of a Triggering
Event, unless, concurrent with such solicitation, such Person (or one or more of
its Affiliates or Associates) is making a cash tender offer pursuant to a
Schedule 14D-1 (or any successor form) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission for all outstanding shares of Common Stock not beneficially owned by
such Person (or by its Affiliates or Associates); provided further, however,
----------------
that if, following the occurrence of a Stock Acquisition Date and following the
expiration of the right of redemption hereunder but prior to any Triggering
Event, (i) a Person who is an Acquiring Person shall have transferred or
otherwise disposed of a number of shares of Common Stock in one transaction, or
series of transactions, not directly or indirectly involving the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, which did not result in the occurrence of a Triggering
Event such that such Person is not thereafter a Beneficial Owner of shares of
Voting Stock representing more than 10% of the Voting Power, and (ii) there are
no other Persons, immediately following the occurrence of the event described in
clause (i), who are Acquiring Persons, then the right of redemption shall be
reinstated and thereafter be subject to the provisions of this Section 23.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights
shall not be exercisable after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event
until such time as the Company's right of redemption hereunder has expired.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, evidence of which shall have been
filed with the Rights Agent and without any further action and without any
notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right
thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price for
each Right so held. Promptly after the action of the Board of Directors
ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall give notice of such
redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by
mailing such notice to all such holders at each holder's last address as it
appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the
Distribution Date, on the registry books of the Transfer Agent for the Common
Stock. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed
given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of
redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price
will be made.
-30-
24. Notice of Certain Events.
--------------------------
(a) In case the Company shall propose, at any time after the
Distribution Date, (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the
holders of Preferred Stock or to make any other distribution to the holders of
Preferred Stock (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend out of earnings or
retained earnings of the Company), or (ii) to offer to the holders of Preferred
Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional shares
of Preferred Stock or shares of stock of any class or any other securities,
rights or options, or (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred
Stock (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock), or (iv) to effect any consolidation or
merger into or with any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in
a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or to effect any sale
or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any
sale or other transfer), in one transaction or a series of related transactions,
of more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the
Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or (v) to effect the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company
shall give to each holder of a Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and in
accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall
specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, distribution of
rights or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation,
merger, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution or winding up is to take place
and the date of participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred
Stock, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the
case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least twenty (20) days
prior to the record date for determining holders of the shares of Preferred
Stock for purposes of such action and, in the case of any such other action, at
least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action
or the date of participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred
Stock, whichever shall be the earlier.
(b) In case any Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall occur, then, in any such
case, (i) the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each
holder of a Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and in accordance with
Section 25 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which shall specify
the event and the consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Section
11(a)(ii) hereof, and (ii) all references in the preceding paragraph to
Preferred Stock shall be deemed thereafter to refer to Common Stock and/or, if
appropriate, other securities.
-31-
25. Notices.
-------
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by
the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights Certificate to or on the Company
shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights
Agent) as follows:
Xxxxxxxxx World Industries, Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by this
Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights
Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if
sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
0 (000) 000-0000.
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or, if
prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates representing
shares of Common Stock) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-
class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such
holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.
26. Supplements and Amendments.
---------------------------
Prior to the Distribution Date and subject to the penultimate sentence
of this Section 26, the Company may, and the Rights Agent shall if the Company
so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement without the
approval of any holders of certificates representing shares of Common Stock.
