STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of December 13, 2000 between XCEL ENERGY INC. and WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A. as Rights Agent

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit A-3

STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

dated as of

December 13, 2000

between

XCEL ENERGY INC.

and

XXXXX FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.

as Rights Agent

STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

			Page
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS			1
	1.1.	Definitions	1
ARTICLE 2. THE RIGHTS			5
	2.1.	Summary of Rights	5
	2.2.	Legend on Common Stock Certificates	5
	2.3.	Exercise of Rights; Separation of Rights	6
	2.4.	Adjustments to Exercise Price; Number of Rights	7
	2.5.	Date on Which Exercise Is Effective	8
	2.6.	Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Rights Certificates	9
	2.7.	Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange	10
	2.8.	Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Rights Certificates	10
	2.9.	Persons Deemed Owners	11
	2.10.	Delivery and Cancellation of Certificates	11
	2.11.	Agreement of Rights Holders	11
ARTICLE 3. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS			11
	3.1.	Flip-in	11
	3.2.	Flip-over	13
ARTICLE 4. THE RIGHTS AGENT			13
	4.1.	General	13
	4.2.	Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent	14
	4.3.	Duties of Rights Agent	15
	4.4.	Change of Rights Agent	16
ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS			17
	5.1.	Redemption	17
	5.2.	Expiration	17
	5.3.	Issuance of New Rights Certificates	17
	5.4.	Supplements and Amendments	17
	5.5.	Fractional Shares	17
	5.6.	Rights of Action	18
	5.7.	Holder of Rights Not Deemed a Stockholder	18
	5.8.	Notice of Proposed Actions	18
	5.9.	Notices	18
	5.10.	Suspension of Exercisability	19
	5.11.	Costs of Enforcement	19
	5.12.	Successors	19
	5.13.	Benefits of this Agreement	19
	5.14.	Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.	19
	5.15.	Descriptive Headings	19
	5.16.	Governing Law	20
	5.17.	Counterparts	20
	5.18.	Severability	20

-i-

STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this "Agreement"), dated as of December 13, 2000, between XCEL ENERGY INC., a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), XXXXX FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent", which term shall include any successor Rights Agent hereunder).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has (a) authorized and declared a dividend of one right ("Right") in respect of each share of Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) held of record as of the Close of Business on the date (the "Record Time") that is the tenth Business Day following the first public announcement by the Company of the granting of an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission permitting to become effective the Company's declaration with respect to such dividend and the other transactions contemplated herein pursuant to the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended (the "Holding Company Act"), and (b) as provided in Section 2.4, authorized the issuance of one Right in respect of each share of Common Stock issued after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time (as hereinafter defined) and, to the extent provided in Section 5.3, each share of Common Stock issued after the Separation Time;

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Right entitles the holder thereof, after the Separation Time, to purchase securities or assets of the Company (or, in certain cases, securities of certain other entities) pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to appoint the Rights Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Rights Agent is willing so to act, in connection with the issuance, transfer, exchange and replacement of Rights Certificates (as hereinafter defined), the exercise of Rights and other matters referred to herein;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective agreements set forth herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINITIONS

1.1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

"Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who is a Beneficial Owner (as hereinafter defined) of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that the term "Acquiring Person" shall not include any Person (i) who is the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on the date of this Agreement or who shall become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock solely as a result of an acquisition by the Company of shares of Common Stock, until such time hereafter or thereafter as any of such Persons shall become the Beneficial Owner (other than by means of a stock dividend or stock split) of any additional shares of Common Stock, (ii) who becomes the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock but who acquired Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock without any plan or intention to seek or affect control of the Company, if such Person promptly divests, or promptly enters into an agreement with the Company satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, to divest (in each case, without exercising or retaining any power, including voting power, with respect to such shares) sufficient shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Stock) so that such Person ceases to be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) who Beneficially Owns shares of Common Stock consisting solely of one or more of (A) shares of

Common Stock Beneficially Owned pursuant to the grant or exercise of an option granted to such Person (an "Option Holder") by the Company in connection with an agreement to merge with, or acquire, the Company entered into prior to a Flip-in Date, (B) shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Stock), Beneficially Owned by such Option Holder or its Affiliates or Associates at the time of grant of such option, and (C) shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Stock) acquired by Affiliates or Associates of such Option Holder after the time of such grant which, in the aggregate, amount to less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Company, any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company and any employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Company or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company shall not be an Acquiring Person.

"Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in effect on the date of this Agreement.

"Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner", and to have "Beneficial Ownership" of, and to "Beneficially Own", any securities as to which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates is or may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, as such Rules are in effect on the date of this Agreement, as well as any securities as to which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has the right to become Beneficial Owner (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the occurrence of conditions) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner", or to have "Beneficial Ownership" of, or to "Beneficially Own", any security (i) solely because such security has been tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered security is accepted for payment or exchange or (ii) solely because such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such security pursuant to a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made to more than ten holders of shares of a class of stock of the Company registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, except if such power (or the arrangements relating thereto) is then reportable under Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any similar provision of a comparable or successor report). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no officer or director of the Company shall be deemed to Beneficially Own any securities of any other Person by virtue of any actions such officer or director takes in such capacity and such officer or director shall not solely by reason of their status as such constitute a group (notwithstanding that they may be Associates of one another or may be deemed to constitute a group for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act). For purposes of this Agreement, in determining the percentage of the outstanding shares of Common Stock with respect to which a Person is the Beneficial Owner, all shares as to which such Person is deemed the Beneficial Owner shall be deemed outstanding.

"Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of Minneapolis are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

"Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m. Minneapolis time on such date or, if such date is not a Business Day, 5:00 p.m. Minneapolis time on the next succeeding Business Day.

"Common Stock" shall mean the shares of Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share, of the Company.

"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

"Election to Exercise" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(d) hereof.

"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

"Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) hereof.

"Exchange Time" shall mean the time at which the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate pursuant to Section 3.1(c) hereof.

"Exercise Price" shall mean, as of any date, the price at which a holder may purchase or for which a holder may exchange the securities and/or cash and/or other assets issuable or exchangeable upon exercise or exchange of one whole Right. Until adjustment thereof in accordance with the terms hereof, the Exercise Price shall equal $95.

"Expansion Factor" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a) hereof.

"Expiration Time" shall mean the earliest of (i) the Exchange Time, (ii) the Redemption Time, (iii) the Close of Business on the tenth anniversary of the Record Time unless extended by action of the Board of Directors, and (iv) immediately prior to the effective time of a consolidation, merger or share exchange of the Company (A) into another corporation or (B) with another corporation in which the Company is the surviving corporation but Common Stock is converted into cash and/or securities of another corporation, in either case pursuant to an agreement entered into by the Company prior to a Stock Acquisition Date.

"Flip-in Date" shall mean any Stock Acquisition Date or such later date as the Board of Directors of the Company may from time to time fix by resolution adopted prior to the Flip-in Date that would otherwise have occurred.

"Flip-over Entity", for purposes of Section 3.2, shall mean (i) in the case of a Flip-over Transaction or Event described in clause (i) of the definition thereof, the Person issuing any securities into which shares of Common Stock are being converted or exchanged and, if no such securities are being issued, the other party to such Flip-over Transaction or Event and (ii) in the case of a Flip-over Transaction or Event referred to in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the Person receiving the greatest portion of the (A) assets or (B) operating income or cash flow being transferred in such Flip-over Transaction or Event, provided in all cases if such Person is a subsidiary of a corporation, the parent corporation shall be the Flip-over Entity.

"Flip-over Stock" shall mean the capital stock (or similar equity interest) with the greatest voting power in respect of the election of directors (or other persons similarly responsible for direction of the business and affairs) of the Flip-over Entity.

"Flip-over Transaction or Event" shall mean a transaction or series of transactions after a Flip-in Date in which, directly or indirectly, (i) the Company shall consolidate or merge or participate in a share exchange with any other Person if, at the time of the consolidation, merger or share exchange or at the time the Company enters into any agreement with respect to any such consolidation, merger or share exchange, the Acquiring Person controls the Board of Directors of the Company and either (A) any term of or arrangement concerning the treatment of shares of capital stock in such consolidation, merger or share exchange relating to the Acquiring Person is not identical to the terms and arrangements relating to other holders of the Common Stock or (B) the Person with whom the transaction or series of transactions occurs is the Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of the Acquiring Person, or (ii) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer) assets (A) aggregating more than 50% of the assets (measured by either book value or fair market value) or (B) generating more than 50% of the operating income or cash flow of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person (other than the Company or one or more of its wholly-owned

Subsidiaries) or to two or more such Persons which are Affiliates or Associates or otherwise acting in concert, if, at the time of the entry by the Company (or any such Subsidiary) into an agreement with respect to such sale or transfer of assets, the Acquiring Person controls the Board of Directors of the Company. An Acquiring Person shall be deemed to "control" the Company's Board of Directors when, following a Flip-in Date, the persons who were directors of the Company (or persons nominated and/or appointed as directors by vote of a majority of such persons) before the Stock Acquisition Date of such Acquiring Person shall cease to constitute a majority of the Company's Board of Directors.

"Holding Company Act" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

"Market Price" per share of any securities on any date shall mean the average of the daily closing prices per share of such securities (determined as described below) on each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days through and including the Trading Day immediately preceding such date; provided, however, that if an event of a type analogous to any of the events described in Section 2.4 hereof shall have caused the closing prices used to determine the Market Price on any Trading Days during such period of 20 Trading Days not to be fully comparable with the closing price on such date, each such closing price so used shall be appropriately adjusted in order to make it fully comparable with the closing price on such date. The closing price per share of any securities on any date shall be the last reported sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place or is quoted on such date, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for each share of such securities, 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, Inc. or, if the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the securities are listed or admitted to trading or, if the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or 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 securities selected by the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that if on any such date the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, the closing price per share of such securities on such date shall mean the fair value per share of securities on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation with a nationally recognized investment banking firm, and set forth in a certificate delivered to the Rights Agent.

"Option Holder" shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of Acquiring Person.

"Person" shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, association, group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as such Rule is in effect on the date of this Agreement), corporation or other entity.

"Record Time" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

"Redemption Price" shall mean an amount equal to one cent, i.e. $0.01.

