RIGHTS AGREEMENT
between
KENT ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
and
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES L.L.C.,
As Rights Agent
Dated as of October 21, 1999
Table of Contents
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Page
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Section 1. Certain Definitions................................................................................ 1
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent........................................................................ 7
Section 3. Issue of Rights Certificates....................................................................... 7
Section 4. Form of Rights Certificates........................................................................ 8
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration.................................................................. 9
Section 6. Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or
Stolen Rights Certificates......................................................................... 10
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price................................................................. 11
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates................................................ 13
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock...................................................... 13
Section 10. Preferred Stock Record Date........................................................................ 14
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or Number of Rights........................ 15
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares......................................... 22
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power............................... 23
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares............................................................ 26
Section 15. Rights of Action................................................................................... 27
Section 16. Agreement of Rights Holders........................................................................ 27
Section 17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder................................................. 28
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent........................................................................ 28
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.......................................... 29
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent............................................................................. 30
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent............................................................................. 32
Section 22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates................................................................ 33
Section 23. Redemption and Termination......................................................................... 33
Section 24. Exchange........................................................................................... 34
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events........................................................................... 35
Section 26. Notices............................................................................................ 36
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments......................................................................... 36
Section 28. Successors......................................................................................... 37
Section 29. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.......................................... 37
Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement......................................................................... 38
Section 31. Severability....................................................................................... 38
Section 32. Governing Law...................................................................................... 38
Section 33. Counterparts....................................................................................... 38
Section 34. Descriptive Headings............................................................................... 39
i
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Rights Agreement, dated as of October 21, 1999 (this "Agreement"),
between Kent Electronics Corporation, a Texas corporation (the "Company"), and
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C., a New Jersey limited liability company
(the "Rights Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, effective on October 21, 1999 (the "Rights Dividend Declaration
Date"), the Board of Directors of the Company created one Right (as hereinafter
defined) for each share of common stock, without par value, of the Company (the
"Common Stock") outstanding at the Close of Business on November 5, 1999 (the
"Record Date"), and authorized the issuance of one Right (as such number may
hereinafter be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(p) hereof) for
each share of Common Stock of the Company issued (whether originally issued or
delivered from the Company's treasury) between the Record Date and the
Distribution Date (as hereinafter defined) and, in certain circumstances
provided for in Section 22 hereof, after the Distribution Date, each Right
initially representing the right to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of
Preferred Stock (as hereinafter defined), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions hereinafter set forth (the "Rights");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth and including to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby
agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
"Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which, together with all
Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner of 15%
or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, but shall not include
any Exempt Person; provided, however, that a Person shall not become an
Acquiring Person if such Person, together with its Affiliates and Associates,
shall become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock
then outstanding solely as a result of (i) any action or transaction or series
of related actions or transactions between the Company and such Person approved
by the Board before such Person otherwise became an Acquiring Person or (ii) a
reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding pursuant to a
transaction or series of transactions approved by the Board, unless and until
such time as such Person or any Affiliate or Associate of such Person shall
purchase or otherwise become the Beneficial Owner of additional shares of Common
Stock constituting 1% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or
any other Person (or Persons) who is (or collectively are) the Beneficial Owner
of shares of Common Stock constituting 1% or more of the then outstanding shares
of Common Stock shall become an Affiliate or Associate of such Person, unless
the acquisition of such additional Common Stock would not result in such Person
becoming an Acquiring Person by reason of clause (i) or (ii) above; and
provided, further, that if the Board determines in good faith that a Person that
would otherwise be an "Acquiring Person" has become such inadvertently
(including, without limitation, because (i) such Person was unaware that it
beneficially owned a percentage of
Common Stock that would otherwise cause such Person to be an "Acquiring Person"
or (ii) such Person was aware of the extent of its beneficial ownership of
Common Stock but had no actual knowledge of the consequences of such beneficial
ownership under this Agreement) and without any intention of changing or
influencing control of the Company, and if such Person divests itself as
promptly as practicable of beneficial ownership of a sufficient number of shares
of Common Stock so that such Person would no longer be an "Acquiring Person,"
then such Person shall not be deemed to be or to have become an "Acquiring
Person" for any purposes of this Agreement.
"Adjustment Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof.
"Affiliate" and "Associate" 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 Agreement.
A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and shall be deemed to
"beneficially own," any securities:
(i) that such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, is the "beneficial owner" of (as determined
pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange
Act, as in effect on the date of this Agreement) or otherwise has the right to
vote or dispose of, including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (whether or not in writing); provided, however, that a Person
shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any
security under this subparagraph (i) as a result of an agreement, arrangement or
understanding to vote such security if such agreement, arrangement or
understanding: (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in
response to a public (i.e., not including a solicitation exempted by
Rule 14a-2(b)(2) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act)
proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the
applicable provisions of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange
Act and (B) is not then reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D under the
Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report);
(ii) that such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right or obligation to acquire
(whether such right or obligation is exercisable or effective immediately or
only after the passage of time or the occurrence of an event) pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) or upon the
exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, other rights, warrants or
options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
"Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," (A) securities tendered
pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such
Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted
for purchase or exchange, or (B) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights at
any time prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event, or (C) securities
issuable upon exercise of Rights from and after the occurrence of a Triggering
Event which Rights were acquired by such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates prior to the Distribution Date or pursuant to Section
3(a) or
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Section 22 hereof (the "Original Rights") or pursuant to Section 11(i) or (p)
hereof in connection with an adjustment made with respect to any Original
Rights; or
(iii) that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any
other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such Person or
any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (whether or not in writing) for the purpose of acquiring, holding,
voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in the
proviso to subparagraph (i) of this definition) or disposing of any voting
securities of the Company; provided, however, that nothing in this definition
shall cause a Person engaged in business as an underwriter of securities to be
the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any securities acquired
through such Person's participation in good faith in a firm commitment
underwriting until the expiration of forty days after the date of such
acquisition.
"Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on
which banking institutions in the State of New York or the city in which the
office of the Rights Agent is located are authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close.
"Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m., Houston, Texas
time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day,
it shall mean 5:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on the next succeeding Business
Day.
"Closing Price" of a security for any day shall mean the last sales price,
regular way, on such day or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, on such day, in either
case as reported in the principal transaction reporting system with respect to
securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if
such security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which such security
is listed or admitted to trading, or, if such security is not listed or admitted
to trading on any national securities exchange but sales price information is
reported for such security, as reported by NASDAQ or such other self-regulatory
organization or registered securities information processor (as such terms are
used under the Exchange Act) that then reports information concerning such
security, or, if sales price information is not so reported, the average of the
high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market on such day, as
reported by NASDAQ or such other entity, or, if on such day such security is not
quoted by any such entity, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as
furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such security
selected by the Board. If on such day no market maker is making a market in
such security, the fair value of such security on such day as determined in good
faith by the Board shall be used.
"Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, no par value, of the Company,
except that "Common Stock" when used with reference to stock issued by any
Person other than the Company shall mean the capital stock of such Person with
the greatest voting power, or the
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equity securities or other equity interest having power to control or direct the
management, of such Person.
"Common Stock Equivalents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(iii) hereof.
"Company" shall mean the Person named as the "Company" in the preamble of
this Agreement until a successor Person shall have become such or until a
Principal Party shall assume, and thereafter be liable for, all obligations and
duties of the Company hereunder, pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Agreement, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor Person or
Principal Party.
"Current Market Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d)
hereof.
"Current Value" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof.
"Distribution Date" shall mean the earlier of (i) the close of business on
the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if such Stock Acquisition Date results from the
consummation of a Permitted Offer, such later date as may be determined by the
Board before the Stock Acquisition Date occurs or, if the tenth day after the
Stock Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the close of business on
the Record Date) or (ii) the close of business on the tenth Business Day (or
such later date as may be determined by the Company's Board of Directors before
the Distribution Date occurs) after the date that a tender offer or exchange
offer by any Person (other than any Exempt Person) is first published or sent or
given within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision, if upon consummation thereof
such Person would be an Acquiring Person, other than a tender or exchange offer
that is determined before the Distribution Date occurs to be a Permitted Offer.
The Board of Directors of the Company may, to the extent set forth in the
preceding sentence, defer the date set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of the
preceding sentence to a specified later date or to an unspecified later date to
be determined by a subsequent action or event.
"Equivalent Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(b) hereof.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24 hereof.
"Exempt Person" shall mean the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any
employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, and
any Person organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to
the terms of any such plan.
"Expiration Date" shall mean the earliest of (i) the Final Expiration Date,
(ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof,
(iii) the time at which the
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Rights expire pursuant to Section 13(d) hereof and (iv) the time at which all
Rights then outstanding and exercisable are exchanged pursuant to Section 24
hereof.
"Final Expiration Date" shall mean the Close of Business on the tenth
anniversary of the Record Date.
"NASDAQ" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Automated Quotations System.
"Original Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of
"Beneficial Owner."
"Original Rights Agreement Expiration Date" shall mean the "Expiration
Date" as defined in, and as applied to, that certain Amended and Restated Rights
Agreement between the Company and the Rights Agent dated as of September 3,
1998.
"Permitted Offer" shall mean a tender offer or an exchange offer for all
outstanding shares of Common Stock at a price and on terms determined by at
least a majority of the Board, after receiving advice from one or more
investment banking firms, to be (a) at a price and on terms that are fair to
shareholders (taking into account all factors that the Board deems relevant
including, without limitation, prices that could reasonably be achieved if the
Company or its assets were sold on an orderly basis designed to realize maximum
value) and (b) otherwise in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders.
"Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other
entity and shall include any successors (by merger or otherwise) to such entity.
"Preferred Stock" shall mean shares of Series A Preferred Stock, par value
$1.00 per share, of the Company having the rights, powers and preferences set
forth in the form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights attached
hereto as Exhibit A and, to the extent that there is not a sufficient number of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock authorized to permit the full exercise of the
Rights, any other series of Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the
Company designated for such purpose containing terms substantially similar to
the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock.
"Principal Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b) hereof.
"Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.
"Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals clause at
the beginning of this Agreement.
"Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a)
hereof.
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"Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals clause at the
beginning of this Agreement.
"Rights Agent" shall mean the Person named as the "Rights Agent" in the
preamble of this Agreement until a successor Rights Agent shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and thereafter "Rights Agent"
shall mean such successor Rights Agent. If at any time there is more than one
Person appointed by the Company as Rights Agent pursuant to the applicable
provisions of this Agreement, "Rights Agent" shall mean and include each such
Person.
"Rights Certificates" shall mean the certificates evidencing the Rights.