From and after the Distribution Date, and subject to the penultimate sentence of
this Section 26, the Company may, and the Rights Agent shall if the Company so
directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders
of Rights Certificates in order (i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or
supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent
with any other provisions herein, (iii) to change or supplement the provisions
hereunder in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable and
which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights
Certificates (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an
Acquiring Person), (iv) to suspend the effectiveness of Section 7(e) hereof
(which suspension, following the first occurrence of an event set forth in
clauses (i) and (ii) of the first proviso to Section 23(a) hereof,
-32-
shall be effective only if there are Disinterested Directors and shall require
the concurrence of a majority of such Disinterested Directors), or (v) to
shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder (which lengthening or shortening,
following the first occurrence of an event set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of
the first proviso to Section 23(a) hereof, shall be effective only if there are
Disinterested Directors and shall require the concurrence of a majority of such
Disinterested Directors); provided, this Agreement may not be supplemented or
--------
amended to lengthen, pursuant to clause (v) of this sentence, (A) a time period
relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at such time as the Rights are not
then redeemable or (B) any other time period unless such lengthening is for the
purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the
benefits to, the holders of Rights. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an
appropriate officer of the Company which states that the proposed supplement or
amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 26, the Rights Agent
shall execute such supplement or amendment. Notwithstanding anything contained
in this Agreement to the contrary, no supplement or amendment shall be made
which (i) changes the Redemption Price, the Purchase Price or the number of one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is exercisable or
(ii) shortens the Final Expiration Date. Prior to the Distribution Date, the
interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed coincident with the interests
of the holders of Common Stock.
27. Successors.
------------
All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the
benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit
of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
28. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.
-----------------------------------------------------------
For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of
shares of Common Stock or of any other class of capital stock outstanding at any
particular time, including for purposes of determining the particular percentage
of outstanding shares of Common Stock or of Voting Power of which any Person is
the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule
13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act. The
Board of Directors of the Company (with, where specifically provided for herein,
the concurrence of the Disinterested Directors) shall have the exclusive power
and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers
specifically granted to the Board (with, where specifically provided for herein,
the concurrence of the Disinterested Directors) or to the Company, or as may be
necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this
Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for
the administration of this Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not
redeem the Rights or to amend the Agreement). All such actions, calculations,
interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below,
all omissions with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board
(with, where specifically provided for herein, the concurrence of the
Disinterested Directors) in good faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and
binding on the
-33-
Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties, and
(y) not subject the Board or the Disinterested Directors to any liability to the
holders of the Rights.
29. Benefits of this Agreement.
---------------------------
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person
other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the
Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders
of the Common Stock) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this
Agreement, but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the
Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates
(and, prior to the Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Stock).
30. Severability
-------------
If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void
or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall
in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated; provided, however, that
--------
notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any such term,
provision, covenant or restriction is held by such court or authority to be
invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in its good faith judgment that severing the invalid language from
this Agreement would adversely affect the purpose or effect of this Agreement,
the right of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof shall be reinstated and
shall not expire until the close of business on the tenth day following the date
of such determination by the Board of Directors.
31. Governing Law.
--------------
This Agreement, each Right and each Rights Certificate issued
hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of such Commonwealth applicable to
contracts made and to be performed entirely within such Commonwealth except for
Sections 18, 19, 20 and 21 hereof, which for all purposes shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
32. Counterparts.
-------------
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each
of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all
such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
-34-
33. Descriptive Headings.
---------------------
Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or
construction of any of the provisions hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
Attest: XXXXXXXXX WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
By By
------------------------- -------------------------
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
Attest: CHEMICAL MELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES,
L.L.C.
By By
------------------------- -------------------------
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
-35-
EXHIBIT A
The resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors of Xxxxxxxxx World
Industries, Inc. establishing and designating the Series One Preferred Stock, a
series of Class A Preferred Stock, and fixing and determining the relative
rights and preferences thereof is as follows:
RESOLVED that pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of
Directors by Paragraph 8 of Article 5th of the Articles of Incorporation of
the Corporation, as amended, there is hereby established a series of the
Class A Preferred Stock of the Corporation to consist initially of 500,000
shares with the designation and relative rights and preferences thereof to
be as follows:
1. Designation. The shares of such series shall be designated as "Series
-----------
One Preferred Stock." Shares of this series shall be issued pursuant to the
exercise of rights to purchase Series One Preferred Stock distributed to the
holders of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Corporation (the
"Common Stock").
