EXHIBIT C
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the "Agreement") is made as
of this 15th day of April, 2004, by and between Phoenix Equity Series Fund (the
"Phoenix Equity Series"), a Delaware Statutory Trust with its principal place of
business at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, on behalf of the
Phoenix-Oakhurst Growth & Income Fund (the "Surviving Series"), a portfolio
series thereof, and the Phoenix Trust (formerly known as the Phoenix-Xxxxx
Trust) (the "Phoenix Trust"), a Delaware Statutory Trust with a principal place
of business at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, on behalf
of the Phoenix-Oakhurst Strategy Fund (the "Merging Series"), a portfolio series
thereof. For the purposes hereof, all references in this Agreement to action
taken by the Surviving Series or the Merging Series shall be deemed to refer to
action taken by the Phoenix Equity Series or the Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the
respective portfolio series and all references to the "Trust(s)" shall
collectively refer to the Phoenix Equity Series and the Phoenix Trust.
RECITALS
This Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of
reorganization and liquidation within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the
United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and the
regulations thereunder. The reorganization (the "Reorganization") will consist
of the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Merging Series
to the Surviving Series in exchange solely for corresponding Class A, Class B
and Class C shares of beneficial interest in the Surviving Series (the
"Surviving Series Shares"), the assumption by the Surviving Series of all
liabilities of the Merging Series, and the distribution of the Surviving Series
Shares to the shareholders of the Merging Series in complete liquidation of the
Merging Series as provided herein, all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth in this Agreement.
The Merging Series and the Surviving Series are separate series of
Phoenix Trust and Phoenix Equity Series, respectively, which are open-end,
registered investment companies of the management type. The Merging Series owns
securities that generally are assets of the character in which the Surviving
Series is permitted to invest. The Trustees of the Phoenix Equity Series,
including a majority of the trustees thereof who are not interested persons, as
such term is defined pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 Act") have determined that participation in the Reorganization is in
the best interests of the Surviving Series and its shareholders and that the
interests of the existing shareholders of the Surviving Series would not be
diluted as a result of effecting this transaction.
The Trustees of the Phoenix Trust, including a majority of the trustees
thereof who are not interested persons, as such term is defined pursuant to the
1940 Act, have also determined that participation in the Reorganization is in
the best interests of the Merging Series and its shareholders and that the
interests of the existing shareholders of the Merging Series would not be
diluted as a result of effecting this transaction.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants
and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as
follows:
1. TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE MERGING SERIES TO THE SURVIVING SERIES IN
EXCHANGE FOR THE SURVIVING SERIES SHARES, THE ASSUMPTION OF ALL MERGING
SERIES LIABILITIES AND THE LIQUIDATION OF THE MERGING SERIES.
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1.1 Subject to the requisite approval of the Merging Series
shareholders and the other terms and conditions herein set forth and on the
basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Merging Series
agrees to transfer all of the Merging Series' assets, as set forth in paragraph
1.2, to the Surviving Series, and the Surviving Series agrees in exchange
therefor: (i) to deliver to the Merging Series the number of full and fractional
Surviving Series Shares, determined by dividing the value of the Merging Series'
net assets, computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in
paragraph 2.1, by the net asset value of one Surviving Series Share, computed in
the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 2.2; and (ii) to
assume all liabilities of the Merging Series, as set forth in paragraph 1.3.
Such transactions shall take place on the next business day following the
closing provided for in paragraph 3.1 (the "Closing Date").
1.2 The assets of the Merging Series to be acquired by the Surviving
Series shall consist of all assets and property, including, without limitation,
all cash, securities, commodities and futures interests, and dividends or
interest receivable, that are owned by the Merging Series, and any deferred or
prepaid expenses shown as an asset on the books of the Merging Series on the
Closing Date (collectively, the "Assets").
1.3 The Merging Series will endeavor to discharge all of its known
liabilities and obligations prior to the Closing Date. The Surviving Series
shall also assume all of the liabilities of the Merging Series, whether accrued
or contingent, known or unknown, existing at the Valuation Date, as defined in
paragraph 2.1 (collectively, the "Liabilities"). On or as soon as practicable
prior to the Closing Date, the Merging Series will declare and pay to its
shareholders of record one or more dividends and/or other distributions so that
it will have distributed substantially all (and in no event less than 98%) of
its investment company taxable income and realized net capital gain, if any, for
the current taxable year through the Closing Date.
