Churchill Downs Incorporated and National City Bank Rights Agent Rights Agreement Dated as of March 19, 2008
Exhibit 4.1
EXECUTION
COPY
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Incorporated
and
National
City Bank
Rights
Agent
Dated
as of March 19, 2008
Table of
Contents
Section
|
Page
|
|
Section
1.
|
Certain
Definitions
|
1
|
Section
2.
|
Appointment
of Rights Agent
|
6
|
Section
3.
|
Issuance
of Rights Certificates
|
6
|
Section
4.
|
Form
of Rights Certificates
|
8
|
Section
5.
|
Countersignature
and Registration
|
9
|
Section
6.
|
Transfer,
Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates; Mutilate-d,
Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates
|
9
|
Section
7.
|
Exercise
of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights
|
10
|
Section
8.
|
Cancellation
and Destruction of Rights Certificates
|
12
|
Section
9.
|
Reservation
and Availability of Capital Stock
|
12
|
Section
10.
|
Preferred
Stock Record Date
|
14
|
Section
11.
|
Adjustment
of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or Number of
Rights
|
14
|
Section
12.
|
Certificate
of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares
|
21
|
Section
13.
|
Consolidation,
Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets, Cash Flow or Earning
Power
|
21
|
Section
14.
|
Fractional
Rights and Fractional Shares
|
24
|
Section
15.
|
Rights
of Action
|
25
|
Section
16.
|
Agreement
of Rights Holders
|
25
|
Section
17.
|
Rights
Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder
|
26
|
Section
18.
|
Concerning
the Rights Agent
|
26
|
Section
19.
|
Merger
or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent
|
27
|
Section
20.
|
Duties
of Rights Agent
|
27
|
Section
21.
|
Change
of Rights Agent
|
29
|
Section
22.
|
Issuance
of New Rights Certificates
|
30
|
Section
23.
|
Redemption
and Termination
|
30
|
Section
24.
|
Exchange
|
31
|
Section
25.
|
Notice
of Certain Events
|
32
|
Section
26.
|
Notices
|
33
|
Section
27.
|
Supplements
and Amendments
|
34
|
Section
28.
|
Successors
|
34
|
Section
29.
|
Determinations
and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.
|
34
|
Section
30.
|
Benefits
of this Agreement
|
34
|
Section
31.
|
Severability
|
35
|
Section
32.
|
Governing
Law
|
35
|
Section
33.
|
Counterparts
|
35
|
Section
34.
|
Descriptive
Headings
|
35
|
Section
35.
|
Force
Majeure
|
35
|
Exhibit
A – Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock
Exhibit B –
Form of Rights Certificate
i
RIGHTS
AGREEMENT, dated as of March 19, 2008 (the “Agreement”), by and between
Xxxxxxxxx Downs Incorporated, a Kentucky corporation (the “Company”), and
National City Bank, a national banking association (the “Rights
Agent”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS,
on March 19, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved
and adopted a Rights Agreement (the “1998 Agreement”) pursuant to which
preferred stock purchase rights were distributed to the shareholders of the
Company;
WHEREAS,
the rights issued pursuant to the 1998 Agreement will expire on March 19, 2008;
and
WHEREAS,
on March 13, 2008 (the “Rights Dividend Declaration Date”), the Board determined
to extend the protections afforded by the 1998 Agreement by authorizing and
declaring a dividend distribution of one new Right (as hereinafter defined) for
each share of common stock, without par value, of the Company (the “Common
Stock”) outstanding at the close of business on March 19, 2008 (the “Record
Date”), to replace the rights previously issued pursuant to the 1998 Agreement,
and the Board has authorized the issuance 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 issued between the Record Date (whether originally
issued or delivered from the Company’s treasury) and the Distribution Date (as
hereinafter defined), each Right initially representing the right to purchase
one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”) having the rights, powers and preferences
set forth in Exhibit
A hereto, 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, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section
1. Certain
Definitions. For
purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings
indicated:
(a) “1998
Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
(b) “Acquiring
Person” shall mean any Person who or which, together with all Affiliates and
Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner of fifteen percent
(15%) or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, but shall not
include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any employee
benefit plan of the Company
1
or
of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person organized, appointed or
established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan, (iv) D
Corp., a D Corp. Shareholder, or any Affiliate or Associate of D Corp. or a D
Corp. Shareholder, or any Stockholder (as such term is defined in the
Stockholder’s Agreement), so long as the Stockholder’s Agreement continues to be
binding on D Corp. and D Corp. is in compliance (as determined by the Company’s
Board in its discretion) with the terms of the Stockholder’s Agreement;
provided, however, that no amendment of the Stockholder’s Agreement shall cure
any prior breach of such agreement or any amendment thereto; (v) any Person who
becomes the Beneficial Owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the shares of
Common Stock then outstanding as a result of a reduction in the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding due to the repurchase of shares of Common Stock by
the Company unless and until such Person, after becoming aware that such Person
has become the Beneficial Owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock, acquires beneficial ownership of any
additional shares of Common Stock or (vi) any such Person who has reported or is
required to report such ownership (but less than 20%) on Schedule 13G under
the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report) or on Schedule 13D
under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report) which Schedule
13D does not state any intention to or reserve the right to control or influence
the management or policies of the Company or engage in any of the actions
specified in Item 4 of such schedule (other than the disposition of the Common
Stock) and, within ten (10) Business Days of being requested by the Company to
advise it regarding the same, certifies to the Company that such Person acquired
shares of Common Stock in excess of 14.9% inadvertently or without knowledge of
the terms of the Rights and who or which, together with all Affiliates and
Associates, thereafter does not acquire additional shares of Common Stock while
the Beneficial Owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the shares of Common
Stock then outstanding; provided, however, that if the
Person requested to so certify fails to do so within ten (10) Business Days,
then such Person shall become an Acquiring Person immediately after such ten
(10) Business Day period.
