Exhibit 4.26
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RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 1995
BETWEEN
ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.
AND
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
AS RIGHTS AGENT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
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1. Certain Definitions............................................................... 4
2. Appointment of Rights Agent....................................................... 11
3. Issue of Rights and Right Certificates............................................ 11
4. Form of Right Certificates........................................................ 12
5. Execution, Countersignature and Registration...................................... 13
6. Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Right
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right
Certificates; Uncertificated Rights............................................... 13
7. Exercise of Rights; Expiration Date of Rights..................................... 14
8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates................................ 16
9. Reservation and Availability of Preferred Shares.................................. 16
10. Preferred Shares Record Date...................................................... 18
11. Adjustments in Rights After There Is an Acquiring Person;
Exchange of Rights for Shares; Business Combinations.............................. 18
12. Certain Adjustments............................................................... 23
13. Certificate of Adjustment......................................................... 24
14. Additional Covenants.............................................................. 25
15. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares........................................... 25
16. Rights of Action.................................................................. 26
17. Transfer and Ownership of Rights and Right Certificates........................... 27
18. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder................................. 27
19. Concerning the Rights Agent....................................................... 27
20. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Rights Agent................................. 28
21. Duties of Rights Agent............................................................ 28
22. Change of Rights Agent............................................................ 32
23. Issuance of Additional Rights and Right Certificates.............................. 33
24. Redemption and Termination........................................................ 33
25. Notices........................................................................... 34
26. Supplements and Amendments........................................................ 35
27. Successors........................................................................ 35
28. Benefits of Rights Agreement; Determinations and Actions by
the Board of Directors, etc....................................................... 36
29. Severability...................................................................... 36
30. Governing Law..................................................................... 36
31. Counterparts; Effectiveness....................................................... 37
32. Descriptive Headings.............................................................. 37
Exhibits
A Certificate of Designation
B Form of Right Certificate
RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of November 1,
1995, between ITT Hartford Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and The Bank of New
York, a New York banking corporation, as Rights Agent
(the "Rights Agent").
The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and
declared a dividend of one Right (as hereinafter defined) for each share of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock")
outstanding at the Close of Business (as hereinafter defined) on the effective
date of the distribution of Common Stock by ITT Industries, Inc. (formerly ITT
Corporation) to its stockholders (the "Record Date") and has authorized the
issuance of one Right (as such number may hereafter be adjusted pursuant to the
provisions of this Rights Agreement) with respect to each share of Common Stock
that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the earliest of the
Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date (as such terms are
hereinafter defined); provided, however, that Rights may be issued with respect
to shares of Common Stock that shall become outstanding after the Distribution
Date and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date in
accordance with the provisions of Section 23. Each Right shall initially
represent the right to purchase one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a share of
Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of
the Company (the "Preferred Shares"), having the powers, rights and preferences
set forth in the Certificate of Designation attached as Exhibit A.
Accordingly, 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 Rights
Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
"Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which, alone
or together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the
Beneficial Owner of more than 15% of the Common Shares then outstanding but
shall not include (a) the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee
benefit or compensation plan of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries, or
any Person holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such
employee benefit or compensation plan or (b) any such Person who has become and
is such a Beneficial Owner solely because (i) of a change in the aggregate
number of Common Shares outstanding since the last date on which such Person
acquired Beneficial Ownership of any Common Shares or (ii) it acquired such
Beneficial Ownership in the good faith belief that such acquisition would not
(x) cause such Beneficial Ownership to exceed 15% of the Common Shares then
outstanding and such Person relied in good faith in computing the percentage of
its Beneficial Ownership on publicly filed reports or documents of the Company
which are inaccurate or out-of-date or (y) otherwise cause a Distribution Date
or the adjustment
provided for in Section 11(a) to occur. Notwithstanding clause (b)(ii) of the
prior sentence, if any Person that is not an Acquiring Person due to such clause
(b)(ii) does not reduce its percentage of Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares
to 15% or less by the Close of Business on the fifth Business Day after notice
from the Company (the date of notice being the first day) that such Person's
Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares so exceeds 15%, such Person shall, at the
end of such five Business Day period, become an Acquiring Person (and such
clause (b)(ii) shall no longer apply to such Person). For purposes of this
definition, the determination whether any Person acted in "good faith" shall be
conclusively determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, acting by a
vote of those directors of the Company whose approval would be required to
redeem the Rights under Section 24.
"Affiliate" and "Associate", when used with reference to any
Person, shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2
of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the
date of this Rights Agreement.
A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and shall
be deemed to "beneficially own", and shall be deemed to have "Beneficial
Ownership" of, any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates
or Associates is deemed to "beneficially own" within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act,
as in effect on the date of this Rights Agreement;
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates
or Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to
any agreement, arrangement or understanding (written or oral), or upon
the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than
the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that
a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to
beneficially own, or to have Beneficial Ownership of, securities
tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of
such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such
tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange thereunder or
cease to be subject to withdrawal by the tendering security holder, or
(B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (written or oral); provided, however, that a Person shall
not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any
security if (1) the agreement, arrangement or understanding (written or
oral) to vote such security arises solely from a revocable proxy or
consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent
solicitation made generally to all holders of Common Stock pursuant to,
and in accordance with, the applicable
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rules and regulations under the Exchange Act and (2) the beneficial
ownership of such security is not also then reportable 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 with which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (written or oral) for the purpose of acquiring, holding,
voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as described in clause
(ii)(B) of this definition) or disposing of any securities of the
Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this definition shall cause
a Person ordinarily engaged in business as an underwriter of securities to be
the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own", any securities acquired in
a bona fide firm commitment underwriting pursuant to an underwriting agreement
with the Company.
"Book Value", when used with reference to Common Shares issued
by any Person, shall mean the amount of equity of such Person applicable to each
Common Share, determined (i) in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in effect on the date as of which such Book Value is to be
determined, (ii) using all the consolidated assets and all the consolidated
liabilities of such Person on the date as of which such Book Value is to be
determined, except that no value shall be included in such assets for goodwill
arising from consummation of a business combination, and (iii) after giving
effect to (A) the exercise of all rights, options and warrants to purchase such
Common Shares (other than the Rights), and the conversion of all securities
convertible into such Common Shares, at an exercise or conversion price, per
Common Share, which is less than such Book Value before giving effect to such
exercise or conversion (whether or not exercisability or convertibility is
conditioned upon occurrence of a future event), (B) all dividends and other
distributions on the capital stock of such Person declared prior to the date as
of which such Book Value is to be determined and to be paid or made after such
date, and (C) any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (written or
oral), or transaction or other action contemplated prior to the date as of which
such Book Value is to be determined which would have the effect of thereafter
reducing such Book Value.
"Business Combination" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(c)(I).
"Business Day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.
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"Certificate of Designation" shall mean the Certificate of
Designation of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock setting forth
the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of
such series of Preferred Stock of the Company, a copy of which is attached as
Exhibit A.
"Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on such-date; provided, however, that, if such date is not a
Business Day, "Close of Business" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the next succeeding Business Day.
"Common Shares", when used with reference to the Company prior
to a Business Combination, shall mean the shares of Common Stock of the Company
or any other shares of capital stock of the Company into which the Common Stock
shall be reclassified or changed. "Common Shares", when used with reference to
any Person (other than the Company prior to a Business Combination), shall mean
shares of capital stock of such Person (if such Person is a corporation) of any
class or series, or units of equity interests in such Person (if such Person is
not a corporation) of any class or series, the terms of which do not limit (as a
maximum amount and not merely in proportional terms) the amount of dividends or
income payable or distributable on such class or series or the amount of assets
distributable on such class or series upon any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person and do not provide that
such class or series is subject to redemption at the option of such Person, or
any shares of capital stock or units of equity interests into which the
foregoing shall be reclassified or changed; provided, however, that, if at any
time there shall be more than one such class or series of capital stock or
equity interests of such Person, "Common Shares" of such Person shall include
all such classes and series substantially in the proportion of the total number
of shares or other units of each such class or series outstanding at such time
unless any such class or series is identical to another such class except for
voting power, in which case "Common Shares" shall include such higher voting
class in place of such lower voting class.
"Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the
introductory paragraph of this Rights Agreement.
"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the heading of
this Rights Agreement; provided, however, that if there is a Business
Combination, "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(c)(III).
The term "control" with respect to any Person shall mean the
power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or
indirectly, by or through stock ownership, agency or otherwise, or pursuant to
or in connection with an agreement, arrangement or understanding (written or
oral) with one or more other Persons by or
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through stock ownership, agency or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3(b).
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as in effect on the date in question, unless otherwise specifically provided.
"Exchange Consideration" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(b)(I).
"Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7(a).