1.4 Immediately after the transfer of Assets provided for in paragraph
1.1, the Merging Series will distribute to the Merging Series' shareholders of
record, determined as of immediately after the close of business on the Closing
Date (the "Merging Series Shareholders"), on a pro rata basis, the Surviving
Series Shares received by the Merging Series pursuant to paragraph 1.1, and will
completely liquidate. Such distribution and liquidation will be accomplished,
with respect to the Merging Series' shares, by the transfer of the Surviving
Series Shares then credited to the account of the Merging Series on the books of
the Surviving Series to open accounts on the share records of the Surviving
Series in the names of the Merging Series Shareholders. The aggregate net asset
value of Surviving Series Shares to be so credited to Merging Series
Shareholders shall be equal to the aggregate net asset value of the Merging
Series' shares owned by such shareholders on the Closing Date. All issued and
outstanding shares of the Merging Series will simultaneously be canceled on the
books of the Merging Series.
1.5 Ownership of Surviving Series Shares will be shown on the books of
the Surviving Series or its transfer agent, as defined in paragraph 3.3.
1.6 Any reporting responsibility of the Merging Series including, but
not limited to, the responsibility for filing of regulatory reports, tax
returns, or other documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"), any state securities commission, and any federal, state or
local tax authorities or any other relevant regulatory authority, is and shall
remain the responsibility of the Merging Series.
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2. VALUATION
2.1 The value of the Assets shall be the value computed as of
immediately after the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange and after
the declaration of any dividends on the Closing Date (such time and date being
hereinafter called the "Valuation Date"), using the valuation procedures
established by the Surviving Series' Board of Trustees, which shall be described
in the then-current prospectus and statement of additional information with
respect to the Surviving Series.
2.2 The net asset value of Surviving Series Shares shall be the net
asset value per share computed as of the Valuation Date, using the valuation
procedures established by the Surviving Series' Board of Trustees which shall be
described in the Surviving Series' then-current prospectus and statement of
additional information.
2.3 The number of Surviving Series Shares to be issued (including
fractional shares, if any) in exchange for the Assets shall be determined by
dividing the value of the net assets with respect to the shares of the Merging
Series determined using the same valuation procedures referred to in paragraph
2.1, by the net asset value of a Surviving Series Share, determined in
accordance with paragraph 2.2.
2.4 All computations of value shall be made by Phoenix Equity Planning
Corporation, in its capacity as financial agent for both the Phoenix Equity
Series and the Phoenix Trust.
3. CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE
3.1 The Closing Date shall be April 16, 2004, or such other date as the
parties may agree. All acts taking place at the closing of the transaction (the
"Closing") shall be deemed to take place simultaneously as of immediately after
the close of business on the Closing Date unless otherwise agreed to by the
parties. The close of business on the Closing Date shall be as of 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time. The Closing shall be held at the offices of the Phoenix Life
Insurance Company, Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 or at such other time
and/or place as the parties may agree.
3.2 The Phoenix Trust shall direct The Bank of New York, as custodian
for the Merging Series (the "Custodian"), to deliver, on the next business day
after the Closing, a certificate of an authorized officer stating that (i) the
Assets have been delivered in proper form to the Surviving Series, and (ii) all
necessary taxes in connection with the delivery of the Assets, including all
applicable federal and state stock transfer stamps, if any, have been paid or
provision for payment has been made. The Merging Series' portfolio securities
represented by a certificate or other written instrument shall be presented for
examination by the Custodian to State Street Bank and Trust Company, as the
custodian for the Surviving Series, no later than on the next business day
following the Closing Date, and shall be transferred and delivered by the
Merging Series on the next business day following the Closing Date for the
account of the Surviving Series duly endorsed in proper form for transfer in
such condition as to constitute good delivery thereof. The Custodian shall
deliver on the next business day following the Closing Date by book entry, in
accordance with the customary practices of such depositories and the Custodian,
the Merging Series' portfolio securities and instruments deposited with a
securities depository, as defined in Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act. The cash to
be transferred by the Merging Series shall be delivered by wire transfer of
federal funds on the next business day following the Closing Date.