(c) “Act”
shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and in effect on the date
hereof.
(d) “Adjustment
Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof.
(e) “Affiliate”
and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in
Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange
Act.
(f) “Agreement”
shall have the meaning set forth in the introduction hereof.
(g) “Articles
of Incorporation” shall mean the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
of the Company, dated as of June 16, 2005, as amended from time to
time.
(h) A
Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, and shall be deemed to
“beneficially own,” any securities:
2
(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 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, other rights, warrants or options, or
otherwise; provided, however, that a
Person shall not be deemed 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, (B) securities issuable upon
exercise of Rights at any time prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event (as
hereinafter defined) 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) hereof 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 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 Section 1(h)) or disposing of any voting securities of
the Company;
provided, however, that nothing
in this Section 1(h) shall cause a Person engaged in business as an underwriter
of securities to be the “Beneficial Owner” of, or to “beneficially own,” any
securities acquired through such person’s participation in good faith in a firm
commitment underwriting until the expiration of forty (40) days after the date
of such acquisition, and then only if such securities continue to be owned by
such Person at such expiration of forty (40) days.
(i) “Board”
shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
(j) “Business
Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking
institutions in the Commonwealth of Kentucky are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.
3
(k)
“Bylaws”
shall mean the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended from time
to time.
(l) “Close
of business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., Louisville, Kentucky time,
on such date; provided, however, that if such
date is not a Business Day, it shall mean 5:00 P.M., Louisville, Kentucky time,
on the next succeeding Business Day.
(m)
“Common
Stock” shall mean the common stock, without par value, 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 voting
power, or the equity securities or other equity interest having power to control
or direct the management, of such Person.
(n) “Common
Stock Equivalents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof.
(o) “Company”
shall have the meaning set forth in the introduction hereof.
(p) “Current
Market Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d)(i)
hereof.
(q) “Current
Value” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof.
(r) “Distribution
Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.
(s) “D
Corp.” means Duchossois Industries, Inc., an Illinois
corporation.
(t) “D
Corp. Shareholders” shall mean the record and beneficial owners of the shares of
voting securities of D Corp.
(u) “Equivalent
Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(b)
hereof.
(v) “Exchange
Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect on
the date hereof.
(w)
“Exchange
Ratio” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24(a) hereof.
(x) “Expiration
Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.
(y) “Final
Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a)
hereof.
4
(z) “NASDAQ”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d)(i) hereof.
(aa)
“Original
Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(h)(i) hereof.
(bb)
“Person” shall
mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
limited liability partnership, trust, syndicate or other entity and includes,
without limitation, an unincorporated group of persons who, by formal or
informal agreement or arrangement (whether or not in writing), have embarked on
a common purpose or act.
(cc)
“Preferred
Stock” shall mean shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock,
without par value, of the Company, and, to the extent that there are not a
sufficient number of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
authorized to permit the full exercise of the Rights, any other series of
preferred stock of the Company designated for such purpose containing terms
substantially similar to the terms of the Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock.
(dd)
“Principal
Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b) hereof.
(ee) “Purchase
Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.
(ff)
“Qualifying
Offer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(ii) hereof.
(gg) “Record
Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
(hh)
“Redemption
Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a) hereof.
(ii)
“Rights”
shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
(jj)
“Rights
Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the introduction hereof.
(kk)
“Rights
Certificate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)
hereof.
(ll) “Rights
Dividend Declaration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereof.
(mm)
“Section
11(a)(ii) Event” shall mean any event described in Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof.
5
(nn)
“Section
11(a)(ii) Trigger Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof.
(oo)
“Section
13 Event” shall mean any event described in clauses (x), (y) or (z) of Section
13(a) hereof.
(pp)
“Spread”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.
(qq)
“Stock
Acquisition Date” shall mean the first date of public announcement (which, for
purposes of this definition, shall include, without limitation, a report filed
or amended pursuant to Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act) by the Company or
an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such other than pursuant
to a Qualifying Offer.