"Redemption Time" shall mean the time at which the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof.

"Right" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

"Rights Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

"Rights Certificate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c) hereof.

"Rights Register" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a) hereof.

"Separation Time" shall mean the Close of Business on the earlier of (i) the tenth Business Day (or such later date as the Board of Directors of the Company may from time to time fix by resolution adopted prior to the Separation Time that would otherwise have occurred) after the date on which any Person commences a tender or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in such Person's becoming an Acquiring Person and (ii) the Flip-in Date; provided, that if the foregoing results in the Separation Time being prior to the Record Time, the Separation Time shall be the Record Time and provided further, that if any tender or exchange offer referred to in clause (i) of this paragraph is cancelled, terminated or otherwise withdrawn prior to the Separation Time without the purchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto, such offer shall be deemed, for purposes of this paragraph, never to have been made.

"Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public announcement by the Company expressly stating that a Person has become an Acquiring Person.

"Subsidiary" of any specified Person shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the equity securities or a majority of the equity interest is Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

"Trading Day", when used with respect to any securities, shall mean a day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for the transaction of business or, if such securities are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which such securities are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if such securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

ARTICLE 2.

THE RIGHTS

2.1. Summary of Rights. As soon as practicable after the Record Time, the Company will mail a letter summarizing the terms of the Rights to each holder of record of Common Stock as of the Record Time, at such holder's address as shown by the records of the Company.

2.2. Legend on Common Stock Certificates. Certificates representing the Common Stock issued after the Record Time but prior to the Separation Time shall represent one Right for each share of Common Stock represented thereby and shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:

Until the Separation Time (as defined in the Rights Agreement referred to below), this certificate also represents and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in a Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2000 (as such may be amended from time to time, the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and Xxxxx Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Rights Agent, the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company. Under certain circumstances and subject to the conditions set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights may be redeemed, may become exercisable for securities and/or cash and/or other assets of the Company or securities of another entity, may be exchanged for shares of Common Stock and/or other securities and/or cash and/or other assets of the Company, may expire, may become void (if they are "Beneficially Owned" by an "Acquiring Person" or an Affiliate or Associate thereof, as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement, or by any transferee of any of the foregoing) or may be represented by separate certificates and may no longer be represented by this certificate. The Company will mail or arrange for the mailing of a copy of the Rights Agreement to the holder of this certificate without charge after the receipt of a written request therefor.

Certificates representing shares of Common Stock that are issued and outstanding at the Record Time shall represent one Right for each share of Common Stock represented thereby notwithstanding the absence of the foregoing legend.

If the Common Stock issued after the Record Time but prior to the Separation Time shall be uncertificated, the registration of such Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company shall evidence one Right for each share of Common Stock represented thereby. The Company will mail or arrange for the mailing of a copy of this Agreement to any Person that holds Common Stock, as evidenced by the registration of the Common Stock in the name of such Person on the stock transfer books of the Company, without charge after the receipt of a written request therefor.

2.3. Exercise of Rights; Separation of Rights. (a) Subject to Sections 3.1, 3.2, 5.1 and 5.10 and subject to adjustment as herein set forth, each Right will entitle the holder thereof, after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, to purchase, for the Exercise Price, one share of Common Stock.

(b) Until the Separation Time, (i) no Right may be exercised and (ii) each Right will be represented by the certificate for the associated share of Common Stock (together, in the case of certificates issued prior to the Record Time, with the letter mailed to the record holder thereof pursuant to Section 2.1) or, if the Common Stock shall be uncertificated, by the registration of the associated share of Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company, and will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer (whether with or without such letter) of, such associated share.

(c) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, the Rights (i) may be exercised and (ii) may be transferred independent of shares of Common Stock. Promptly following the Separation Time, the Rights Agent will mail to each holder of record of Common Stock as of the Separation Time (other than any Person whom the Rights Agent has been notified by the Company as being a Person whose Rights have become null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)), at such holder's address as shown by the records of the Company (the Company hereby agreeing to furnish copies of such records to the Rights Agent for this purpose), (x) a certificate (a "Rights Certificate") in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto appropriately completed, representing the number of Rights held by such holder at the Separation Time and having such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate (but which do not change or increase the rights, duties or obligations of the Rights Agent without the Right Agent's consent) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Rights may from time to time be listed or traded, or to conform to usage, and (y) a disclosure statement describing the Rights.

(d) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Rights may be exercised on any Business Day after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time by submitting to the Rights Agent the Rights Certificate representing such Rights with an Election to Exercise (an "Election to Exercise") substantially in the form attached to the Rights Certificate duly and properly completed, accompanied by payment in cash, or by certified or official bank check or money order payable to the order of the Company, of a sum equal to the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Rights being exercised and a sum sufficient to cover any tax or charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of the Rights Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates (or, if uncertificated, the registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) for shares or depositary receipts (or both) in a name other than that of the holder of the Rights being exercised. The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any action under any Section of this Agreement which requires the payment by a Rights holder of applicable taxes and charges unless and until the Rights Agent is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges have been paid.