"Rights Dividend Declaration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals clause at the beginning of this Agreement.
"Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(ii) hereof.
"Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.
"Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in clause (x), (y) or (z)
of Section 13(a) hereof.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Spread" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.
"Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public announcement
(which, for purposes of this definition and Section 23, shall include, without
limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) by the
Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such.
"Subsidiary" shall mean, with reference to any Person, any corporation or
other Person of which an amount of voting securities sufficient to elect at
least a majority of the directors or other persons performing similar functions
is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person, or otherwise
controlled by such Person.
"Substitute Consideration" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(iii) hereof.
"Substitution Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(iii) hereof.
"Summary of Rights" shall mean the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred
Stock sent pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof.
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"Trading Day" with respect to a security shall mean a day on which the
principal national securities exchange on which such security is listed or
admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business, or, if such
security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities
exchange but is quoted by NASDAQ, a day on which NASDAQ reports trades, or, if
such security is not so quoted, a Business Day.
"Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event or any Section 13
Event.
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the
Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and
conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The
Company may from time to time appoint such Co-Rights Agents as it may deem
necessary or desirable. The Rights Agent shall have no duty to supervise, and in
no event shall be liable for, the acts or omissions of any such co-Rights Agent.
Section 3. Issue of Rights Certificates.
(a) Until the Distribution Date, (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject
to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 3) by the certificates for
Common Stock registered in the names of the holders of Common Stock and not by
separate certificates, and (y) the Rights will be transferable only in
connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of Common Stock (including
a transfer to the Company). As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date,
the Company will send by first-class, insured, postage prepaid mail, to each
record holder of the Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the
Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the
Company, one or more Rights Certificates, evidencing one Right for each share of
Common Stock so held, subject to adjustment as provided herein. In the event
that an adjustment in the number of Rights per share of Common Stock has been
made pursuant to Section 11(p) hereof, at the time of distribution of the Right
Certificates, the Company shall make the necessary and appropriate rounding
adjustments (in accordance with Section 14(a) hereof) so that Rights
Certificates representing only whole numbers of Rights are distributed and cash
is paid in lieu of any fractional Rights. As of and after the Distribution
Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Rights Certificates.
(b) As promptly as practicable following the Record Date, the Company will
send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock, in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, by first-class, postage prepaid mail, to
each record holder of Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the Record
Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company. With
respect to certificates for Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date,
until the Distribution Date or the earlier surrender for transfer thereof or the
Expiration Date, the Rights associated with the shares of Common Stock
represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates for
Common Stock, and the registered holders of the Common Stock shall also be the
registered holders of the associated Rights. Until the earlier of the
Distribution Date or the Expiration Date, the transfer of any certificates
representing shares of Common Stock in respect of which Rights have been issued,
with
7
or without a copy of the Summary of Rights, shall also constitute the transfer
of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates.
(c) Rights shall be issued in respect of all shares of Common Stock that
are issued (whether originally issued or delivered from the Company's treasury)
after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date or the
Expiration Date or, in certain circumstances provided in Section 22 hereof,
after the Distribution Date. Certificates issued for shares of Common Stock that
shall so become outstanding or shall be transferred or exchanged after the
Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration
Date shall also be deemed to be certificates for Rights, and shall bear a legend
in substantially the following form:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
certain Rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between Kent
Electronics Corporation (the "Company") and ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services L.L.C. dated as of October 21, 1999 as it
may from time to time be supplemented or amended (the "Rights
Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal offices
of the Company. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the
Rights Agreement, such Rights may be redeemed, may expire or will
be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be
evidenced by this certificate. The Company will mail to the
holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement, as in
effect on the date of mailing, without charge, promptly after
receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain
circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued
to, or held by, any Person who is, was or becomes an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are
defined in the Rights Agreement), whether currently held by or on
behalf of such Person or by any subsequent holder, may become
null and void and will no longer be transferable.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date, the Rights associated
with the Common Stock represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by
such certificates alone, and registered holders of Common Stock shall also be
the registered holders of the associated Rights, and the transfer of any of such
certificates shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with
the Common Stock represented by such certificates.
Section 4. Form of Rights Certificates.
(a) The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase and of
assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof), when, as and if issued, shall
be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto and may have such
marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or
endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to
comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant
thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange or quotation system
on which the Rights may from time to time be listed or quoted, or to conform to
usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 and Section
8
22 hereof, the Rights Certificates, whenever issued, shall be dated as of the
Record Date and on their face shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such
number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock as shall be set forth
therein at the price set forth therein (such exercise price per one
one-hundredth of a share (or, as set forth in this Agreement, for other
securities), the "Purchase Price"), but the amount and type of securities
purchasable upon the exercise of each Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall
be subject to adjustment as provided herein.
(b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22
hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by a Person described in the
first sentence of Section 7(e), and any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to
Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer, exchange, replacement or
adjustment of any such Rights, shall contain (to the extent feasible) the
following legend, modified as applicable to apply to such Person:
The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were
beneficially owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as
such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement). Accordingly,
this Rights Certificate and the Rights represented hereby [will]
[have] become null and void in the circumstances and with the
effect specified in Section 7(e) of such Agreement.
The provisions of Section 7(e) of this Agreement shall be operative whether or
not the foregoing legend is contained on any such Rights Certificate. The
Company shall give notice to the Rights Agent promptly after it becomes aware of
the existence of any Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate thereof, and
the Rights Agent shall not be deemed to be aware of the existence of any
Acquiring Person or any Associate until it receives such notice.
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration.
(a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by
its Chairman of the Board, its President, any Executive Vice President or any
Vice President, either manually or by facsimile signature, and shall have
affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof, which shall be
attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either
manually or by facsimile signature. The Rights Certificates shall be
countersigned by the Rights Agent (either manually or by facsimile signature as
determined by the Company) and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so
countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of
the Rights Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before
countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company,
such Rights Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent
and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though
the person who signed such Rights Certificates had not ceased to be such officer
of the Company; and any Rights Certificate may be signed on behalf of the
Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Rights
Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company
9
to sign such Rights Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this
Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause
to be kept, at its office designated as the appropriate place for surrender of
Rights Certificates upon exercise or transfer, books for registration and
transfer of the Rights Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the
names and addresses of the respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the
number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Rights Certificates and
the certificate number and the date of each of the Rights Certificates. Upon
written request of the Right Agent, the Company will provide to the Rights Agent
any information necessary for the Rights Agent to satisfy its obligations under
this Section 5(b), provided that such information is not then maintained by the
Rights Agent.
Section 6. Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e), Section
13(d), Section 14 and Section 24 hereof, at any time after the Close of Business
on the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the
Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates may be
transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Rights Certificate or
Rights Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number
of shares of Preferred Stock (or, following a Triggering Event, Common Stock,
other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as the Rights
Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder (or
former holder in the case of a transfer) to purchase. Any registered holder
desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Rights Certificate or
Rights Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights
Agent, and shall surrender the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates to be
transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the office of the Rights Agent
designated for such purpose. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be
obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such
surrendered Rights Certificate until the registered holder shall have completed
and signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse
side of such Rights Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence
of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) thereof or
of the Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company or the Rights Agent shall
reasonably request. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 4(b),
Section 7(e), Section 13(d), Section 14 and Section 24 hereof, countersign and
deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require
payment by the holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or charge that may be
imposed in connection with any transfer, split-up, combination or exchange of
Rights Certificates. The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation under
this Section unless and until it is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges
have been paid.
(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity
or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the Company
and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental
10
thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Rights
Certificate if mutilated, the Company will execute and deliver a new Rights
Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery
to the registered owner in lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen,
destroyed or mutilated.
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price.
(a) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof, at any time after both the Original
Rights Agreement Expiration Date and the Distribution Date (regardless of
whether the Distribution Date occurs before or after the Original Rights
Agreement Expiration Date), the registered holder of any Rights Certificate may
exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein
including, without limitation, the restrictions on exercisability set forth in
Section 9(c), Section 11(a)(iii) and Section 23(a) hereof) in whole or in part
upon surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase
and the certificate on the reverse side thereof duly and properly completed and
executed, to the Rights Agent at the office of the Rights Agent designated for
such purpose, together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price with respect
to the total number of shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities, cash or
other assets, as the case may be) as to which such surrendered Rights are then
exercisable, at or prior to the Expiration Date.
(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred
Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $100, and shall be
subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13(a)
hereof and shall be payable in accordance with paragraph (c) below.
(c) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing exercisable Rights,
with the form of election to purchase and the certificate on the reverse side
thereof duly and properly executed, accompanied by payment, with respect to each
Right so exercised, of the Purchase Price for the shares of Preferred Stock (or
other shares, securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) to be
purchased as set forth below and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax
or charge, the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 20(k) hereof, thereupon
promptly (i)(A) requisition from any transfer agent of the shares of Preferred
Stock (or make available, if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent for such
shares) certificates for the total number of shares of Preferred Stock to be
purchased, and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to
comply with all such requests, or (B) if the Company, in its sole discretion,
shall have elected to deposit the shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent, requisition from the
depositary agent depositary receipts representing interests in such number of
shares of Preferred Stock as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for
the shares of Preferred Stock represented by such receipts shall be deposited by
the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Company will direct the
depositary agent to comply with such request, (ii) requisition from the Company
the amount of cash, if any, to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in
accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) after receipt of such certificates or
depositary receipts, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the
registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names
as may be designated by such holder and (iv) after receipt thereof, deliver such
cash, if any, to or upon the
11
order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate. The payment of the
Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof) may be made in cash or by certified check, cashiers or official bank
check or bank draft payable to the order of the Company or the Rights Agent. In
the event that the Company is obligated to issue other securities (including
Common Stock) of the Company, pay cash and/or distribute other property pursuant
to Section 11(a) or Section 13(a) hereof, the Company will make all arrangements
necessary so that such other securities, cash and/or other property are
available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when appropriate.