(rr) “Stockholder’s
Agreement” shall mean the Stockholder’s Agreement, dated as of September 8,
2000, between the Company and D. Corp. (including any amendment thereto approved
by the Board).
(ss)
“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.
(tt)
“Substitution
Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof.
(uu)
“Trading
Day” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d)(i) hereof.
(vv) “Triggering
Event” shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event or any Section 13
Event.
Section
2. Appointment of Rights
Agent. 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, upon ten (10) days’ prior written
notice to the Rights Agent. The Rights Agent shall have no duty to
supervise, and in no event be liable for, the acts or omissions of any such
co-rights agents.
Section
3. Issuance of Rights
Certificates.
(a) Until
the earlier of (i) the close of business on the tenth (10th) day
after the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the tenth (10th) day
after the Stock Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the close of
business on the Record Date), or (ii) the close of business on the tenth
(10th)
Business Day (or such later date as the Board shall determine)
after
6
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 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 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act, if upon consummation thereof, such Person
would become an Acquiring Person, in either instance other than pursuant to a
Qualifying Offer (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 or, in the case of uncertificated shares,
the balances indicated in the book-entry account system of the transfer agent
for the Common Stock registered in the names of the holders of the Common Stock
(which shares of 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). 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 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) Until
the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by the certificates for the
Common Stock or, in the case of uncertificated shares, the balances indicated in
the book-entry account system of the transfer agent 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, the transfer of any 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
(whether originally issued or delivered from the Company’s treasury) 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 if such
certificates are issued after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the
Distribution Date or the Expiration Date:
This
certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as
set forth in the Rights Agreement between Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx Incorporated (the
“Company”), and National City Bank (the “Rights Agent”), dated as of March 19,
2008, as amended from time to time (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
7
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 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 Affiliate or Associate 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.
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 transfer of any of such
certificates shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with
the Common Stock represented by such certificates.
Section
4. Form of Rights
Certificates.
(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-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as shall be set forth
therein at the price set forth therein (such exercise price per one
one-thousandth of a share, 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), Section 11(i) 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 has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding
which has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof,
and any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof
upon
8
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 the Rights Agreement.
Section
5. Countersignature
and
Registration.
(a) The
Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, its President or any Vice President, 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 countersigned by the
Rights Agent, either manually or by facsimile signature, 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 Certificates 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 and the date of each of the Rights Certificates.
Section
6. Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange
of Rights Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights
Certificates.
(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 (other than Rights Certificates representing Rights that may have
been exchanged pursuant to Section 24 hereof) 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 one-thousandths 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 entitles such holder (or former holder in the
case of a transfer) to purchase. Any registered
9
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 Associates thereof as the Company
shall reasonably request. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject
to Section 4(b), Section 7(e), Section 14 and Section 24 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.
Section
7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase
Price; Expiration Date of Rights.
(a) Subject
to Section 7(e) hereof, at any time after the Distribution Date 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 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-thousandths 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 earliest of (i) 5:00 P.M., Louisville, Kentucky
time, on March 19, 2018, or such later date as may be established by the Board
prior to the expiration of the Rights (such date, as it may be extended by the
Board, the “Final Expiration Date”), (ii) the time at which the Rights are
redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof or (iii) the time at which the Rights
may be exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof (the earliest of
(i), (ii) and (iii) being herein referred to as the “Expiration
Date”).
(b) The Purchase Price for
each one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock pursuant to the exercise
of a Right initially shall be $180, shall be subject to adjustment from time to
time as provided in Section 11 and Section 13(a) hereof and shall be payable in
accordance with paragraph (c) below.
10
(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-thousandth 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
transfer agent for such shares) certificates for the total number of one
one-thousandths 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-thousandths 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) shall be made in cash or by certified bank check or bank
draft payable to the order of the Company. 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. The Company reserves the
right to require prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event that, upon any
exercise of Rights, a number of Rights be exercised so that only whole shares of
Preferred Stock would be issued.
(d) In
case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate shall exercise less than
all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights Certificate evidencing 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 has determined is part of a plan,
arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose
11
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
with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of this Agreement or
otherwise. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to insure 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 any other Person
as a result of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an
Acquiring Person or any of 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.
Section
8. Cancellation and Destruction
of Rights Certificates. 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. In accordance with
applicable law and regulation, the Rights Agent shall maintain, in a retrievable
database, electronic records of all cancelled or destroyed rights certificates
which have been cancelled or destroyed by the Rights Agent. The
Rights Agent shall maintain such electronic records or physical records for the
time period required by applicable law and regulation. Upon written request of
the Company, the Rights Agent shall provide to the Company, copies of such
electronic records or physical records relating to rights certificates cancelled
or destroyed by the Rights Agent.
Section
9. Reservation and Availability
of Capital Stock.
(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
12
exercisable
(but only to the extent that it is reasonably likely that the Rights will be
exercised), all shares reserved for such issuance to be listed on such exchange
upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.
