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EXHIBIT 4.2
XXXXX.XXX, INC.
and
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,
as Rights Agent
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
dated as of____________ , 2000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Certain Definitions............................................................... 1
2. Appointment of Rights Agent....................................................... 5
3. Issue of Right Certificates....................................................... 5
4. Form of Right Certificates........................................................ 7
5. Countersignature and Registration................................................. 7
6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates;
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates........................... 8
7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights..................... 8
8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates................................10
9. Availability of Shares of Preferred Stock.........................................10
10. Preferred Stock Record Date.......................................................11
11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares and Number of Rights......11
12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares........................18
13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power..............19
14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares...........................................21
15. Rights of Action..................................................................22
16. Agreement of Right Holders........................................................23
17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder.................................23
18. Concerning the Rights Agent.......................................................23
19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.........................24
20. Duties of Rights Agent............................................................24
21. Change of Rights Agent............................................................26
22. Issuance of New Right Certificates................................................27
23. Redemption........................................................................27
24. Exchange..........................................................................28
25. Notice of Certain Events..........................................................28
26. Notices...........................................................................29
27. Supplements and Amendments........................................................30
28. Successors........................................................................30
29. Benefits of this Agreement........................................................30
30. Severability......................................................................30
31. Governing Law.....................................................................30
32. Counterparts......................................................................31
33. Descriptive Headings..............................................................31
34. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors..............................31
Exhibit A - Form of Right Certificate
Exhibit B - Summary of Rights to Purchase Shares of XXxxx.xxx, Inc. Series A
Junior Participating Preferred
Exhibit C - Form of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock
(i)
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RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Rights Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated as of ____________,
2000, is entered into by and between XXxxx.xxx, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent
(the "Rights Agent").
The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a
dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each share of
Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding upon the
closing of the Company's initial public offering of Common Stock (the "Record
Date"), each Right representing the right to purchase one one-thousandth
(1/1000) (subject to adjustment) of a share of Preferred Stock (as hereinafter
defined), upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and has
further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right (subject to adjustment
as provided herein) with respect to each share of Common Stock that shall become
outstanding between the Record Date and the earlier of the Distribution Date and
the Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined); provided, however,
that Rights may be issued with respect to shares of Common Stock that shall
become outstanding after the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date
in accordance with Section 22.
Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following
terms have the meaning indicated:
(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person (as such term is
hereinafter defined) who or which shall be the Beneficial Owner (as such term is
hereinafter defined) of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then
outstanding, but shall not include an Exempt Person (as such term is hereinafter
defined); provided, however, that if the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an "Acquiring
Person" became the Beneficial Owner of a number of shares of Common Stock such
that the Person would otherwise qualify as an "Acquiring Person" inadvertently
(including, without limitation, because (i) such Person was unaware that it
beneficially owned a percentage of Common Stock that would otherwise cause such
Person to be an "Acquiring Person" or (ii) such Person was aware of the extent
of its Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock but had no actual knowledge of the
consequences of such Beneficial Ownership under this Agreement) and without any
intention of changing or influencing control of the Company, then such Person
shall not be deemed to be or to have become an "Acquiring Person" for purposes
of this Agreement, unless and until such Person shall have failed to divest
itself, as soon as practicable (as determined, in good faith, by the Board of
Directors of the Company), of Beneficial Ownership of a sufficient number of
shares of Common Stock so that such Person would no longer otherwise qualify as
an "Acquiring Person." Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if, as of the date
hereof or prior to the first public announcement of the adoption of this
Agreement, any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the
shares of Common Stock outstanding, such Person will not be deemed to be or to
become an Acquiring Person for any purposes of this Agreement unless and until
such Person acquires Beneficial Ownership of any additional shares
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of Common Stock (other than pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made
by the Company on the outstanding Common Stock or pursuant to a split or
subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock) after the first public announcement
of adoption of this Agreement unless upon the consummation of the acquisition of
such additional shares of Common Stock such Person does not beneficially own 15%
or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding and (ii) no Person shall
become an "Acquiring Person" as the result of an acquisition of shares of Common
Stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding,
increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such Person
to 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding; provided,
however, that if a Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of
the shares of Common Stock then outstanding by reason of such share acquisitions
by the Company and shall thereafter become the Beneficial Owner of any
additional shares of Common Stock (other than pursuant to a dividend or
distribution paid or made by the Company on the outstanding Common Stock or
pursuant to a split or subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock), then such
Person shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person" unless upon becoming the
Beneficial Owner of such additional shares of Common Stock such Person does not
beneficially own 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding. The
phrase "then outstanding," when used with reference to a Person's Beneficial
Ownership of securities of the Company, shall mean the number of such securities
then issued and outstanding together with the number of such securities not then
actually issued and outstanding which such Person would be deemed to own
beneficially hereunder.