3.3 The Phoenix Trust shall direct Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation
(the "Transfer Agent"), on behalf of the Merging Series, to deliver on the next
business day following the Closing, a certificate by an authorized officer
stating that its records contain the names and addresses of the Merging Series
Shareholders, and the number and percentage ownership of outstanding shares
owned by each such shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. The Surviving
Series shall issue and deliver a confirmation
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evidencing the Surviving Series Shares to be credited on the Closing Date to the
Secretary of the Surviving Series, or provide evidence satisfactory to the
Merging Series that such Surviving Series Shares have been credited to the
Merging Series' account on the books of the Surviving Series. At the Closing,
each party shall deliver to the other such bills of sale, checks, assignments,
share certificates, if any, receipts or other documents as such other party or
its counsel may reasonably request.
3.4 In the event that on the Valuation Date (a) the New York Stock
Exchange or another primary trading market for portfolio securities of the
Surviving Series or the Merging Series shall be closed to trading or trading
thereupon shall be restricted, or (b) trading or the reporting of trading on
such Exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that, in the judgment of the
Board of Trustees of the Trusts, accurate appraisal of the value of the net
assets of the Surviving Series or the Merging Series, respectively, is
impracticable, the Closing Date shall be postponed until the first Friday after
the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been
restored.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1 The Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging Series, represents and
warrants to the Phoenix Equity Series as follows:
(a) The Merging Series is duly organized as a series of the Phoenix
Trust, which is a Statutory Trust duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power under the Phoenix
Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended ("Declaration of Trust"),
to own all of its Assets and to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted;
(b) The Phoenix Trust is a registered investment company classified
as a management company of the open-end type, and its registration with the
Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of
shares of the Merging Series under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933
Act"), is in full force and effect;
(c) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Merging Series of
the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained under
the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")
and the 1940 Act and such as may be required by state securities laws;
(d) The current prospectus and statement of additional information
of the Merging Series conforms or conformed at the time of its use in all
material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940
Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and does not or
did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not materially misleading;
(e) On the Closing Date, the Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the
Merging Series, will have good and marketable title to the Assets and full
right, power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver such Assets
hereunder free of any liens or other encumbrances, and upon delivery and payment
for such Assets, the Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series,
will acquire good and marketable title thereto, subject to no restrictions on
the full transfer thereof, including such restrictions as might arise under the
1933 Act, other than as disclosed to the Surviving Series;
(f) The Merging Series is not engaged currently, and the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement will not result, in (i) a material
violation of the Phoenix Trust's Declaration of Trust or of any agreement,
indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to
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which the Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging Series, is a party or by which
it is bound, or (ii) the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of
any penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease,
judgment or decree to which the Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging Series,
is a party or by which it is bound;
(g) All material contracts or other commitments of the Merging
Series (other than this Agreement and certain investment contracts, including
options, futures and forward contracts) will terminate without liability to the
Merging Series on or prior to the Closing Date;
(h) Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by the
Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series, no litigation or
administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or
governmental body is presently pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against
the Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging Series, or any of its properties or
assets that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its
financial condition or the conduct of its business. The Phoenix Trust, on behalf
of the Merging Series, knows of no facts or circumstances, which, individually
or in the aggregate, with the passage of time or the giving of notice (or both)
would form the basis for the institution of such proceedings, and is not a party
to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or
governmental body which materially and adversely affects its business or its
ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated or that does or could
lead to a claim under existing directors and officers errors and omissions
coverage;
(i) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of
Operations and Changes in Net Assets, and Schedule of Investments of the Merging
Series at December 31, 2002, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
("PwC"), independent accountants, and are in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") consistently applied, and such statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Merging Series
as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent
liabilities of the Merging Series required to be reflected on a balance sheet
(including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date not
disclosed therein;
(j) Since December 31, 2002, there has not been any material
adverse change in the Merging Series' financial condition, assets, liabilities
or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or
any incurrence by the Merging Series of indebtedness maturing more than one year
from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise disclosed to
and accepted by the Surviving Series. For the purposes of this subparagraph (j),
a decline in net asset value per share of the Merging Series due to declines in
market values of securities in the Merging Series' portfolio, the discharge the
Liabilities, or the redemption of Merging Series' shares by shareholders of the
Merging Series shall not constitute a material adverse change;
(k) On the Closing Date, all Federal and other tax returns,
dividend reporting forms and other tax-related reports of the Merging Series
required by law to have been filed by such date (including any extensions) shall
have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all
Federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said
returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for
the payment thereof, and to the best of the Merging Series' knowledge, no such
return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect
to such returns;
(l) For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable
year ending on the Closing Date), the Merging Series has met (or will meet) the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification as a regulated
investment company, has been (or will be) eligible to compute and has computed
(or will compute) its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and will
have
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distributed all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain
(as defined in the Code) that has accrued through the Closing Date, and before
the Closing Date will have declared dividends sufficient to distribute all of
its investment company taxable income and net capital gain for the period ending
on the Closing Date;
(m) All issued and outstanding shares of the Merging Series are,
and on the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, will
be fully paid and non-assessable and have been offered and sold in every state
and the District of Columbia in compliance in all material respects with
applicable registration requirements of the 1933 Act and state securities laws.