(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 required by law following the Distribution Date, a registration
statement under 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, and
(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 has been rescinded. In addition, if the Company shall
determine that a registration statement is required following the Distribution
Date, the Company may temporarily suspend the exercisability of the Rights until
such time as a registration statement has been declared
effective. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the
requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall not have been obtained, the
exercise thereof shall not be permitted under applicable law or a registration
statement shall not have been declared effective.
(d) The
Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be
necessary to ensure that all one one-thousandths 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
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-thousandths 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-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock
and/or other securities, as
13
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-thousandths 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 Certificates at the time of surrender) or until it has been
established to the Company’s satisfaction that no such tax is due.
Section
10. Preferred Stock Record
Date. Each
person in whose name any certificate for a number of one one-thousandths 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
shareholder 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.
Section
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, such holder would have owned upon
such exercise and been entitled 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
14
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 that any Person shall, at any time after the Rights Dividend
Declaration Date, become an Acquiring Person, unless the event causing such
Person to become an Acquiring Person is a transaction set forth in Section 13(a)
hereof, or is an acquisition of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a tender
offer or an exchange offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock at a price
and on terms determined by at least a majority of the members of the Board who
are not officers of the Company and who are not representatives, nominees,
Affiliates or Associates of an Acquiring Person, after receiving advice from one
or more investment banking firms, to be (a) at a price which is fair to
shareholders and not inadequate (taking into account all factors which such
members of the Board deem relevant, including, without limitation, prices which
could reasonably be achieved if the Company or its assets were sold on an
orderly basis designed to realize maximum value) and (b) otherwise in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders (a “Qualifying Offer”), then,
promptly following the occurrence of such event, 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-thousandths 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-thousandths 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, 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
value of the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the
“Current Value”), and (B) with respect to each Right (subject to Section 7(e)
hereof), make adequate provision to substitute for the Adjustment Shares, upon
the exercise of a Right and 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, such as the Preferred Stock, which the Board
has deemed to have essentially the same value or economic rights as shares of
Common Stock (such shares or unit of shares of preferred stock being
referred to as “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 (less the amount of any reduction in the
Purchase Price), where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board
based upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm
selected by the Board; provided, however, that 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
15
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. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term
“Spread” shall mean the excess of (i) the Current Value over (ii) the Purchase
Price. If the Board determines 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
thirty (30) day period, as it may be extended, is herein called the
“Substitution Period”). To the extent that the Company determines
that action should be taken pursuant to the first and/or third sentences of this
Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (1) shall provide, subject to Section 7(e)
hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights, and
(2) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the
Substitution Period in order to seek such shareholder approval for such
authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of
distribution to be made pursuant to such first sentence and to determine the
value thereof. 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 each Adjustment Share shall be the Current Market Price
per share of the Common Stock on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the per
share or per unit value of any Common Stock Equivalent shall be deemed to equal
the Current Market Price per share of 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 (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,
whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights
Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent
16
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
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 evidences of indebtedness, or of 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, 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) 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.
(d) (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 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 the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution,
or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall
not have occurred prior to the commencement of the requisite thirty (30) Trading
Day or ten (10) Trading Day period, as set forth above, 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
17
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. 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 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 Price per share shall mean the fair value per
share as determined in good faith by the Board, 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(d) (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 1,000 (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, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with
the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes.
(e) 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.
(f) 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
18
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.
(g) 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-thousandths 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.
(h) 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-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (calculated to
the nearest one-millionth) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of one
one-thousandths 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.
(i) 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-thousandths 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-thousandths 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
19
the
names of the holders of record of Rights Certificates on the record date
specified in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective
of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the number of one
one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the
Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue
to express the Purchase Price per one one-thousandths of a share and the number
of one one-thousandths of a share which were expressed in the initial Rights
Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) 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-thousandths 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-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock
at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(l) 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-thousandths 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-thousandths 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.
(m)
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 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.
(n) 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, cash flow or earning
power aggregating more than 50% of the assets, cash flow 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
20
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 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, or would constitute, 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.
(o) The
Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution Date, it will not,
except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 27 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.
(p) Anything
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the Company
shall at any time after the Rights Dividend 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 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.
Section
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) if a Distribution Date
has occurred, mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights
Certificate. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on
any such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained.
Section
13. Consolidation, Merger or
Sale or Transfer of Assets, Cash Flow 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 which complies with Section 11(o)
hereof) shall consolidate with, or merge with or into, the
21
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, cash flow or earning power aggregating
more than 50% of the assets, cash flow 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 (except as may
be contemplated by Section 13(d) hereof), 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,
non-assessable and freely tradable 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-thousandths 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-thousandths 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 of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event), 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:
(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
22
(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, cash flow 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 stock 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;
(ii) take all such other action as may be
necessary to enable the Principal Party to issue the securities purchasable upon
exercise of the Rights, including but not limited to the registration or
qualification of such securities under all requisite securities laws of
jurisdictions of the various states and the listing of such securities on such
exchanges and trading markets as may be necessary or appropriate;
and
(iii) 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).