2. Dividends and Distributions. Subject to the rights and preferences of
---------------------------
the holders of any shares of $3.75 Cumulative Preferred Stock and of any series
of Class A Preferred Stock ranking senior as to dividends to this Series One
Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Series One Preferred Stock, in
preference to the holders of Common Stock and shares of stock ranking junior as
to dividends to the Series One Preferred Stock, shall be entitled to receive,
when and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available
for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the 15th day of March,
June, September and December in each year (each such date being referred to
herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction
of a share of Series One Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the
nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $36.00 or (b) subject to the
provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the aggregate per
share amount of all cash dividends plus 100 times the aggregate per share amount
(payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions, other than a
dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, or a subdivision of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), paid on the Common
Stock at any time during the quarter year immediately preceding the quarter year
ending on the day immediately preceding such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.
In the event the Corporation shall at any time after March 21, 1996 (the "Rights
Declaration Date") during any quarter year immediately preceding the quarter
year ending on the day immediately preceding a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date
(i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or
(ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock or combine the outstanding Common
Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each
such case the amounts to which holders of shares of Series One Preferred Stock
were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding
sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying each such amount by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of
Series One Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next
preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series One Preferred Stock, unless
the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the
record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series One Preferred
Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to
accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but
unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of
Series One Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such
dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro
rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of
shares of Series One Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend
or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than 30
days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.
3. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by law, holders of shares
-------------
of Series One Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights.
4. Certain Restrictions.
--------------------
(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions
payable on the Series One Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in
arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and
distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series One Preferred Stock
outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:
(i) declare or pay dividends on, make any distributions on, or
redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or as to assets) to the
Series One Preferred Stock;
(ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions
on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or
as to assets) with the Series One Preferred Stock, except dividends
paid ratably on the Series One Preferred Stock and all such parity
stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the
total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then
entitled;
(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
shares of any stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or as to
assets) to the Series One Preferred Stock, provided that the
Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire
shares of any such junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock of
the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or as to assets)
to the Series One Preferred Stock; or
(iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares
of Series One Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a
parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) with the Series One Preferred Stock, except in accordance
with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined
by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such
terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective
annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the
respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will
result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or
classes.
(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to
purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the
Corporation unless the Corporation could, under Paragraph (A) of this Section 4,
purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.
5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series One Preferred Stock purchased
-----------------
or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be
retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares
shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Class A
Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Class A Preferred
Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors,
subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein.
6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Subject to the rights and
--------------------------------------
preferences of the holders of any shares of $3.75 Cumulative Preferred Stock and
of any series of Class A Preferred Stock ranking senior as to assets to this
Series One Preferred Stock, upon any involuntary or voluntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made to
the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or as to
assets) to the Series One Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of
shares of Series One Preferred Stock shall have received an amount per share
equal to the Per Share Series One Liquidation Preference. The Per Share Series
One Liquidation Preference shall be equal to the sum of (x) $100.00 plus an
amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether
or not declared, to the date of such payment, plus (y) the Participation
Preference. The "Participation Preference" is an amount per each share of
Series One Preferred Stock outstanding equal to the product of (A) the Excess
Distribution Amount, as hereinafter defined, times (B) a fraction whose
numerator is 100 and whose denominator is the sum of (i) the product of 100
times the number of outstanding shares of Series One Preferred Stock, plus (ii)
the product of 100 times a fraction whose numerator is the number of outstanding
shares of Common Stock and whose denominator is the Adjustment Number; provided,
however, if the foregoing computation results in a negative number, then the
Participation Preference shall be 0. Following the payment of the full amount
of the Series One Liquidation Preference, holders of shares of Common Stock
shall receive the remaining assets to be distributed.
The "Excess Distribution Amount" is an amount equal to the amount available
for distribution to shareholders of the Corporation after payment of all debts
and liabilities less the
sum of (i) the liquidation preferences in respect of all shares of preferred
stock of the Corporation other than the Series One Preferred Stock, (ii) the
product of 100 times the number of outstanding shares of Series One Preferred
Stock, and (iii) the product of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock
times a fraction whose numerator is 100 and whose denominator is the Adjustment
Number.