(e) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate, with a properly completed Election to Exercise accompanied by payment as set forth in Section 2.3(d), and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Rights Agent will thereupon promptly (i)(A) requisition from a transfer agent certificates representing such number of shares or other securities to be purchased or, in the case of uncertificated shares or other securities, requisition from a transfer agent a notice setting forth such number of shares or other securities

to be purchased for which registration will be made on the stock transfer books of the Company (the Company hereby irrevocably authorizing its transfer agents to comply with all such requisitions) and (B) if the Company elects pursuant to Section 5.5 not to issue certificates (or effect registrations on the stock transfer books of the Company) representing fractional shares, requisition from the depositary selected by the Company depositary receipts representing the fractional shares to be purchased or requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 5.5 and (ii) after receipt, but only upon receipt, of such certificates, depositary receipts, notices and/or cash, deliver the same to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered (in the case of certificates, depositary receipts or notices) in such name or names as may be designated by such holder.

(f) In case the holder of any Rights shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced by such holder's Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate representing the Rights remaining unexercised will be issued by the Rights Agent to such holder or to such holder's duly authorized assigns.

(g) The Company covenants and agrees that it will (i) take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all shares delivered (or evidenced by registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates (or registration) representing such shares (subject to payment of the Exercise Price), be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered (or registered) and fully paid and nonassessable; (ii) take all such action as may be necessary to comply with any applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Exchange Act or the Holding Company Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and any other applicable law, rule or regulation, in connection with the issuance or exchange of any securities and/or cash and/or other assets upon exercise or exchange of Rights; and (iii) pay when due and payable any and all federal and state taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates or of any debt or equity securities or cash or other assets issued upon the exercise or exchange of Rights, provided, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax or charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates (or the registration) representing securities in a name other than that of the holder of the Rights being transferred or exercised.

2.4. Adjustments to Exercise Price; Number of Rights. (a) In the event the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time (i) declare or pay a dividend on Common Stock payable in Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, (x) the Exercise Price in effect after such adjustment will be equal to the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment divided by the number of shares of Common Stock (the "Expansion Factor") that a holder of one share of Common Stock immediately prior to such dividend, subdivision or combination would hold thereafter as a result thereof and (y) each Right held prior to such adjustment will become that number of Rights equal to the Expansion Factor, and the adjusted number of Rights will be deemed to be distributed among the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the original Rights were associated (if they remain outstanding) and the shares issued in respect of such dividend, subdivision or combination, so that each such share of Common Stock will have exactly one Right associated with it. Each adjustment made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made as of the payment or effective date for the applicable dividend, subdivision or combination.

In the event the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time issue any shares of Common Stock otherwise than in a transaction referred to in the preceding paragraph, each such share of Common Stock so issued shall automatically have one new Right associated with it, which Right shall be represented by the certificate representing such share (or, if the Common Stock shall be uncertificated, such Right shall be represented by the registration of such Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company). Rights shall be issued by the Company in respect of shares of Common Stock that are issued or sold by the Company after the Separation Time to the extent provided in Section 5.3.

(b) In the event the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time issue or distribute any securities or assets (other than periodic cash dividends) in respect of, in lieu of or in exchange for Common Stock (other than in a transaction referred to in subparagraphs (i) through (iii) of Section 2.4(a) or a dividend paid solely in Common Stock) whether by dividend, in a reclassification or recapitalization (including any such transaction involving a merger, consolidation or share exchange), or otherwise, the Company shall make such adjustments, if any, in the Exercise Price, number of Rights and/or securities or other property purchasable upon exercise of Rights as the Board of Directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, may deem to be appropriate under the circumstances in order to adequately protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally, and the Company and the Rights Agent shall amend this Agreement as necessary to provide for such adjustments.

(c) Each adjustment to the Exercise Price made pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be calculated to the nearest cent. Whenever an adjustment to the Exercise Price is made pursuant to this Section 2.4, the Company shall (i) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts relating to such adjustment and (ii) promptly file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Stock a copy of such certificate. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained and shall have no duty with respect to and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment unless and until it shall have received such a certificate.

(d) Rights Certificates shall represent the securities purchasable under the terms of this Agreement, including any adjustment or change in the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, even though such certificates may continue to express the securities purchasable at the time of issuance of the initial Rights Certificates.

2.5. Date on Which Exercise Is Effective. Each Person in whose name any certificate representing shares is issued (or registration on the stock transfer books is effected) upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares represented thereby on the date upon which the Rights Certificate representing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Exercise Price for such Rights (and any applicable taxes and other governmental charges payable by the exercising holder hereunder) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate (or registration) shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the stock transfer books of the Company are open.

2.6. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Rights Certificates.

(a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or one of its Vice Presidents, and countersigned by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Rights Certificates may be manual or facsimile.

Rights Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the countersignature and delivery of such Rights Certificates.

Promptly after the Separation Time, the Company will notify the Rights Agent of such Separation Time and will deliver Rights Certificates executed by the Company to the Rights Agent for countersignature, and, subject to Section 3.1(b), the Rights Agent shall manually countersign and deliver such Rights Certificates to the holders of the Rights pursuant to Section 2.3(c) hereof. No Rights Certificate shall be valid for any purpose unless manually countersigned by the Rights Agent.

(b) Rights Certificate shall be dated the date of countersignature thereof.