All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Merging Series will, at the time
of Closing, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records
of the Transfer Agent, on behalf of the Merging Series, as provided in paragraph
3.3. Except for (x) the right of Class B shares of the Merged Series to
automatically convert into Class A shares of the Merged Series seven years after
purchase, or (y) in connection with any automatic dividend reinvestment plan
available to the Merged Series' shareholders, The Merging Series does not have
outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or to
purchase any of the shares of the Merging Series, nor is there outstanding any
security convertible into any of the Merging Series shares;
(n) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will
have been duly authorized prior to the Closing Date by all necessary action, if
any, on the part of the Trustees of the Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging
Series, and, subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Merging Series,
this Agreement will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Merging
Series, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles;
(o) The information to be furnished by the Merging Series for use
in registration statements, proxy materials and other documents filed or to be
filed with any federal, state or local regulatory authority (including the
NASD), which may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply
in all material respects with Federal securities and other laws and regulations
thereunder applicable thereto;
(p) The proxy statement of the Merging Series (the "Proxy
Statement") to be included in the Registration Statement referred to in
paragraph 5.6, insofar as it relates to the Merging Series, will, on the
effective date of the Registration Statement and on the Closing Date (i) not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially
misleading provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this
subparagraph (p) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Proxy
Statement and the Registration Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information that was furnished by the Surviving Series for use therein, and
(ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; and
(q) Any person who acts as legal counsel for the disinterested
directors of the Phoenix Trust is an independent legal counsel as such term is
defined under applicable law.
4.2 The Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series,
represents and warrants as follows:
(a) The Surviving Series is duly organized as a series of the
Phoenix Equity Series, which is a Statutory Trust duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the
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State of Delaware with power under the Phoenix Equity Series' Declaration of
Trust to own all of its assets and to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted;
(b) The Phoenix Equity Series is a registered investment company
classified as a management company of the open-end type, and its registration
with the Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act and the
registration of shares of the Surviving Series under the 1933 Act, is in full
force and effect;
(c) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Surviving Series
of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained under
the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and such as may be required by state
securities laws;
(d) The current prospectus and statement of additional information
of the Surviving Series conforms or conformed at the time of its use in all
material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940
Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and does not or
did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not materially misleading;
(e) On the Closing Date, the Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of
the Surviving Series, will have good and marketable title to the Surviving
Series' assets, free of any liens of other encumbrances, except those liens or
encumbrances as to which the Merging Series has received notice and necessary
documentation at or prior to the Closing;
(f) The Surviving Series is not engaged currently, and the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not result, in (i) a
material violation of the Phoenix Equity Series' Declaration of Trust or By-Laws
or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking
to which the Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series, is a
party or by which it is bound, or (ii) the acceleration of any obligation, or
the imposition of any penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument,
contract, lease, judgment or decree to which the Phoenix Equity Series, on
behalf of the Surviving Series, is a party or by which it is bound;
(g) Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by the
Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging Series, no litigation or administrative
proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is
presently pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against the Phoenix Equity
Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series, or any of the Surviving Series'
properties or assets that, if adversely determined, would materially and
adversely affect the Surviving Series' financial condition or the conduct of the
Surviving Series' business. The Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the
Surviving Series, knows of no facts or circumstances which, individually or in
the aggregate, with the passage of time or the giving of notice (or both) might
form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or
subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or
governmental body which materially and adversely affects the Surviving Series'
business or the Surviving Series' ability to consummate the transactions herein
contemplated or that does or could lead to a claim under existing directors and
officers errors and omissions coverage;
(h) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of
Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments of the
Surviving Series at August 31, 2003, have been audited by PwC, independent
accountants, and are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such
statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Merging Series) present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Surviving
Series as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and