"Major Part", when used with reference to the assets of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as of any date, shall mean assets (i) having a fair
market value aggregating 50% or more of the total fair market value of all the
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) as of the date in
question, (ii) accounting for 50% or more of the total value (net of
depreciation and amortization) of all the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) as would be shown on a consolidated or combined
balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date in question,
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles then in
effect, or (iii) accounting for 50% or more of the total amount of earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization or of the revenues of the
Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) as would be shown on, or derived
from, a consolidated or combined statement of income or operations of the
Company and its Subsidiaries for the period of 12 months ending on the last day
of the Company's monthly accounting period next preceding the date in question,
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles then in
effect.
"Market Value", when used with reference to Common Shares on
any date, shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices, per
share, of such Common Shares for the period which is the shorter of (1) 30
consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to the date in question or (2) the
number of consecutive Trading Days beginning on the Trading Day immediately
after the date of the first public announcement of the event requiring a
determination of the Market Value and ending on the Trading Day immediately
prior to the record date of such event; provided, however, that, in the event
that the Market Value of such Common Shares is to be determined in whole or in
part during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such Common
Shares of any action of the type described in Section 12(a) that would require
an adjustment thereunder, then, and in each such case, the Market Value of such
Common Shares shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the effect of such
action on the market price of such Common Shares. The closing price for each
Trading Day shall be the closing price quoted on the principal United States
securities exchange registered
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under the Exchange Act (or any recognized foreign stock exchange) on which such
securities are listed, or, if such securities are not listed on any such
exchange, the closing price quoted on The Nasdaq Stock Market or, if such
securities are not so quoted, the average of the closing bid and asked
quotations with respect to a share of such securities on any National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. quotations system, or if no such
quotations are available, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as
furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such securities
selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such Trading Day no
market maker is making a market in such securities, the closing price of such
securities on such Trading Day shall be deemed to be the fair value of such
securities as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company
acting by a vote of those directors whose approval would be required to redeem
the Rights under Section 24 (whose determination shall be described in a
statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent,
the holders of Rights and all other Persons); provided, however, that for the
purpose of determining the closing price of the Preferred Shares for any Trading
Day on which there is no such market maker for the Preferred Shares the closing
price on such Trading Day shall be deemed to be the Formula Number (as defined
in the Certificate of Designation) times the closing price of the Common Shares
of the Company on such Trading Day.
"Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership,
joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.
"Preferred Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in the
introductory paragraph of this Rights Agreement. Any reference in this Rights
Agreement to Preferred Shares shall be deemed to include any authorized fraction
of a Preferred Share, unless the context otherwise requires.
"Principal Party" shall mean the Surviving Person in a
Business Combination; provided, however, that, if such Surviving Person is a
direct or indirect Subsidiary of any other Person, "Principal Party" shall mean
the Person which is the ultimate parent of such Surviving Person and which is
not itself a Subsidiary of another Person. In the event ultimate control of such
Surviving Person is shared by two or more Persons, "Principal Party" shall mean
that Person that is immediately controlled by such two or more Persons.
"Purchase Price" with respect to each Right shall mean $220,
as such amount may from time to time be adjusted as provided herein, and shall
be payable in lawful money of the United States of America. All references
herein to the Purchase Price shall mean the Purchase Price as in effect at the
time in question.
"Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the
introductory paragraph of this Rights Agreement.
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"Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
24(a).
"Redemption Price" with respect to each Right shall mean $.0l,
as such amount may from time to time be adjusted in accordance with Section 12.
All references herein to the Redemption Price shall mean the Redemption Price as
in effect at the time in question.
"Registered Common Shares" shall mean Common Shares which are,
as of the date of consummation of a Business Combination, and have continuously
been for the 12 months immediately preceding such date, registered under Section
12 of the Exchange Act.
"Right Certificate" shall mean a certificate evidencing a
Right in substantially the form attached as Exhibit B.
"Rights" shall mean the rights to purchase Preferred Shares
(or other securities) as provided in this Rights Agreement.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as in
effect on the date in question, unless otherwise specifically provided.
"Subsidiary" shall mean a Person, at least a majority of the
total outstanding voting power (being the power under ordinary circumstances
(and not merely upon the happening of a contingency) to vote in the election of
directors of such Person (if such Person is a corporation) or to participate in
the management and control of such Person (if such Person is not a corporation))
of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by another Person or by one or more
other Subsidiaries of such other Person or by such other Person and one or more
other Subsidiaries of such other Person.
"Surviving Person" shall mean (1) the Person which is the
continuing or surviving Person in a consolidation or merger specified in Section
11(c)(I)(i) or 11(c)(I)(ii) or (2) the Person to which the Major Part of the
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries is sold, leased, exchanged or
otherwise transferred or disposed of in a transaction specified in Section
11(c)(I)(iii); provided, however, that, if the Major Part of the assets of the
Company and its Subsidiaries is sold, leased, exchanged or otherwise transferred
or disposed of in one or more related transactions specified in Section
11(c)(I)(iii) to more than one Person, the "Surviving Person" in such case shall
mean the Person that acquired assets of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries with
the greatest fair market value in such transaction or transactions.
"Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national
securities exchange (or principal recognized foreign stock exchange, as the case
may be) on which any securities or Rights, as the case may be, are listed or
admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the
securities or Rights in question are not listed or
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admitted to trading on any national securities exchange (or recognized foreign
stock exchange, as the case may be), a Business Day.
SECTION 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby
appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the
terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such
appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint one or more co-Rights
Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable upon notice to the Rights Agent
(the term "Rights Agent" being used herein to refer, collectively, to the Rights
Agent together with any such co-Rights Agents). In the event the Company
appoints one or more co-Rights Agents, the respective duties of the Rights Agent
and any co-Rights Agents shall be as the Company shall determine.
SECTION 3. Issue of Rights and Right Certificates. (a) One
Right shall be associated with each Common Share outstanding on the Record Date,
each additional Common Share that shall become outstanding between the Record
Date and the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the
Expiration Date and each additional Common Share with which Rights are issued
after the Distribution Date but prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date or
the Expiration Date as provided in Section 23; provided, however, that, if the
number of outstanding Rights are combined into a smaller number of outstanding
Rights pursuant to Section 12(a), the appropriate fractional Right determined
pursuant to such Section shall thereafter be associated with each such Common
Share.
(b) Until the earlier of (i) such time as the Company
learns that a Person has become an Acquiring Person or (ii) the Close of
Business on such date, if any, as may be designated by the Board of Directors of
the Company following the commencement of, or first public disclosure of an
intent to commence, a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the
Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit or compensation
plan of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person holding Common
Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit or compensation
plan) for outstanding Common Shares, if upon consummation of such tender or
exchange offer such Person could be the Beneficial Owner of more than 15% of the
outstanding Common Shares (the Close of Business on the earlier of such dates
being the "Distribution Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced by the
certificates for Common Shares registered in the names of the holders thereof
and not by separate Right Certificates and (y) the Rights, including the right
to receive Right Certificates, will be transferable only in connection with the
transfer of Common Shares. As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date,
the Rights Agent will send, by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record
holder of Common Shares as of the Distribution Date, at the address of such
holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right Certificate evidencing one
whole Right for each Common Share (or for the number of Common Shares with which
one whole Right is then associated if the number of Rights per
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Common Share held by such record holder has been adjusted in accordance with the
proviso in Section 3(a)). If the number of Rights associated with each Common
Share has been adjusted in accordance with the proviso in Section 3(a), at the
time of distribution of the Right Certificates the Company may make any
necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments so that Right Certificates
representing only whole numbers of Rights are distributed and cash is paid in
lieu of any fractional Right in accordance with Section 15(a). As of and after
the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right
Certificates.
(c) With respect to any certificate for Common Shares,
until the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the
Expiration Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by any
such certificate shall be evidenced by such certificate alone, the registered
holders of the Common Shares shall also be the registered holders of the
associated Rights and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall
also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares
represented thereby.
(d) Certificates issued for Common Shares after the
Record Date (including, without limitation, upon transfer or exchange of
outstanding Common Shares), but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date,
the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date, shall have printed on, written on or
otherwise affixed to them the following legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof
to certain Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of
November 1, 1995, as it may be amended from time to time (the "Rights
Agreement"), between ITT Hartford Group, Inc. (the "Company") and The
Bank of New York, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"), the terms of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which
is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company. Under
certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such
Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be
evidenced by this certificate. The Rights Agent will mail to the holder
of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after
receipt of a written request therefor. Rights beneficially owned by
Acquiring Persons or their Affiliates or Associates (as such terms are
defined in the Rights Agreement) and by any subsequent holder of such
Rights are null and void and nontransferable.
Notwithstanding this paragraph (d), the omission of a legend
shall not affect the enforceability of any part of this Rights Agreement or the
rights of any holder of Rights.
