SOUTHERN STAR CENTRAL CORP., As Issuer 5.125% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022
Exhibit 4.1
EXECUTION VERSION
SOUTHERN STAR CENTRAL CORP.,
As Issuer
As Issuer
5.125% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association
As Trustee
As Trustee
___________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 1 | ||
SECTION 1.01 | DEFINITIONS | 1 | |
SECTION 1.02 | OTHER DEFINITIONS | 23 | |
SECTION 1.03 | INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT | 24 | |
SECTION 1.04 | RULES OF CONSTRUCTION | 24 | |
ARTICLE 2. THE NOTES | 25 | ||
SECTION 2.01 | FORM AND DATING | 25 | |
SECTION 2.02 | EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION | 26 | |
SECTION 2.03 | REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT | 27 | |
SECTION 2.04 | PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST | 28 | |
SECTION 2.05 | HOLDER LISTS | 28 | |
SECTION 2.06 | TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE | 28 | |
SECTION 2.07 | REPLACEMENT NOTES | 34 | |
SECTION 2.08 | OUTSTANDING NOTES | 34 | |
SECTION 2.09 | TREASURY NOTES | 35 | |
SECTION 2.10 | TEMPORARY NOTES | 35 | |
SECTION 2.11 | CANCELLATION | 35 | |
SECTION 2.12 | DEFAULTED INTERESTED | 36 | |
SECTION 2.13 | CUSIP NUMBERS | 36 | |
SECTION 2.14 | ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL NOTES | 36 | |
ARTICLE 3. REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT | 37 | ||
SECTION 3.01 | NOTICES TO TRUSTEE | 37 | |
SECTION 3.02 | SELECTION OF NOTES TO BE REDEEMED OR PURCHASED | 37 | |
SECTION 3.03 | NOTICE OF REDEMPTION | 37 | |
SECTION 3.04 | EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION | 38 | |
SECTION 3.05 | DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION OR PURCHASE PRICE | 38 | |
SECTION 3.06 | NOTES REDEEMED OR PURCHASED IN PART | 39 | |
SECTION 3.07 | OPTIONAL REDEMPTION | 39 | |
SECTION 3.08 | MANDATORY REDEMPTION | 40 | |
ARTICLE 4. COVENANTS | 40 | ||
SECTION 4.01 | PAYMENT OF NOTES | 40 | |
SECTION 4.02 | MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY | 40 | |
SECTION 4.03 | REPORTS | 41 | |
SECTION 4.04 | COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE | 43 | |
SECTION 4.05 | TAXES | 43 | |
SECTION 4.06 | STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS | 43 | |
SECTION 4.07 | RESTRICTED PAYMENTS | 44 | |
SECTION 4.08 | DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES | 46 | |
SECTION 4.09 | INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK | 48 |
i
SECTION 4.10 | TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES | 50 | |
SECTION 4.11 | LIENS | 51 | |
SECTION 4.12 | CORPORATE EXISTENCE | 52 | |
SECTION 4.13 | OFFER TO REPURCHASE UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL TRIGGERING EVENT | 52 | |
SECTION 4.14 | DESIGNATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES | 54 | |
SECTION 4.15 | COVENANT TERMINATION | 54 | |
ARTICLE 5. SUCCESSORS | 55 | ||
SECTION 5.01 | MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ASSETS | 55 | |
SECTION 5.02 | SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED | 56 | |
ARTICLE 6. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 56 | ||
SECTION 6.01 | EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 56 | |
SECTION 6.02 | ACCELERATION | 58 | |
SECTION 6.03 | OTHER REMEDIES | 58 | |
SECTION 6.04 | WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS | 58 | |
SECTION 6.05 | CONTROL BY MAJORITY | 59 | |
SECTION 6.06 | LIMITATION ON SUITS | 59 | |
SECTION 6.07 | RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES TO RECEIVE PAYMENT | 59 | |
SECTION 6.08 | COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE | 60 | |
SECTION 6.09 | TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM | 60 | |
SECTION 6.10 | PRIORITIES | 60 | |
SECTION 6.11 | UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS | 61 | |
ARTICLE 7. TRUSTEE | 61 | ||
SECTION 7.01 | DUTIES OF TRUSTEE | 61 | |
SECTION 7.02 | RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE | 62 | |
SECTION 7.03 | INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE | 64 | |
SECTION 7.04 | TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMERS | 64 | |
SECTION 7.05 | NOTICE OF DEFAULTS | 64 | |
SECTION 7.06 | REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS OF THE NOTES | 65 | |
SECTION 7.07 | COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY | 65 | |
SECTION 7.08 | REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE | 66 | |
SECTION 7.09 | SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC | 67 | |
SECTION 7.10 | ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION | 67 | |
SECTION 7.11 | PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY | 67 | |
ARTICLE 8. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 67 | ||
SECTION 8.01 | OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 67 | |
SECTION 8.02 | LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE | 68 | |
SECTION 8.03 | COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 68 | |
SECTION 8.04 | CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENENT DEFEASANCE | 69 | |
SECTION 8.05 | DEPOSITED MONEY AND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | 70 | |
SECTION 8.06 | REPAYMENT TO COMPANY | 70 |
ii
SECTION 8.07 | REINSTATEMENT | 71 | |
ARTICLE 9. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER | 71 | ||
SECTION 9.01 | WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF NOTES | 71 | |
SECTION 9.02 | WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF NOTES | 72 | |
SECTION 9.03 | COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT | 74 | |
SECTION 9.04 | REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS | 74 | |
SECTION 9.05 | NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF NOTES | 74 | |
SECTION 9.06 | TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC | 74 | |
ARTICLE 10. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 74 | ||
SECTION 10.01 | TRUSTEE INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS | 74 | |
SECTION 10.02 | APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY | 75 | |
ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS | 76 | ||
SECTION 11.01 | SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 76 | |
SECTION 11.02 | NOTICES | 76 | |
SECTION 11.03 | COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS OF NOTES WITH OTHER HOLDERS OF NOTES | 78 | |
SECTION 11.04 | CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 78 | |
SECTION 11.05 | STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION | 78 | |
SECTION 11.06 | RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS | 79 | |
SECTION 11.07 | NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS | 79 | |
SECTION 11.08 | GOVERNING LAW; JURY TRIAL WAIVER | 79 | |
SECTION 11.09 | NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS | 79 | |
SECTION 11.10 | SUCCESSORS | 79 | |
SECTION 11.11 | SEVERABILITY | 80 | |
SECTION 11.12 | COUNTERPART ORIGINALS | 80 | |
SECTION 11.13 | TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC | 80 | |
SECTION 11.14 | U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT | 80 |
iii
EXHIBITS:
EXHIBIT A FORM OF NOTE
iv
Cross-Reference Table∗
Trust Indenture Act Section | Indenture Section |
310 (a)(1) | 7.10 |
(a)(2) | 7.10 |
(a)(3) | N.A. |
(a)(4) | N.A. |
(a)(5) | 7.10 |
(b) | 7.10 |
(c) | N.A. |
311 (a) | 7.11 |
(b) | 7.11 |
(c) | N.A. |
312 (a) | 2.05 |
(b) | 11.03 |
(c) | 11.03 |
313 (a) | 7.06 |
(b)(1) | N.A. |
(b)(2) | 7.06; 7.07 |
(c) | 7.06; 11.02 |
(d) | 7.06 |
314 (a) | 4.03; 4.04; 11.02; 11.05 |
(b) | N.A. |
(c)(1) | 11.04 |
(c)(2) | 11.04 |
(c)(3) | N.A. |
(d) | N.A. |
(e) | 11.05 |
(f) | N.A. |
315 (a) | 7.01 |
(b) | 7.05, 11.02 |
(c) | 7.01 |
(d) | 7.01 |
(e) | 6.11 |
316 (a)(last sentence) | 2.09 |
(a)(1)(A) | 6.05 |
(a)(1)(B) | 6.04 |
(a)(2) | N.A. |
(b) | 6.07 |
(c) | 2.12; 9.02 |
317 (a)(1) | 6.08 |
v
(a)(2) | 6.09 |
(b) | 2.04 |
318 (a) | 11.01 |
(b) | N.A. |
(c) | 11.01 |
*This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.