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there are no known contingent liabilities of the Surviving Series required to be
reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with
GAAP as of such date not disclosed therein;
(i) Since August 31, 2003, there has not been any material adverse
change in the Surviving Series' financial condition, assets, liabilities or
business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or
any incurrence by the Surviving Series of indebtedness maturing more than one
year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise disclosed
to and accepted by the Merging Series. For purposes of this subparagraph (i), a
decline in net asset value per share of the Surviving Series due to declines in
market values of securities in the Surviving Series' portfolio, the discharge of
Surviving Series' liabilities, or the redemption of Surviving Series Shares by
shareholders of the Surviving Series, shall not constitute a material adverse
change;
(j) On the Closing Date, all Federal and other tax returns,
dividend reporting forms, and other tax-related reports of the Surviving Series
required by law to have been filed by such date (including any extensions) shall
have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all
Federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said
returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for
the payment thereof, and to the best of the Surviving Series' knowledge no such
return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect
to such returns;
(k) For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable
year including the Closing Date), the Surviving Series has met (or will meet)
the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification as a regulated
investment company has been eligible to compute and has computed (or will
compute) its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code;
(l) All issued and outstanding shares of the Surviving Series are,
and on the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, will
be fully paid and non-assessable and have been offered and sold in every state
and the District of Columbia in compliance in all material respects with
applicable registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Except for (x) the right
of Class B shares of the Merged Series to automatically convert into Class A
shares of the Surviving Series seven years after purchase, or (y) in connection
with any automatic dividend reinvestment plan available to the Surviving Series'
shareholders, the Surviving Series does not have outstanding any options,
warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any shares of the
Surviving Series, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any
shares of the Surviving Series;
(m) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will
have been fully authorized prior to the Closing Date by all necessary action, if
any, on the part of the Trustees of the Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the
Surviving Series, and this Agreement will constitute a valid and binding
obligation of the Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles;
(n) Surviving Series Shares to be issued and delivered to the
Merging Series, for the account of the Merging Series Shareholders, pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement, will on the Closing Date have been duly authorized
and, when so issued and delivered, will be duly and validly issued Surviving
Series Shares, and will be fully paid and non-assessable;
(o) The information to be furnished by the Phoenix Equity Series
for use in the registration statements, proxy materials and other documents
filed or to be filed with any federal, state or local regulatory authority
(including the NASD) that may be necessary in connection with the transactions
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contemplated hereby shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and
shall comply in all material respects with Federal securities and other laws and
regulations applicable thereto;
(p) That insofar as it relates to the Surviving Series, the
Registration Statement relating to the Surviving Series Shares issuable
hereunder, and the Proxy Statement to be included in the Registration Statement,
and any amendment or supplement to the foregoing, will, from the effective date
of the Registration Statement through the date of the meeting of shareholders of
the Merging Series contemplated therein (i) not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which such statements were made, not misleading provided, however, that the
representations and warranties in this subparagraph (p) shall not apply to
statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Merging Series for
use therein, and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the
1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder;
(q) The majority of the Trustees of the Phoenix Equity Series are
not interested persons of the Phoenix Equity Series, and those directors select
and nominate any of the disinterested directors of the Phoenix Equity Series;
and
(r) Any person who acts as legal counsel for the disinterested
directors of the Phoenix Equity Series is an independent legal counsel as such
term is defined under applicable law.
5. COVENANTS OF THE PHOENIX EQUITY SERIES AND THE PHOENIX TRUST, ON BEHALF
OF THE SURVIVING SERIES AND THE MERGING SERIES, RESPECTIVELY
5.1 The Surviving Series and the Merging Series each will operate its
business in the ordinary course between the date hereof and the Closing Date, it
being understood that such ordinary course of business will include the
declaration and payment of customary dividends and distributions, and any other
distribution that may be advisable.
5.2 The Phoenix Trust will call a meeting of the shareholders of the
Merging Series to consider and act upon this Agreement and to take all other
reasonable action necessary to obtain approval of the transactions contemplated
herein.
5.3 The Phoenix Equity Series covenants that the Surviving Series
Shares to be issued hereunder are not being acquired for the purpose of making
any distribution thereof, other than in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
5.4 Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Trusts will each
take, or cause to be taken, all action, and do or cause to be done, all things
reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.5 As soon as is reasonably practicable after the Closing, the Merging
Series will make a liquidating distribution to its shareholders consisting of
the Surviving Series Shares received at the Closing.