SECTION 4. Form of Right Certificates. The Right Certificates
(and the form of election to purchase and form of assignment to be printed on
the reverse side
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thereof) shall be in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit B 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 Rights 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 Sections 7, 11 and 23, the Right Certificates, whenever issued,
shall be dated as of the Distribution Date, and on their face shall entitle the
holders thereof to purchase such number of Preferred Shares as shall be set
forth therein for the Purchase Price set forth therein, subject to adjustment
from time to time as herein provided.
SECTION 5. Execution, Countersignature and Registration. (a)
The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the
Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief
Operating Officer, the Treasurer or a Vice President (whether preceded by any
additional title) of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature, and
have affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof which shall be
attested by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or a Vice President (whether
preceded by any additional title, provided that such Vice President shall not
have also executed the Right Certificates) of the Company, either manually or by
facsimile signature. The Right Certificates shall be manually countersigned by
the Rights Agent and shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless so
countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of
the Right Certificates shall cease to be such an officer of the Company before
countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company,
such Right Certificates may nevertheless 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 Right Certificates had not ceased to be such an
officer of the Company; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the
Company by any person who, at the actual date of execution of such Right
Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right
Certificate, although at the date of execution of this Rights Agreement any such
person was not such an officer of the Company.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent
will keep or cause to be kept, at its designated office in New York, New York,
books for registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder.
Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the
Right Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced by each of the Right
Certificates, the certificate number of each of the Right Certificates and the
date of each of the Right Certificates.
SECTION 6. Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of
Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates;
Uncertificated Rights. (a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 7(e) and 15, at
any time after the
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Distribution Date, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the earlier of
the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date, any Right Certificate or Right
Certificates may be transferred, split-up, combined or exchanged for another
Right Certificate or Right Certificates representing, in the aggregate, the same
number of Rights as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then
represented. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split-up, combine or
exchange any Right Certificate shall make such request in writing delivered to
the Rights Agent and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates
to be transferred, split-up, combined or exchanged at the designated office of
the Rights Agent; provided, however, that neither the Rights Agent nor the
Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the
transfer of any Right Certificate surrendered for transfer until the registered
holder shall have completed and signed the certification contained in the form
of assignment on the reverse side of such Right 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 Sections
7(e) and 15, countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Right
Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The
Company may require payment by the holders of Rights 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 Right Certificates.
(b) Upon receipt by the Company or the Rights Agent of
evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of a valid Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at
the Company's request, 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 Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make a
new Right Certificate of like tenor and deliver such new Right Certificate to
the Rights Agent for delivery to the registered owner in lieu of the Right
Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the
Company and the Rights Agent may amend this Rights Agreement to provide for
uncertificated Rights in addition to or in place of Rights evidenced by Right
Certificates.
SECTION 7. Exercise of Rights; Expiration Date of Rights. (a)
Subject to Section 7(e) and except as otherwise provided herein (including
Section 11), each Right shall entitle the registered holder thereof, upon
exercise thereof as provided herein, to purchase for the Purchase Price, at any
time after the Distribution Date and at or prior to the earlier of (i) the Close
of Business on the 10th anniversary of the date of this Rights Agreement (the
Close of Business on such date being the "Expiration Date"), or (ii) the
Redemption Date, one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a Preferred Share, subject
to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 12.
14
(b) The registered holder of any Right Certificate may
exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in
whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date, upon surrender of the
Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side
thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the designated office of the
Rights Agent in New York, New York, together with payment of the Purchase Price
for each one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a Preferred Share as to which the
Rights are exercised, at or prior to the earlier of (i) the Expiration Date or
(ii) the Redemption Date.
(c) Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing
exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase duly executed,
accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the Preferred Shares to be
purchased together with an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax, in
lawful money of the United States of America, in cash or by certified check or
money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall
thereupon (i) either (A) promptly requisition from any transfer agent of the
Preferred Shares (or make available, if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent)
certificates for the number of Preferred Shares 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 Preferred
Shares with a depositary agent under a depositary arrangement, promptly
requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing the
number of one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a Preferred Share to be purchased
(in which case certificates for the Preferred Shares to be 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 all such requests,
(ii) when appropriate, promptly requisition from the Company the amount of cash
to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section
15, (iii) promptly 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 Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by
such holder and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt promptly deliver such cash
to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate.
(d) In case the registered holder of any Right
Certificate shall exercise fewer than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new
Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining
unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent and delivered to the registered
holder of such Right Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to
the provisions of Section 15.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to
the contrary, any Rights that are at any time beneficially owned by an Acquiring
Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person shall be null and
void and nontransferable, and any holder of any such Right (including any
purported transferee or subsequent holder) shall not have any right to exercise
or transfer any such Right.
15
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to
the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to
undertake any action with respect to a registered holder of any Right
Certificates 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 Right 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.
(g) The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of
time not to exceed 90 calendar days after the Distribution Date, the
exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file a registration
statement under the Securities Act, on appropriate form, with respect to the
Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights and permit such
registration statement to become effective; provided, however, that no such
suspension shall remain effective after, and the Rights shall without any
further action by the Company or any other Person become exercisable immediately
upon, the effectiveness of such registration statement. Upon any such
suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended and shall issue a
further public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in
effect. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Rights shall
not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the requisite qualification under the
blue sky or securities laws of such jurisdiction shall not have been obtained or
the exercise of the Rights shall not be permitted under applicable law.
SECTION 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates.
All Right Certificates surrendered or presented for the purpose of exercise,
transfer, split-up, combination or exchange shall, and any Right Certificate
representing Rights that have become null and void and nontransferable pursuant
to Section 7(e) surrendered or presented for any purpose shall, if surrendered
or presented to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights
Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if surrendered or presented to
the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Right Certificates shall be
issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by this Rights Agreement.
The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement,
and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any Right Certificate purchased
or acquired by the Company. The Rights Agent shall deliver all canceled Right
Certificates to the Company.
SECTION 9. Reservation and Availability of Preferred Shares.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept
available out of its authorized and unissued Preferred Shares or any authorized
and issued Preferred Shares held in its treasury, free from preemptive rights or
any right of first refusal, a
16
number of Preferred Shares sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all
outstanding Rights.
(b) In the event that there shall not be sufficient
Preferred Shares issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit
the exercise or exchange of Rights in accordance with Section 11, the Company
covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to
authorize additional Preferred Shares for issuance upon the exercise or exchange
of Rights pursuant to Section 11; provided, however, that if the Company is
unable to cause the authorization of additional Preferred Shares, then the
Company shall, or in lieu of seeking any such authorization, the Company may, to
the extent necessary and permitted by applicable law and any agreements or
instruments in effect prior to the Distribution Date to which it is a party, (A)
upon surrender of a Right, pay cash equal to the Purchase Price in lieu of
issuing Preferred Shares and requiring payment therefor, (B) upon due exercise
of a Right and payment of the Purchase Price for each Preferred Share as to
which such Right is exercised, issue equity securities having a value equal to
the value of the Preferred Shares which otherwise would have been issuable
pursuant to Section 11, which value shall be determined by a nationally
recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board of Directors of the
Company or (C) upon due exercise of a Right and payment of the Purchase Price
for each Preferred Share as to which such Right is exercised, distribute a
combination of Preferred Shares, cash and/or other equity and/or debt securities
having an aggregate value equal to the value of the Preferred Shares which
otherwise would have been issuable pursuant to Section 11, which value shall be
determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the
Board of Directors of the Company. To the extent that any legal or contractual
restrictions (pursuant to agreements or instruments in effect prior to the
Distribution Date to which it is party) prevent the Company from paying the full
amount payable in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the Company shall pay
to holders of the Rights as to which such payments are being made all amounts
which are not then restricted on a pro rata basis as such payments become
permissible under such legal or contractual restrictions until such payments
have been paid in full.
(c) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take
all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares
delivered upon exercise or exchange of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of
the certificates for such Preferred Shares (subject to payment of the Purchase
Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
nonassessable shares.
(d) So long as the Preferred Shares issuable upon the
exercise or exchange of Rights are to be listed on any national securities
exchange, the Company covenants and agrees to use its best efforts to cause,
from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable or exchangeable, all
Preferred Shares reserved for such
17
issuance to be listed on such securities exchange upon official notice of
issuance upon such exercise or exchange.