(d) Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Section 13 shall not be applicable
to a transaction described in subparagraphs (x) and (y) of Section 13(a) if (i)
such transaction is consummated with a Person or Persons who acquired shares of
Common
23
Stock
pursuant to a Qualifying Offer (or a wholly owned subsidiary of any such Person
or Persons), (ii) the price per share of Common Stock offered in such
transaction is not less than the price per share of Common Stock paid to all
holders of shares of Common Stock whose shares were purchased pursuant to such
Qualifying Offer and (iii) the form of consideration being offered to the
remaining holders of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such transaction is the
same as the form of consideration paid pursuant to such Qualifying
Offer. Upon consummation of any such transaction contemplated by this
Section 13(d), all Rights hereunder shall expire.
Section
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, the Company shall pay 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. 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 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-thousandth 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-thousandth of a share of Preferred
Stock). In lieu of fractional shares of Preferred Stock that are not
integral multiples of one one-thousandth 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-thousandth of a share of
Preferred Stock. For purposes of this Section 14(b), the current
market value of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock shall be one
one-thousandth 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.
24
(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 Section
14(c), the current market value per share of Common Stock shall be the closing
price of one share of Common Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i)
hereof) on 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.
Section
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.
Section
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 Distribution 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 or, in the case of
uncertificated shares, the associated balance indicated in the book-entry
account system of the transfer agent for the Common Stock) 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
25
associated
Common Stock certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, the
associated balance indicated in the book-entry account system of the transfer
agent for the Common Stock, made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights
Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the 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.
Section
17. Rights Certificate Holder
Not Deemed a Shareholder. 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-thousandths 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 shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for
the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders (except as
provided in Section 25 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.
Section
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 gross 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. The indemnity provided for herein shall survive the
expiration of the Rights, the termination of this Agreement, and the resignation
or removal of the Rights Agent. The costs and expenses of enforcing
this right of indemnification also shall be paid by the Company to the extent it
is finally determined that the Rights Agent is entitled to be indemnified by the
Company.
(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
26
of
this Agreement in reliance upon any Rights Certificate or certificate for Common
Stock or, in the case of uncertificated shares, the associated balance indicated
in the book-entry account system of the transfer agent for the 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 believed by it to be genuine
and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by
the proper Person or Persons.
(c) Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the Rights Agent
be liable for any special, indirect or consequential losses or damages of any
kind whatsoever (including without limitation lost profits), even if the Rights
Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless
of the form of the action.
Section
19. Merger or Consolidation or
Change of Name of Rights Agent.
(a)
Any
legal business entity into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent
may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any legal business
entity resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent
or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any legal business
entity succeeding to the corporate trust, stock transfer or other
shareholder services 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
legal business entity 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.
Section
20. Duties of Rights
Agent. The
Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement
upon the following terms and conditions (and no implied duties or obligations,
except the duty of good faith, shall be read into this Agreement to be applied
to the Rights Agent), by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights
Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
27
(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) be proven 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 proven and established by a certificate signed by the Chairman of
the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant
Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant 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 gross 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 verify 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, Section 13
or Section 24 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, any Assistant
Secretary, the Treasurer or
28
any
Assistant 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 or for any delay in acting while waiting for
such instructions.
(h) The
Rights Agent and any shareholder, 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 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
Person.
(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 Rights 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
or transfer without first consulting with the Company.
Section
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, if such resignation occurs after the
Distribution Date, to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates by
first-class mail. In the event the transfer agency relationship in
effect between the Company and the Rights Agent terminates, the Rights Agent
will be deemed to resign automatically on the effective date of such
termination; and any required notice will be sent by the Company. 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, if such removal occurs
after the Distribution Date, to the registered 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
29
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 legal business entity 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, in good standing, having an office in the
State of New York, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trust, stock transfer or shareholder services powers 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 of a legal business entity described in clause
(a) of this sentence. 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,
if such appointment occurs after the Distribution Date, 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.
Section
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 the Board 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, granted or awarded as
of the Distribution Date, 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, issue 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.
Section
23. Redemption and
Termination.
(a) The
Board may, at its option, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the close of
business on the tenth (10th) 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
30
tenth
(10th) day
following the Record Date), or (ii) the Final Expiration Date, direct the
Company to, and if so directed, the Company shall, redeem all but not less than
all of the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.001 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”). 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. The Company may, at its option, pay the
Redemption Price in cash, shares of Common Stock (based on the Current Market
Price of the Common Stock at the time of redemption) or any other form of
consideration deemed appropriate by the Board.
(b) Immediately
upon the action of the Board 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 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.
Section
24. Exchange.
(a) The
Board may, at its option, at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring
Person, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights
(which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions
of Section 7(e) hereof) for shares of Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one
share of Common Stock per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock
split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof
(such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange
Ratio”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall not be
empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person (other than the
Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company
or any such Subsidiary, or any entity holding Common Stock for or pursuant to
the terms of any such plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates of such
Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
Common Stock then outstanding.