N.A. means not applicable.
*This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.
vi
This INDENTURE dated as of June 16, 2014 between Southern Star Central Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association as Trustee.
The Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Initial Notes”).
ARTICLE 1.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person, (i) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person, and (ii) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
“Additional Assets” means (i) any property or assets, other than Capital Stock, Indebtedness or rights to receive payments over a period greater than 180 days, that are used by or useful to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Permitted Business or (ii) the Capital Stock of any entity that either is already at the time a Restricted Subsidiary or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of that Capital Stock by the Company or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
“Additional Notes” means any notes (other than the Initial Notes), if any, issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02, 2.14 and 4.09 hereof.
“Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(519)” or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after July 15, 2017, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury
Price for such redemption date, in each case calculated on the third business day immediately preceding the redemption date, plus, in the case of each of clause (i) and (ii), 0.50%.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, Note Custodian, or co-registrar.
“Applicable Premium” means at any redemption date, the excess of (A) the present value at such redemption date of (1) the redemption price of such Notes on July 15, 2017 (such redemption price set forth in Section 3.07(b)) plus (2) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on the Notes through July 15, 2017 (excluding accrued and unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Adjusted Treasury Rate, over (B) the principal amount of such Notes on such redemption date.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any payment, tender, redemption, transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such payment, tender, redemption, transfer or exchange.
“Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP) of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended.
“Available Cash Flow from Operations” means for any period of the Company, Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company for such period, minus the sum of the following, each determined for such period on a consolidated basis:
(i) cash taxes paid by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; plus
(ii) cash interest expense paid by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations); plus
2
(iii) additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are (or would be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP (except to the extent financed by the incurrence of Indebtedness); plus
(iv) the aggregate principal amount of long-term Indebtedness repaid by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and the repayment by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of any short-term Indebtedness that financed capital expenditures referred to in clause (iii) above, excluding any such repayments (x) under working capital facilities (except to the extent that such Indebtedness so repaid was incurred to finance capital expenditures as described in clause (iii) above) and (y) through a refinancing involving the incurrence of new long-term Indebtedness.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have correlative meanings.
“Board of Directors” means (i) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation, (ii) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership, and (iii) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
“Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the Trustee or banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.
“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
“Capital Stock” means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock, (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited) and (iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
3
“Cash Equivalents” means:
(i) | United States dollars; |
(ii) | securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition, |
(iii) | certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better; |
(iv) | repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (iii) above; |
(v) | commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable from Xxxxx’x or S&P and in each case maturing within six months after the date of acquisition; and |
(vi) | money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (i)-(v) above. |
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) | prior to the occurrence of the first public offering of common stock of the Company, the Permitted Holders cease to be the Beneficial Owners, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, whether as a result of issuance of securities of the Company, any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Company, any direct or indirect transfer of securities by the Permitted Holders or otherwise (for purposes of this clause (i) the Permitted Holders shall be deemed to Beneficially Own any Voting Stock of an entity (the “specified entity”) held by any other entity (the “parent entity”) so long as the Permitted Holders Beneficially Own (as so defined), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the parent entity, measured by voting power rather than number of shares); |
(ii) | the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related |
4
transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act);
Notwithstanding anything in this clause (ii), the Company may reorganize into a master limited partnership or similar entity, provided that (x) the Permitted Holders continue to be the Beneficial Owners, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the reorganized entity and (y) the Company shall sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in conjunction with such reorganization and shall comply with Section 5.01 hereof.
(iii) | the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or |
(iv) | the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; provided that the Permitted Holders Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) than such other person or group and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the board of directors of the Company or such successor (for the purposes of this clause, such other person or group shall be deemed to Beneficially Own any Voting Stock of a specified entity held by a parent entity, if such other person or group beneficially owns directly or indirectly, more than 35% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent entity and the Permitted Holders beneficially own directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent entity and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the board of directors of such parent entity). |
“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline with respect to the Notes.
“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A., or any successor securities clearing agency.
“Commission” means the Securities Exchange Commission.
“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term from the redemption
5
date to July 15, 2017, that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a maturity most nearly equal to July 15, 2017.
“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, if clause (ii) of the definition of Adjusted Treasury Rate is applicable, the average of three, or such lesser number as is obtained by the Company, Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the redemption date.
“Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:
(i) | an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with an asset sale or asset disposition, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus |
(ii) | provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus |
(iii) | Fixed Charges of such Person; plus |
(iv) | depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of other prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (including impairment charges recorded in connection with the application of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142 “Goodwill and other Intangibles” but excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus |
(v) | any Rate Case Consolidated Cash Flow Adjustment; plus |
(vi) | all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of loss or expense; minus |
(vii) | all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of gain or revenue; minus |
(viii) | non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business, |
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, amounts in clauses (i), (ii), (iv) and (vi) relating to any Restricted Subsidiary will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow only to the extent (and in
6
the same proportion) that the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) and by operation of the terms of its charter and all judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that (i) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof, (ii) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, (iii) any unrealized non-cash gains or losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of SFAS 133) will be excluded and (iv) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles after the Issue Date will be excluded.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of Section 4.07 of this Indenture only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred finance fees or other charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity.
“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of Total Assets included in such Person’s most recent quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP less applicable reserves reflected in such balance sheet, after deducting the following amounts: (i) all current liabilities reflected in such balance sheet, and (ii) all goodwill, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discounts and expenses and other like intangibles reflected in such balance sheet.
“Consolidated Net Worth” means the total of the amounts shown on a Person’s consolidated balance sheet determined in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of such Person’s most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the determination is being made, as the sum of (1) the par or stated value of all of such Person’s outstanding Capital Stock, (2) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital Stock and (3) any retained earnings or earned surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit and (B) any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock.
“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” for purposes of this Indenture will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 11.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
7
“Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities, commercial paper facilities or Debt Issuances, including the Senior Credit Facilities, in each case with banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, other institutional lenders, institutional investors or any of the foregoing providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders, financiers or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell such receivables to) such lenders or other financiers against such receivables), letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, other borrowings or Debt Issuances, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (in each case, without limitation as to amount), in whole or in part, from time to time (including through one or more Debt Issuances) and any agreements and related documents governing Indebtedness or Obligations incurred to refinance amounts then outstanding or permitted to be outstanding, whether or not with the original administrative agent, lenders, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, other institutional lenders, institutional investors or any of the foregoing and whether provided under the original Credit Facility or any other credit or agreement, indenture or other documentation relating thereto.
“Debt Issuances” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more issuances after the Issue Date of Indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar securities or instruments.
“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Note will not bear the Global Note Legend and will not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and, thereafter, “Depositary” means or include such successor.
“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof.
8
“Distribution Compliance Period”, with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the day on which such Notes are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the Issue Date with respect to such Notes.
“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.
"Electronic Means" means the following communications methods: S.W.I.F.T., e-mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) made for cash on a primary basis by the Company after the Issue Date.
“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear system, or any successor securities clearing agency.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Permitted Debt) in existence on the Issue Date, until such amounts are repaid.
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any four-quarter reference period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems any Disqualified Stock or preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the applicable four-quarter reference period and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made occurs (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, and the use of proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of such period.