(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 Right
Certificates or of any Preferred Shares or Common Shares or other securities
upon the exercise or exchange of the 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 Right Certificates to a Person other than, or in respect of the
issuance or delivery of certificates for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares
or other securities, as the case may be, in a name other than that of, the
registered holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for
exercise or exchange or to issue or deliver any certificates for Preferred
Shares or Common Shares or other securities, as the case may be, upon the
exercise or exchange of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any
such tax being payable by the holder of such Right Certificate 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 Shares Record Date. Each Person in
whose name any certificate for Preferred Shares or Common Shares or other
securities is issued upon the exercise or exchange of Rights shall for all
purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Preferred Shares
or Common Shares or other securities, as the case may be, represented thereby
on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right
Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of any
Purchase Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however,
that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the
transfer books of the Company for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or other
securities, as the case may be, are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have
become the record holder of such Preferred Shares or Common Shares or other
securities, as the case may be, on, and such certificate shall be dated, the
next succeeding Business Day on which the transfer books of the Company for the
Preferred Shares or Common Shares or other securities, as the case may be, are
open.
SECTION 11. Adjustments in Rights After There Is an
Acquiring Person; Exchange of Rights for Shares; Business Combinations. (a) Upon
a Person becoming an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that
each holder of a Right, except as provided in Section 7(e), shall thereafter
have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof for the Purchase Price in
accordance with the terms of this Rights Agreement, such number of one
one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a Preferred Share as shall equal the result
obtained by multiplying the Purchase Price by a fraction, the numerator of which
is the number of one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a Preferred Share for which
a Right is then exercisable and the denominator of which is 50% of the Market
Value of the Common Shares on the date on which a Person becomes an Acquiring
Person. As soon
18
as practicable after a Person becomes an Acquiring Person (provided the Company
shall not have elected to make the exchange permitted by Section 11(b)(I) for
all outstanding Rights), the Company covenants and agrees to use its best
efforts to:
(I) prepare and file a registration statement
under the Securities Act, on an appropriate form, with respect
to the Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the
Rights;
(II) cause such registration statement to become
effective as soon as practicable after such filing;
(III) cause such registration statement to remain
effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act) until the Expiration Date;
and
(IV) qualify or register the Preferred Shares
purchasable upon exercise of the Rights under the blue sky or
securities laws of such jurisdictions as may be necessary or
appropriate.
(b) (I) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its
option, at any time after a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, mandatorily
exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall
not include Rights that shall have become null and void and nontransferable
pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e)) for consideration per Right
consisting of either one-half of the securities that would be issuable at such
time upon the exercise of one Right in accordance with Section 11(a) or, if
applicable, Section 9(b)(B) or (C) or, if applicable the cash consideration
specified in Section 9(b)(A) (the consideration issuable per Right pursuant to
this Section 11(b)(I) being the "Exchange Consideration"). The Board of
Directors of the Company may, at its option, issue, in substitution for
Preferred Shares, Common Shares in an amount per Preferred Share equal to the
Formula Number (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) if there are
sufficient Common Shares issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued.
If the Board of Directors of the Company elects to exchange all the Rights for
Exchange Consideration pursuant to this Section 11(b)(I) prior to the physical
distribution of the Rights Certificates, the Corporation may distribute the
Exchange Consideration in lieu of distributing Right Certificates, in which case
for purposes of this Rights Agreement holders of Rights shall be deemed to have
simultaneously received and surrendered for exchange Right Certificates on the
date of such distribution.
(II) Any action of the Board of Directors of the Company
ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to Section 11(b)(I) shall be
irrevocable and, immediately upon the taking of such action and without any
further action and without any notice, the right to exercise any such Right
pursuant to Section 11(a) shall terminate
19
and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Right shall be to receive the
Exchange Consideration in exchange for each such Right held by such holder or,
if the Exchange Consideration shall not have been paid or issued, to exercise
any such Right pursuant to Section 11(c)(I). 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 promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange to all 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 Rights for the
Exchange Consideration 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 shall have become null and void and nontransferable pursuant to the
provisions of Section 7(e)) held by each holder of Rights.
(c) (I) In the event that, following a Distribution Date,
directly or indirectly, any transactions specified in the following clause (i),
(ii) or (iii) of this Section 11(c) (each such transaction being a "Business
Combination") shall be consummated:
(i) the Company shall consolidate with,
or merge with and into, any Acquiring Person or any
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person;
(ii) any Acquiring Person or any
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person shall
merge with and into the Company and, in connection
with such merger, all or part of the Common Shares
shall be changed into or exchanged for capital stock
or other securities of the Company or of any
Acquiring Person or Affiliate or Associate of an
Acquiring Person or cash or any other property; or
(iii) the Company shall sell, lease,
exchange or otherwise transfer or dispose of (or one
or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell, lease,
exchange or otherwise transfer or dispose of), in one
or more transactions, the Major Part of the assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole)
to any Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate
of an Acquiring Person,
then, in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a
Right, except as provided in Section 7(e), shall thereafter have the right to
receive, upon the exercise thereof for the Purchase Price in accordance with the
terms of this Rights
20
Agreement, the securities specified below (or, at such holder's option, the
securities specified in Section 11(a)):
(A) If the Principal Party in such
Business Combination has Registered Common Shares
outstanding, each Right shall thereafter represent
the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof for
the Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of
this Rights Agreement, such number of Registered
Common Shares of such Principal Party, free and clear
of all lions, encumbrances or other adverse claims,
as shall have an aggregate Market Value equal to the
result obtained by multiplying the Purchase Price by
two;
(B) If the Principal Party involved in
such Business Combination does not have Registered
Common Shares outstanding, each Right shall
thereafter represent the right to receive, upon the
exercise thereof for the Purchase Price in accordance
with the terms of this Rights Agreement, at the
election of the holder of such Right at the time of
the exercise thereof, any of:
(1) such number of Common
Shares of the Surviving Person in such
Business Combination as shall have an
aggregate Book Value immediately after
giving effect to such Business Combination
equal to the result obtained by multiplying
the Purchase Price by two;
(2) such number of Common
Shares of the Principal Party in such
Business Combination (if the Principal Party
is not also the Surviving Person in such
Business Combination) as shall have an
aggregate Book Value immediately after
giving effect to such Business Combination
equal to the result obtained by multiplying
the Purchase Price by two; or
(3) if the Principal Party in
such Business Combination is an Affiliate of
one or more Persons which has Registered
Common Shares outstanding, such number of
Registered Common Shares of whichever of
such Affiliates of the Principal Party has
Registered Common Shares with the greatest
aggregate Market Value on the date of
consummation of such Business Combination as
shall have an aggregate Market Value on the
date of such
21
Business Combination equal to the result
obtained by multiplying the Purchase Price
by two.
(II) The Company shall not consummate any Business
Combination unless each issuer of Common Shares for which Rights may be
exercised, as set forth in this Section 11(c), shall have sufficient authorized
Common Shares that have not been issued or reserved for issuance (and which
shall, when issued upon exercise thereof in accordance with this Rights
Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of
preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or any other restrictions or
limitations on the transfer or ownership thereof) to permit the exercise in full
of the Rights in accordance with this Section 11(c) and unless prior thereto:
(i) a registration statement under the
Securities Act on an appropriate form, with respect
to the Rights and the Common Shares of such issuer
purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, shall be
effective under the Securities Act; and
(ii) the Company and each such issuer
shall have:
(A) executed and delivered to
the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement
providing for the assumption by such issuer
of the obligations set forth in this Section
11(c) (including the obligation of such
issuer to issue Common Shares upon the
exercise of Rights in accordance with the
terms set forth in Sections 11(c)(I) and
11(c)(III)) and further providing that such
issuer, at its own expense, will use its
best efforts to:
(1) cause a
registration statement under the
Securities Act on an appropriate
form, with respect to the Rights
and the Common Shares of such
issuer purchasable upon exercise of
the Rights, to remain effective
(with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act) until the
Expiration Date;
(2) qualify or
register the Rights and the Common
Shares of such issuer purchasable
upon exercise of the Rights under
the blue sky or securities laws of
such jurisdictions as may be
necessary or appropriate; and
22
(3) list the Rights
and the Common Shares of such
issuer purchasable upon exercise of
the Rights on each national
securities exchange on which the
Common Shares were listed prior to
the consummation of the Business
Combination or, if the Common
Shares were not listed on a
national securities exchange prior
to the consummation of the Business
Combination, on a national
securities exchange;
(B) furnished to the Rights
Agent a written opinion of independent
counsel stating that such supplemental
agreement is a valid, binding and
enforceable agreement of such issuer; and
(C) filed with the Rights
Agent a certificate of a nationally
recognized firm of independent accountants
setting forth the number of Common Shares of
such issuer which may be purchased upon the
exercise of each Right after the
consummation of such Business Combination.