5.6 The Phoenix Trust will provide the Phoenix Equity Series with
information reasonably necessary for the preparation of a registration statement
on Form N-14 to the Merged Series (the "Registration Statement"), such
Registration statement to consist of, without limitation, a prospectus and Proxy
Statement.
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5.7 The Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging Series, covenants that
it will, from time to time, as and when reasonably requested by the Phoenix
Equity Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series, execute and deliver or cause
to be executed and delivered all such assignments and other instruments, and
will take or cause to be taken such further action as the Phoenix Equity Series,
on behalf of the Surviving Series, may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in
order to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement to vest in and
confirm (a) the Phoenix Trust's, on behalf of the Merging Series', title to and
possession of the Surviving Series Shares to be delivered hereunder, and (b) the
Phoenix Equity Series' on behalf of the Surviving Series', title to and
possession of all the Assets.
5.8 The Surviving Series will use all reasonable efforts to obtain the
approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act as may be
necessary in order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.
5.9 (a) Subject to governing law, until the fifth anniversary of the
Closing Date, the Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of itself and any successor
thereto by reason of merger, reorganization, sale or other similar transaction,
shall: (a) continue that certain joint insured bond referred to as Investment
Management Insurance Policy No. 000-00-00 issued by American International
Specialty Lines Insurance Company (such policy, or any replacement thereof
during the operative period referenced above shall hereafter be referred to as
the "D&O/E&O Insurance"), or such greater insurance as the Phoenix Equity Series
and all other requisite parties to such joint insured bond shall reasonably
determine; and (b) maintain those indemnity provisions as provided in the
current Declaration of Trust of the Phoenix Equity Series and By-Laws applicable
with regard to the proper and lawful activities of a trustee (the "Indemnity").
(b) In the event that the D&O/E&O Insurance shall be terminated
during the period transpiring from the Closing Date until the fifth anniversary
thereof, then the Phoenix Equity Series, individually or together with one or
more parties to the above referenced joint insured bond, will use its best
efforts to procure a directors' and officers errors and omissions insurance
policy for the benefit of the Trustees of the Phoenix Trust, among others, for
claims made against such Trustees during the period stated above, on not less
than substantially the same terms and conditions, including, without limitation,
exclusions from coverage, retention limits and limitations of liability, as
exist for the benefit of such Trustees under the D&O/E&O Insurance Policy
existing as of the Closing Date.
(c) The D&O/E&O Insurance and Indemnity shall apply equally to the
trustees of the Phoenix Trust (constituted as of the date of this Agreement) as
they apply to the trustees of the Phoenix Equity Series.
(d) Nothing in this Paragraph 5.9 shall be construed as imposing an
obligation on the Phoenix Equity Series to take any action to the extent such
action would be prohibited by governing law or the exercise of the fiduciary
duties of the board of trustees of the Phoenix Equity Series.
(e) In the event that the D&O/E&O Insurance shall be terminated
during the period transpiring from Closing until the fifth anniversary thereof,
and the Phoenix Equity Series shall fail or be unwilling to fulfill its
obligations pursuant to clause (b) of this Paragraph 5.9, then Phoenix
Investment Counsel, Inc, the adviser to the Phoenix Equity Series, individually
or together with one or more parties to the above referenced joint insured bond,
will use its best efforts to procure a directors' and officers errors and
omissions insurance policy for the benefit of the Trustees of the Phoenix Trust,
among others, for claims made against such Trustees during the period stated
above, on not less than substantially the same terms and conditions, including,
without limitation, exclusions from coverage, retention limits and limitations
of liability, as exist for the benefit of such Trustees under the D&O/E&O
Insurance Policy existing as of the Closing Date. The foregoing notwithstanding,
in no event shall Phoenix Investment
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Counsel, Inc., nor any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, parent companies,
officers, employees or directors, in any way be liable or otherwise obligated to
directly or indirectly indemnify or hold harmless the Trustees of the Phoenix
Trust for any loss, cost or liability (including attorneys fees) arising in
connection with the subject transaction or with regard to any claims or causes
of action as might have been subject to possible coverage pursuant to the above
described coverage whether or not such coverage is available in accordance with
the terms of this clause.