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:
(i) | acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and |
9
including any related financing transactions, subsequent to the commencement of the applicable four-quarter reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of such period and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period will be calculated on a pro forma basis in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act including any pro forma expense and cost reductions that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur, in the reasonable judgment of the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company (regardless of whether those cost savings or operating improvements could then be reflected in pro forma financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the Commission related thereto);
(ii) | the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded; and |
(iii) | the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date. |
“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(i) | the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations incurred with respect to Indebtedness; plus |
(ii) | the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus |
(iii) | any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon); plus |
10
(iv) | all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, |
in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which were in effect on the Issue Date.
“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes, each of which shall bear the Private Placement Legend, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof.
“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(e)(i) to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.
“Guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, of all or any part of any Indebtedness in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person incurred under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements, (ii) foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements, (iii) any commodity futures contract, commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement and (iv) other similar agreements or arrangements.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(i) | in respect of borrowed money; |
(ii) | evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments; |
(iii) | in respect of banker’s acceptances or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or similar instruments; |
11
(iv) | representing Capital Lease Obligations; |
(v) | representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or |
(vi) | representing the net obligations of such Person under any Hedging Obligations (the amount of any such obligations to be equal at any time to the termination value of the agreement or arrangement giving rise to such obligation that would be payable by such Person at such time), |
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others to the extent secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:
(i) | the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount and |
(ii) | the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness. |
“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
“Initial Notes” means $450.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date.
“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding (x) commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business and (y) advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition in an amount equal to the
12
fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof.
“Issue Date” means June 16, 2014.
“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest will accrue for the intervening period.
“Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the total consolidated Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available, which would be reflected as a liability on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, to (y) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for the then most recent four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to the amount of consolidated Indebtedness and Consolidated Cash Flow as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement).
“Measurement Date” means April 1, 2014.
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. or any successor rating agency.
“Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends.
“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (A) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (B) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise) or (C) is the lender, (ii) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity and (iii) as to which the lenders or other credit providers have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
13
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of clauses (i) and (iii) above, Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary secured by a pledge by the Company of the Capital Stock of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, to the extent of the value of such Capital Stock, shall be deemed to be Non-Recourse Debt.
“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.
“Note Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian for DTC with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
“Notes” means the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes that may be issued under a supplemental indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.
“Obligations” means any principal, premium, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization, whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, fees, charges, expenses, indemnifications, reimbursement obligations, damages, guarantees and other liabilities or amounts payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness or in respect thereof.
“Offering Memorandum” means the final offering memorandum dated June 5, 2014 in respect of the Initial Notes.
“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, or other counsel that is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.
“Participant” means, with respect to DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).
“Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock was Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of (i) a Subsidiary prior to the date on which such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) a Person that merged with or consolidated into
14
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that on the date such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged and amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, after giving pro forma effect thereto, (a) the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09(a) of this Indenture, (b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company would be greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company immediately prior to such transaction, or (c) the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company would be greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; provided that such Indebtedness was not incurred in contemplation of, or in connection with, such acquisition, merger or consolidation.
“Permitted Business” means the lines of business conducted by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and any business incidental or reasonably related thereto or which is a reasonable extension thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee.
“Permitted Holders” means each of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Infrastructure Partners and its Affiliates, excluding any of its operating portfolio companies. For purposes of this definition, “control” shall have the meaning given such term in the definition of the term “Affiliate”.
“Permitted Investment” means
(i) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(ii) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(iii) any Investment by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment (A) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (B) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(iv) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an asset sale; provided that the value of such non-cash consideration does not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the assets sold or transferred in such asset sale;
(v) any acquisition of assets solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;
(vi) any Investments received (A) in satisfaction of judgments or in compromise or resolution of obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer or (B) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default;
(vii) any Investment consisting of a guarantee permitted under Section 4.09 hereof;
(viii) Hedging Obligations permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09 hereof;
15
(ix) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;
(x) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries not to exceed $5.0 million at any one time outstanding;
(xi) Investments existing on the Issue Date; and
(xii) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (xii) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (a) $50.0 million or (b) 5.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company.
“Permitted Liens” means:
(xiii) Liens securing Indebtedness and other obligations under any Credit Facility incurred pursuant to clause (i) of Section 4.09(b);
(xiv) Liens securing the Initial Notes;
(xv) Liens existing on the Issue Date;
(xvi) Liens in favor of the Company;
(xvii) Liens to secure Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the Indebtedness is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;
(xviii) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or otherwise becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and do not extend to any assets other than those of such Person;
(xix) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition and do not extend to any assets other than such acquired property;
(xx) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by clause (iv) of Section 4.09(b) covering only the assets acquired with such Indebtedness;
(xxi) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured; provided that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or distributions in respect
16
thereof) that secured or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(xxii) Liens on assets or Capital Stock of Unrestricted Subsidiaries that secure Non-Recourse Debt;
(xxiii) Liens securing Hedging Obligations;
(xxiv) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(xxv) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;
(xxvi) pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits or cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(xxvii) Liens imposed by law, including carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;
(xxviii) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depositary institution; provided that (a) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board and (b) such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depositary institution;
(xxix) easements, rights-of-way, minor survey exceptions, zoning and similar restrictions and other similar encumbrances or title defects incurred or imposed, which do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto (as such property is used by the Company or its Subsidiaries) or interfere with the ordinary conduct of its business or the business of its Subsidiaries; provided that any such Liens are not incurred in connection with any borrowing of money or any commitment to loan any money or to extend any credit;
(xxx) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the
17
review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired; and
(xxxi) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to obligations that do not exceed $75.0 million at any one time outstanding.
“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that
(i) | the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith); |
(ii) | such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; |
(iii) | if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and |
(iv) | such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the Subsidiary that is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded. |
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(e)(i) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.
“Purchase Agreement” means (i) with respect to the Initial Notes, the Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2014 between the Company and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, as
18
representative of the several initial purchasers named therein and (ii) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Company and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes.
“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.
“Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer selected by the Company.
“Rate Case Settlement” means the general rate case under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “FERC”) Docket No. RP, effective December 1, 2013 as provided in the Stipulation and Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2014 and as approved by Order from the FERC on April 23, 2014.
“Rate Case Consolidated Cash Flow Adjustment” means, without duplication, for any four fiscal quarter period that (i) ends on June 30, 2014, an amount equal to $14.0 million, which is the incremental amount of Consolidated Cash Flow that would have been contributed for the period from July 1, 2013 through November 30, 2013 if the Rate Case Settlement had been in effect during such period; and (ii) ends on September 30, 2014, an amount equal to $5.6 million, which is the incremental amount of Consolidated Cash Flow that would have been contributed for the period from October 1, 2013 through November 30, 2013 if the Rate Case Settlement had been in effect during such period, in each case with such pro forma adjustments that are applied to Consolidated Cash Flow in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, applied to the Rate Case Consolidated Cash Flow Adjustment.
“Rating Agency” means each of S&P and Moody’s, or if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company (as certified by resolution of the Board of Directors) which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, or both, as the case may be.
“Rating Decline” means the then current rating of the Notes by either Moody’s or S&P shall be decreased by one or more gradations (including gradations within the rating categories as well as between categories) within 60 days after the earlier of: (i) the date of public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or (ii) public notice of the intention of the Company to effect a Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by either Moody’s or S&P).
“Reference Treasury Dealer” means any three nationally recognized investment banking firms selected by the Company that are primary dealers of Government Securities.
“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day immediately preceding the redemption date.
“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
19
“Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
“Reporting Default” means a Default described in clause (v) of Section 6.01.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any Managing Director, Director, Principal, Vice President, Assistant Vice President or any other officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A Global Note” means the global note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.