2.7. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. (a) After the Separation Time, the Company will cause to be kept a register (the "Rights Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company will provide for the registration and transfer of Rights. The Rights Agent is hereby appointed "Rights Registrar" for the purpose of maintaining the Rights Register for the Company and registering Rights and transfers of Rights after the Separation Time as herein provided. In the event that the Rights Agent shall cease to be the Rights Registrar, the Rights Agent will have the right to examine the Rights Register at all reasonable times after the Separation Time.

After the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, upon surrender for registration of transfer or exchange of any Rights Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.7(c) and (d), the Company will execute, and the Rights Agent will countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder's instructions, one or more new Rights Certificates representing the same aggregate number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so surrendered.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(b), all Rights issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Rights Certificates shall be the valid obligations of the Company, and such Rights shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Rights surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(c) Every Rights Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company or the Rights Agent, as the case may be, duly executed by the holder thereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing. As a condition to the issuance of any new Rights Certificate under this Section 2.7, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.

(d) The Company shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of any Rights after such Rights have become null and void under Section 3.1(b), been exchanged under Section 3.1(c) or been redeemed under Section 5.1.

2.8. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Rights Certificates. (a) If any mutilated Rights Certificate is surrendered to the Rights Agent prior to the Expiration Time, then, subject to Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(c) and 5.1, the Company shall execute and the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor a new Rights Certificate representing the same number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so surrendered.

(b) If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Rights Agent prior to the Expiration Time (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Rights Certificate and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any of their agents harmless, then, subject to Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(c) and 5.1 and in the absence of notice to the Company or the Rights Agent that such Rights Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate representing the same number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so destroyed, lost or stolen.

(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Rights Certificate under this Section 2.8, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Rights Agent) connected therewith.

(d) Every new Rights Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 2.8 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall represent an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone,

and, subject to Section 3.1(b) shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Rights duly issued hereunder.

2.9. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or notice of transfer, if uncertificated) for registration of transfer, the Company, the Rights Agent and any agent of the Company or the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, such Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights represented thereby for all purposes whatsoever, including the payment of the Redemption Price, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. As used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the term "holder" of any Rights shall mean the registered holder of such Rights (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated shares of Common Stock).

2.10. Delivery and Cancellation of Certificates. All Rights Certificates surrendered upon exercise or for registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any person other than the Rights Agent, be delivered to the Rights Agent and, in any case, shall be promptly cancelled by the Rights Agent. The Company may at any time deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation any Rights Certificates previously countersigned and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Rights Certificates so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Rights Agent. No Rights Certificates shall be countersigned in lieu of or in exchange for any Rights Certificates cancelled as provided in this Section 2.10, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement. The Rights Agent shall return all cancelled Rights Certificates to the Company.

2.11. Agreement of Rights Holders. Every holder of Rights by accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of Rights that:

(a) prior to the Separation Time, each Right will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer of, the associated share of Common Stock;

(b) after the Separation Time, the Rights Certificates will be transferable only on the Rights Register as provided herein;

(c) prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) for registration of transfer, the Company, the Rights Agent and any agent of the Company or the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name the Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary;

(d) Rights Beneficially Owned by certain Persons will, under the circumstances set forth in Section 3.1(b), become null and void; and

(e) this Agreement may be supplemented or amended from time to time pursuant to Section 2.4(b) or 5.4 hereof.

ARTICLE 3.

ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

3.1. Flip-in. (a) In the event that prior to the Expiration Time a Flip-in Date shall occur, except as provided in this Section 3.1, each Right shall constitute the right to purchase from the Company, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof (but subject to Section 5.10 and to the last sentence of this Section 3.1(a)), that number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Market Price on the

Stock Acquisition Date that gave rise to the Flip-in Date equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price (such right to be appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally in the event that on or after such Stock Acquisition Date an event of a type analogous to any of the events described in Section 2.4(a) or (b) shall have occurred with respect to the Common Stock).

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Rights that are or were Beneficially Owned on or after the Stock Acquisition Date by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof or by any transferee, direct or indirect, of any of the foregoing shall become null and void and any holder of such Rights (including transferees) shall thereafter have no right to exercise or transfer such Rights under any provision of this Agreement. If any Rights Certificate is presented for assignment or exercise and the Person presenting the same will not complete the certification set forth at the end of the form of assignment or notice of election to exercise and provide such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner and its Affiliates and Associates (or former Beneficial Owners and their Affiliates and Associates) as the Company or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request, then the Company or the Rights Agent shall be entitled conclusively to deem the Beneficial Owner thereof to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof or a transferee of any of the foregoing and accordingly will deem the Rights evidenced thereby to be void and not transferable or exercisable.

(c) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time after a Flip-in Date and prior to the time that an Acquiring Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, elect to exchange all (but not less than all) the then outstanding Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.1(b)) for shares of Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right, appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of holders of Rights generally in the event that after the Separation Time an event of a type analogous to any of the events described in Section 2.4(a) or (b) shall have occurred with respect to the Common Stock (such exchange ratio, as adjusted from time to time, being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Ratio").

Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company electing to exchange the Rights, without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and each Right (other than Rights that have become null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)) will thereafter represent only the right to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio. Promptly after the action of the Board of Directors electing to exchange the Rights, the Company shall give notice thereof (specifying the steps to be taken to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange for Rights) to the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights (other than Rights that have become null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)) outstanding immediately prior thereto by mailing such notice in accordance with Section 5.9.

Each Person in whose name any certificate representing securities is issued (or for whom any registration on the securities transfer books of the Company is made) upon the exchange of Rights pursuant to this Section 3.1(c) or Section 3.1(d) shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the securities represented thereby on, and such certificate (or registration on the securities transfer books of the Company) shall be dated (or registered as of), the date upon which the Rights Certificate representing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of any applicable taxes and other governmental charges payable by the holder was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the securities transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such securities on, and such certificate (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) shall be dated (or registered as of), the next succeeding Business Day on which the securities transfer books of the Company are open.

(d) In the event that there shall not be sufficient authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock of the Company to permit the exercise or exchange in full of the Rights in accordance with Section 3.1(a) or,

if the Company so elects, to make the exchange referred to in Section 3.1(c), the Company shall either (i) call a meeting of stockholders seeking approval to cause sufficient additional shares to be authorized (provided that if such approval is not obtained the Company will take the action specified in clause (ii) of this sentence) or (ii) take such action as shall be necessary to ensure and provide, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any agreements or instruments in effect on the Stock Acquisition Date to which it is a party, that each Right shall thereafter constitute the right to receive, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof (but subject to Section 5.10), (x) at the Company's option, either (A) in return for the Exercise Price, debt or equity securities or cash or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to twice the Exercise Price, or (B) without payment of consideration (except as otherwise required by applicable law), debt or equity securities or cash or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to the Exercise Price, or (y) if the Board of Directors of the Company elects to exchange the Rights in accordance with Section 3.1(c), debt or equity securities or cash or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to the product of the Market Price of a share of Common Stock on the Flip-in Date times the Exchange Ratio in effect on the Flip-in Date, where in any case set forth in (x) or (y) above the fair value of such debt or equity securities or cash or other assets shall be as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation with a nationally recognized investment banking firm.

3.2. Flip-over. (a) Prior to the Expiration Time, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to, consummate or permit to occur any Flip-over Transaction or Event unless and until it shall have entered into a supplemental agreement with the Flip-over Entity, for the benefit of the holders of the Rights, providing that, upon consummation or occurrence of the Flip-over Transaction or Event (i) each Right shall thereafter constitute the right to purchase from the Flip-over Entity, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof, that number of shares of Flip-over Stock of the Flip-over Entity having an aggregate Market Price on the date of consummation or occurrence of such Flip-over Transaction or Event equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price (such right to be appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally in the event that after such date of consummation or occurrence an event of a type analogous to any of the events described in Section 2.4(a) or (b) shall have occurred with respect to the Flip-over Stock) and (ii) the Flip-over Entity shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Flip-over Transaction or Event and such supplemental agreement, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 3.2 shall apply to successive Flip-over Transactions or Events.

(b) Prior to the Expiration Time, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to, consummate or permit to occur any Flip-over Transaction or Event if at the time thereof there are any rights, warrants or securities outstanding or any other arrangements, agreements or instruments that would eliminate or otherwise diminish in any material respect the benefits intended to be afforded by this Rights Agreement to the holders of Rights upon consummation of such transaction.

ARTICLE 4.

THE RIGHTS AGENT

4.1. General. (a) The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. 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 other disbursements incurred in the preparation, execution, delivery, amendment and administration 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, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, settlement, cost or expense, incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, as determined by a court

of competent jurisdiction, for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be done 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.

(b) The Rights Agent shall be authorized and protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with its acceptance and administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any certificate for securities (or registration on the securities transfer books of the Company) purchasable or exchangeable upon exercise or exchange of Rights, Rights Certificate, certificate 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 believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper person or persons.

4.2. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent. (a) Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent is a party, or any Person succeeding to the shareholder services business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, will 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 that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 4.4 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent succeeds to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Rights Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates have not been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates will 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 is 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.

4.3. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes only the duties and obligations expressly 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 advice or opinion of such counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent, and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of, any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.

(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent deems it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company (including, without limitation, the identity of an Acquiring Person and the determination of Market Price or fair value) prior to taking or suffering or omitting to take 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 a person believed by the Rights Agent to be the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate will be full authorization to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of, any action taken, omitted to be taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

(c) The Rights Agent will be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Rights Agent be liable for special, punitive, indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage.

(d) The Rights Agent will not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the certificates, if any, for securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights or the Rights Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and will be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

(e) The Rights Agent will not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any certificate, if any, representing securities purchasable or issuable upon exercise or exchange of Rights or Rights Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor will it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor will it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights becoming null and void pursuant to Section 3.1(b) hereof) or any adjustment required under the provisions of Section 2.4, 3.1 or 3.2 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 after receipt of the certificate contemplated by Section 2.4 describing any such adjustment); nor will it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights or any Rights or as to whether any securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights will, when issued, be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered and 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 any person believed by the Rights Agent to be the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such persons for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken, omitted to be taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such person.