(III) After consummation of any Business Combination and
subject to the provisions of Section 11(c)(II), (i) each issuer of Common Shares
for which Rights may be exercised as set forth in this Section 11(c) shall be
liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Business Combination, all the
obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Rights Agreement, (ii)
the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such issuer, (iii)
each such issuer shall take such steps in connection with such consummation as
may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof (including the provisions
of Sections 11(a) and 11(c)) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as
reasonably may be, in relation to its Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon
the exercise of the Rights, and (iv) the number of Common Shares of each such
issuer thereafter receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the provisions of Sections 11 and 12 and the provisions of
Section 7, 9 and 10 with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply, as nearly
as reasonably may be, on like terms to any such Common Shares.
SECTION 12. Certain Adjustments. (a) To preserve the
actual or potential economic value of the Rights, if at any time after the date
of this Rights Agreement there shall be any change in the Common Shares or the
Preferred Shares, whether by reason of stock dividends, stock splits,
recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations or exchanges of
securities, split-ups, split-offs, spin-offs, liquidations, other similar
changes in capitalization, any distribution or issuance of cash,
23
assets, evidences of indebtedness or subscription rights, options or warrants to
holders of Common Shares or Preferred Shares, as the case may be (other than
distribution of the Rights or regular quarterly cash dividends) or otherwise,
then, in each such event the Board of Directors of the Company shall make such
appropriate adjustments in the number of Preferred Shares (or the number and
kind of other securities) issuable upon exercise of each Right, the Purchase
Price and Redemption Price in effect at such time and the number of Rights
outstanding at such time (including the number of Rights or fractional Rights
associated with each Common Share) such that following such adjustment such
event shall not have had the effect of reducing or limiting the benefits the
holders of the Rights would have had absent such event.
(b) If, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to
Section 12(a), the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become
entitled to receive any securities other than Preferred Shares, thereafter the
number of such securities so receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be
subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly
equivalent as practicable to the provisions of Sections 11 and 12 and the
provisions of Sections 7, 9 and 10 with respect to the Preferred Shares shall
apply, as nearly as reasonably may be, on like terms to any such other
securities.
(c) All Rights originally issued by the Company
subsequent to any adjustment made to the amount of Preferred Shares or other
securities relating to a Right shall evidence the right to purchase, for the
Purchase Price, the adjusted number and kind of securities purchasable from time
to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment
as provided herein.
(d) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the
Purchase Price or the number of Preferred Shares or number or kind of other
securities issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates
theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the terms which were
expressed in the initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.
(e) in any case in which action taken pursuant to Section
12(a) requires that an adjustment 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 issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date
the Preferred Shares and/or other securities, if any, issuable upon such
exercise over and above the Preferred Shares and/or other securities, if any,
issuable before giving effect 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 securities upon the
occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
SECTION 13. Certificate of Adjustment. Whenever an
adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or 12, the Company shall (a)
promptly prepare a
24
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 Shares a copy of such certificate and (c)
mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) in accordance with Section 25. The
Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on
any adjustment therein contained.
SECTION 14 Additional Covenants. (a) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Rights Agreement, no adjustment to the number of
Preferred Shares (or fractions of a share) or other securities for which a Right
is exercisable or the number of Rights outstanding or associated with each
Common Share or any similar or other adjustment shall be made or be effective if
such adjustment would have the effect of reducing or limiting the benefits the
holders of the Rights would have had absent such adjustment, including, without
limitation, the benefits under Sections 11 and 12, unless the terms of this
Rights Agreement are amended so as to preserve such benefits.
(b) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the
Distribution Date, except as permitted by Section 26, it will not take (or
permit any Subsidiary of the Company to take) any action if at the time such
action is taken it is intended or reasonably foreseeable that such action will
reduce or otherwise limit the benefits the holders of the Rights would have had
absent such action, including, without limitation, the benefits under Sections
11 and 12. Any action taken by the Company during any period after any Person
becomes an Acquiring Person but prior to the Distribution Date shall be null and
void unless such action could be taken under this Section 14(b) from and after
the Distribution Date. The Company shall not consummate any Business Combination
if any issuer of Common Shares for which Rights may be exercised after such
Business Combination in accordance with Section 11(c) shall have taken or
contemplated taking any action that reduces or otherwise limits the benefits the
holders of the Rights would have had absent such action, including, without
limitation, the benefits under Sections 11 and 12.
SECTION 15. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares. (a)
The Company may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of Rights or
distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such
fractional Rights, the Company may pay to the registered holders of the Right
Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be
issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the currant market
value of a whole Right. For purposes of this Section 15(a), the current market
value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights (as determined
pursuant to the second and third sentences of the definition of Market Value
contained in Section 1) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on
which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable.
25
(b) The Company may, but shall not be required to, issue
fractions of Preferred Shares upon exercise of the Rights or distribute
certificates which evidence fractional Preferred Shares. In lieu of fractional
Preferred Shares the Company may elect to (i) utilize a depository arrangement
as provided by the terms of the Preferred Shares or (ii) in the case of a
fraction of a Preferred Share (other than one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a
Preferred Share or any integral multiple thereof), pay to the registered holders
of Right 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
Preferred Share, if any are outstanding and publicly traded (or the Formula
Number times the current market value of one Common Share if the Preferred
Shares are not outstanding and publicly traded). For purposes of this Section
15(b), the current market value of a Preferred Share (or Common Share) shall be
the closing price of a Preferred Share (or Common Share) (as determined pursuant
to the second and third sentences of the definition of Market Value contained in
Section 1) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
If, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 12(a), the holder of
any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any securities
other than Preferred Shares, the provisions of this Section 15(b) shall apply,
as nearly as reasonably may be, on like terms to such other securities.
(c) The Company may, but shall not be required to, issue
fractions of Common Shares upon exchange of Rights pursuant to Section 11(b), or
to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares. In lieu of
such fractional Common Shares, the Company may pay to the registered holders of
the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Common Shares would
otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current Market Value of one Common Share as of the date on which a Person became
an Acquiring Person.
(d) The holder of Rights 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 provided in this Section 15.
SECTION 16. Rights of Action. (a) All rights of action
in respect of this Rights Agreement are vested in the respective registered
holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the
registered holders of the Common Shares); and any registered holder of any Right
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), without
the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate
(or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) 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 Right Certificate
in the manner provided in such Right Certificate and in this Rights 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 Rights
26
Agreement and shall be entitled to specific performance of the obligations of
any Person under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations
of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Rights Agreement.
(b) Any holder of Rights who prevails in an action to
enforce the provisions of this Rights Agreement shall be entitled to recover the
reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in such
action.
SECTION 17. Transfer and Ownership of Rights and Right
Certificates. (a) Prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares and the
Rights associated with the Common Shares shall be automatically transferred upon
the transfer of the Common Shares.
(b) After the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates
will be transferable, subject to Section 7(e), only on the registry books of the
Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal office of the Rights Agent, duly
endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer.
(c) The Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat
the Person in whose name a Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution
Date, the associated Common Shares certificate) is registered as the absolute
owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations
of ownership or writing on the Right Certificates or the associated certificate
for Common Shares made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for
all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be
affected by any notice to the contrary.
SECTION 18. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a
Stockholder. No holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to
vote or receive dividends or be deemed, for any purpose, the holder of the
Preferred Shares or of 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 Right Certificate be construed to confer
upon the holder of any Right Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a
stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, any right to vote for
the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders, or to
receive dividends or other distributions or subscription rights, or otherwise,
until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been
exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.
SECTION 19. Concerning the Rights Agent. (a) The Company
agrees to pay to the Rights Agent, as shall be agreed to in writing between the
Company and the Rights Agent, compensation for all services rendered by it
hereunder from time to time and its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and
expenses and other disbursements
27
incurred in the administration and execution of this Rights Agreement and the
exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The provisions of this Section
19(a) shall survive the expiration of the Rights and the termination of this
Agreement.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur
no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in
connection with its administration of this Rights Agreement in reliance upon any
Right Certificate or certificate for the Common Shares or for other securities
of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney,
endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, opinion, instruction, direction,
consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be
genuine and to be signed and executed by the proper Person or Persons.
SECTION 20. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Rights
Agent. (a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation
resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the
stock transfer or corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Rights
Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such corporation would be
eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of
Section 22. In case, at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to
the agency created by this Rights Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall
have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may
adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such
Right Certificates so countersigned; and, in case at that time any of the Right
Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may
countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights
Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such
Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates
and in this Rights Agreement.
(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent
shall be changed and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature
under its prior name and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and, in
case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been
countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either
in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Right
Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in
this Rights Agreement.