“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of McGraw Hill Inc., a New York corporation, or any successor rating agency.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Senior Credit Facilities” means the credit facilities provided under the Credit Agreement dated as of the Issue Date among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time in their capacities as lenders thereunder, and Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any appendices, exhibits, annexes or schedules to any of the foregoing (as the same may be in effect from time to time) and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, replacements, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof (whether with the original agents and lenders or other agents or lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original credit agreement or other credit agreements or otherwise) and any one
20
or more indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders).
“Senior Debt” means (i) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding under Credit Facilities and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto, (ii) any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and (iii) all Obligations with respect to the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Senior Debt shall not include (a) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company, (b) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Affiliates, (c) any trade payables, (d) any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (and any accrued and unpaid interest in respect thereof) that is subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person, or (e) any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof; provided that all Unrestricted Subsidiaries will be excluded from all calculations under Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness (or with respect to Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date, the documentation in effect on the Issue Date), and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (A) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (B) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the Issue Date, and as amended to the extent required by law.
21
“Total Assets” means, with respect to any Person, the total assets of such Person on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recently available consolidated balance sheet of such Person.
“Transfer Restricted Securities” means securities that bear or are required to bear the Private Placement Legend set forth in Section 2.06(e)(i) hereof.
“Trustee” means the party named as such in the preamble to this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(i) | has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt; |
(ii) | is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company; |
(iii) | is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (A) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (B) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and |
(iv) | has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. |
Any such designation by the Board of Directors of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant). The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if:
22
(i) | such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and |
(ii) | no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation. |
“U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.
“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (A) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of such Indebtedness, by (B) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment, by (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
Term | Defined in Section | |
“Affiliate Transaction” | 4.10 | |
“Authorized Officers” | 11.02 | |
“Change of Control Offer” | 4.13 | |
“Change of Control Payment” | 4.13 | |
“Change of Control Payment Date” | 4.13 | |
“Company” | preamble | |
“Covenant Defeasance” | 8.03 | |
“DTC” | 2.03 | |
“Event of Default” | 6.01 | |
“incur” | 4.09 | |
“Investment Grade Date” | 4.15 | |
“Investment Grade Rating” | 4.15 | |
“Instructions” | 11.02 | |
“Legal Defeasance” | 8.02 | |
“Paying Agent” | 2.03 | |
“Payment Default” | 6.01 | |
“Permitted Debt” | 4.09 | |
“Registrar” | 2.03 | |
“Restricted Payments” | 4.07 |
23
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“indenture securities” means the Notes;
“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee;
“obligor” on the Notes means the Company and any successor obligor on the Notes.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(iii) “or” is not exclusive;
(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(v) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
(vi) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time.
ARTICLE 2.
THE NOTES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating.
(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may be issued in the form of Definitive Notes or Global Notes, as specified by the Company. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes will be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each will provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and
24
delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture will govern and be controlling.
(b) Initial Notes. The Initial Notes will be offered and sold by the Company pursuant to a Purchase Agreement. The Initial Notes will be resold initially only to (i) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (ii) Non-U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S. The Initial Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Additional Notes offered after the Issue Date may be offered and sold by the Company from time to time in accordance with applicable law. Rule 144A Global Notes will be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent Global Notes in definitive, fully registered form, and Regulation S Global Notes will be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes in definitive, fully registered form, in each case without interest coupons and with the Global Note Legend and Private Placement Legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which will be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Initial Notes represented thereby with the Notes Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Indenture. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee and on the schedules thereto as hereinafter provided.
(c) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.01(c) will apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.
The Company will execute and the Trustee will, in accordance with this Section 2.01(c), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (a) will be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary and (b) will be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depositary.
Participants in the Depositary will have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depositary or under such Global Note, and the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee will be entitled to treat the Depositary as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Trustee or any Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of the Depositary with respect to such Global Note, for the records of any such Depositary, including records in respect of beneficial ownership interests in respect of any such Global Note, for any transactions between the Depositary and any of its Participants or between or among the Depositary, any such Participant and/or any Holder or owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such Global Note.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein will prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Participants, the operation of customary practices of such Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.
25
(d) Certificated Notes. Except as provided in this Section 2.01 or Section 2.03 or Section 2.04, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.
Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.
One Officer will sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note was an Officer at the time of such execution but no longer holds that office or position at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on such signature as authentic and shall be under no obligation to make any investigation in relation thereto.
A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be outstanding at any time under this Indenture is not limited in amount. The Trustee will authenticate and deliver: (i) on the Issue Date, an aggregate principal amount of $450.0 million 5.125% Senior Notes Due 2022 and (ii) at any time and from time to time thereafter, Additional Notes for an original issue, in each case in an aggregate principal amount specified in the written order of the Company pursuant to this Section 2.02, together with an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel. Such order shall in each case specify the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be authenticated, the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number of such Notes and in the case of any issuance of Additional Notes, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 2.02, Section 2.14 and Section 4.09 hereof.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent for service of notices and demands.
Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee will act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
26
The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Note Custodian with respect to the Global Notes. The Company has entered into a letter of representations with DTC in the form provided by DTC and the Trustee and each Agent are hereby authorized to act in accordance with such letter and Applicable Procedures.
Claims against the Company for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes will become void unless presentment for payment is made (where so required herein) within, in the case of principal, a period of ten years or, in the case of interest or premium, a period of five years, in each case from the applicable original date of payment therefor.
The obligations of the Agents are several and not joint.
Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any Default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such Default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 2.04, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
Section 2.05 Holder Lists.
The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and will otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes, which list may be conclusively relied upon by the Trustee, and the Company will otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).
Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes. When Definitive Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request:
(x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes or
27
(y) to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations,
the Registrar or co-registrar will register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:
(i) are duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar or co-registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and
(ii) are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Definitive Notes are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect (in substantially the form set forth on the reverse of the Note); or
(B) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to the Company, a certification to that effect (in substantially the form set forth on the reverse of the Note); or
(C) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred pursuant to an exemption from registration in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act: (1) a certification to that effect (in substantially the form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and (2) if the Company so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to compliance with the restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend set forth in Section 2.06(e)(i) hereof.
(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note. A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note or a Regulation S Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:
(i) certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note, that such Definitive Note is being transferred (A) to the Company, (B) to the Registrar for registration in the name of a Holder, without transfer, (C) to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, (D) outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S and in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act or (E) pursuant to another available exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act; and
(ii) written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Notes Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Global Note, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depositary account to be credited with such increase,
28
then the Trustee will cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Notes Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Notes Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Global Note to be increased accordingly. If no Global Notes are then outstanding, the Company will issue and the Trustee will authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, a new Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.
(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. (i) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note will deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures containing information regarding the Participant account of the Depositary to be credited with a beneficial interest in the Global Note. The Registrar will, in accordance with such instructions, instruct the Depositary to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer by an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred. Transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through the Regulation S Global Note shall be made only upon receipt by the Trustee of a certification in the form provided on the reverse of the Initial Notes from the transferor to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Regulation S or (if available) Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
(ii) If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar will reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar will reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.06(c)(iv) hereof), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(iv) A Global Note deposited with the Depositary or with the Trustee as Notes Custodian for the Depositary pursuant to Section 2.01 will be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.06 hereof and (A) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (B) an Event of Default has occurred and
29
is continuing or (C) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes under this Indenture.
(v) Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to Section 2.06(c)(iv) will be surrendered by the Depositary to the Trustee located at its principal corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to Section 2.06(c)(iv) will be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct. Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Transfer Restricted Security will, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.06(e) hereof, bear the restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
(vi) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(c)(v) above, the registered Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Participants and Persons that may hold interests through Participants, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
(vii) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.06(c)(iv)(A), (B) or (C) above, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in fully registered form without interest coupons.