(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, Affiliate, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in Common Stock, Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or 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 will 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, absent gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in the selection and continued employment thereof.

(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to make out-of-pocket disbursements in connection with the performance of its duties if it reasonably believes that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against any such expense is not probable.

4.4. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days' notice (or such lesser notice as is acceptable to the Company) in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of Common Stock by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.9. The Company may remove the Rights Agent upon 30 days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.9. If the Rights Agent should resign or be removed or otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company will appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company fails to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after 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 any Rights (which holder shall, with such notice, submit such holder's Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Rights 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 Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise the powers of the Rights Agent contemplated by this Agreement 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 $50,000,000. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent will 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 will file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the holders of the Rights. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 4.4, 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.

ARTICLE 5.

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1. Redemption. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the Flip-in Date, elect to redeem all (but not less than all) the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price and the Company, at its option, may pay the Redemption Price either in cash or shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company deemed by the Board of Directors, in the exercise of its sole discretion, to be at least equivalent in value to the Redemption Price.

(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company electing to redeem the Rights (or, if the resolution of the Board of Directors electing to redeem the Rights states that the redemption will not be effective until the occurrence of a specified future time or event, upon the occurrence of such future time or event), without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and each Right will thereafter represent only the right to receive the Redemption Price in cash or securities, as determined by the Board of Directors. Promptly after the Rights are redeemed, the Company shall give notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice in accordance with Section 5.9.

5.2. Expiration. The Rights and this Agreement shall expire at the Expiration Time, and no Person shall have any rights pursuant to this Agreement or any Right after the Expiration Time, except, if the Rights are exchanged or redeemed, as provided in Section 3.1 or 5.1 hereof, respectively.

5.3. 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 representing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the number or kind or class of shares of stock purchasable upon exercise of Rights made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock by the Company following the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time pursuant to the terms of securities convertible or redeemable into shares of Common Stock or to options, in each case issued or granted prior to, and outstanding at, the Separation Time, the Company shall issue to the holders of such shares of Common Stock, Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with the issuance or sale of such shares of Common Stock; provided, however, in each case, 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 to the Person to whom such Rights Certificates would be issued, (ii) no such Rights Certificates shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall have otherwise been made in lieu of the issuance thereof, and (iii) the Company shall have no obligation to distribute Rights Certificates to any Acquiring Person or Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any transferee of any of the foregoing.

5.4. Supplements and Amendments. The Company and the Rights Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights (i) prior to the Flip-in Date, in any respect and (ii) on or after the Flip-in Date, to make any changes that the Company may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights generally or in order to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be inconsistent with any other provisions herein or otherwise defective. The Rights Agent will duly execute and deliver any supplement or amendment hereto requested by the Company which satisfies the terms of the preceding sentence and which does not increase or change the Rights Agent's duties, liabilities or obligations without the Rights Agent's consent.

5.5. Fractional Shares. If the Company elects not to issue certificates representing (or register on the stock transfer books of the Company) fractional shares upon exercise or redemption of Rights, the Company shall, in lieu thereof, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, either (a) represent such

fractional shares by depositary receipts issued pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it, providing that each holder of a depositary receipt shall have all of the rights, privileges and preferences to which such holder would be entitled as a beneficial owner of such fractional share, or (b) pay to the registered holder of such Rights the appropriate fraction of the Market Price per share in cash. The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation under this Section unless and until the Company has provided or caused to be provided to the Rights Agent sufficient depositary receipts or cash necessary to satisfy the Company's obligations with respect to fractional shares.

5.6. Rights of Action. Subject to the terms of this Agreement (including Sections 3.1(b) and 5.14), rights of action in respect of this Agreement, other than rights of action vested solely in the Rights Agent, are vested in the respective holders of the Rights; and any holder of any Rights, without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights, may, on such holder's own behalf and for such holder's own benefit and the benefit of other holders of Rights, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, such holder's right to exercise such holder's Rights in the manner provided in such holder's 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 will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of, the obligations of any Person subject to this Agreement.

5.7. Holder of Rights Not Deemed a Stockholder. No holder, as such, of any Rights shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares or any other securities which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of such Rights, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights, 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 5.8 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until such Rights shall have been exercised or exchanged in accordance with the provisions hereof.

5.8. Notice of Proposed Actions. In case the Company shall propose after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time (i) to effect or permit a Flip-over Transaction or Event or (ii) 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 Right, in accordance with Section 5.9 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the date on which such Flip-over Transaction or Event, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place, and such notice shall be so given at least 20 Business Days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action.

5.9. Notices. Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:

Xcel Energy Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Corporate Secretary

Any notice or demand authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or

sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

Xxxxx Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
000 X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xx. Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Shareowner Relations Department

Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to or on the holder of any Rights shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Separation Time, 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.

5.10. Suspension of Exercisability. To the extent that the Company determines in good faith that some action will or need be taken pursuant to Section 3.1 or to comply with any applicable law or any agreement or instrument in effect on the Stock Acquisition Date to which the Company is a party, the Company may suspend the exercisability and/or exchangeability of the Rights in order to take such action or comply with such law, agreement or instrument. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue as promptly as practicable a public announcement (with prompt notice thereof to the Rights Agent) stating that the exercisability and/or exchangeability of the Rights has been suspended. Notice thereof pursuant to Section 5.9 shall not be required.