(A) The Adjustment Number shall initially be 100 and shall be subject to
adjustment as provided in this subsection (B). In the event the Corporation
shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on
Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding
Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller
number of shares, then in each such case the Adjustment Number in effect
immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment
Number by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to
such event.
7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall enter into
--------------------------
any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares
of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities,
cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of Series One
Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an
amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth)
equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any
other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which
each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable
in shares of Common Stock, or (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock or
combine the outstanding Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares
of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding
sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series One
Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
8. Redemption. The outstanding shares of Series One Preferred Stock may
----------
be redeemed at the option of the Board of Directors as a whole, but not in part,
at any time or from time to time, at a cash price per share equal to (i) the
product of the Adjustment Number times the Average Market Value, as such term is
hereinafter defined, of the Common Stock, plus (ii) all dividends which on the
redemption date have accrued on the shares to be redeemed and have not been paid
or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart, without
interest; provided, however, that if and whenever any quarter-yearly dividend
shall have accrued on the Series One Preferred Stock which has not been paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart, the Corporation
may not purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of Series One Preferred Stock
unless all shares of such stock at the time outstanding are so purchased or
otherwise acquired. The "Average Market Value" is the average of the closing
sale
prices of the Common Stock during the 30-day period immediately preceding the
date before the redemption date on the Composite Tape for New York Stock
Exchange-Listed Stocks, or, if such stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape,
on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if such stock is not listed on such
Exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on which such stock is listed,
or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the average of the closing
bid quotations with respect to a share of Common Stock during such 30-day period
on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations
System or any system then in use, or, if no such quotations are available, the
fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by the Board of Directors in
good faith.
9. Fractional Shares. Series One Preferred Stock may be issued in
-----------------
fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such
holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, if applicable, receive
dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other
rights of holders of Series One Preferred Stock.
The foregoing resolution was duly adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors
of the Corporation duly called and held on September 25, 1995, at which meeting
a quorum was present and acting throughout.
EXHIBIT B
[Form of Rights Certificate]
Certificate No. R- Rights
----------------
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER MARCH 21, 2006 (UNLESS OTHERWISE EXTENDED) OR EARLIER IF
REDEEMED BY THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF
THE COMPANY, AT $.05 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.
UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON
(AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF
SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS
CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN
ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH
TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS
CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF SUCH AGREEMENT.]/*/
Rights Certificate
XXXXXXXXX WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
This certifies that , or registered
assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each
of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, effective as of March 21, 1996 (the "Rights
Agreement"), between Xxxxxxxxx World Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania
corporation (the "Company"), and Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.,
(the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company at any time prior to 5:00 PM
(New York City time) on March 21, 2006 (unless otherwise extended) at the office
or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or its successors as
Rights Agent, one one-hundredth of a fully paid, non-assessable share of Series
One of Class A Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") of the Company, at a
purchase price of $300 per one one-hundredth of a share (the "Purchase Price"),
upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate with the Form of
Election to Purchase and related Certificate duly executed. The Purchase Price
shall be paid in cash or, if the Company shall in its sole discretion so
consent, in shares of Common Stock of the Company having an
---------------------
/*/The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if applicable
and shall replace the preceding sentence.
equivalent value. The number of Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and
the number of shares which may be purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth
above, and the Purchase Price per share set forth above, are the number and
Purchase Price as of March 21, 1996, based on the Preferred Stock as constituted
at such date.
Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined
in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are
beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of
any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement),
(ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or (iii)
under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of a
person who, after such transfer, became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person, such Rights shall become null and void, and no
holder hereof shall have any right with respect to such Rights from and after
the occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number and
kind of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities which may be purchased
upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are subject
to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events, including
Triggering Events.
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which
limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of
such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the office of the Company and are
also available upon written request to the Company.
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon
surrender at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for
such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to
purchase a like aggregate number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates
surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Rights
Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive
upon surrender hereof another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the
number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by
this Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option at a redemption
price of $.05 per Right at any time prior to the earlier of the close of
business on (i) the tenth day following the Stock Acquisition Date (as such
number of days may be extended), and (ii) the Final Expiration Date. Under
certain circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, the decision to redeem
shall require the concurrence of a majority of the Disinterested Directors.