(d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate shall exercise
less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights Certificate evidencing
Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the
Rights Agent and delivered to, or upon the order of, the registered holder of
such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated
by such holder, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from and
after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, any Rights beneficially
owned by or transferred to (i) an Acquiring Person (or an Associate or Affiliate
of an Acquiring Person), (ii) a direct or indirect transferee of such Rights
from an Acquiring Person (or any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a
transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a direct or
indirect transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring
Person's becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a
transfer (whether or not for consideration) from such Acquiring Person (or such
Affiliate or Associate) to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person
(or such Affiliate or Associate) or to any Person with whom such Acquiring
Person (or such Affiliate or Associate) has any continuing agreement,
arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer
that a majority of the Board has determined, in its sole discretion, is part of
a plan, arrangement or understanding that has as a primary purpose or effect the
avoidance of this Section 7(e), shall become null and void without any further
action, no holder of such Rights shall have any rights whatsoever with respect
to such Rights, whether under any provision of this Agreement or otherwise, and
such Rights shall not be transferable. The Company shall use all reasonable
efforts to ensure that the provisions of this Section 7(e) and Section 4(b)
hereof are complied with, but shall have no liability to any holder of Rights
Certificates or other Person as a result of its failure to make any
determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or its Affiliates, Associates
or transferees hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with
respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported exercise as
set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have (i)
completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of election to
purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for
such exercise and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the
Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates
thereof as the Company or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request.
12
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates. All
Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split-up,
combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Rights
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights
Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and
retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company
otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all
canceled Rights Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of
the Company, destroy such canceled Rights Certificates, and in such case shall
deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and
kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock (and
following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, out of its authorized and
unissued shares of Common Stock and/or other securities) or out of its
authorized and issued shares of Preferred Stock held in its treasury (and
following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, out of its authorized and issued
shares of Common Stock and/or other securities held in its treasury), the number
of shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering
Event, Common Stock and/or other securities) that, as provided in this
Agreement, including Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, will be sufficient to permit the
exercise in full of all outstanding Rights.
(b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the
occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other securities) issuable
and deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any national
securities exchange or quoted on any trading system, the Company shall use its
best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become
exercisable, all shares reserved for such issuance to be listed on such
exchange, or quoted on such system, upon official notice of issuance upon such
exercise.
(c) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) prepare and file, as
soon as practicable following the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event
or, if applicable, as soon as practicable following the earliest date after the
first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event on which the consideration to be
delivered by the Company upon exercise of the Rights has been determined
pursuant to this Agreement (including in accordance with Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof), a registration statement on an appropriate form under the Securities
Act with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, (ii)
cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable
after such filing, and (iii) cause such registration statement to remain
effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of which the Rights are no
longer exercisable for such securities and (B) the Expiration Date. The Company
will also take such action as may be appropriate under, or to ensure compliance
with, the securities or "blue sky" laws of the various states in connection with
the exercisability of the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend, for a
period of time not to exceed 90 days after the date set forth in clause (i) of
the
13
first sentence of this Section 9(c), the exercisability of the Rights in order
to prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to become
effective. In addition, if the Company shall determine that the Securities Act
requires an effective registration statement under the Securities Act following
the Distribution Date, the Company may temporarily suspend the exercisability of
the Rights until such time as such a registration statement has been declared
effective. Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public
announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily
suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no
longer in effect in each case, with prompt notice thereof to the Rights Agent.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights
shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the requisite qualification in
such jurisdiction shall not have been obtained, the exercise thereof shall not
be permitted under applicable law or any required registration statement shall
not have been declared effective.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as
may be necessary to ensure that all shares of Preferred Stock (and, following
the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other securities)
delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the
certificates for such shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly
and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable.
(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and
payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges that may be
payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates and of
any certificates for shares of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall
not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax or charge that may be payable
in respect of any transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates to a Person other
than, or the issuance or delivery of a number of shares of Preferred Stock (or
Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) in respect of a name
other than that of, the registered holder of the Rights Certificates evidencing
Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or deliver any certificates for a
number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock
and/or other securities, as the case may be) in a name other than that of the
registered holder upon the exercise of any Rights until such tax or charge shall
have been paid (any such tax or charge being payable by the holder of such
Rights Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to
the Company's satisfaction that no such tax or charge is due.
Section 10. Preferred Stock Record Date. Each Person in whose name any
certificate for shares of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for
all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares
(fractional or otherwise) of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) represented thereby on, and such certificate
shall be dated, the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such
Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and all
applicable transfer taxes or charges) was made; provided, however, that if the
date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Stock (or
Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the
Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder
of such shares (fractional or otherwise) on, and such certificate shall be
dated, the next succeeding Business
14
Day on which the Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as
the case may be) transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to the exercise
of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights Certificate, as such,
shall not be entitled to any rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect
to shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without
limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to
exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice
of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or
Number of Rights. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares or other
securities subject to purchase upon exercise of each Right and the number of
Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in
this Section 11.
(a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the Rights
Dividend Declaration Date (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Stock payable
in shares of Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Stock, (C)
combine the outstanding Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares or (D)
issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred
Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or
merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except
as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e) hereof, the
Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of
the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the
number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may
be, issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder
of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive, upon
payment of the Purchase Price then in effect, the aggregate number and kind of
shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, which, if such
Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the
Preferred Stock transfer books of the Company were open, he would have owned
upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend,
subdivision, combination or reclassification. If an event occurs which would
require an adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in
addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to
Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(ii) Subject to Sections 7, 23 and 24 of this Agreement, in the
event (a "Section 11(a)(ii) Event") any Person shall become an Acquiring Person,
unless the event causing such Person to become an Acquiring Person is (1) a
transaction subject to the provisions of Section 13 hereof (in which case only
the provisions of Section 13 shall apply and no adjustment shall be made
pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii)) or (2) an acquisition of shares of Common
Stock pursuant to a Permitted Offer (provided that this clause (2) shall cease
to apply if such Acquiring Person thereafter becomes the Beneficial Owner of any
additional shares of Common Stock other than pursuant to such Permitted Offer or
a transaction subject to the provisions of Section 13 hereof), then, following
the first occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event, each holder of a Right
(except as otherwise provided in this Agreement) shall thereafter have the right
to receive, upon exercise thereof and payment of the then current Purchase Price
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in lieu of a number of one
one-hundredths of a
15
share of Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock of the Company
as shall equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase
Price by the then number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for
which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event, whether or not such Right was then exercisable, and (y)
dividing that product (which, following such first occurrence, shall thereafter
be referred to as the "Purchase Price" for each Right and for all purposes of
this Agreement) by 50% of the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock on
the date of such first occurrence (such number of shares being referred to
herein as the "Adjustment Shares"); provided that the Purchase Price and the
number of Adjustment Shares shall be further adjusted as provided in this
Agreement to reflect any events occurring after the date of such first
occurrence.
(iii) In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock that are
authorized by the Company's articles of incorporation but not outstanding or
reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise of the Rights is not
sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the
foregoing subparagraph (ii) of this Section 11(a), the Company shall, to the
extent permitted by applicable law and regulation, (A) determine the excess of
(1) the value of the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right
(computed using the Current Market Price used to determine the number of
Adjustment Shares) (the "Current Value") over (2) the Purchase Price (such
excess is herein referred to as the "Spread"), and (B) with respect to each
Right, make adequate provision to substitute for the Adjustment Shares, upon the
exercise of the Rights and payment of the applicable Purchase Price, (1) cash,
(2) a reduction in the Purchase Price, (3) Common Stock or other equity
securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares, or units of
shares, of preferred stock (including, without limitation, the Preferred Stock)
that the Board of Directors of the Company has determined to have the same value
as shares of Common Stock (such shares of preferred stock are herein referred to
as "Common Stock Equivalents"), (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other
assets or (6) any combination of the foregoing (whichever substituted, the
"Substitute Consideration"), having an aggregate value equal to the Current
Value, based upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm
selected by the Board; provided, however, if the Company shall not have made
adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within 30 days
following the later of (x) the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event and
(y) the date on which the Company's right of redemption pursuant to Section
23(a) expires (the later of (x) and (y) being referred to herein as the "Section
11(a)(ii) Trigger Date"), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon
the surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of the
Purchase Price, shares of Common Stock (to the extent available) and then, if
necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to the
Spread. If the Board shall determine in good faith that it is likely that
sufficient additional shares of Common Stock could be authorized for issuance
upon exercise in full of the Rights, the 30-day period set forth above may be
extended to the extent necessary, but not more than 90 days after the Section
11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek shareholder approval
for the authorization of such additional shares (such period, as it may be
extended, the "Substitution Period"). To the extent that the Company determines
that some action need be taken pursuant to the first and/or second sentences of
this Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall provide, subject to Section 7(e)
hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly
16
to all outstanding Rights, and (y) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights
until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to seek any
authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of
distribution to be made pursuant to such first sentence and to determine the
value thereof. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue a
public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been
temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the
suspension is no longer in effect in each case, with prompt notice thereof to
the Rights Agent. For purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of the
Common Stock shall be the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock on
the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the value of any Common Stock Equivalent
shall be deemed to have the same value as the Common Stock on such date.
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of
rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Stock entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after
such record date) Preferred Stock (or shares having the same rights, privileges
and preferences as the shares of Preferred Stock ("Equivalent Preferred Stock")
or securities convertible into Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock at
a price per share of Preferred Stock or per share of Equivalent Preferred Stock
(or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into
Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock) less than the Current Market
Price per share of Preferred Stock on such record date, the Purchase Price to be
in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding
on such record date, plus the number of shares of Preferred Stock that the
aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock and/or
Equivalent Preferred Stock so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial
conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase
at such Current Market Price, and the denominator of which shall be the number
of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the number of
additional shares of Preferred Stock and/or Equivalent Preferred Stock to be
offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities
so to be offered are initially convertible). In case such subscription price may
be paid by delivery of consideration, part or all of which may be in a form
other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good
faith by the Board, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed
with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders
of the Rights. Shares of Preferred Stock owned by or held for the account of the
Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation.
Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed,
and in the event that such rights or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase
Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect
if such record date had not been fixed.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a distribution to all
holders of Preferred Stock (including any such distribution made in connection
with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or
surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash (other than a regular
quarterly cash dividend out of the earnings or retained earnings of the
Company), assets (other than a dividend payable in Preferred Stock, but
including any dividend payable in stock other than Preferred Stock) or
subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b)
hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such
17
record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which
shall be the Current Market Price per share of Preferred Stock on such record
date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by a majority of
the Board, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the
Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the
Rights) of the portion of the cash, assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be
distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to a share of
Preferred Stock and the denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price
per share of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the
consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value, if any, of the shares of capital stock of the Company
issuable upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made successively
whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such distribution is
not so made, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which
would have been in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other than
computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the "Current Market
Price" per share of Common Stock of a Person on any date shall be deemed to be
the average of the daily Closing Prices per share of such Common Stock for the
30 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to but not including such date,
and for purposes of computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the
"Current Market Price" per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to
be the average of the daily Closing Prices per share of such Common Stock for
the 10 consecutive Trading Days immediately following such date; provided,
however, that in the event that the Current Market Price per share of Common
Stock is determined during a period following the announcement of (A) a dividend
or distribution on such Common Stock, other than the dividend of the Rights, or
(B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Common Stock, and
the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for
such subdivision, combination or reclassification, shall not have occurred prior
to the commencement of the requisite 30 Trading Day or 10 Trading Day period, as
set forth above, then, and in each such case, the Current Market Price shall be
properly adjusted to take into account ex-dividend trading. If the Common Stock
is not publicly held or not so listed or traded, "Current Market Price" per
share shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a
statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes
and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "Current
Market Price" per share of Preferred Stock shall be determined in the same
manner as set forth above for the Common Stock in clause (i) of this Section
11(d) (other than the last sentence thereof). If the Current Market Price per
share of Preferred Stock cannot be determined in the manner provided above or if
the Preferred Stock is not publicly held or listed or traded in a manner
described in clause (i) of this Section 11(d), the "Current Market Price" per
share of Preferred Stock shall be conclusively deemed to be an amount equal to
100 (as such number may be appropriately adjusted for such events as stock
splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock
occurring after the date of this Agreement) multiplied by the Current Market
Price per share of the Common Stock. If neither the Common Stock nor the
Preferred Stock is
18
publicly held or so listed or traded, Current Market Price per share of the
Preferred Stock shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith
by the Board, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with
the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes. For all purposes of
this Agreement, the Current Market Price of one one-hundredth of a share of
Preferred Stock shall be equal to the Current Market Price of one share of
Preferred Stock divided by 100.
(e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no adjustment in the
Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an
increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase Price; provided, however,
that any adjustments that by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be
made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent
adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest
cent or to the nearest ten-thousandth of a share of Common Stock or other share
or one-millionth of a share of Preferred Stock, as the case may be.
Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment
required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three
years from the date of the transaction which mandates such adjustment or (ii)
the Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) or
Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become
entitled to receive in respect of such Right any shares of capital stock other
than Preferred Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable
upon exercise of any Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Stock contained in
Sections 11(a), (b), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (m) hereof, and the
provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred
Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of shares of Preferred
Stock purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all
subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in
Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the
calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding immediately
prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-hundredths of a
share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest one-millionth) obtained by
(i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock covered by a Right immediately prior to this adjustment by (y) the
Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase
Price, and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the
Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in lieu of any adjustment in the
number of shares of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of a Right.
Each of the Rights outstanding after
19
the adjustment in the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of
shares of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to
such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the
number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest
ten thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately
prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall make a
public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating
the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the
adjustment to be made with prompt notice thereof to the Rights Agent. This
record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day
thereafter, but, if the Rights Certificates have been issued, shall be at least
10 days later than the date of the public announcement. If Rights Certificates
have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this
Section 11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be
distributed to holders of record of Rights Certificates on such record date
Rights Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional
Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment,
or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders
of record in substitution and replacement for the Rights Certificates held by
such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if
required by the Company, new Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to
which such holders shall be entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates
so to be distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner
provided for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted
Purchase Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of
Rights Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the
number of shares and fractions of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon the
exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter
issued may continue to express the Purchase Price per share of Preferred Stock
and the number of shares that were expressed in the initial Rights Certificates
issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the
Purchase Price below the then par value or stated value, if any, of the shares
of Preferred Stock or Common Stock or other securities issuable upon exercise of
a Right, the Company shall take any corporate action that may, in the opinion of
its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally
issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock or
other securities at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment
in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified
event, the Company may elect to defer with prompt notice thereof to the Rights
Agent until the occurrence of such event the issuance to the holder of any Right
exercised after such record date the number of shares of Preferred Stock and
other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such
exercise over and above the number of shares of Preferred Stock and other
capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise
on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided,
however, that the Company shall deliver to such
20
holder a due xxxx or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right
to receive such additional shares (fractional or otherwise) or securities upon
the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in
addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to
the extent that in their good faith judgment the Board of Directors of the
Company shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation or
subdivision of the Preferred Stock, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of any shares
of Preferred Stock at less than the current market price, (iii) issuance wholly
for cash of shares of Preferred Stock or securities that by their terms are
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Preferred Stock, (iv) stock
dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this
Section 11 hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Stock shall
not be taxable to such shareholders.
(n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time after
the Distribution Date that there is an Acquiring Person, (i) consolidate with
any other Person (other than a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company in a
transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), (ii) merge with or into
any other Person (other than a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company in a
transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or (iii) sell, lease or
transfer (or permit one or more Subsidiaries to sell, lease or transfer), in
one transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the
Company and/or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries in one or more transactions
each of which complies (and all of which together comply) with Section 11(o)
hereof), if (x) at the time of or immediately after such consolidation, merger,
sale, lease or transfer there are any charter or bylaw provisions or rights,
warrants or other instruments or securities of the Company or any other Person
outstanding or agreements, arrangements or understandings in effect that would
substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be
afforded by the Rights, (y) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after
such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or transfer, the shareholders or other
equity owners of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the "Principal
Party" for purposes of Section 13(a) hereof shall have received a distribution
of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates or
Associates, or (z) the identity, form or nature of organization of the Principal
Party (including without limitation the selection of the Person that will be the
Principal Party as a result of the Company's entering into one or more
consolidations, mergers, sales, leases, transfers or transactions with more than
one party) would preclude or limit the exercise of Rights or otherwise diminish
substantially or eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.
(o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution Date, it
will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 27 hereof, take (or
permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if the purpose of such action is to,
or if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such
action will, diminish substantially or eliminate the benefits intended to be
afforded by the Rights.
21
(p) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event that the Company shall at any time after the Rights Dividend Declaration
Date and prior to the Distribution Date (i) declare a dividend on the
outstanding shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iii) combine the outstanding
shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) otherwise
reclassify the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the number of Rights
associated with each share of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or
delivered thereafter but prior to the Distribution Date, shall be
proportionately adjusted so that the number of Rights thereafter associated with
each share of Common Stock following any such event shall equal the result
obtained by multiplying the number of Rights associated with each share of
Common Stock immediately prior to such event by a fraction (the "Adjustment
Fraction") the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and the
denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event. In lieu of such
adjustment in the number of Rights associated with one share of Common Stock,
the Company may elect to adjust the number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of one Right and the Purchase
Price. If the Company makes such election, the number of Rights associated with
one share of Common Stock shall remain unchanged, and the number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of one Right
and the Purchase Price shall be proportionately adjusted so that (i) the number
of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of
a Right following such adjustment shall equal the product of the number of one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of a
Right immediately prior to such adjustment multiplied by the Adjustment Fraction
and (ii) the Purchase Price following such adjustment shall equal the product of
the Purchase Price immediately prior to such adjustment multiplied by the
Adjustment Fraction.
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares.
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or Section 13 hereof,
the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such
adjustment and a brief statement of the facts and computations accounting for
such adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Rights Agent, and with each transfer
agent for the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, a copy of such certificate
and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights Certificate (or,
if prior to the Distribution Date, to each holder of a certificate representing
shares of Common Stock) in accordance with Section 26 hereof. The Rights Agent
shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any
adjustment therein contained and shall not be obligated or responsible for
calculating any such adjustment. In addition, the Rights Agent shall have no
duty with respect to and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such
adjustment unless and until it shall have received such certificate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of the Company to take any action
required by this Section 12 shall not affect the validity of, or the force or
effect of, the requirement for such adjustment, and any such adjustment shall be
binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights.
22
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning
Power.
(a) In the event that from and after the time an Acquiring Person has
become such, directly or indirectly, (x) the Company shall consolidate with, or
merge with and into, any other Person (other than a wholly-owned Subsidiary of
the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), and the
Company shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of such
consolidation or merger, (y) any Person (other than a wholly-owned Subsidiary of
the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof) shall
consolidate with, or merge with or into, the Company, and the Company shall be
the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, and,
in connection with such consolidation or merger, all or part of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock
or other securities of the Company or any other Person or cash or any other
property, or (z) the Company shall sell, lease or otherwise transfer (or one
or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell, lease or otherwise transfer), in one
transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person or Persons (other than the Company
or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company or any combination thereof in one
or more transactions each of which complies (and all of which together comply)
with Section 11(o) hereof), then, and in each such case (except as may be
contemplated by Section 13(d) hereof), proper provision shall be made so that:
(i) on and after the Distribution Date, each holder of a Right, except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall thereafter have the right to
receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in lieu of shares of Preferred
Stock or Common Stock of the Company, such number of validly authorized and
issued, fully paid, nonassessable and freely tradeable shares of Common Stock of
the Principal Party (as such term is hereinafter defined), not subject to any
liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall
be equal to the quotient obtained by (1) multiplying the then current Purchase
Price by the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for
which a right is exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a
Section 13 Event (or, if a Section 11(a)(ii) Event has occurred prior to the
first occurrence of a Section 13 Event, multiplying the number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event by the
Purchase Price in effect prior to such first occurrence) (which, following the
first occurrence of a Section 13 Event, shall be referred to as the "Purchase
Price" for each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement), and dividing that
product by (2) 50% of the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock of
such Principal Party on the date of consummation of such Section 13 Event;
provided that the Purchase Price and the number of shares of Common Stock of
such Principal Party issuable upon exercise of each Right shall be further
adjusted as provided in this Agreement to reflect any events occurring after the
date of such occurrence of a Triggering Event or after the date of such Section
13 Event, as applicable; (ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable
for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the obligations
and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term "Company"
shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party, it being
specifically intended that the provisions of Section 11 hereof shall apply only
to such Principal Party following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event;
(iv) such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to,
the reservation of a sufficient
23
number of shares of its Common Stock) in connection with the consummation of any
such transaction as may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall
thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to its
shares of Common Stock thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights;
and (v) the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall be of no effect
following the first occurrence of any Section 13 Event.