(b) Immediately
upon the action of the Board ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to
subsection (a) of this Section 24 and without any further action and without any
notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right
thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of shares
of Common Stock equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder
multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give
public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the
failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of
such exchange. The Company
31
promptly
shall mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at
their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights
Agent. 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 exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the
Common Stock for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial
exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial
exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than
Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof)
held by each holder of Rights.
(c) In
any exchange pursuant to this Section 24, the Company, at its option, may
substitute shares of Preferred Stock (or Equivalent Preferred Stock) for shares
of Common Stock exchangeable for Rights, at the initial rate of one
one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or Equivalent Preferred Stock) for
each share of Common Stock, as appropriately adjusted to reflect stock splits,
stock dividends and other similar transactions after the date
hereof.
(d) In
the event that there shall not be sufficient shares of Common Stock issued but
not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit any exchange of Rights as
contemplated in accordance with this Section 24, the Company shall take all such
action as may be necessary to authorize additional shares of Common Stock for
issuance upon exchange of the Rights.
(e) The
Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock or to
distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Common
Stock. In lieu of such fractional shares of Common Stock, there shall
be paid to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to
which such fractional share of Common Stock would otherwise be issuable, an
amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole
share of Common Stock. For the purposes of this subsection (e), the
current market value of a whole share of Common Stock shall be the closing price
of a share of Common Stock (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of
Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of
exchange pursuant to this Section 24.
Section
25. 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 fifty
percent (50%) of the assets, cash flow or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons
(other
32
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 26 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 of the events set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof 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 26 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.
Section
26. 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 by the Rights Agent with
the Company) as follows:
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Incorporated
|
|
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
|
|
Attention: General
Counsel
|
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 by the Rights Agent with the Company) as follows:
National
City Bank
|
|
Shareholder
Services Administration
|
|
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx. 000, Locator 01-3116
|
|
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxx 00000
|
|
Attention: Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
|
With
a Copy to: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
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
33
holder
of 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.
Section
27. Supplements and
Amendments. Prior
to the Distribution Date, the Company 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 shares of Common Stock. From and after the
Distribution Date, the Company 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 to (i) cure any ambiguity, (ii) correct or
supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent
with any other provisions herein, (iii) shorten or lengthen any time period
hereunder or (iv) 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). 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 27, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or
amendment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this
Agreement may not be amended (other than pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of the
second sentence of this Section 27) at a time when the Rights are not
redeemable.
Section
28. 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.
Section
29. 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 any other class of capital stock outstanding at any particular
time, including for purposes of determining the particular percentage of such
outstanding shares of Common Stock 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 shall
have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to
exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board 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 in good faith,
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, or
any of the directors on the Board, to any liability to the holders of the
Rights.
Section
30. 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, registered holders of the Common Stock)
any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this
Agreement shall be
34
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).
Section
31. 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 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 (10th) day
following the date of such determination by the Board. Without
limiting the foregoing, if any provision requiring a specific group of directors
to act is held by any court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be
invalid, void or unenforceable, such determination shall be made by the Board in
accordance with applicable law and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws.
Section
32. 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 Kentucky 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.
Section
33. 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.
Section
34. 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.
Section
35. Force
Majeure. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Rights Agent shall not be liable
for any delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its
reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of God, terrorist acts,
shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of
computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical
difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties,
war, or civil unrest.
35
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties hereto have caused this Rights Agreement to be duly executed all as of
the day and year first above written.
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXX INCORPORATED
|
|||
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
|
||
Name:
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxx
|
||
Title:
|
Executive
Vice President and
|
||
Chief
Financial Officer
|
NATIONAL
CITY BANK
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Name:
|
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Title:
|
Vice President Shareholder | ||
Services Administration
|
36
Exhibit
A
PREFERENCES
AND RIGHTS OF
SERIES
A
JUNIOR
PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
OF
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXX INCORPORATED
The
voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other
special rights of the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of
the Corporation, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof,
are as follows:
Section
1. Designation and
Amount. The shares of such series shall be designated as “Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock” and the number of shares constituting such
series shall be 50,000.
Section
2. Dividends and
Distributions.
(A) Subject
to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any shares of any series of
preferred stock ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares
of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the last 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 A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in an
amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a)
$10.00 or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth,
1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000
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), declared on the Common Stock, without par value, of the
Corporation (the “Common Stock”) since the immediately preceding Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation
shall at any time after March 13, 2008 (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
A-1
smaller
number of shares, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares
of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior
to such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence 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.
(B) The
Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Paragraph (A) above immediately
after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a
dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the event no
dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock during the
period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $10.00 per share on the Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.
(C) Dividends
shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next
preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record
date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on
such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or
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 A Junior
Participating 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 A Junior
Participating 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 A Junior Participating 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.
Section
3. Voting
Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:
(A) Subject
to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each share of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000
votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the
Corporation. 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 number of votes per share to which holders of shares of
Series A Junior
A-2
Participating
Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted
by multiplying such 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.