(viii) Any certificate (i) evidencing a Note that has been transferred to an Affiliate of the Company within one year after the Issue Date, as evidenced by a notation on the assignment form for such transfer or in the representation letter delivered in respect thereof or (ii) evidencing a Note that has been acquired from an Affiliate (other than by an Affiliate) in a transaction or a chain of transactions not involving any public offering, shall, until one year after the last date on which either the Company or any Affiliate of the Company was an owner of such Note, in each case, be in the form of a permanent Definitive Note and bear the Private Placement Legend subject to the restrictions in Section 2.06(e). The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.03 and this Section 2.06. The Company, at its sole cost and expense, shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.
(d) [reserved]
(e) Legend.
(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) will bear the Private Placement Legend in substantially the following form:
30
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE OR OTHER SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS THE TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION” PURSUANT TO RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR OF ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH SOUTHERN STAR CENTRAL CORP. (THE “ISSUER”) OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY, OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND; PROVIDED THAT THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (I) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM AND (II) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATION OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING IN THE INDENTURE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE.
Each Global Note will also bear the Global Note Legend in substantially the following form:
THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE
31
TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(c) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.
Each Definitive Note will also bear the following additional legend:
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
(i) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144, the Registrar will permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a certificated Note that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note).
(f) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, such Global Note will be returned to the Depositary for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for certificated Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced and an adjustment will be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Notes Custodian for such Global Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, to reflect such reduction.
(g) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee will authenticate Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s or co‑registrar’s request.
(ii) No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 4.13 and 9.05 of this Indenture).
32
(iii) The Registrar or co‑registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Definitive Note selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3 of this Indenture, except the unredeemed portion of any Definitive Note being redeemed in part, or (b) any Note for a period beginning 15 Business Days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes or 15 Business Days before an interest payment date, and ending on such mailing date or interest payment date, as the case may be.
(iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co‑registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co‑registrar will be affected by notice to the contrary.
(v) All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture will evidence the same debt and will be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
(h) No Obligation of the Trustee or Any Agent.
(i) The Trustee and each Agent will have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a Participant in the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any Participant, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any Participant, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes will be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which will be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note will be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee and each Agent may rely and will be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its Participants and any beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee and each Agent will have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Participants or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon the written order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company,
33
will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.
The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.
Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.
Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.
Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee will authenticate temporary Notes upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of Definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and that are
34
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.11 Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its standard procedures (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Company upon written request. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date will be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will deliver or cause to be delivered to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.
Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers, ISIN numbers (if then generally in use) or other similar numbers, and, if so, the Trustee may use the CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers in notices as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made by the Trustee as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such notice will not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers, ISIN numbers or other similar numbers.
Section 2.14 Issuance of Additional Notes.
The Company will be entitled, subject to its compliance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture with identical terms as the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price.
35
The Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes will be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.
With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company will set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors and an Officers’ Certificate, copies of which will be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:
(i) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;
(ii) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number of such Additional Notes; and
(iii) such issuance is in compliance with Section 2.02, this Section 2.14 and Section 4.09 of this Indenture.
ARTICLE 3.
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.
If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it will furnish to the Trustee, at least 45 days before a redemption date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption will occur, that such election has been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company and complies with this Indenture, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption prices. If the redemption price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the actual redemption price calculated as described in the terms of the Notes will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the redemption date.
Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to be Redeemed or Purchased.
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, and the Notes are Global Notes, they will be selected for redemption in accordance with Applicable Procedures. If the Notes are not Global Notes, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption or purchase on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems fair and appropriate; provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part.
The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $2,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $2,000, will be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding
36
sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.
Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.
At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will send or cause to be sent a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 10 hereof. Notices of redemption may not be conditional. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption.
The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP Numbers, if any) and will state:
(i) the redemption date;
(ii) the redemption price plus accrued interest, if any, and, if such redemption is pursuant to Section 3.07(c), the manner of calculation for the Applicable Premium;
(iii) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note (or transferred by book-entry);
(iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(v) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(vi) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(vii) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(viii) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.
At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the form of notice to be given as provided in the preceding paragraph as an exhibit thereto.
Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.
37
Once notice of redemption is sent in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.
Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.
Prior to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the Business Day prior to the redemption date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.
If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest will be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest will be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company will issue and, upon the Company’s written request, the Trustee will authenticate (or deliver by book entry transaction pursuant to Applicable Procedures) for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.
Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.
(a) At any time prior to July 15, 2017, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem an aggregate of up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price of 105.125% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings by the Company; provided that:
(i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and
(ii) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.
38
(b) On and after July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 15 of the years indicated below:
Year | Percentage |
2017 | 103.844% |
2018 | 102.563% |
2019 | 101.281% |
2020 and thereafter | 100.000% |
(c) At any time and from time to time prior to July 15, 2017 the Company may redeem all or part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the redemption date. The notice of such redemption shall set forth the manner of calculation for the Applicable Premium. The Company will notify the Trustee of the amount of the Applicable Premium promptly after the calculation thereof (provided that the Trustee will not be responsible for such calculation).
(d) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 will be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.
Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.
The Company is not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
ARTICLE 4.
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.
The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.
The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1.0% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.
39
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in the continental United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the continental United States for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.
Section 4.03 Reports.
(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and each Holder of Notes:
(i) (a) within 90 days of the end of each fiscal year, annual audited financial statements for such fiscal year and (b) within 45 days of the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of every fiscal year, unaudited financial statements for the interim period as of, and for the period ending on, the end of such fiscal quarter, in each case, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” with respect to the periods presented and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements therein by the Company’s certified independent accountants (all of the foregoing financial information to be prepared (i) on a basis substantially consistent with, and subject to exceptions substantially consistent with, the corresponding financial information included in this offering memorandum or (ii) on a basis substantially consistent with the then applicable SEC requirements); provided that the Company will have its annual consolidated financial statements audited by a nationally recognized firm of independent auditors and its interim consolidated financial statements reviewed by a nationally recognized firm of independent auditors in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 100 issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or any similar replacement standard); and
(ii) within 15 days after the time period specified for filing current reports on Form 8-K by the SEC in respect of the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported, such other reports (in each case, without exhibits) containing substantially the same information required to
40
be contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act under Item 1.01 (Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement), 1.02 (Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement), 1.03 (Bankruptcy or Receivership), 2.01 (Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets), 2.02 (Results of Operations and Financial Condition), 2.03 (Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant), 2.04 (Triggering Events That Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement), 2.05 (Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities), 2.06 (Material Impairments), 4.01 (Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant), 4.02 (Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim Review), 5.01 (Changes in Control of Registrant), 5.02(a)(1)(i)-(ii), (b) and (c)(1) (Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers) and Item 9.01 (Financial Statements and Exhibits), but limited only to the financial statements of business acquisitions and pro forma financial information required to be reported pursuant to Item 2.01; provided that any historical information of an acquired business provided pursuant to this clause (2) need not be audited if such audits are not reasonably available on the closing date of the related transaction; provided, further, however, that no report in this clause (2) shall be required to be furnished if the Company determines in its good faith judgment that such event is not material to the holders or the business, assets, operations, financial position or prospects of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
(b) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, then the annual and quarterly information required by clause (a) of the first paragraph of this covenant shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto or in a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
(c) The Company shall (i) distribute such reports and information electronically to the Trustee and (ii) make available such reports and information to any Holder, any bona fide prospective purchaser of the Notes (a “Prospective Purchaser”), any bona fide security analyst or any bona fide market maker by posting such reports and information on Intralinks or any comparable password protected online data system or on a public website; provided that the Company shall only be required to make readily available any password or other login information to any such Holder, Prospective Purchaser, security analyst or market maker; provided, further, that such Holders, Prospective Purchasers, security analysts and market makers shall agree to (a) treat all such reports (and the information contained therein) and information as confidential, (b) not use such reports and the information contained therein for any purpose other than their investment or potential investment in the Notes and (c) not publicly disclose any such reports (and the information contained therein) and information.