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean
(i) in the case of any transaction described in clause (x) or (y) of
the first sentence of Section 13(a), (A) the Person that is the issuer of any
securities into which shares of Common Stock of the Company are converted in
such merger or consolidation, or, if there is more than one such issuer, the
issuer the outstanding shares of Common Stock of which have the greatest
aggregate Current Market Price, or (B) if no securities are so issued, (x) the
Person that survives such consolidation or is the other party to the merger and
survives such merger, or, if there is more than one such Person, the Person the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of which have the greatest aggregate Current
Market Price or (y) if the Person that is the other party to the merger does not
survive the merger, the Person that does survive the merger (including the
Company if it survives); and
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause (z) of the
first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the party receiving the
greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such
transaction or transactions, or, if each Person that is a party to such
transaction or transactions receives the same portion of the assets or earning
power so transferred, or if the Person receiving the greatest portion of the
assets or earning power cannot be determined, the Person the outstanding shares
of Common Stock of which have the greatest aggregate Current Market Price;
provided, however, that in any such case, if the Common Stock of such Person is
not at such time and has not been continuously over the preceding twelve-month
period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and if (1) such Person
is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the Common Stock of which
is and has been so registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to such other
Person; (2) such Person is not a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another
corporation the Common Stock of which is and has been so registered, "Principal
Party" shall refer to the corporation which ultimately controls such Person; (3)
such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one Person,
the Common Stocks of all of which are and have been so registered, "Principal
Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the issuer the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of which have the greatest aggregate Current Market
Price; and (4) such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture
formed by two or more Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the
same Person, the rules set forth in (1) and (2) above shall apply to each of the
chains of ownership having an interest in such joint venture as if such party
were a "Subsidiary" of both or all of such joint venturers and the Principal
Parties in each such chain shall bear the obligations set forth in this Section
13 in the same ratio as their direct or indirect interests in such Person bear
to the total of such interests.
24
(c) The Company shall not consummate any Section 13 Event unless each
Principal Party (or Person that may become a Principal Party as a result of such
Section 13 Event) shall have a sufficient number of authorized shares of its
Common Stock that have not been issued or reserved for issuance to permit the
exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with this Section 13 and unless
prior thereto the Company and each such Principal Party shall have executed and
delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing for the terms
set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 13 and further providing
that, as soon as practicable after the date of such Section 13 Event, the
Principal Party at its own expense will:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities
Act with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of
the Rights on an appropriate form, and will use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to (A) become effective as soon as practicable after such
filing and (B) remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act) until the Expiration Date;
(ii) use its best efforts to qualify or register the Rights and the
securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights under the "blue sky" laws of
such jurisdictions as may be necessary or appropriate;
(iii) use its best efforts, if the Common Stock of the Principal
Party is or shall become listed on a national securities exchange, to list (or
continue the listing of) the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise
of the Rights on such securities exchange and, if the Common Stock of the
Principal Party shall not be listed on a national securities exchange, to cause
the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights to be
reported by NASDAQ or such other transaction reporting system then in use; and
(iv) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial
statements for the Principal Party and each of its Affiliates that comply in all
respects with the requirements for registration on Form 10 under the Exchange
Act.
The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or
consolidations or sales or other transfers. In the event that a Section 13 Event
shall occur at any time after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the
Rights that have not theretofore been exercised shall thereafter become
exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a).
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Section 13
shall not be applicable to a transaction described in subparagraphs (x) and (y)
of Section 13(a) if (i) such transaction is consummated with a Person or Persons
who acquired shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Permitted Offer (or a wholly-
owned Subsidiary of any such Person or Persons), (ii) the price per share of
Common Stock offered in such transaction is not less than the price per share of
Common Stock paid to all holders of Common Stock whose shares were purchased
pursuant to such Permitted Offer, and (iii) the form of consideration being
offered to the remaining holders of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such
transaction is the same as the form of consideration paid pursuant to such
Permitted Offer. Upon consummation of any such transaction contemplated by this
Section 13(d), all Rights hereunder shall expire. Furthermore,
25
notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Section 13 shall not
be applicable to a transaction described in subparagraph (z) of Section 13(a) if
such transaction is determined by a majority of the Board to be (a) at a price
which is fair to the Company and its shareholders and (b) otherwise in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Rights hereunder shall not
expire upon consummation of any transaction contemplated by the immediately
preceding sentence of this Section 13(d).
(e) In case the Principal Party which is to be a party to a transaction
referred to in this Section 13 has provision in any of its authorized securities
or in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other instrument governing
its corporate affairs, which provision would have the effect of (i) causing such
Principal Party to issue, in connection with, or as a consequence of, the
consummation of a transaction referred to in this Section 13, shares of Common
Stock of such Principal Party at less than the then Current Market Price per
share or securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock of such
Principal Party at less than such Current Market Price (other than to holders of
Rights pursuant to this Section 13), or (ii) providing for any special payment,
tax or similar provisions in connection with the issuance of the Common Stock of
such Principal Party pursuant to the provisions of Section 13; then, in such
event, the Company shall not consummate any such transaction unless prior
thereto the Company and such Principal Party shall have executed and delivered
to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing that the provision in
question of such Principal Party shall have been canceled, waived or amended, or
that the authorized securities shall be redeemed, so that the applicable
provision will have no effect in connection with, or as a consequence of, the
consummation of the proposed transaction.
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights, except
prior to the Distribution Date as provided in section 11(p) hereof, or to
distribute Rights Certificates or scrip evidencing fractional Rights. In lieu of
such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the
Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise
be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the Closing Price
of one Right for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such
fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of
Preferred Stock (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one one-
hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or to
distribute certificates or scrip evidencing fractional shares of Preferred Stock
(other than fractions that are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a
share of Preferred Stock). Interests in fractions of shares of Preferred Stock
in integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock may, at
the election of the Company in its sole discretion, be evidenced by depositary
receipts, pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a
depositary selected by it, provided that such agreement shall provide that the
holders of such depositary receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and
preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the shares of
Preferred Stock represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional
shares of Preferred Stock that are
26
not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, the
Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time
such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same
fraction of one one-hundredth of the Closing Price of a share of Preferred Stock
for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Company shall not
be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the
Rights or to distribute certificates or scrip evidencing fractional shares of
Common Stock. In lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company may pay
to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are
exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
Closing Price of one share of Common Stock for the Trading Day immediately prior
to the date of such exercise.
(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly waives
his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon
exercise of a Right, except as permitted by this Section 14.
Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement, other than rights of action vested in the Rights Agent pursuant to
this Agreement, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Rights
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the
Common Stock) and, where applicable, the Company; and any registered holder of
any Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common
Stock), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other
Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock),
may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may institute and
maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or
otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such
Rights Certificate in the manner provided in such Rights Certificate and in this
Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the
holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights
would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and
shall be entitled to specific performance of the obligations hereunder and
injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations
hereunder of any Person subject to this Agreement. After a Triggering Event,
holders of Rights shall be entitled to recover the reasonable costs and
expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by them in any action to enforce
the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 16. Agreement of Rights Holders. Every holder of a Right by
accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and
with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will not be evidenced by
Rights Certificates and will be transferable only in connection with the
transfer of Common Stock;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates will be
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at
the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purposes, duly endorsed or
accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and with the
27
form of assignment set forth on the reverse side thereof and the certificate
contained therein duly completed and fully executed;
(c) the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in
whose name a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the
associated Common Stock certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof
and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership
or writing on the Rights Certificates or the associated Common Stock certificate
made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes
whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by
any notice to the contrary (it being understood and agreed that this Section
16(c) shall not expand or otherwise amend or alter in any manner the rights of
any Person in whose name a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution
Date, the associated Common Stock certificate) is registered); and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a
Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent
injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent
jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or
commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or
enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining
performance of such obligation; provided, however, the Company must use its best
efforts to have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned
as soon as possible.
Section 17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder. No
holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of shares of
Preferred Stock or any other securities of the Company that may at any time be
issuable upon the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything
contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the
holder of any Rights Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder of
the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any
matter submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold
consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other
actions affecting shareholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to
receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or
Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate shall have been exercised in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent.
(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent commercially reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time,
on demand of the Rights Agent, its commercially reasonable expenses and counsel
fees and disbursements and other disbursements incurred in the administration,
preparation, delivery, amendment and execution of this Agreement and the
exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to
indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss,
liability, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, settlement, cost or
expense, incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on
the part of the Rights
28
Agent as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, for any action taken,
suffered or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and
administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the costs and
expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly
or indirectly. The indemnity provided herein shall survive the termination of
this Agreement and the termination and the expiration of the Rights. The costs
and expenses incurred in enforcing this right of indemnification shall be paid
by the Company, provided that the Rights Agent is successful in enforcing its
right to indemnification hereunder in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, in no event shall
the Rights Agent be liable for special, punitive, indirect, consequential or
incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to
lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of
such loss or damage.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be authorized and protected and shall incur no
liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in
connection with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Rights
Certificate or certificate for Common Stock or for other securities of the
Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement,
affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement or other
paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and,
where necessary, guaranteed, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or
Persons or otherwise upon the advice or opinion of counsel as set forth in
Section 20 hereof.
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.
(a) Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent
may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from
any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the shareholder service
business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the
successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or
filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto;
provided, however, that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a
successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the
time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this
Agreement, any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but not
delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of a
predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned;
and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been
countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights
Certificates either in the name of the predecessor or in the name of the
successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall
have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and
at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but
not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior
name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time
any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights
Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in its prior name
29
or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall
have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes only the
duties and obligations expressly imposed by this Agreement upon the following
terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights
Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal
counsel for the Company), and the advice or opinion of such counsel 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. The Rights Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any
fact or matter pertaining to the performance of its duties under this Agreement,
except such facts or matters as are evidenced by records which are required to
be created and maintained by it hereunder, or until it shall have been advised
thereof in writing by the Company or by a holder of the Rights.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the
Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter
(including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and the
determination of Current Market Price) be proved or established by the Company
prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such fact or matter
(unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may
be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by
the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Vice
President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any
Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such
certificate shall be full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and
the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken,
suffered or omitted in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement
in reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct as determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the
statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Rights
Certificates or in the Summary of Rights be required to verify the same (except
as to its countersignature on such Rights Certificates), but all such statements
and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any liability or responsibility in
respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof
(except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the
validity or execution of any Rights Certificate (except its countersignature
thereof); nor shall it be responsible or liable for any breach by the Company of
any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights
Certificate; nor shall it be responsible or liable for any adjustment required
under the provisions of Section 11 or Section
30
13 hereof or responsible or liable for the manner, method or amount of any such
adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any
such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by
Rights Certificates after receipt of actual notice of any such adjustment); nor
shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty
as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock or
Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights
Certificate or as to whether any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock will,
when so issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and
deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such
further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required
by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of
the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the
Chairman of the Board, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Vice
President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any
Assistant Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or
instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any
action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance
with instructions of any such officer or for any delay in acting while waiting
for those instructions. Any application by the Rights Agent for written
instructions from the Company may, at the Rights Agent's option, set forth in
writing any action proposed to be taken, suffered or omitted by the Rights Agent
with respect to its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the date on
and/or after which such action shall be taken or suffered or such omission shall
be effective. The Rights Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or
omitted by the Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal included in any such
application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall
not be less than five Business Days after the date any such officer of the
Company actually receives such application, unless the Company shall have
consented in writing to an earlier date) without the Company's consent 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, suffered or omitted.