SECTION 21. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent
undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Rights Agreement upon the
following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of
Right Certificates (or, prior to
28
the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), by their acceptance thereof, shall
be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel
satisfactory to it (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, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and
in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this
Rights Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any
fact or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring
Person) be proved or established by the Company prior to taking, refraining from
taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other
evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to
be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any one of the
Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief
Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, a Vice President (whether
preceded by any additional title), the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company
and delivered to the Rights Agent or by the directors of the Company whose vote
would be sufficient to redeem the Rights under Section 24. 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 Rights Agreement in reliance
upon such certificate. In the event any such certificate signed by such
directors is inconsistent with any other such certificate, the certificate
signed by such directors shall control.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for
its own gross negligence, bad faith or wilful 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 Rights Agreement
or in the Right Certificates (except as to its countersignature thereof) or be
required to verify the same, 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 Rights 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 Right Certificate
(except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any
breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Rights
Agreement or in any Right Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any
adjustment required under the provisions of Section 11 or 12 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 Right Certificates after actual notice of
any such adjustment); nor shall it by any act
29
hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the
authorization or reservation of any Preferred Shares or Common Shares to be
issued pursuant to this Rights Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to
whether any Preferred Shares or Common Shares 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 Rights Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to
accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from
any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, the Chief Operating Officer, a Vice President (whether preceded by
any additional title), the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company or from the
directors of the Company whose vote would be sufficient to redeem the Rights
under Section 24, and to apply to such officers or directors for advice and
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 officers or directors or for any delay in acting while
waiting for those instructions. Any application by the Rights Agent for written
instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Rights Agent, set forth
in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Rights Agent under
this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or
such omission shall be effective. The Rights Agent shall not be liable for any
action taken by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal
included in such application on or after the date specified in such application
(which date shall not be less than three Business Days after the date any
officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such
officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless, prior to
taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the
Rights Agent shall have received written instructions in response to such
application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director,
officer, employee or affiliate 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 the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement. Nothing
herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the
Company or for any other legal entity.
30
(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 reasonable care was exercised in
the selection thereof.
(j) The Company agrees to indemnify and to hold the
Rights Agent harmless against any loss, liability, damage or expense (including
reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) which the Rights Agent may incur
in connection with this Rights Agreement; provided, however, that the Rights
Agent shall not be indemnified or held harmless with respect to any such loss,
liability, damage or expense incurred by the Rights Agent as a result of, or
arising out of, its own gross negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct. If any
action, proceeding (including, but not limited to, any governmental
investigation), claim or dispute (collectively, a "Proceeding") in respect of
which indemnity may be sought is brought or asserted against the Rights Agent,
the Rights Agent shall promptly (and in no event more than ten (10) days after
receipt of written notice of such Proceeding) notify the Company of such
Proceeding. The failure of the Rights Agent to so notify the Company shall not
impair the Rights Agent's ability to seek indemnification from the Company (but
only for costs, expenses and liabilities incurred after such notice) unless such
failure adversely affects the Company's ability to adequately oppose or defend
such Proceeding. Upon receipt of such notice from the Rights Agent, the Company
shall be entitled to participate in such Proceeding and, to the extent that it
shall so desire and provided no conflict of interest exists as specified in (b)
below or there are no other defenses available to the Rights Agent as specified
in (d) below, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the Rights Agent (in which case all attorney's fees and expenses shall be
borne by the Company and the Company shall in good faith defend the Rights
Agent). The Rights Agent shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any
such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the Rights Agent unless (a) the
Company agrees in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (b) the Rights Agent
shall have reasonably and in good faith concluded that there is a conflict of
interest between the Company and the Rights Agent in the conduct of the defense
of such action, (c) the Company fails, within ten (10) days prior to the date
the first response or appearance is required to be made in such Proceeding, to
assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the Rights Agent or (d) there are legal defenses available to the Rights Agent
that are different from or are in addition to those available to the Company. No
compromise or settlement of such Proceeding may be effected by either party
without the other party's consent unless (i) there is no finding or admission of
any violation of law and no effect on any other claims that may be made against
such other party and (ii) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are
paid in full by the party seeking the settlement. Neither party shall have any
liability with respect to any compromise or settlement effected without its
consent, which consent shall
31
not be unreasonably withheld. The Company shall have no obligation to indemnify
and hold harmless the Rights Agent from any loss, expense or liability incurred
by the Rights Agent as a result of a default judgment entered against the Rights
Agent unless such judgment was entered after the Company agreed, in writing, to
assume the defense of such Proceeding.
The provisions of this Section 21(j) shall survive expiration
of the Rights and the termination of this Agreement.
(k) The Rights Agent shall be under no obligation to
institute any action, suit or legal proceeding or to take any other action
likely to involve expense unless the Company or one or more registered holders
of Right Certificates shall furnish the Rights Agent with security and indemnity
to its satisfaction for any costs and expenses which may be incurred.
(l) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for failure to
perform any duties except as specifically set forth herein and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Rights
Agent, whose duties and obligations are ministerial and shall be determined
solely by the express provisions hereof.
SECTION 22. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or
any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under
this Rights Agreement upon 30 days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and
to each transfer agent of the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares by
registered or certified mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent upon 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 Shares and the Preferred Shares by registered or certified 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 30 days
after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of
such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or
by the holder of a Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the
Common Shares) (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate or,
prior to the Distribution Date, the certificate representing his Common Shares,
for inspection by the Company), then the Rights Agent or the registered holder
of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common
Shares) 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 corporation organized and doing business under
the laws of the United States or of the State of New York (or of any other state
of the United States so long as such corporation is authorized to conduct a
stock transfer or corporate trust business in the State of New York), in good
standing, having a principal office in the State of New York, which is
authorized under such laws
32
to exercise stock transfer or corporate trust powers and is subject to
supervision or examination by Federal or state authority and which has at the
time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50,000,000; provided that the principal transfer agent for the Common
Shares shall in any event be qualified to be the Rights Agent. 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 Shares and the
Preferred Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders
of the Right Certificates (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common
Shares). Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 22, 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 23. Issuance of Additional Rights and Right
Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Rights Agreement or
of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Right
Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of
Directors to reflect any adjustment or change made in accordance with the
provisions of this Rights Agreement. In addition, in connection with the
issuance or sale of Common Shares following the Distribution Date and prior to
the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Expiration Date, the Company (a)
shall, with respect to Common Shares so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise
of stock options or under any employee plan or arrangement, or upon the
exercise, conversion or exchange of securities, notes or debentures issued by
the Company, and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate
by the Board of Directors of the Company, issue Right Certificates representing
the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale;
provided, however, that (i) no such Right 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 Right Certificate would be issued, and (ii)
no such Right Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that,
appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance
thereof.
SECTION 24. Redemption and Termination. (a) The Board of
Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the earlier of
(i) such time as a Person becomes an Acquiring Person and (ii) the Expiration
Date, order the redemption of all, but not fewer than all, the then outstanding
Rights at the Redemption Price (the date of such redemption being the
"Redemption Date"), and the Company, at its option, may pay the Redemption Price
either in cash or Common Shares or other securities of the
33
Company deemed by the Board of Directors of the Company, in the exercise of its
sole discretion, to be at least equivalent in value to the Redemption Price.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors
of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, 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. Within 10 Business Days after the action of the Board of
Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company
shall give notice of such redemption to the holders of the then outstanding
Rights by mailing such notice to all such holders at their last addresses as
they appear 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
Shares. Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which payment of
the Redemption Price will be made. The notice, if mailed in the manner herein
provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not
the holder of Rights receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such
notice by mail, or any defect in the notice, to any particular holder of Rights
shall not affect the sufficiency of the notice to other holders of Rights.
SECTION 25. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by
this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of a
Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) to
or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:
ITT Hartford Group, Inc.
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
Subject to the provisions of Section 22, any notice or demand authorized by this
Rights Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of a Right
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) to or on
the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Company) as follows:
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00X
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Stock Transfer Administration
34
Notices or demands authorized by this Rights Agreement to be given or made by
the Company or the Rights Agent to any holder of a Right Certificate (or, prior
to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) 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 Rights Agent
or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent
for the Common Shares.
SECTION 26. Supplements and Amendments. At any time
prior to the Distribution Date and subject to the last sentence of this Section
26, the Company may, and the Rights Agent shall if the Company so directs,
supplement or amend any provision of this Rights Agreement (including, without
limitation, the date on which the Distribution Date shall occur, the definition
of "Acquiring Person", the time during which the Rights may be redeemed pursuant
to Section 24 or any provision of the Certificate of Designation) without the
approval of any holder of the Rights. From and after the Distribution Date and
subject to applicable law, the Company may, and the Rights Agent shall if the
Company so directs, amend this Rights Agreement without the approval of any
holders of Right Certificates (i) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or
supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent
with any other provision of this Rights Agreement or (ii) to make any other
provisions in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder which the Company
may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not adversely affect the
interests of the holders of Right Certificates (other than an Acquiring Person
or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person). Any supplement or
amendment adopted during any period after any Person has become an Acquiring
Person but prior to the Distribution Date shall be null and void unless such
supplement or amendment could have been adopted under the prior sentence from
and after the Distribution Date. Any supplement or amendment to this Rights
Agreement duly approved by the Company that does not amend Sections 19, 20, 21
or 22 in a manner adverse to the Rights Agent shall become effective immediately
upon execution by the Company, whether or not also executed by the Rights Agent.