(d) So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will also:
(i) as promptly as reasonably practicable after furnishing to the Trustee the annual and quarterly reports required by Section 4.03(a)(i) or such earlier time after the completion of such
41
reporting period, hold a conference call to discuss the results of operations for the relevant reporting period; and
(ii) issue a press release to the appropriate nationally recognized wire services or post a notice on Intralinks or such other comparable password protected online data system used by the Company to post other reports and information prior to the date of the conference call required to be held in accordance with clause (i) of this paragraph, announcing the time and date of such conference call and either including all information necessary to access the call or informing holders, Prospective Purchasers, securities analysts and market makers how they can obtain such information.
(e) In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, the Company shall furnish to prospective investors, upon their request, any information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
(f) The Company will be deemed to have furnished the reports referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of the first paragraph of this covenant if the Company has filed reports containing such information with the SEC.
(g) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and its receipt of such reports shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including our compliance with any of our covenants under the Indenture or the Notes (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, our compliance with the covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with the SEC or XXXXX or any website under the Indenture, or participate in any conference calls.
Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate, one signer of which shall be either the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company that need not comply with Section 11.05, stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
42
(b) Reserved.
(c) The Company will, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, promptly upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05 Taxes.
The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.
Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);
(ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company;
(iii) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, any Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Notes, except a payment of interest or principal at Stated Maturity thereof; or
(iv) make any Restricted Investment.
43
All such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”; unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:
(v) no Default (except a Reporting Default) has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment; and
(vi) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s four most recent fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available is not less than 1.75 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (vii), and (viii) of the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication of:
(A) cumulative Available Cash Flow from Operations since the Measurement Date, plus
(B) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company (including the fair market value of any Permitted Business or assets used or useful in a Permitted Business to the extent acquired in consideration of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company) after the Measurement Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests, or other Disqualified Stock outstanding after the Measurement Date that has been voluntarily converted to Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company), plus
(C) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the Measurement Date is sold for cash or Cash Equivalents or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment, including without limitation repayment of principal of any Restricted Investment constituting a loan or advance (less the cost of disposition, if any), plus
(D) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Measurement Date, the fair market value of the Company’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation; or
(vii) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s four most recent fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available is less than 1.75 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the period commencing on the date such internal financial statements are available and ending on the date the next quarterly internal financial statements are available (such Restricted Payments for purposes of determining under this clause (iii) the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made during such period meaning only distributions on
44
the Company’s common stock), is less than $35.0 million less the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made by the Company pursuant to this clause (iii) during the period ending on the last day immediately preceding the date on which such internal financial statements are available and beginning on the Issue Date.
So long as no Default (except a Reporting Default) has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby (except with respect to clause (i) and clause (iv) below) the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.07 will not prohibit:
(viii) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend, if at the date of declaration the dividend payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
(ix) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or of any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition will be excluded from clause (ii)(B) of the preceding paragraph;
(x) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(xi) the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
(xii) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or former director, officer or employee of the Company (or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $5.0 million in any twelve-month period (with amounts not being used in any twelve-month period being carried forward to the next twelve-month period; provided that such aggregate amount in any twelve-month period may not exceed $15.0 million);
(xiii) the payment of any cash dividend on any date where the Notes are rated Ba2 or better by Xxxxx’x and BB or better by S&P (or in either case, if such entity ceases to rate such Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent credit rating from any other Rating Agency), provided that on the date of such dividend after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, the Company’s Leverage Ratio would have been equal to or less than 6.25 to 1.0;
45
(xiv) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount since the Issue Date not to exceed $80.0 million; and
(xv) the distribution to Holdings in the amount of $160.0 million, as described under the heading “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum.
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment.
Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(iii) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) above shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(i) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive in any material respect, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of this Indenture, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its good faith judgment;
(ii) agreements governing Credit Facilities;
(iii) this Indenture and the Notes;
(iv) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order of any court or governmental authority;
(v) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition
46
(except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired;
(vi) customary non-assignment provisions in leases or contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;
(vii) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature described in Section 4.08(a)(iii) above on the property purchased;
(viii) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary or its assets that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;
(ix) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the encumbrances or restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive in any material respect, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its good faith judgment;
(x) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under Section 4.11 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;
(xi) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business; and
(xii) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.
Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company and any Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or the Company may issue Disqualified Stock if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
47
(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) shall not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):
(i) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness and letters of credit under one or more Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (i) not to exceed the greater of (a) $250.0 million and (b) 15.0% of its Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as set forth on its most recent quarterly balance sheet;
(ii) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness;
(iii) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the Notes issued on the Issue Date;
(iv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (iv) (after giving effect to the retirement of the Indebtedness so refunded, refinanced or replaced), not to exceed $75.0 million at any time outstanding;
(v) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) hereof or clauses (ii), (iii), (v) or (xiv) of this Section 4.09(b);
(vi) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, that (A) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes, and (B)(1) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (2) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (vi);
(vii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the normal course of business and not for speculative purposes, designed to protect the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred or against fluctuations in the price of commodities used by that entity at the time;
48
(viii) the Guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09;
(ix) the accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in the Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued;
(x) the incurrence by the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries of Non-Recourse Debt;
(xi) Indebtedness incurred in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, performance, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(xii) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business;
(xiii) Indebtedness represented by agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary;
(xiv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness; and
(xv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (xv), not to exceed $75.0 million.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) at any time meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (i) through (xv) of Section 4.09(b) above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Company will be permitted to classify (and later reclassify at any time) in whole or in part, in its sole discretion, such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness permitted by this Section 4.09 need not be permitted solely by reference to one clause permitting such Indebtedness but may be permitted (and classified) in part by one such clause and in part by one or more other clauses of this Section 4.09 permitting such Indebtedness.
Section 4.10 Transactions with Affiliates.
49
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:
(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
(ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.10(a).
(b) The following provisions will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.10(a) hereof:
(i) any employment agreement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;
(ii) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(iii) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;
(iv) payment of reasonable directors fees to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company;
(v) sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to Affiliates of the Company;
(vi) Restricted Payments and Permitted Investments (other than pursuant to clauses (iii) or (xii) of the definition of Permitted Investments) that are permitted by Section 4.07 hereof;
(vii) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements or stock option or stock ownership plans approved by the Board of Directors;
(viii) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;
(ix) indemnification payments made to officers, directors and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to charter, bylaw, statutory or contractual provisions; and
50
(x) any agreement in effect as of the Issue Date and described in the Offering Memorandum and any amendment thereto (so long as such amendment is not materially less favorable to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary).
Section 4.11 Liens.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness or trade payables of the Company upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the Notes) with the Obligations so secured until such time as such Obligations are no longer secured by a Lien. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) on the Capital Stock of Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.
Section 4.12 Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.
Section 4.13 Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control Triggering Event.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, each Holder of Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company will send a notice to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase Notes on the date specified in such notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”).
Such notice, which will govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer, will state:
51
(i) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.13 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;
(ii) the purchase price and the purchase date;
(iii) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;
(iv) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;
(v) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(vi) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and
(vii) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.13, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.13 by virtue of such conflict.
(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:
(i) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent by 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and
(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Company.
52
The Paying Agent will promptly pay to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
(c) Prior to complying with any of the provisions of this Section 4.13, but in any event within 90 days following a Change of Control Triggering Event, if the Company is subject to any agreement evidencing Senior Debt (or commitments to extend Senior Debt) that prohibits prepayment of such Senior Debt or repurchase of the Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer, the Company will either repay all outstanding Senior Debt (and terminate all commitments to extend such Senior Debt) or obtain the requisite consents, if any, under all agreements governing outstanding Senior Debt or commitments to permit the repurchase of Notes required by this Section 4.13. The Company shall first comply with the covenant set forth in this clause (c) before it shall be required to make a Change of Control Offer or to repurchase Notes pursuant to this Section 4.13. The Company’s failure to comply with this Section 4.13 may (with notice and lapse of time) constitute an Event of Default described in clause (iii) but shall not constitute an Event of Default described in clause (ii) as set forth in Section 6.01.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.13, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.13 and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer or (2) a notice of redemption is outstanding pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price. A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, and conditional upon the occurrence of such Change of Control Triggering Event, if a definitive agreement for the Change of Control is in place at the time of the making of the Change of Control Offer.