Thereafter, the Company's right of redemption may be reinstated if an Acquiring
Person reduces his beneficial
ownership to shares of Voting Stock representing 10% or less of the Voting Power
in a transaction or series of transactions not involving the Company.
No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued upon the exercise of
any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the
election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu
thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares of Preferred Stock
or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on
the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or
herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights
of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of
directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof,
or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of
meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the
Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise,
until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been
exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and
its corporate seal.
Dated as of ,
ATTEST: Xxxxxxxxx World Industries, Inc.
By
-------------------------------- -------------------------
Title: Title:
Countersigned:
Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
By
------------------------------------
Authorized Signature
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
----------------------------
(To be executed if holder desires to exercise Rights represented by the Rights
Certificate.)
To: XXXXXXXXX WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise
----------------
Rights represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Series
One of Class A Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such
other securities of the Company or of any other person which may be issuable
upon the exercise of the Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares
be issued in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security or other identifying number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights
shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security or other identifying number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: , ,
-------------------- -----
---------------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Certificate
-----------
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [ ] are
[ ] are not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as
such terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it
[ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate from any Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: , ,
------------- ---------
---------------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
NOTICE
------
The signature to the foregoing Election to Purchase and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
------------------
(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder desires to transfer the
Rights Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED
-------------------------------------------------------
hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
---------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address of transferee)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein,
and does hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint Attorney, to transfer the within
------------------------
Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of
substitution.
Dated: , ,
----------- ------
---------------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Certificate
-----------
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:
(1) This Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold,
assigned and transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms
are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it
[ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: , ,
--------------------- -------
---------------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
NOTICE
------
The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must correspond
to the name as written upon face of this Rights Certificate in every particular,
without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
EXHIBIT C
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
PREFERRED STOCK
The Board of Directors of Xxxxxxxxx World Industries, Inc. (the "Company")
declared a distribution of one Right for each outstanding share of Common Stock
of the Company to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 19,
1996 and with respect to each share of Common Stock that may be issued by the
Company prior to the "Distribution Date" (or the earlier redemption or
expiration of the Rights) described below. The Rights are effective as of the
close of business on March 21, 1996. Upon the occurrence of certain events
described below, each Right would entitle the registered holder to purchase from
the Company a unit consisting of one-hundredth of a share (a "unit") of Series
One Class A Preferred Stock, without par value (the "Preferred Stock"), at a
purchase price of $300 per unit, subject to adjustment (the "Purchase Price").
The Purchase Price must be paid in cash or, if the Company shall in its sole
discretion so consent, shares of Common Stock having a value at the time of
exercise equal to the Purchase Price. The description and terms of the Rights
are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between the Company
and Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. as Rights Agent.
Unless otherwise delayed by an action of the Board of Directors, the Rights
will separate from the Common Stock upon the earlier to occur of (i) ten (10)
days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired, or obtained the right
to acquire, beneficial ownership of shares of the Company's capital stock
representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power of all outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Company (the date of such announcement being
referred to as the "Stock Acquisition Date") or such later date as specified by
the majority of the Disinterested Directors, or (ii) ten (10) business days
following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result
in a person or group beneficially owning outstanding shares of the Company's
capital stock representing twenty-eight percent (28%) or more of the voting
power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, or such later
date as specified by the majority of the Disinterested Directors.
The term "Disinterested Directors" means any member of the Board of
Directors of the Company who was a member of the Board prior to the time that
the Acquiring Person became an Acquiring Person, any person who is subsequently
elected to the Board to fill a vacancy created by an increase in the size of the
Board if such person is recommended or approved by a majority of the
Disinterested Directors, and any successor of a Disinterested Director if such
person is recommended or approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors,
but shall not include an Acquiring Person, or an affiliate or associate of an
Acquiring Person, or any representative of the foregoing entities.
Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Common
Stock certificates and will be transferred only with such Common Stock
certificates, (ii) new Common
Stock certificates issued after March 21, 1996, will contain a notation
incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference, and (iii) the surrender for
transfer of any certificates for Common Stock will also constitute the transfer
of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificate.