6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE MERGING SERIES
The obligations of the Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging Series,
to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at its
election, to the performance by the Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the
Surviving Series, of all the obligations to be performed by it hereunder on or
before the Closing Date, and, in addition thereto, the following further
conditions:
6.1 All representations and warranties of the Phoenix Equity Series, on
behalf of the Surviving Series, contained in this Agreement shall be true and
correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may
be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the
Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing
Date;
6.2 The Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series, shall
have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions
required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Phoenix
Equity Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series, on or before the Closing Date;
and
6.3 The Merging Series and the Surviving Series shall have agreed on
the number of full and fractional Surviving Series Shares to be issued in
connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in
accordance with paragraph 1.1.
7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SURVIVING SERIES
The obligations of the Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the
Surviving Series, to complete the transactions provided for herein shall be
subject, at its election, to the performance by the Phoenix Trust, on behalf of
the Merging Series, of all of the obligations to be performed by it hereunder on
or before the Closing Date and, in addition thereto, the following conditions:
7.1 All representations and warranties of the Phoenix Trust, on behalf
of the Merging Series, contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in
all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected
by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date, with
the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date;
7.2 The Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging Series, shall have
delivered to the Surviving Series a statement of the Assets and the Liabilities,
as of the Closing Date, certified by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of
the Phoenix Trust;
7.3 The Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging Series, shall have
performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required
by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Phoenix Trust, on behalf
of the Merging Series, on or before the Closing Date;
7.4 The Merging Series and the Surviving Series shall have agreed on
the number of full and fractional Surviving Series Shares to be issued in
connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in
accordance with paragraph 1.1; and
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7.5 The Merging Series shall have declared and paid a distribution or
distributions prior to the Closing that, together with all previous
distributions, shall have the effect of distributing to its shareholders (i) all
of its investment company taxable income and all of its net realized capital
gains, if any, for the period from the close of its last fiscal year to 4:00
p.m. Eastern time on the Closing Date; and (ii) any undistributed investment
company taxable income and net realized capital gains from any period to the
extent not otherwise already distributed.
8. FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SURVIVING SERIES AND
THE MERGING SERIES
If any of the conditions set forth below have not been satisfied on or
before the Closing Date with respect to the Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the
Merging Series, or the Phoenix Equity Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series,
the other party to this Agreement shall, at its option, not be required to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement:
8.1 The Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have
been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of
the Merging Series in accordance with the provisions of the Phoenix Trust's
Declaration of Trust, and applicable Delaware law and the 1940 Act.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Phoenix Trust nor
the Phoenix Equity Series may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph
8.1;
8.2 On the Closing Date, no action, suit or other proceeding shall be
pending or, to each Trust's knowledge, threatened before any court or
governmental agency in which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain
damages or other relief in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated herein;
8.3 All consents of other parties and all other consents, orders and
permits of Federal, state and local regulatory authorities deemed necessary by
the Phoenix Trust or the Phoenix Equity Series to permit consummation, in all
material respects, of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been
obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order or permit would
not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of
the Surviving Series or the Merging Series, provided that either party hereto
may for itself waive any of such conditions;
8.4 The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the
1933 Act and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been
issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties hereto, no investigation or
proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending, threatened
or contemplated under the 1933 Act; and
8.5 The parties shall have received the signed opinion of Shearman &
Sterling LLP, addressed to the parties hereto and Phoenix Investment Counsel,
Inc. in the form agreed upon by the parties hereto, substantially to the effect
that, based upon certain facts, and the Officer's Certificate, the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement, will for federal income tax purposes, qualify as
a tax free reorganization described in Section 368(a) of the Code. The delivery
of such opinion is conditioned upon receipt of an Officer's Certificate
substantially in the form agreed upon by the parties.
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9. BROKERAGE FEES AND EXPENSES
9.1 The Phoenix Trust, on behalf of the Merging Series, and the Phoenix
Equity Series, on behalf of the Surviving Series, represent and warrant to each
other that there are no brokers or finders entitled to receive any payments in
connection with the transactions provided for herein.
9.2 The expenses relating to the proposed Reorganization arising from
and after approval by each respective board of trustees, will be borne by
Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd. The costs of the Reorganization shall include,
but not be limited to, costs associated with obtaining any necessary order of
exemption from the 1940 Act, preparation of the Registration Statement, printing
and distributing the Surviving Series' prospectus and the Merging Series' proxy
materials, legal fees, accounting fees, securities registration fees, and
expenses of holding shareholders' meetings. Notwithstanding any of the
foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly incurring
such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by another person of such
expenses would result in the disqualification of such party as a "regulated
investment company" within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code.