(e) If Holders of not less than 95% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company as described in this Section 4.13, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company or such third party will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described in this Section 4.13, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price in cash equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption.
Section 4.14 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
53
The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default; provided that in no event will any business currently operated by Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. be transferred to or held by an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or under clause (xii) of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will be permitted only if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the redesignation would not cause a Default.
Section 4.15 Covenant Termination.
(a) Upon the first date upon which the Notes are rated Baa3 or better by Xxxxx’x or BBB- or better by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency) (the “Investment Grade Rating”) and no Default has occurred and is then continuing under this Indenture (the “Investment Grade Date”), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall cease to be subject to the provisions of Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10 and 4.13, which will be deemed to be terminated as of and from such date, provided that the provisions of Sections 4.03, 4.11 and 5.01 will not be so terminated.
(b) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, promptly after the Investment Grade Date, (i) an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee indicating the occurrence of any Investment Grade Date. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if such event has occurred or notify the holders of the occurrence of any Investment Grade Date, or any date the Notes may no longer have an investment grade rating, or such rating is suspended or withdrawn. The Trustee may provide a copy of such Officers’ Certificate to any holder of Notes upon request.
ARTICLE 5.
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.
The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) or (b) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:
(i) either (A) the Company is the surviving corporation or (B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability
54
company or limited partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; provided, that unless such resulting transferee or surviving Person is a corporation, a corporate co-issuer of the Notes will be added to this Indenture by a supplemental indenture;
(ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and
(iii) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and
(iv) the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each to the effect that such consolidation, merger, or other transaction complies with the Indenture, and an opinion of counsel stating that the Indenture and the Notes constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company or surviving corporation, as applicable, subject to customary exceptions.
Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made will succeed to, be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” will refer instead to the successor entity and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company will not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.
ARTICLE 6.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default.
An “Event of Default” occurs if:
(i) the Company defaults in the payment when due of interest on the Notes and such default continues for a period of 30 days;
(ii) the Company defaults in the payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;
55
(iii) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to comply with any of the provisions of Section 4.13 or 5.01 hereof;
(iv) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to comply with any of the provisions of Section 4.07 or 4.09 hereof for 30 days after notice of such failure to the Company from the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to the Company and the Trustee;
(v) the Company fails to comply with any of the provisions of Section 4.03 hereof for 90 days after notice of such failure to the Company from the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to the Company and the Trustee;
(vi) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to comply with or perform any other agreement in this Indenture or the Notes for 60 days after notice of such failure to the Company from the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to the Company and the Trustee;
(vii) a default occurs under any mortgage, other indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, which default:
(A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or
(B) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more;
(viii) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case,
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(C) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and
56
(ix) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or
(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
Section 6.02 Acceleration.
In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (viii) or (ix) of Section 6.01 hereof, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.
However, a Default under clause (iv), (v) or (vi) of Section 6.01 hereof will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of such notice.
In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (vii) of Section 6.01 hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded with respect to the Notes, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 60 days after such Event of Default first arose the Company delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee stating that (1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (2) the holders of the Indebtedness have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured; provided, however, that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of such series of Notes as described in this Section 6.02 be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.
Section 6.03 Other Remedies.
57
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default will not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Notes including in connection with an offer to purchase; provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment and decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived and all amounts owing to Trustee have been paid. Upon any such waiver, such Default will cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom will be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.05 Control by Majority.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders) or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.
A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:
(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
58
(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and
(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.
Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, will not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) or (ii) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as will be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and will be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee consents to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the compensation and reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, is denied for any reason, payment of the same will be secured by a Lien on,
59
and will be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. The Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ committee or other similar committee. Nothing herein contained will be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10 Priorities.
Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6, and after an Event of Default any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s or Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture, shall be paid or distributed in the following order:
First: to the Trustee (including any predecessor Trustee), its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction directs.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.
Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE 7.
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Duties Of Trustee.
60
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b) hereof;
(ii) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to Section 7.01(a), (b) and (c) hereof.
(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers or duties hereunder.
Section 7.02 Rights Of Trustee.
61
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in such document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, or to establish matters, it may require and shall be entitled to receive an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.
(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders will have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(g) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive, or consequential loss or damage of any kind (including, but not limited to, loss of profit), irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage.
(h) The Trustee will not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice from the Company or the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
(i) In the event the Trustee receives inconsistent or conflicting requests and indemnity from two or more groups of Holders of Notes, each representing less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may determine what action, if any, will be taken.
(j) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be compensated, reimbursed and indemnified, are extended to, and will be enforceable by, the Trustee in connection with the performance of its duties under this Indenture, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
62
(k) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
(l) The Trustee shall not be responsible for performing any calculation of any Applicable Premium or any other amount hereunder, except with respect to any amount payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07.
(m) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action.
(n) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to furnish the Trustee with Officers’ Certificates, Company orders or requests and any other matters or directions pursuant to this Indenture.
(o) The Trustee will not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness, or other paper or document, or inquire as to the performance by the Company or the Guarantors of any of their covenants in this Indenture, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it will be entitled to examine the books, records, and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
The permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in the Indenture shall not be construed as a duty of the Trustee.
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee or any Affiliate of the Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest as defined by the TIA, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee or resign.
63
Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimers.
The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it will not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes, the Offering Memorandum or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.
Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.
(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date hereof, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the 12 months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).
(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes will be mailed to the Company and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.
(a) The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as the Company and the Trustee from time to time have agreed in writing for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
64
(b) The Company will indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee, and its officers, directors, employees and agents, against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims, or expenses, including taxes (except for taxes based upon the income of the Trustee), incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 7.07), and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its rights, powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
(c) The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
(d) To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(ix) or (x) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for such services (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
(g) “Trustee” for the purposes of this Section 7.07 shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.
(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
65
then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(iii) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Company’s expense), the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder of a Note who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders of the Notes. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided that all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.
There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized
66
under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).
Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims against Company.
The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed will be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
ARTICLE 8.
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, will execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section 8.04, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due;
(ii) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.10 and 4.02 hereof;
(iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith and
67
(iv) this Section 8.02.
Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, shall be released from its obligations under Sections 4.03, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.13, 4.14 and Article 5 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(iii) through 6.01(ix) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.
Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:
(i) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in United States dollars, non-callable Government Securities or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;
(ii) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law; in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
68
purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(iii) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(iv) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the day of deposit;
(v) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound;
(vi) the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;
(vii) the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and
(viii) the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying Trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and
69
interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(i) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 8.06 Repayment to Company.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable will be paid to the Company on its written request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 8.07 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 9.
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.
70
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder of a Note:
(i) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(ii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
(iii) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets pursuant to Article 5 hereof;
(iv) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder of a Note, to secure the Notes, or to confirm and evidence the release termination or discharge of any Lien securing the Notes which release, termination or discharge is permitted by this Indenture;
(v) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth herein; or
(vi) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.
After an amendment under this Indenture becomes effective, the Company is to mail to Holders of the Notes a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all Holders of the Notes, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
Upon (x) the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture and (y) receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 (b) hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 4.13 hereof) or the Notes with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default (other than a Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).
Upon (x) the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, (y) the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid and (z) receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02(b) hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.
The Company may, but will not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders of Notes on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, will be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that unless such consent will have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 180 days after such record date; any such consent previously given will automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect.
It will not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it will be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority
71
in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes.