The Rights will be attached to all Common Stock certificates representing shares
then outstanding until the occurrence of a Distribution Date or the earlier
redemption or expiration of the Rights. No separate Rights Certificates will be
---------------------------------------
distributed unless and until a Distribution Date occurs. The Rights will expire
-------------------------------------------------------
at the close of business on March 21, 2006, unless extended or earlier redeemed
by the Board as described below.
As soon as practicable after a Distribution Date (except as otherwise
provided above), Rights Certificates will be mailed to holders of record of the
Common Stock as of the close of business on a Distribution Date and, thereafter,
such separate Rights Certificates alone will represent the Rights.
In the event that, at any time following the Distribution Date, (i) the
Company is the surviving corporation in a merger with an Acquiring Person and
its Common Stock is not changed or exchanged, or (ii) a Person becomes the
beneficial owner of shares of the Company's capital stock representing twenty-
eight percent (28%) or more of the voting power of all outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Company, each holder of a Right will thereafter have the
right to receive, upon exercise, Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances,
cash, property or other securities of the Company) having a value equal to two
times the exercise price of the Right. The exercise price per Right is $300.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of any of the
events described in item (i) or (ii) in this paragraph, all Rights that are, or
(under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were,
beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person will be null and void. However, the
Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of either of the events set
forth in this paragraph until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable
by the Company as set forth below.
For example, at an exercise price of $300 per Right, each Right not owned
by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) following an event set
forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase $600 worth
of Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $300.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i)
the Company is acquired in certain merger or other business combination
transactions (other than a merger described in the second preceding paragraph)
or (ii) fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company's assets or earning power is
sold or transferred, each holder of a Right (except Rights which previously have
been voided as set forth above) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon
exercise, common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to two
times the exercise price of the Right.
The right to purchase Common Stock of the Company or common stock of an
Acquiring Person at a discount in the circumstances described in the preceding
paragraphs would not be exercisable if the Right holder has previously exercised
the right to purchase Preferred Stock.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Units of Preferred Stock or
other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject
to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred
Stock, (ii) if holders of the Preferred Stock are granted certain rights or
warrants to subscribe for Preferred Stock or convertible securities at less than
the current market price of the Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution
to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets
(excluding regular quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or
warrants (other than those referred to above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least one percent (1%) of the
Purchase Price. No fractional Units will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an
adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock
on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
At any time until ten days after the Stock Acquisition Date, the Board of
Directors may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.05
per Right. The redemption period may be extended by the Company's Board of
Directors at any time prior to the expiration of such period. Under certain
circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, the decision to redeem shall
require the concurrence of a majority of the Disinterested Directors. After the
redemption period has expired, the Company's right of redemption may be
reinstated if an Acquiring Person reduces his beneficial ownership to shares of
capital stock of the Company representing ten percent (10%) or less of the
voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company in a
transaction or series of transactions not involving the Company. Immediately
upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights,
with, where required, the concurrence of a majority of the Disinterested
Directors, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights
will be to receive the $.05 redemption price.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company arising from the Right itself, including,
without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the
initial declaration and distribution of the Rights will not be taxable to the
shareholders or the Company, shareholders may, depending upon the circumstances,
recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become exercisable for
Common Stock (or other consideration) of the Company or for common stock of an
acquiring company as set forth above.
Under the Rights Plan, the Board has broad amendatory powers. Other than
those provisions relating to the principal economic terms of the Rights, any of
the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board prior to the
Distribution Date. After the Distribution Date, amendments may not adversely
affect Right holders' interests but any amendment suspending the provisions of
the Rights Plan by excluding any acquirer from its benefits shall not be deemed
to adversely affect Rights' holders interests. Under certain circumstances, an
amendment would require the concurrence of the Disinterested Directors.
A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A. A
copy of the Rights
Agreement is available free of charge from the Company. This summary description
of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the Rights Agreement which is incorporated herein by reference.