(B) Except
as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock shall
vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of
the Corporation.
(C) (i) If
at any time dividends on any Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall
be in arrears in an amount equal to six (6) quarterly dividends thereon, the
occurrence of such contingency shall xxxx the beginning of a period (herein
called a “default period”) which shall extend until such time when all accrued
and unpaid dividends for all previous quarterly dividend periods and for the
current quarterly dividend period on all shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have been declared and paid or set apart
for payment. During each default period, all holders of Preferred
Stock (including holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock)
with dividends in arrears in an amount equal to six (6) quarterly dividends
thereon, voting as a class, irrespective of series, shall have the right to
elect two (2) directors.
(ii) During
any default period, such voting right of the holders of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock may be exercised initially at a special meeting
called pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of this Section 3(C) or at any annual
meeting of shareholders, and thereafter at annual meetings of shareholders,
provided that such voting right shall not be exercised unless the holders of ten
percent (10%) in number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding shall be
present in person or by proxy. The absence of a quorum of the holders
of Common Stock shall not affect the exercise by the holders of Preferred Stock
of such voting right. At any meeting at which the holders of
Preferred Stock shall exercise such voting right initially during an existing
default period, they shall have the right, voting as a class, to elect directors
to fill such vacancies, if any, in the Board of Directors as may then exist up
to two (2) directors or, if such right is exercised at an annual meeting, to
elect two (2) directors. If the number which may be so elected at any
special meeting does not amount to the required number, the holders of the
Preferred Stock shall have the right to make such increase in the number of
directors as shall be necessary to permit the election by them of the required
number. After the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have exercised
their right to elect directors in any default period and during the continuance
of such period, the number of directors shall not be increased or decreased
except by vote of the holders of Preferred Stock as herein provided or pursuant
to the rights of any equity securities ranking senior to or pari passu with the
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
(iii)
Unless
the holders of Preferred Stock shall, during an existing default period, have
previously exercised their right to elect directors, the Board of Directors may
order, or any shareholder or shareholders owning in the aggregate not less than
ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding,
irrespective of series,
A-3
may
request, the calling of a special meeting of the holders of Preferred Stock,
which meeting shall thereupon be called by the President, a Vice President or
the Secretary of the Corporation. Notice of such meeting and of any
annual meeting at which holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote pursuant
to this Paragraph (C)(iii) shall be given to each holder of record of Preferred
Stock by mailing a copy of such notice to him at his last address as the same
appears on the books of the Corporation. Such meeting shall be called
for a time not earlier than twenty (20) days and not later than sixty (60) days
after such order or request or in default of the calling of such meeting within
sixty (60) days after such order or request, such meeting may be called on
similar notice by any shareholder or shareholders owning in the aggregate not
less than ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock
outstanding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Paragraph
(C)(iii), no such special meeting shall be called during the period within sixty
(60) days immediately preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of
the shareholders.
(iv) In
any default period, the holders of Common Stock, and other classes of stock of
the Corporation if applicable, shall continue to be entitled to elect the whole
number of directors until the holders of Preferred Stock shall have exercised
their right to elect two (2) directors voting as a class, after the exercise of
which right (x) the directors so elected by the holders of Preferred Stock shall
continue in office until their successors shall have been elected by such
holders or until the expiration of the default period, and (y) any vacancy in
the Board of Directors may (except as provided in Paragraph (C)(ii) of this
Section 3) be filled by vote of a majority of the remaining directors
theretofore elected by the holders of the class of stock which elected the
director whose office shall have become vacant. References in this
Paragraph (C) to directors elected by the holders of a particular class of stock
shall include directors elected by such directors to fill vacancies as provided
in clause (y) of the foregoing sentence.
(v) Immediately
upon the expiration of a default period, (x) the right of the holders of
Preferred Stock as a class to elect directors shall cease, (y) the term of any
directors elected by the holders of Preferred Stock as a class shall terminate,
and (z) the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in
the Amended Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws irrespective of any increase
made pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section 3 (such
number being subject, however, to change thereafter in any manner provided by
law or in the Amended Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws). Any
vacancies in the Board of Directors effected by the provisions of clauses (y)
and (z) in the preceding sentence may be filled by a majority of the remaining
directors.
(D)
Except
as set forth herein, holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required
(except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as
set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.
A-4
Section
4. Certain
Restrictions.
(A) Whenever
quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A
Junior Participating 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 A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall
not:
(i) declare
or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or
otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either
as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A
Junior Participating 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 upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except
dividends paid ratably on the Series A Junior Participating 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
on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, provided that the
Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of
any such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation
ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or
winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock;
or
(iv) purchase
or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with
the Series A Junior Participating 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.
Section
5. Reacquired
Shares. Any shares of Series A Junior Participating 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 Preferred Stock and may be reissued as
A-5
part
of a new series of 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.