However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
(i) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note on any date, except as provided above with respect to Section 4.13 hereof, provided that any amendment to the minimum notice requirement may be made with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;
(iii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;
(iv) waive a Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(v) make any Note payable in currency other than that stated in the Notes;
(vi) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Notes;
(vii) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Section 4.13 hereof);
(viii) make any change in the ranking or priority of any Note that would adversely affect the Holder of a Note; or
(ix) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 hereof or in the foregoing provisions of this paragraph.
Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of
72
a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee will authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and is the legal, valid and binding of the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions.
ARTICLE 10.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 10.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.
This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued thereunder, when:
(i) | either: |
(A) | all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or |
(B) | all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year by reason of the sending of a notice of redemption or otherwise and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will |
73
be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;
(ii) | no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; |
(iii) | the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by the Company under this Indenture; and |
(iv) | the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be. |
In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.01(i)(B) hereof, the provisions of Section 10.02 and Section 8.06 will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 10.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
Section 10.02 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.01 will be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 10.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 11.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties will control.
Section 11.02 Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx (Fax: (000) 000-0000)
With a copy to:
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx LLP
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxx (Fax: (000) 000-0000)
If to the Trustee:
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
0 X. XxXxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
0 X. XxXxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration (Fax: (000) 000-0000)
The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given, at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with Applicable Procedures.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
74
The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Company; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures.
Section 11.03 Communications By Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else will have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
Section 11.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company will furnish to the Trustee:
(a) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which will include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if
75
any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which will include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants, if any, have been satisfied.
Section 11.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 or TIA § 314(a)(4)) will comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and will include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
Section 11.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 11.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company will have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the U.S. federal securities laws and it is the view of the Commission that such a waiver is against public policy.
Section 11.08 Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver.
76
THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE PARTIES HERETO AND THE HOLDERS HEREBY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS. THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS INDENTURE MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
Section 11.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 11.10 Successors.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors.
Section 11.11 Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes will be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 11.12 Counterpart Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 11.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 11.14 U.S.A. Patriot Act.
77
The Company acknowledges that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.
[Signatures on following pages]
78
SIGNATURES
Dated as of June 16, 2014
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[Global Note Legend]
THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(c) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.
[Private Placement Legend]
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE OR OTHER SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS THE TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION” PURSUANT TO RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR OF ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY) AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH SOUTHERN STAR CENTRAL CORP. (THE “ISSUER”) OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS SECURITY, OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S OR (E) PURSUANT
A-1
TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND; PROVIDED THAT THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (I) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM AND (II) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATION OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING IN THE INDENTURE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE.
[Definitive Securities Legend]
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
A-2
CUSIP NO. [ ]
ISIN NO. [ ]
No. ___________ $ ______________
5.125% Senior Notes Due 2022
Southern Star Central Corp., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of _________ Dollars on July 15, 2022 [or such greater or lesser amount as may be indicated on Schedule A hereto]1.
Interest Payment Dates: | January 15 and July 15 |
Record Dates: | January 1 and July 1 |
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Security.
__________________________________
1 If this Note is a Global Note, include this provision.
A-3
Dated:
By: | Name: Title: |
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION
AUTHENTICATION
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
as Trustee, certifies that this
is one of the [Global] Notes referred
to in the within mentioned Indenture.
is one of the [Global] Notes referred
to in the within mentioned Indenture.
By: | Authorized Signatory |
A-4
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
5.125% Senior Notes due 2022
Capitalized terms used herein will have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. INTEREST. Southern Star Central Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 5.125% per annum from June 16, 2014 until maturity. The Company will pay interest semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”), with the same force and effect as if made on the date for such payment. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest will accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided, further, that the first Interest Payment Date will be January 15, 2015. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the January 1 or July 1 next (whether or not a Business Day) preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within The City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent if such Holders are registered Holders of at least $250,000 in principal amount of the Notes. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of June 16, 2014 (“Indenture”) between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the
A-5
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture will govern and be controlling.
5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.
(a) On and after July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 15 of the years indicated below:
Year | Percentage | |
2017 | 103.844 | % |
2018 | 102.563 | % |
2019 | 101.281 | % |
2020 and thereafter | 100.000 | % |
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to July 15, 2017, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of 105.125% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings by the Company; provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and provided, further, that any such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.
(c) In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to the redemption date. The Company will notify the Trustee of the amount of the Applicable Premium promptly after the calculation thereof (provided that the Trustee will not be responsible for such calculation).
6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.
The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.
7. REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER.
If there is a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the
A-6
Company will send a notice to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase Notes on the Change of Control Payment Date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent, pursuant to the procedures required by the Indenture and described in such notice.
8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be sent at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $2,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder or to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Indenture or to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. An “Event of Default” occurs if: (i) the Company defaults in the payment when due of interest on the Notes and such default continues for a period of 30 days; (ii) the Company defaults in the payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes; (iii) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to comply with
A-7
any of the provisions contained in Sections 4.13 or 5.01 of the Indenture; (iv) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to comply with any of the provisions contained in Sections 4.07 or 4.09 of the Indenture for 30 days after notice of such failure to the Company from the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to the Company and the Trustee; (v) the Company fails to comply with any of the provisions contained in Section 4.03 of the Indenture for 90 days after notice of such failure to the Company from the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to the Company and the Trustee; (vi) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to comply with or perform any other agreement in the Indenture or the Notes for 60 days after notice of such failure to the Company from the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to the Company and the Trustee; (vii) a default occurs under any mortgage, other indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, which default is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”) or results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more; and (viii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary.
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest, except with respect to a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Notes.
In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (vii) of Section 6.01 of the Indenture, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded with respect to the Notes, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 60 days after such Event of Default first arose the Company delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee stating that (1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (2) the holders of the Indebtedness have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured; provided, however, that in no event shall an acceleration of
A-8
the principal amount of such series of Notes as described in this paragraph 12 be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Notes including in connection with an offer to purchase; provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any payment default that resulted from such acceleration, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree or if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived. Upon any such waiver, such Default will cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom will be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of the Indenture; but no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
13. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
14. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company will have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Noted by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the Commission that such a waiver is against public policy.
15. AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
16. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (tenants in common), TEN ENT (tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (custodian), and U/G/M/A (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
17. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
18. GOVERNING LAW. This Note will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. The Company, the Trustee and each Holder irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture, the Notes or any transaction contemplated thereby.
A-9
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:
Southern Star Central Corp.
4700 Xxxxxxx 00
4700 Xxxxxxx 00
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx (Fax: (000) 000-0000)
A-10
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to
(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
A-11
CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR REGISTRATION OF GLOBAL NOTES
This certificate relates to $ principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space) book-entry or definitive form by the undersigned.
The undersigned (check one box below):
¨ | has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in a Global Note held by the Depositary a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above) in accordance with the Indenture; or |
¨ | has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes. |
In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
(1) | ¨ to the Company; or |
(2) | ¨ pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or |
(3) | ¨ inside the United States to a person seller reasonably believes is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of another qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act; or |
(4) | ¨ outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act; or |
(5) | ¨ pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. |
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee shall refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (4) or (5) is checked, the Company or the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
A-12
Signature | |||
Signature Guarantee: | |||
Signature must be guaranteed | Signature |
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
Dated: | ||||
NOTICE: | To be executed by an executive officer |
A-13
Option of Holder to Elect Purchase
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.13 of the Indenture, check the box below:
¨ Section 4.13
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.13 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased: $______________
Date: Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the Note)
Tax Identification No.:
Signature Guarantee: |
Signature must be guaranteed |
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
A-14
SCHEDULE A
Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
Date of Exchange | Amount of Decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Amount of Increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Principal Amount of this Global Note following such Decrease (or Increase) | Signature of Authorized Officer of Trustee or Note Custodian |
A-15