10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES
10.1 The Phoenix Trust and the Phoenix Equity Series have not made any
representation, warranty or covenant not set forth herein, and this Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.
10.2 The representations, warranties and covenants contained in this
Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith
shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder. The
covenants to be performed after the Closing shall survive the Closing.
11. TERMINATION
This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated
hereby may be abandoned by either party: (i) by mutual agreement of the parties,
or (ii) either party if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before June
30, 2004, unless such date is extended by mutual agreement of the parties, or
(iii) either party if the other party shall have materially breached its
obligations under this Agreement or made a material and intentional
misrepresentation herein or in connection herewith. In the event of any such
termination, this Agreement shall become void and there shall be no liability
hereunder on the part of any party or their respective Trustees or officers,
except for any such material breach or intentional misrepresentation, as to each
of which all remedies at law or in equity of the party adversely affected shall
survive.
12. AMENDMENTS
This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner
as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of the
Phoenix Trust and the Phoenix Equity Series; provided, however, that following
the meeting of the shareholders of the Merging Series called by the Phoenix
Trust pursuant to paragraph 5.2 of this Agreement, no such amendment may have
the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of the
Surviving Series Shares to be issued to the Merging Series Shareholders under
this Agreement to the detriment of such shareholders without their further
approval.
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13. NOTICES
Any notice, report, statement or demand required or permitted by any
provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by
facsimile, personal service or prepaid or certified mail addressed to the
parties hereto at their principal place of business.
14. HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; ASSIGNMENT; LIMITATION OF
LIABILITY
14.1 The Article and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
14.2 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original.
14.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles of
conflicts of laws.
14.4 This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or
transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any
party without the written consent of the other party. Nothing herein expressed
or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person,
firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this
Agreement.
14.5 It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Phoenix Trust
hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees,
officers, agents, or employees of the Phoenix Trust personally, but shall bind
only the trust property of the Merging Series, as provided in the Declaration of
Trust of the Phoenix Trust. The execution and delivery by such officers of the
Phoenix Trust shall not be deemed to have been made by any of them individually
or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the
trust property of the Merging Series as provided in the Declaration of Trust of
the Phoenix Trust. The Phoenix Trust is a series company with multiple series,
and the Phoenix Trust has entered into this Agreement on behalf of one such
series, the Merging Series. With respect to any obligation of the Phoenix Trust
arising hereunder, the Phoenix Equity Series and the Surviving Series shall look
for payment or satisfaction of such obligations solely to the assets and
property of the Merging Series.
14.6 It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Phoenix Equity
Series hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders,
nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Phoenix Equity Series personally,
but shall bind only the trust property of the Surviving Series, as provided in
the Declaration of Trust of the Phoenix Equity Series. The execution and
delivery by such officers of the Phoenix Equity Series shall not be deemed to
have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of
them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Surviving Series
as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Phoenix Equity Series. The
Phoenix Equity Series is a series company with two portfolio series, and the
Phoenix Equity Series has entered into this Agreement on behalf of one such
series, the Surviving Series. With respect to any obligation of the Phoenix
Equity Series arising hereunder, the Phoenix Trust and the Merging Series shall
look for payment or satisfaction of such obligations solely to the assets and
property of the Surviving Series.
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14.7 Except as specifically provided herein, the sole remedy of a party
hereto for a breach of any representation or warranty made in this Agreement by
the other party shall be an election by the non-breaching party not to complete
the transactions contemplated herein as set forth in Sections 6 and 7.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed by its President or Vice President and its seal to be
affixed thereto and attested by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary.
Attest: PHOENIX EQUITY SERIES FUND, ON
BEHALF OF THE PHOENIX-OAKHURST
GROWTH & INCOME FUND
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxxx
------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxxx
Assistant Secretary
Title: President
----------------------------
Attest: PHOENIX TRUST, ON BEHALF OF THE PHOENIX-
OAKHURST STRATEGY FUND
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Assistant Secretary
Title: Executive Vice President
----------------------------
Agreed and accepted with respect to
Paragraphs 5.9(e) and 14.7
this 15th day of April, 2004.
PHOENIX INVESTMENT COUNSEL, INC.
By:/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
----------------------------------
Name Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Title Vice President and Clerk
Agreed and accepted with respect to
Paragraphs 9.2 and 14.7
This 15th day of April, 2004.
PHOENIX INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LTD.
By:/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
----------------------------------
Name Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Title Vice President and Secretary
15