(h) The Rights Agent and any shareholder, director, Affiliate, officer or
employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other
securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in
which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the
Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent
under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting
in any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers
hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through
its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default,
neglect or misconduct, absent gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct,
31
as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in the selection and
continued employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if
there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it.
(k) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the Rights
Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of
assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has either not
been completed or indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2
thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such
requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the Company.
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon 30 days' notice in writing mailed to the Company, and to each transfer
agent of the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock, by either hand delivery or
registered or certified mail, and to the holders, if any, of the Rights
Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent (with or without cause) effective immediately upon notice
in writing, either hand delivered or mailed to the Rights Agent or successor
Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock
and the Preferred Stock, by either hand delivery or registered or certified
mail, and to the holders, if any, of the Rights Certificates by first class
mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become
incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent.
If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days
after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of
such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or
by the holder of a Rights Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his
Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the Rights Agent or the
registered holder of any Rights Certificate may apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights
Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (a) a
Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any
State thereof, in good standing, which is authorized to do business under such
laws 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 (or such other minimum amount of combined
capital and surplus as reasonably determined by the Board) or (b) an Affiliate
controlled by a Person described in clause (a) of this sentence. After
appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers,
rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights
Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall
deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held
by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act
or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such
appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the
predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock and the
Preferred Stock,
32
and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Rights
Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21,
however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the
resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor
Rights Agent, as the case may be.
Section 22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates. Notwithstanding any of
the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company
may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form
as may be approved by the Board to reflect any adjustment or change in the
Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or
property purchasable under the Rights Certificates made in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or
sale of shares of Common Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the
Expiration Date, the Company (a) shall, with respect to shares of Common Stock
so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under any
employee plan or arrangement granted or awarded on or prior to the Distribution
Date, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities issued by the
Company on or prior to the Distribution Date, and (b) may, in any other case, if
deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board, issue Rights Certificates
representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance
or sale; provided, however, that (i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued
if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such
issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to
the Company or the Person to whom such Rights Certificate would be issued, and
(ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that,
appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance
thereof.
Section 23. Redemption and Termination.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time
prior to the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day
following the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the Stock Acquisition Date shall
have occurred prior to the Record Date, the close of business on the tenth
Business Day following the Record Date) or (ii) the Expiration Date, cause the
Company to redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a
redemption price of $.001 per Right, as such amount may be appropriately
adjusted, if necessary, to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the Rights Dividend Declaration Date (such
redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price").
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights
shall not be exercisable after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event
until such time as the Company's right of redemption hereunder has expired. The
Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash, shares of Common
Stock (based on the Current Market Price of the Common Stock at the time of
redemption) or any other form of consideration deemed appropriate by the Board.
(b) Immediately upon the effectiveness of the action of the Board ordering
the redemption of the Rights (which action may be conditioned on the occurrence
of one or more events or on the existence of one or more facts or may be
effective at some future time),
33
evidence of which shall be filed with the Rights Agent and without any further
action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate
and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the
Redemption Price for each Right so held. Promptly after the effectiveness of the
action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights, the
Company shall give notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders
of the then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice to all such holders at
each holder's last address as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights
Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the Company
for the Common Stock. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided
shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such
notice of redemption shall state the method by which the payment of the
Redemption Price will be made.
Section 24. Exchange.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time
and from time to time after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event,
exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall
not include Rights that have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of
Section 7(e) hereof) for shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or
any combination thereof, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, or
such number of Common Stock Equivalents or units representing fractions thereof
as would be deemed to have the same value as one share of Common Stock, per
Right, appropriately adjusted, if necessary, to reflect any stock split, stock
dividend or similar transaction occurring after the Rights Dividend Declaration
Date (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange
Ratio"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors may not effect
such exchange at any time after any Person (other than an Exempt Person),
together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the
Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding.
(b) Immediately upon the effectiveness of the action of the Board of
Directors of the Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to and in
accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 24 (which action may be
conditioned on the occurrence of one or more events or on the existence of one
or more facts or may be effective at some future time) and without any further
action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate
and the only right thereafter of the holders of such Rights shall be to receive
that number of shares of Common Stock and/or Common Stock Equivalents equal to
the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio.
The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange with prompt
notice thereof to the Rights Agent; 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 of the
holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry
books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein
provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.
Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the
shares of Common Stock and/or Common Stock Equivalents for Rights will be
effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights that
will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected as nearly pro rata as
possible based on the number of
34
Rights (other than Rights which have become null and void pursuant to the
provisions of Section 7(e) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.
(c) In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock that are
authorized by the Company's amended and restated articles of incorporation but
not outstanding or reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise
of the Rights is not sufficient to permit an exchange of Rights as contemplated
in accordance with this Section 24, the Company may, at its option, take all
such action as may be necessary to authorize additional shares of Common Stock
for issuance upon exchange of the Rights.
(d) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of
Common Stock or to distribute certificates or scrip evidencing fractional shares
of Common Stock. In lieu of such fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company
shall pay to the registered holders of Rights with regard to which such
fractional shares of Common Stock would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash
equal to the same fraction of the value of a whole share of Common Stock. For
purposes of this Section 24, the value of a whole share of Common Stock shall be
the Closing Price per share of Common Stock for the Trading Day immediately
prior to the date of exchange pursuant to this Section 24, and the value of any
Common Stock Equivalent shall be deemed to have the same value as the Common
Stock on such date.
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events.
(a) In case the Company shall propose, at any time after the Distribution
Date, (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the holders of
Preferred Stock or to make any other distribution to the holders of Preferred
Stock (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend out of earnings or retained
earnings of the Company), or (ii) to offer to the holders of Preferred Stock
rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional shares of
Preferred Stock or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights
or options, or (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred Stock
(other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding
shares of Preferred Stock), or (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into
or with any other Person (other than a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company in
a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or to effect any sale,
lease or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect
any sale, lease or other transfer), in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, of more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and
its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with
Section 11(o) hereof), or (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each
holder of record of a Rights Certificate and the Rights Agent, to the extent
feasible and in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed
action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such stock
dividend or other distribution, distribution of rights or warrants, or the date
on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, lease, transfer,
liquidation, dissolution or winding up is to take place and the date of
participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock, if any
such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any
action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least 20 days prior to the record
date for determining
35
holders of the shares of Preferred Stock for purposes of such action, and in the
case of any such other action, at least 20 days prior to the date of the taking
of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of
the shares of Preferred Stock, whichever shall be the earlier; provided,
however, that no such notice shall be required pursuant to this Section 25 if
any Subsidiary of the Company effects a consolidation or merger with or into, or
effects a sale or other transfer of assets or earning power to, any other
Subsidiary of the Company.
(b) In case any Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall occur, then the Company
shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Rights
Certificate (or if occurring prior to the Distribution Date, the holders of
Common Stock) and the Rights Agent, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a
notice of the occurrence of such event, which shall specify the event and the
consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof,
and (ii) all references in the preceding paragraph to Preferred Stock shall be
deemed thereafter to refer to Common Stock and/or, if appropriate, other
securities.
Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to
be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights Certificate
to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:
Kent Electronics Corporation
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by this
Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights
Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if
sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or, if
prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates representing
shares of Common Stock) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-
class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such
holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments. Prior to the Distribution Date
and subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 27, the Company may in
its sole and absolute discretion and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so
directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement in any respect
without the approval of any holders of certificates
36
representing shares of Common Stock and Rights. From and after the Distribution
Date and subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 27, the Company may
and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend this
Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights Certificates in order
(i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement any provision contained
herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein,
(iii) to shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder, or (iv) to change or
supplement the provisions hereunder in any manner that the Company may deem
necessary or desirable and that shall not materially and adversely affect the
interests of the holders of Rights Certificates (other than an Acquiring Person
or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person); provided, that this
Agreement may not be supplemented or amended to lengthen, pursuant to clause
(iii) of this sentence, (A) subject to Section 31 hereof, a time period relating
to when the Rights may be redeemed at a time when the Rights are not then
redeemable or (B) any other time period unless such lengthening is for the
purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the
benefits to, the holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person). Upon the delivery of a
certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company which states that the
proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section
27, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment; provided,
however, that the Rights Agent shall have the discretion not to execute any such
supplement or amendment, if such supplement or amendment would change the
duties, liabilities or obligations of the Rights Agent. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no supplement or amendment shall be
made which (i) changes the Redemption Price, (ii) fixes the Final Expiration
Date to be a date earlier than the tenth anniversary of the Record Date
(provided that the Final Expiration Date may be extended past the tenth
anniversary of the Record Date) (iii) reduces the Purchase Price (provided that
the Purchase Price may be increased), (iv) reduces the number of shares of
Preferred Stock or Common Stock for which a Right is then exercisable, or (v)
extends the time period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at a time
when the Rights are not then redeemable. Prior to the Distribution Date, the
interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed coincident with the interests
of the holders of Common Stock.
Section 28. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
Section 29. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.
For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of
determining the particular percentage of such outstanding shares of Common Stock
of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with
the provisions of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof. The Board shall have the
exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all
rights and powers specifically granted to the Board or to the Company, or as may
be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this
Agreement and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the
administration of this Agreement (including, without limitation, a
37
determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend this Agreement).
All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations (including,
for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing)
that are done or made by the Board in good faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive
and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights, as
such, and all other parties, and (y) not subject the Board to any liability to
the holders of the Rights. The fact that any determination or failure to make a
determination hereunder may provide or fail to provide benefits to shareholders,
to holders of Rights or to members of the Board of Directors of the Company
shall not in itself be deemed an absence of good faith on the part of the Board
of Directors. No member of the Board of Directors of the Company shall be
personally liable for any act or omission in the making or not making of any
determination under this Agreement. The Board shall be authorized to appoint a
Committee and delegate to it the authority to exercise the power and authority
of the Board under this Agreement.
Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall
be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and
the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Stock) any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, registered holders of the Common Stock).
Section 31. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such
court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board determines
in its good faith judgment that severing the invalid language from this
Agreement would adversely affect the purpose or effect of this Agreement, the
right of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof shall be reinstated and shall
not expire until the Close of Business on the tenth day following the date of
such determination by the Board.