Failure to give a notice pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of any action taken hereunder.

5.11. Costs of Enforcement. The Company agrees that if the Company or any other Person the securities of which are purchasable upon exercise of Rights fails to fulfill any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, then the Company or such Person will reimburse the holder of any Rights for the costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by such holder in actions to enforce such holder's rights pursuant to any Rights or this Agreement.

5.12. 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.

5.13. 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 holders of the Rights any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement and this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights.

5.14. Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc. The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board of 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. All such actions, interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) done or made by the Board shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties, and (y) not subject the Board of Directors of the Company to any liability to the holders of the Rights.

5.15. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings appear herein for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. The Rights Agent shall

always be entitled to assume that the Company's Board of Directors acted in good faith and shall be fully protected and incur no liability in reliance thereon.

5.16. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Right issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Minnesota and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State; provided, however, that all provisions regarding the rights, duties and obligations of the Rights Agent shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State.

5.17. 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.

5.18. Severability. If any term or provision hereof or the application thereof to any circumstance shall, in any jurisdiction and to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, such term or provision shall be ineffective as to such jurisdiction to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the application of such term or provision to circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

	XCEL ENERGY INC.
	XXXXX FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.

EXHIBIT A

Certificate No. W- Rights

THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION OR MANDATORY EXCHANGE, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY ACQUIRING PERSONS OR AFFILIATES OR ASSOCIATES THEREOF (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR TRANSFEREES OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING WILL BE VOID.

Rights Certificate
XCEL ENERGY INC.

This certifies that , or registered assigns, is the registered holder of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the registered holder thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2000 (as amended from time to time, the "Rights Agreement"), between Xcel Energy Inc. a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxx Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent", which term shall include any successor Rights Agent under the Rights Agreement), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Separation Time (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to the close of business on , one fully paid share of Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Company (subject to adjustment as provided in the Rights Agreement) at the Exercise Price referred to below, upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Exercise duly executed at the office of the Rights Agent in Minneapolis. The Exercise Price shall initially be $95 per Right and shall be subject to adjustment in certain events as provided in the Rights Agreement.

In certain circumstances described in the Rights Agreement, the Rights represented hereby may entitle the registered holder thereof to purchase securities of an entity other than the Company or securities of the Company other than Common Stock or assets of the Company, all as provided in the Rights Agreement.

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. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal office of the Company and are available without cost upon written request.

This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor evidencing an aggregate number of Rights equal to the aggregate number of Rights represented by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered. If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the registered 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, each Right represented by this Certificate may be (a) redeemed by the Company under certain circumstances, at its option, at a redemption price of $0.01 per Right or (b) exchanged by the Company under certain circumstances, at its option, for one share of Common Stock per Right (or, in certain cases, other securities or assets of the Company), subject in each case to adjustment in certain events as provided in the Rights Agreement.

No holder of this Rights Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of any securities 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 Rights represented by this Rights Certificate shall have been exercised or exchanged 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.

Date: , 20
ATTEST:		XCEL ENERGY INC.
		By

Secretary
Countersigned:

By
Authorized Signature

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

(To be executed by the registered holder
if such holder desires to transfer this
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:	(Signature must correspond to name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever)

Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee Medallion program), pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15.

(To be completed if true)

The undersigned hereby represents, for the benefit of all holders of Rights and shares of Common Stock, that the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are not, and, to the knowledge of the undersigned, have never been, Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

Signature

NOTICE

In the event the certification set forth above is not completed in connection with a purported assignment, the Company will deem the Beneficial Owner of the Rights evidenced by the enclosed Rights Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) or a transferee of any of the foregoing and accordingly will deem the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate to be void and not transferable or exercisable.

[To be attached to each
Rights Certificate]

FORM OF ELECTION TO EXERCISE

(To be executed if holder desires to
exercise the Rights Certificate.)

TO: XCEL ENERGY INC.

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise whole Rights represented by the attached Rights Certificate to purchase the securities and/or cash and/or other assets issuable or exchangeable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for any such securities be issued in the name of:


		Address:
		Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number:
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:

		Address:
		Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number:
Dated: ,

Signature Guaranteed:		Signature

		(Signature must correspond to name as written upon the face of the attached Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever)

(To be completed if true)

The undersigned hereby represents, for the benefit of all holders of Rights and shares of Common Stock, that the Rights evidenced by the attached Rights Certificate are not, and, to the knowledge of the undersigned, have never been, Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

Signature



		NOTICE

In the event the certification set forth above is not completed in connection with a purported exercise, the Company will deem the Beneficial Owner of the Rights evidenced by the attached Rights Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) or a transferee of any of the foregoing and accordingly will deem the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate to be void and not transferable or exercisable.

QuickLinks

STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS
ARTICLE 2. THE RIGHTS
ARTICLE 3. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
ARTICLE 4. THE RIGHTS AGENT
ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
FORM OF ELECTION TO EXERCISE

Document Metadata

Table of Contents

STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of December 13, 2000 between XCEL ENERGY INC. and WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A. as Rights Agent

Document Metadata