The Rights Agent shall receive prompt written notice from the Company of any
amendment hereunder. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Rights Agreement, no supplement or amendment to this Rights
Agreement shall be made which (a) reduces the Redemption Price (except as
required by Section 12(a)) or (b) provides for an earlier Expiration Date. 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, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Rights Agent's consent must be
obtained regarding any amendment or supplement pursuant to this Section 26 which
alters the Rights Agent's rights or duties.
SECTION 27. Successors. All the covenants and provisions
of this Rights 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.
35
SECTION 28. Benefits of Rights Agreement; Determinations
and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc. (a) Nothing in this Rights Agreement
shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights
Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under this Rights Agreement; but this Rights Agreement shall be for the
sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered
holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, of the
Common Shares).
(b) Except as explicitly otherwise provided in this
Rights Agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive
power and authority to administer this Rights Agreement and to exercise all
rights and powers specifically granted to the Board of Directors of the Company
or to the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of
this Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i)
interpret the provisions of this Rights Agreement and (ii) make all
determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this
Rights Agreement (including, without limitation, a determination to redeem or
not redeem the Rights or to amend this Rights Agreement and whether there is an
Acquiring Person).
(c) Nothing contained in this Rights Agreement shall be
deemed to be in derogation of the obligation of the Board of Directors of the
Company to exercise its fiduciary duty. Without limiting the foregoing, nothing
contained herein shall be construed to suggest or imply that the Board of
Directors shall not be entitled to reject any tender offer, or to recommend that
holders of Common Shares reject any tender offer or other acquisition proposal,
or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement,
prosecution, defense or settlement of any litigation and the submission of
additional or alternative offers or other proposals) with respect to any tender
offer or other acquisition proposal that the Board of Directors believes is
necessary or appropriate in the exercise of such fiduciary duty.
SECTION 29. Severability. If any term, provision,
covenant or restriction of this Rights 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 Rights
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected,
impaired or invalidated.
SECTION 30. GOVERNING LAW. THIS RIGHTS AGREEMENT AND
EACH RIGHT CERTIFICATE ISSUED HEREUNDER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE
UNDER THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF SUCH STATE APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS
TO BE MADE AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH
36
STATE, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE RIGHTS AGENT
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.
SECTION 31. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Rights
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. This
Rights Agreement shall be effective as of the Close of Business on the date
hereof.
SECTION 32. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings
of the several Sections of this Rights Agreement are inserted for convenience
only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the
provisions of this Rights Agreement.
37
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
ITT Hartford Group, Inc.
by /s/ X.X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent
by /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
38
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATE OF THE DESIGNATIONS, VOTING POWERS,
PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING,
OPTIONAL AND OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS AND
QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR
RESTRICTIONS OF SERIES A PARTICIPATING
CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK OF
ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.
Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, ITT Hartford Group, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a corporation
organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, in accordance with the provisions of Section 103 thereof, DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY:
That, pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of
Directors of the Corporation by ARTICLE FOURTH of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation (the "Restated Certificate of Incorporation"),
the Board of Directors of the Corporation on October 10, 1995 adopted the
following resolution creating a series of Preferred Stock designated as Series A
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock:
RESOLVED that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of
Directors of the Corporation in ARTICLE FOURTH of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the designations, voting powers,
preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special
rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of a series of
Preferred Stock be, and they hereby are, fixed as follows:
SECTION 1. Designation and Number of Shares. The shares
of such series shall be designated as "Series A Participating Cumulative
Preferred Stock" (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), par value $.01 per share. The
number of shares initially constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be
300,000; provided, however, that, if more than a total of 300,000 shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon the exercise of Rights (the
"Rights") issued pursuant to that Rights Agreement between the Corporation and
The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as Rights Agent (the
"Rights Agreement"), the Board of Directors of the Corporation, pursuant to
Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, shall
direct by resolution or resolutions that a certificate be properly executed,
acknowledged, filed and recorded in accordance with the provisions of Section
103 thereof, providing for the total number of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock authorized to be issued to be increased (to the extent that the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation then permits) to the largest
number of whole shares (rounded up to the nearest whole number) issuable upon
exercise of such Rights.
SECTION 2. Dividends or Distributions. (a) Subject to
the prior and superior rights of the holders of shares of any other series of
Preferred Stock or other class of capital stock of the Corporation ranking prior
and superior to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to
dividends, the holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of
the assets of the Corporation legally available therefor, (1) quarterly
dividends payable in cash on the last day of each fiscal quarter in each year,
or such other dates as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall approve
(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 a fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, in the
amount of $.01 per whole share (rounded to the nearest cent) less the amount of
all cash dividends declared on the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the
following clause (2) 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 Preferred Stock
(the total of which shall not, in any event, be less than zero) and (2)
dividends payable in cash on the payment date for each cash dividend declared on
the Common Stock in an amount per whole share (rounded to the nearest cent)
equal to the Formula Number (as hereinafter defined) then in effect times the
cash dividends then to be paid on each share of Common Stock. In addition, if
the Corporation shall pay any dividend or make any distribution on the Common
Stock payable in assets, securities or other forms of noncash consideration
(other than dividends or distributions solely in shares of Common Stock), then,
in each such case, the Corporation shall simultaneously pay or make on each
outstanding whole share of Series A Preferred Stock a dividend or distribution
in like kind equal to the Formula Number then in effect times such dividend or
distribution on each share of the Common Stock. As used herein, the "Formula
Number" shall be 1,000; provided, however, that, if at any time after the
Distribution Record Date (as defined in that Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy
Statement, dated August 30, 1995, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by ITT Corporation), the Corporation shall (i) declare or pay any
dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock or make any
distribution on the Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide (by a
stock split or otherwise) the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger
number of shares of Common Stock or (iii) combine (by a reverse stock split or
otherwise) the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of
shares of Common Stock, then in each such event the Formula Number shall be
adjusted to a number determined by multiplying the Formula Number in effect
immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately after such
event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
are outstanding immediately prior to such event (and rounding the result to the
nearest whole number); and provided further, that, if
2
at any time after the Distribution Record Date, the Corporation shall issue any
shares of its capital stock in a merger, reclassification or change of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, then in each such event the Formula Number
shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such merger, reclassification or
change so that each share of Preferred Stock continues to be the economic
equivalent of a Formula Number of shares of Common Stock prior to such merger,
reclassification or change.
(b) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or
distribution on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2(a)
immediately prior to or at the same time it declares a dividend or distribution
on the Common Stock (other than a dividend or distribution solely in shares of
Common Stock); provided, however, that, in the event no dividend or distribution
(other than a dividend or distribution in shares of Common Stock) 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 $.0l per share on the Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be
payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. The Board of
Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a dividend or distribution declared
thereon, which record date shall be the same as the record date for any
corresponding dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.
(c) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock from and after the Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of original issue of such shares
of Series A Preferred Stock; provided, however, that dividends on such shares
which are originally issued after the record date for the determination of
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly
dividend and on or prior to the next succeeding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date
shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from and after such Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on shares of Series A
Preferred Stock which are originally issued prior to the record date for the
determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to
receive a quarterly dividend on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date shall
be calculated as if cumulative from and after the last day of the fiscal quarter
next preceding the date of original issuance of such shares. Accrued but unpaid
dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A
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.
(d) So long as any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock
are outstanding, no dividends or other distributions shall be declared, paid or
distributed, or set aside for payment or distribution, on the Common Stock
unless, in each case, the dividend required by this Section 2 to be declared on
the Series A Preferred Stock shall have been declared.
3
(e) The holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions except as
provided herein.
SECTION 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:
(a) Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to a number of votes equal to the Formula Number then in effect, for
each share of Series A Preferred Stock held of record on each matter on which
holders of the Common Stock or stockholders generally are entitled to vote,
multiplied by the maximum number of votes per share which any holder of the
Common Stock or stockholders generally then have with respect to such matter
(assuming any holding period or other requirement to vote a greater number of
shares is satisfied).
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein or by applicable
law, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares
of Common Stock shall vote together as one class for the election of directors
of the Corporation and on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders
of the Corporation.