Section
6. Liquidation, Dissolution or
Winding Up.
(A) Upon
any liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), 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 upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior
thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
shall have received an amount equal to $1,000 per share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid
dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of
such payment (the “Series A Liquidation Preference”). Following the
payment of the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference, no additional
distributions shall be made to the holders of shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of
Common Stock shall have received an amount per share (the “Common Adjustment”)
equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Series A Liquidation
Preference by (ii) 1,000 (as appropriately adjusted as set forth in subparagraph
(C) below to reflect such events as stock splits, stock dividends and
recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii),
the “Adjustment Number”). Following the payment of the full amount of
the Series A Liquidation Preference and the Common Adjustment in respect of all
outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and Common
Stock, respectively, holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
and holders of shares of Common Stock shall receive their ratable and
proportionate share of the remaining assets to be distributed in the ratio of
the Adjustment Number to 1 with respect to such Preferred Stock and Common
Stock, on a per share basis, respectively.
(B)
In
the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit
payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the liquidation
preferences of all other series of preferred stock, if any, which rank on a
parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, then such
remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of such parity
shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences. In
the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit
payment in full of the Common Adjustment, then such remaining assets shall be
distributed ratably to the holders of Common Stock.
(C)
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.
A-6
Section
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 A Junior
Participating 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 1,000 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 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 amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to
the exchange or change of shares of Series A Junior Participating 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.
Section
8. No Redemption. The
shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be redeemable at a
price equal to the product of (a) the current market price of the Common Stock
and (b) the Adjustment Number.
Section
9. Ranking. The
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other
series of the Corporation’s Preferred Stock which may be issued from time to
time as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the
terms of any such series shall provide otherwise.
Section
10. Amendment. At
any time when any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are
outstanding, neither the Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation
nor these Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock shall be amended in any manner which would materially alter or change
the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority or more of the outstanding shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class.
Section
11. Fractional
Shares. Series A Junior Participating 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, receive dividends,
participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of
holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
A-7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have
executed and subscribed this Certificate and do affirm the foregoing as true
under the penalties of perjury this ____ day of _________, 2008.
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXX INCORPORATED
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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A-8
Exhibit
B
[Form
of Rights Certificate]
Certificate No. R- | ________ Rights |
NOT
EXERCISABLE AFTER MARCH 19, 2018 UNLESS EXTENDED PRIOR THERETO BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED BY THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE
SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT $0.001 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.]1
Rights
Certificate
XXXXXXXXX
DOWNS INCORPORATED
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, dated as of March 19, 2008
(the “Rights Agreement”), between Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx Incorporated, a Kentucky
corporation (the “Company”), and National City Bank, a national banking
association (the “Rights Agent”), to purchase from the Company at any time prior
to 5:00 P.M. (Louisville, Kentucky time) on March 19, 2018 (unless such date is
extended prior thereto by the Board of Directors) at the office or
__________________
1
|
The
portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if applicable and
shall replace the preceding
sentence.
|
B-1
offices
of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or its successors as Rights
Agent, one one-thousandth of a fully paid, non-assessable share of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company, at
a purchase price of $___ per one one-thousandth 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 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 _____________, based on the Preferred Stock as
constituted at such date. The Company reserves the right to require
prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event (as such term is defined in the
Rights Agreement) that a number of Rights be exercised so that only whole shares
of Preferred Stock will be issued.
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
above-mentioned office of the Rights Agent and are also available upon written
request to the Rights Agent.
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-thousandths 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
B-2
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 $0.001 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 time period may
be extended pursuant to the Rights Agreement), and (ii) the Final Expiration
Date. In addition, under certain circumstances following the Stock
Acquisition Date, the Rights may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for shares
of the Common Stock, or shares of preferred stock of the Company having
essentially the same value or economic rights as such
shares. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company authorizing any such exchange, and without any further action or any
notice, the Rights (other than Rights which are not subject to such exchange)
will terminate and the Rights will only enable holders to receive the shares
issuable upon such exchange.
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-thousandth 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. The Company, at its election, may require that a number of
Rights be exercised so that only whole shares of Preferred Stock would be
issued.
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
shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or
upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give
consent to or withhold consent from any corporate action, or, to receive notice
of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders (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.
B-3
Dated
as of _________, _____
Attest:
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XXXXXXXXX
XXXXX INCORPORATED
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By:
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Secretary
|
Title:
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Countersigned:
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NATIONAL
CITY BANK
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By:
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Authorized
Signature
|
B-4
[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
Medallion Guaranteed:
B-5
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
Medallion Guaranteed:
NOTICE
The signature to the foregoing
Assignment 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.
B-6
FORM
OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To
be executed if holder desires to exercise
Rights represented by the Rights Certificate)
Rights represented by the Rights Certificate)
To: XXXXXXXXX
XXXXX INCORPORATED
The
undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise __________ Rights represented
by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of 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
Medallion Guaranteed:
B-7
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
Medallion 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.
B-8