Section 32. Governing Law. This Agreement, each Right and each Rights
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
laws of the State of Texas and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts made
and to be performed entirely within such State; provided, however, that insofar
that any provisions of this Agreement relate to the rights, duties and
obligations of the Rights Agent, such rights, duties and obligations of the
Rights Agent shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely
within such State.
Section 33. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to
be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and
the same instrument.
38
Section 34. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
39
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
Attest: KENT ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
-------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxx Xxxxx
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President & CFO Title: President & COO
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Attest: CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES L.L.C., AS RIGHTS AGENT
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
-------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Title: Relationship Manager Title: Relationship Manager
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
40
Exhibit A
---------
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION,
PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
OF
KENT ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Kent Electronics Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under
the Texas Business Corporation Act, (the "Corporation") DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
That, pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by
the Articles of Incorporation of the said Corporation and pursuant to the
provisions of Article 2.13 of the Texas Business Corporation Act, the said Board
of Directors on May 11, 1990 duly adopted, by all necessary action on the part
of the Corporation, the following resolution creating a series of Two Hundred
Thousand (200,000) shares of Preferred Stock designated as Series A Preferred
Stock; and
That, pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by
the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the said Corporation and
pursuant to the provisions of Article 2.13 of the Texas Business Corporation
Act, the said Board of Directors on October 21, 1999 duly adopted, by all
necessary action on the part of the Corporation, a resolution amending Section 1
of the following resolution which increased from Two Hundred Thousand (200,000)
to Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) the number of shares of Preferred Stock
designated as Series A Preferred Stock;
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors
of this Corporation in accordance with the provisions of its Articles of
Incorporation, a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation be and it hereby
is created, and that the designation and amount thereof and the voting powers,
preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of
the shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions
thereof are as follows:
Section 1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall be
----------------------
designated as "Series A Preferred Stock" and the number of shares constituting
such series shall be Five Hundred Thousand (500,000).
Section 2. Dividends and Distributions.
---------------------------
(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any shares
of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the
Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly
dividends payable in cash on the 15th day of February, May, August and November
in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date"),
commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance
of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per
share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $.25 or (b)
subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the
aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate
per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other
distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a
subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise), declared on the Common Stock, without par value, of the Corporation
(the "Common Stock") since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the
first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock.
In the event the Corporation shall at any time following May 14, 1990 (i)
declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide or split the outstanding Common Stock or (iii) combine the outstanding
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount
to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately
prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted
by multiplying each such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and
the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series
A Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) above immediately after it
declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend
payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the event no dividend or
distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock during the period
between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $.25 per share on the Series A Preferred
Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date.
(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares
of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next
preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, unless
the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall
begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of
issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date
for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled
to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date,
in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative
from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall
not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in
an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and
payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis
among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a
record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared
thereon, which record date shall be no more than 30 days prior to the date fixed
for the payment thereof.
A-2
Section 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred
-------------
Stock shall have the following voting rights:
(A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each
share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 100 votes
on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In
the event the Corporation shall at any time following May 14, 1990 (i) declare
any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide
the outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) combine the outstanding Common
Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the number of
votes per share to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were
entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such
number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to
such event.
(B) Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock shall vote
together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the
Corporation.
(C) (i) If at any time dividends on any Series A Preferred Stock shall
be in arrears in an amount equal to six (6) quarterly dividends thereon, the
occurrence of such contingency shall xxxx the beginning of a period (herein
called a "default period") which shall extend until such time when all accrued
and unpaid dividends for all previous quarterly dividend periods and for the
current quarterly dividend period an all shares of Series A Preferred Stock then
outstanding shall have been declared and paid or set apart for payment. During
each default period, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a class,
shall have the right to elect one (1) Director.
(ii) During any default period, such voting right of the holders of
Series A Preferred Stock may be exercised initially at a special meeting called
pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of this Section 3(C) or at any annual meeting of
stockholders, and thereafter at annual meetings of stockholders, provided that
such voting right to increase, in certain cases, the authorized number of
Directors shall not be exercised unless the holders of ten percent (10%) in
number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall be present in
person or by proxy. The absence of a quorum of the holders of Common Stock shall
not affect the exercise by the holders of Series A Preferred Stock of such
voting right. At any meeting at which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock
shall exercise such voting right initially during an existing default period,
they shall have the right, voting as a class, to elect a Director to fill any
vacancy in the Board of Directors as may then exist or, if such right is
exercised at any annual meeting, to elect one (1) Director. If the number which
may be so elected at any special meeting does not amount to the required number,
the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have the right to make such increase in
the number of Directors as shall be necessary to permit the election by them of
the required number. After the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall
have exercised their right to elect a Director in any default period and during
the continuance of such period, the number of
A-3
Directors shall not be increased or decreased except (I) by vote of the holders
of Series A Preferred Stock as herein provided or (II) pursuant to the rights of
any equity securities ranking senior to or pari passu with the Series A
---- -----
Preferred Stock.
(iii) Unless the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall, during an
existing default period, have previously exercised their right to elect a
Director, the Board of Directors may order, or any stockholder or stockholders
owning in the aggregate not less than ten percent (10%) of the total number of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding may request the calling of a
special meeting of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, which meeting shall
thereupon be called by the Chairman, the President, a Vice-President or the
Secretary of the Corporation. Notice of such meeting and of any annual meeting
at which holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote pursuant to
this paragraph (C) (iii) shall be given to each holder of record of Series A
Preferred Stock by mailing a copy of such notice to such holder at such holder's
last address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. Such meeting
shall be called for a time not earlier than 10 days and not later than 30 days
after such order or request or in default of the calling of such meeting within
45 days after such order or request, such meeting may be called on similar
notice by any stockholder or stockholders owning in the aggregate not less than
10% of the total number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (C)(iii), no such special
meeting shall be called during the period within 30 days immediately preceding
the date fixed for the next annual meeting of the stockholders.
(iv) In any default period the holders of Common Stock, and other
classes of stock of the Corporation if applicable, shall continue to be entitled
to elect the whole number of Directors until the holders of Series A Preferred
Stock shall have exercised their right to elect one (1) Director voting as a
class, after the exercise of which right (x) the Director so elected by the
holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall continue in office until such
Director's successor shall have been elected by such holders or until the
expiration of the default period, and (y) any vacancy in the Board of Directors
may (except as provided in paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section 3) be filled by
vote of a majority of the remaining Directors theretofore elected by the holders
of the class of stock which elected the Director whose office shall have become
vacant. References in this paragraph (C) to Directors elected by the holders of
a particular class of stock shall include Directors elected by such Directors to
fill vacancies as provided in clause (y) of the foregoing sentence.
(v) Immediately upon the expiration of a default period, (x) the
right of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock as a class to elect a Director
shall cease, (y) the term of any Director elected by the holders of Series A
Preferred Stock as a class shall terminate, and (z) the number of Directors
shall be such number as may be provided for in the articles of incorporation or
by-laws irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of
paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section 3 (such number being subject, however, to
change thereafter in any manner provided by law or in the articles of
incorporation or by-laws). Any vacancies in the Board of Directors effected by
the provisions of clauses (y) and (z) in the preceding sentence may be filled by
a majority of the remaining Directors.
A-4
(D) Except as set forth herein, 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 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 dissolution,
liquidation 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 (either as to dividends or upon dissolution,
liquidation or winding up), except in accordance with a purchase offer made in
writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all
holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after
consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights
and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good
faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or
classes.
(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to
purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the
Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of this Section 4,
purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.
Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock
-----------------
purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever
shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such
shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of
Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of
A-5
Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of
Directors, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth
herein.
Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
--------------------------------------
(A) Upon any voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock
ranking junior (either as to dividends or 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 $100 per share, plus
an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon,
whether or not declared, to the date of such payment (the "Series A Liquidation
Preference"). Following the payment of the full amount of the Series A
Liquidation Preference, no additional distributions shall be made to the holders
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of
shares of Common Stock shall have received an amount per share (the "Common
Adjustment") equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Series A
Liquidation Preference by (ii) 100 (as appropriately adjusted as set forth in
subparagraph C below to reflect such events as stock splits, stock dividends and
recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii),
the "Adjustment Number"). Following the payment of the full amount of the Series
A Liquidation Preference and the Common Adjustment in respect of all outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Common Stock, respectively, holders of
Series A Preferred Stock and holders of shares of Common Stock shall receive
their ratable and proportionate share of the remaining assets to be distributed
in the ratio, on a per share basis, of the Adjustment Number to 1 with respect
to such Preferred Stock and Common Stock, on a per share basis, respectively.
(B) In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available
to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the
liquidation preferences of all other series of Preferred Stock, if any, which
rank on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, then such remaining assets
shall be distributed ratably to the holders of such parity shares in proportion
to their respective liquidation preferences.
(C) In the event the Corporation shall at any time following May 14, 1990
(i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case
as the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be
adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall
--------------------------
enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which
the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or
changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment
hereinafter
A-6
set forth) equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash
and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or
for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable
in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock
or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares,
then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with
respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and
the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 8. Redemption. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not
----------
be redeemable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may acquire shares
of Series A Preferred Stock in any other manner permitted by law, the articles
of incorporation of the Corporation or herein.
Section 9. Ranking. The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all
-------
other series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends
and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of any such series shall
provide otherwise.
Section 10. Amendment. The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation
---------
shall not be amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the
powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock so as to
affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds
or more of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting separately
as a class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may at its option, by
vote of the Board of Directors, at any time increase or decrease the number of
shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the
Corporation may not decrease the number of shares to less than the number of
shares that are then issued or that are then subject to issuance upon the
exercise of outstanding rights.
Section 11. Fractional Shares. Series A Preferred Stock may be issued in
-----------------
fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such
holders fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends,
participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of
holders of Series A Preferred Stock.
A-7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Chairman of the Board and the Secretary of the
Corporation have executed and subscribed this Certificate this ____ day of
November, 1999.
KENT ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
By: ___________________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
ATTEST:
___________________________
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Secretary
A-8
Exhibit B
---------
(Form of Rights Certificate)
Certificate No. R - ________Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER [November 5, 2009] OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED
BY THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE
OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT $.001 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH
IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY OR TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON WHO IS, WAS OR
BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE THEREOF
(AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND CERTAIN
TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL BECOME NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER
BE TRANSFERABLE.
RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
KENT ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
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 October 21, 1999, as it may from time to time be
supplemented or amended (the "Rights Agreement"), between Kent Electronics
Corporation, a Texas corporation (the "Company"), and ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services L.L.C. (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company at any time
prior to 5:00 p.m. (Houston time) on November 5, 2009 at the office of the
Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or its successors as Rights Agent, one
one-hundredth of a fully paid, non-assessable share of Series A Preferred Stock
(the "Preferred Stock"), of the Company, at a purchase price of $100 per one
one-hundredth of a share (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender
of this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and related
Certificate duly executed. The Purchase Price shall be paid in cash or by
certified check, cashiers or official bank check or bank draft payable to the
order of the Company or the Rights Agent. The number of Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate (and the number of shares which may be purchased upon
exercise thereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price per one one-hundredth
of a share set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of November 5,
1999, based on the Preferred Stock as constituted at such date.
Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined
in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are
beneficially owned by or transferred to (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate
or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights
Agreement), (ii) a direct or indirect transferee of an Acquiring Person (or any
such Affiliate or Associate), or (iii) under certain circumstances
specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of a person who, concurrently
with or after such transfer, became an Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person, such Rights shall become null and void and no
holder hereof shall have any right with respect to such Rights from and after
the occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number and
kind of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities which may be purchased
upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are subject
to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events, including
Triggering Events (as defined in the Rights Agreement).
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights
Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which
limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of
such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the offices of the Company and are
also available upon written request to the Company.
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon
surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be
exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor
and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate
number of shares of Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Rights
Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder
to purchase. If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder
shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Rights Certificate or
Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by
this Certificate (i) may be exchanged in whole or in part for shares of the
Company's Common Stock, without par value, and/or other equity securities of the
Company deemed to have the same value as shares of Common Stock, at any time
prior to a person's becoming the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the shares
of Common Stock outstanding, and (ii) may be redeemed by the Company at its
option at a redemption price of $.001 per Right at any time prior to the earlier
of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day following the Stock
Acquisition Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and (ii) the Expiration
Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement).
No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued upon the exercise of
any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the
election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu
thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares of Preferred Stock
or of any other securities of the
B-2
Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall
anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon
the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or
any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to
shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
shareholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive
dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights
evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in
the Rights Agreement.
This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and
its corporate seal.
Dated as of October 21, 1999
ATTEST: KENT ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
_____________________ By: ___________________________________
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Secretary Chairman of the Board
Countersigned:
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES L.L.C.
By: ___________________________________
Name: __________________________________
Title: _________________________________
B-3
[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
------------------
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED _________________________________________________hereby
sells, assigns and transfers unto _____________________________________________
Please insert social security or other identifying number: ____________________
______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address of transferee)
______________________________________________________________________________
this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein,
and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint __________________Attorney,
to transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named
Company, with full power of substitution.
Dated: ___________________
____________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a national securities
exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States, or another entity acceptable to the Rights Agent and the Company.
B-4
Certificate
-----------
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:
(1) this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold, assigned and
transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined
pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) After due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it
[ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from
any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: ___________________
____________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a national securities
exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States, or another entity acceptable to the Rights Agent and the Company.
NOTICE
------
The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must correspond
to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every
particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
In the event the certification set forth above is not completed, the
Company will deem the beneficial owner of the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as
defined in the Rights Agreement) and, in the case of an Assignment, will affix a
legend to that effect on any Rights Certificates issued in exchange for this
Rights Certificate.
B-5
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
----------------------------
(To be executed if holder desires to exercise
Rights represented by the Rights Certificate.)
To: KENT ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise _______________Rights
represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Preferred Stock
issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such other securities of the
Company or of any other person which may be issuable upon the exercise of the
Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares be issued in the name of
and delivered to:
Please insert social security or other identifying number:____________________
______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
______________________________________________________________________________
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights
shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security or other identifying number:____________________
______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
______________________________________________________________________________
Dated: ___________________
____________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a national securities
exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States, or another entity acceptable to the Rights Agent and the Company.
B-6
Certificate
-----------
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [ ] are [ ] are not
being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or
an Affiliate or Associate of any such Person (as such terms are defined in the
Rights Agreement); and
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [ ]
did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from
any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of any such Person.
Dated: ___________________
____________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a national securities
exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States, or another entity acceptable to the Rights Agent and the Company.
NOTICE
------
The signature to the foregoing Election to Purchase and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
In the event the certificate set forth above is not completed, the Company
will deem the beneficial owner of the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as
defined in the Rights Agreement) subject to the applicable provisions of the
Rights Agreement, and, in the event that all of the Rights evidenced by the
Rights Certificate have not been exercised, the Company will affix a legend to
that effect on the Rights Certificate issued for the balance of the Rights,
whether registered in the name of the holder or assignee.
B-7
Exhibit C
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SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE PREFERRED STOCK
On October 21, 1999, the Board of Directors of Kent Electronics Corporation
(the "Company") created one Right for each outstanding share of Common Stock,
without par value ("Common Stock"), of the Company and issued such Rights to
shareholders of record at the close of business on November 5, 1999 (the "Record
Date"). Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company
one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per
share (the "Preferred Stock"), at a price of $100 per one one-hundredth of a
share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The Purchase Price shall be
paid in cash or by certified check, cashiers or official bank check or bank
draft payable to the order of the Company or the Rights Agent. The description
and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the "Rights
Agreement") between the Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services L.L.C., as
Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"). Capitalized terms that are not defined in
this summary have the meanings assigned to them in the Rights Agreement.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock certificates
representing shares then outstanding, and no separate Rights Certificates will
be distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common Stock and a
Distribution Date will occur upon the earlier of (i) a public announcement that
a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person")
has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or
more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the date of the announcement
being the "Stock Acquisition Date"), or (ii) ten Business Days (or such later
date as may be determined by the Company's Board of Directors before the
Distribution Date occurs) following the commencement of a tender offer or
exchange offer that would result in a person's becoming an Acquiring Person.
Certain inadvertent acquisitions will not result in a person's becoming an
Acquiring Person if the person promptly divests itself of sufficient Common
Stock. Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the
Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such Common
Stock certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued after November 5,
1999 will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference,
and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock
outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Stock represented by such certificate.
The Rights are not exercisable until after both the Original Rights
Agreement Expiration Date and the Distribution Date (regardless of whether the
Distribution Date occurs before or after the Original Rights Agreement
Expiration Date), and the Rights will expire at the Close of Business on the
tenth anniversary of the Record Date, unless earlier redeemed by the Company as
described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates
will be mailed to holders of record of Common Stock as of the Close of Business
on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights Certificates alone
will represent the Rights. All shares of Common Stock issued prior to the
Distribution Date will be issued with Rights. Shares of Common Stock issued
after the Distribution Date in connection with certain employee benefit
plans or upon conversion of certain securities will be issued with Rights, but
the Company will have no obligation to issue Rights with respect to any other
shares of Common Stock issued after the Distribution Date.
In the event (a "Section 11(a)(ii) Event") that a person becomes an
Acquiring Person (except pursuant to a tender or exchange offer for all
outstanding shares of Common Stock at a price and on terms that the Board
determines to be fair to and otherwise in the best interests of the Company and
its shareholders (a "Permitted Offer")), each holder of a Right will thereafter
have the right to receive, upon exercise, Common Stock (or, in certain
circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) having a
Current Market Price equal to two times the exercise price of the Right.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of the Section
11(a)(ii) Event, all Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified
in the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by or transferred to any
Acquiring Person (or certain related parties) will be null and void in the
circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement. However, Rights are not
exercisable following the occurrence of the Section 11(a)(ii) Event until such
time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company as set forth below.
For example, at an exercise price of $100 per Right, each Right not owned
by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) following the Section
11(a)(ii) Event would entitle its holder to purchase $200 worth of Common Stock
(or other consideration, as noted above) based upon its then Current Market
Price, for $100. Assuming that the Common Stock had a Current Market Price of
$20 per share at such time, the holder of each valid Right would be entitled to
purchase 10 shares of Common Stock for $100.
In the event (a "Section 13 Event") that, at any time from and after the
time an Acquiring Person becomes such, (i) the Company is acquired in a merger
or other business combination transaction (other than certain mergers that
follow a Permitted Offer), or (ii) 50% or more of the Company's assets or
earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a Right (except Rights that
previously have been voided as set forth above) shall thereafter have the right
to receive, upon exercise, a number of shares of common stock of the acquiring
company having a Current Market Price equal to two times the exercise price of
the Right.
For example, at an exercise price of $100 per Right, each Right following a
Section 13 Event would entitle its holder to purchase $200 worth of common stock
of the acquiring company for $100. Assuming that the common stock of the
acquiring company had a per share value of $50 at such time, the holder of each
issued Right would be entitled to purchase four shares of the common stock of
the acquiring company for $100.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of one one-hundredths of a share
of Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of
the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i)
in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or
reclassification of, the Preferred Stock, (ii) if holders of the Preferred Stock
are granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for Preferred Stock or
convertible securities at less than the Current Market Price of the Preferred
Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of
evidences of indebtedness or assets
C-2
(excluding regular quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or
warrants (other than those referred to above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued upon the exercise
of any Rights (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock) and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment
in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the
last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
The Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of
$.001 per Right, payable, at the option of the Company, in cash, shares of
Common Stock or such other consideration as the Board of Directors may determine
at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth
Business Day following the Stock Acquisition Date and (ii) the Expiration Date.
Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the
Rights, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights
will be to receive the $.001 redemption price.
At any time after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event and prior to
a person's becoming the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the shares of Common
Stock then outstanding, the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights
owned by an Acquiring Person or an affiliate or an associate of an Acquiring
Person, which will have become null and void), in whole or in part, at an
exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, and/or other equity securities
deemed to have the same value as one share of Common Stock, per Right, subject
to adjustment.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights should not
be taxable to the shareholders or to the Company, shareholders may, depending
upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights
become exercisable for Common Stock (or other consideration) of the Company or
for common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above or are exchanged as
provided in the preceding paragraph.
Other than certain provisions relating to the principal economic terms of
the Rights, any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board of Directors of the Company prior to the Distribution Date. After the
Distribution Date, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board in order to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to make changes
which do not materially adversely affect the interests of holders of Rights
(excluding the interests of any Acquiring Person); provided, however, that no
amendment to adjust the time period governing redemption shall be made at such
time as the Rights are not redeemable.
C-3
A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A. This
summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement which is
incorporated herein by reference.
C-4