(c) If, at the time of any annual meeting of stockholders
for the election of directors, the equivalent of six quarterly dividends
(whether or not consecutive) payable on any share or shares of Series A
Preferred Stock are in default, the number of directors constituting the Board
of Directors of the Corporation shall be increased by two. In addition to voting
together with the holders of Common Stock for the election of other directors of
the Corporation, the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting
separately as a class to the exclusion of the holders of Common Stock, shall be
entitled at said meeting of stockholders (and at each subsequent annual meeting
of stockholders), unless all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and
set apart for payment prior thereto, to vote for the election of two directors
of the Corporation, the holders of any Series A Preferred Stock being entitled
to cast a number of votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock equal to the
Formula Number. Until the default in payments of all dividends which permitted
the election of said directors shall cease to exist, any director who shall have
been so elected pursuant to the next preceding sentence may be removed at any
time, either with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders
of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the time entitled to cast a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of any such director
at a special meeting of such holders called for that purpose, and any vacancy
thereby created may be filled by the vote of such holders. If and when such
default shall cease to exist, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall
be divested of the foregoing special voting rights, subject to revesting in the
event of each and every subsequent like default in payments of dividends. Upon
the termination of the foregoing special voting rights, the terms of office of
all persons who may have been elected directors pursuant to said special voting
rights shall forthwith terminate, and the number
4
of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be reduced by two. The
voting rights granted by this Section 3(c) shall be in addition to any other
voting rights granted to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock in this
Section 3.
(d) Except as provided herein, in Section 11 or by
applicable law, holders of Series A 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
authorizing or taking any corporate action.
SECTION 4. Certain Restrictions. (a) Whenever quarterly
dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A 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 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 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 Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A
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 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 liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
to the Series A Preferred Stock; or
(iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a
parity with the Series A 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.
5
(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. Liquidation Rights. Upon the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary,
no distribution shall be made (1) to the holders of shares of stock ranking
junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
to the Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall have received an amount equal to the accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date
of such payment, plus an amount equal to the greater of (x) $.01 per whole share
or (y) an aggregate amount per share equal to the Formula Number then in effect
times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common
Stock or (2) to the holders of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends
or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred
Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all
other such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders
of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Corporation.
SECTION 6. 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 or any other property, then in any such
case the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same
time be similarly exchanged or changed into an amount per share equal to the
Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate amount of stock, securities,
cash or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or
for which each share of Common Stock is exchanged or changed. In the event both
this Section 6 and Section 2 appear to apply to a transaction, this Section 6
will control.
SECTION 7. No Redemption; No Sinking Fund. (a) The
shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the
Corporation or at the option of any holder of Series A Preferred Stock;
provided, however, that the Corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock in the open market or by offer to
any holder or holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
(b) The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be
subject to or entitled to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund.
SECTION 8. Ranking. The Series A Preferred Stock shall
rank junior to all other series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, unless
the Board of Directors shall specifically determine otherwise in fixing the
powers, preferences and relative,
6
participating, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series
and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
SECTION 9. Fractional Shares. The Series A Preferred
Stock shall be issuable upon exercise of the Rights issued pursuant to the
Rights Agreement in whole shares or in any fraction of a share that is one
one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a share or any integral multiple of such
fraction which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder's
fractional shares, to receive dividends, exercise voting rights, participate in
distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A
Preferred Stock. In lieu of fractional shares, the Corporation, prior to the
first issuance of a share or a fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock,
may elect (1) to make a cash payment as provided in the Rights Agreement for
fractions of a share other than one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a share or
any integral multiple thereof or (2) to issue depository receipts evidencing
such authorized fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to an
appropriate agreement between the Corporation and a depository selected by the
Corporation; provided that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such
depository receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to
which they are entitled as holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
SECTION 10. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A
Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner
whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof.
All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued
shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series until such shares
are once more designated as part of a particular series by the Board of
Directors pursuant to the provisions of ARTICLE FOURTH of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation.
SECTION 11. Amendment. None of the powers, preferences
and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the Series A
Preferred Stock as provided herein or in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation shall be amended in any manner which would alter or change the
powers, preferences, rights or privileges of the holders of Series A Preferred
Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders
of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
voting as a separate class; provided, however, that no such amendment approved
by the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be deemed to apply to the powers, preferences, rights or
privileges of any holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock originally issued
upon exercise of a Right after the time of such approval without the approval of
such holder.
7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this
Certificate to be duly executed in its corporate name on this _____ day of
November, 1995.
ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.,
by ________________________________
Name:
Title:
8
EXHIBIT B
[Form of Right Certificate]
Certificate No. [R]-
__________ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER November 1, 2005, OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED
BY THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE
OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT $.01 PER RIGHT, ON THE TERMS SET
FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN
ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING
PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND
BY ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS ARE NULL AND VOID AND
NONTRANSFERABLE.
Right Certificate
ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.
This certifies that _____________________________________, or
registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth
above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms,
provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement dated as of November 1, 1995
(the "Rights Agreement"), between ITT Hartford Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and The Bank of New York, a New York banking
corporation, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"), unless the Rights evidenced
hereby shall have been previously redeemed by the Company, to purchase from the
Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights
Agreement) and prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the 10th anniversary
of the date of the Rights Agreement (the "Expiration Date"), at the designated
office of the Rights Agent, or its successors as Rights Agent, in New York, New
York, one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a fully paid, nonassessable share of
Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, without par value, of the
Company (the "Preferred Shares"), at a purchase price per one one-thousandths
(1/1,000ths) of a share equal to $220 (the "Purchase Price") payable in cash,
upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of
Election to Purchase duly executed.
The Purchase Price and the number and kind of shares which may
be purchased upon exercise of each Right evidenced by this Right Certificate, as
set forth above, are the Purchase Price and the number and kind of shares which
may be so purchased as of __________. As provided in the Rights Agreement, the
Purchase Price
and the number and kind of shares which may be purchased upon the exercise of
each Right evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and
adjustment upon the happening of certain events.
If the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are at any
time beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of
an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), such
Rights shall be null and void and nontransferable and the holder of any such
Right (including any purported transferee or subsequent holder) shall not have
any right to exercise or transfer any such Right.
This Right Certificate is subject to all 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
reference to the Rights Agreement 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 Right Certificates. Copies
of the Rights Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office of the Rights
Agent and are also available from the Company upon written request.
This Right Certificate, with or without other Right
Certificates, upon surrender at the principal stock transfer or corporate trust
office of the Rights Agent, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or
Right Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder
to purchase a like aggregate number and kind of shares as the Rights evidenced
by the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled
such holder to purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part,
the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right
Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights
evidenced by this Right Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option
at a redemption price (in cash or shares of Common Stock or other securities of
the Company deemed by the Board of Directors to be at least equivalent in value)
of $.01 per Right (which amount shall be subject to adjustment as provided in
the Rights Agreement) at any time prior to the earlier of (i) such time as a
Person becomes an Acquiring Person and (ii) the Expiration Date.
The Company may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions
of Preferred Shares or distribute certificates which evidence fractions of
Preferred Shares upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby. In
lieu of issuing fractional shares, the Company may elect to make a cash payment
as provided in the Rights Agreement for fractions of a share other than one
one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a share
2
or any integral multiple thereof or to issue certificates or utilize a
depository arrangement as provided in the terms of the Rights Agreement and the
Preferred Shares.
No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote
or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred
Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any
of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation,
any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to
stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
stockholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive
dividends or other distributions or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the
Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised as
provided in accordance with the provisions of the Rights Agreement.
3
This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for
any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by an authorized signatory of
the Rights Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the
Company and its corporate seal.
Dated as of:
ITT HARTFORD GROUP, INC.
by ________________________________
Name:
Title:
Attest:
____________________________________
Name:
Title:
Date of countersignature:
Countersigned:
The Bank of New York,
as Rights Agent
by _____________________________
Authorized Signatory
4
[On Reverse Side of Right Certificate]
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed by the registered holder if
such holder desires to exercise the Rights
represented by this Right Certificate.)
To the Rights Agent:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ________
Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares
(or other shares) issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that
certificates for such shares be issued in the name of:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
________________________________________________________________________________
5
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced
by this Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining 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: __________, 19__
___________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
6
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Right Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED____________________________________________
hereby sells, assigns and transfer unto_________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address of transferee)
________________________________________________________________________________
this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and
does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint __________ Attorney, to transfer
the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named Corporation, with
full power of substitution.
Dated: __________, 19__
___________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
The undersigned hereby certifies that (1) the Rights evidenced
by this Right Certificate are not being sold, assigned or transferred by or on
behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), (2) this
Rights Certificate is not being sold, assigned or transferred to or on behalf of
any such Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate and (3) after inquiry and to
the beat knowledge of the undersigned, the undersigned did not acquire the
Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who is or was an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined
in the Rights Agreement).
___________________________________
Signature
7
NOTICE
The signature an the foregoing Form of Election to Purchase or
Form of Assignment must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this
Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any
change whatsoever.
8