(b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, shall be
deemed to have "Beneficial Ownership" of and shall be deemed to "beneficially
own" any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates is deemed to beneficially own, directly or indirectly within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange
Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement;
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between
underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public
offering of securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange
rights, rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a
Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, (x)
securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf
of such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such
tendered securities are accepted for purchase, (y) securities which such Person
has a right to acquire on the exercise of Rights at any time prior to the time
any Person becomes an Acquiring Person or (z) securities issuable upon exercise
of Rights from and after the time a Person becomes an Acquiring Person if such
Rights were acquired by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates prior to the Distribution Date or pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section
22 ("original Rights") or pursuant to Section 11(i) or Section 11(n) with
respect
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to an adjustment to original Rights; or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall
not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security by
reason of such agreement, arrangement or understanding if the agreement,
arrangement or understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from a
revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or
consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable
rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and (2) is not also
then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or
successor report); or
(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
any other Person and with respect to which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other
than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group
members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated by the
proviso to Section 1(c)(ii)(B)) or disposing of such securities of the Company,
provided, however, that no Person who is an officer, director or employee of an
Exempt Person shall be deemed, solely by reason of such Person's status or
authority as such, to be the "Beneficial Owner" of, to have "Beneficial
Ownership" of or to "beneficially own" any securities that are "beneficially
owned" (as defined in this Section 1(c)), including, without limitation, in a
fiduciary capacity, by an Exempt Person or by any other such officer, director
or employee of an Exempt Person.
(d) "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or
a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or, if different,
the state in which the principal office of the Rights Agent is located, are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
(e) "close of business" on any given date means 5:00 P.M., New York
City time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business
Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the next succeeding Business
Day.
(f) "Common Stock" when used with reference to the Company means the
common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company. "Common Stock" when used
with reference to any Person other than the Company means the capital stock (or,
in the case of an unincorporated entity, the equivalent equity interest) with
the greatest voting power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a
subsidiary of another Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately control
such first-mentioned Person.
(g) "Distribution Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.
(i) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(h) "Exempt Person" means the Company, any Subsidiary (as such term
is hereinafter defined) of the Company, in each case including, without
limitation, in its fiduciary capacity, any employee benefit plan of the Company
or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity or trustee holding Common
Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or for
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the purpose of funding any such plan or funding other employee benefits for
employees of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company.
(i) "Final Expiration Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.
(j) "Nasdaq" means the Nasdaq Stock Market.
(k) "Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, trust or other entity, and shall include any
successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
(l) "Preferred Stock" means the Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company having the rights and
preferences set forth in the form of Certificate of Designation attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit C.
(m) "Principal Party" means
(i) in the case of any transaction described in (i) or (ii) of
the first sentence of Section 13(a): (A) the Person that is the issuer of the
securities into which the shares of Common Stock are converted in such merger or
consolidation, or, if there is more than one such issuer, the issuer the shares
of Common Stock of which have the greatest aggregate market value of shares
outstanding, or (B) if no securities are so issued, (x) the Person that is the
other party to the merger, if such Person survives said merger, or, if there is
more than one such Person, the Person the shares of Common Stock of which have
the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding or (y) if the Person
that is the other party to the merger does not survive the merger, the Person
that does survive the merger (including the Company if it survives) or (z) the
Person resulting from the consolidation; and
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in (iii) of the
first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the party receiving the
greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such
transaction or transactions, or, if each Person that is a party to such
transaction or transactions receives the same portion of the assets or earning
power so transferred or if the Person receiving the greatest portion of the
assets or earning power cannot be determined, whichever of such Persons as is
the issuer of Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market value of shares
outstanding; provided, however, that in any such case described in the foregoing
clause (i) or (ii), if the Common Stock of such Person is not at such time or
has not been continuously over the preceding 12-month period registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act, then (1) if such Person is a direct or indirect
Subsidiary of another Person the Common Stock of which is and has been so
registered, the term "Principal Party" shall refer to such other Person, or (2)
if such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one Person,
the Common Stock of all of which is and has been so registered, the term
"Principal Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the issuer of
Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding,
or (3) if such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture
formed by two or more Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the
same Person, the rules set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above shall apply to
each of the owners having an interest in the venture as if the Person owned by
the joint venture was a Subsidiary of both or all of such joint venturers, and
the Principal Party in each such case shall
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bear the obligations set forth in Section 13 in the same ratio as its interest
in such Person bears to the total of such interests.
(n) "Redemption Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.
(o) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(p) "Stock Acquisition Date" means the first date of public
announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without
limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) by the
Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such or such
earlier date as a majority of the Board of Directors shall become aware of the
existence of an Acquiring Person.
(q) "Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation or other entity
of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power
sufficient to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons
performing similar functions are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
such Person, and any corporation or other entity that is otherwise controlled by
such Person.
(r) "Trading Day" means a day on which the principal national
securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is
open for the transaction of business or, if the Security is not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.
2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Rights
Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who, in
accordance with Section 3, shall prior to the Distribution Date be the holders
of Common Stock) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the
Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time
appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.
3. Issue of Right Certificates.
(a) Until the close of business on the earlier of (i) the tenth day
after the Stock Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth business day (or such later
date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time
as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date of the commencement by
any Person (other than an Exempt Person) of, or of the first public announcement
of the intention of such Person (other than an Exempt Person) to commence, a
tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any Person
(other than an Exempt Person) becoming the Beneficial Owner of shares of Common
Stock aggregating 15% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding (including
any such date which is after the date of this Agreement and prior to the
issuance of the Rights; the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as
the "Distribution Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the
provisions of Section 3(b)) by the certificates for Common Stock registered in
the names of the holders thereof and not by separate Right Certificates, and (y)
the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common
Stock. As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will
prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign and the Company will send
or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested, send) by
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first-class, insured, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common
Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date (other than any
Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person), at the
address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right Certificate,
in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (a "Right Certificate"),
evidencing one Right (subject to adjustment as provided herein) for each share
of Common Stock so held. As of the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.
(b) On the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the
Company will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Shares of Preferred
Stock, in substantially the form of Exhibit B (the "Summary of Rights"), by
first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Stock as of
the close of business on the Record Date (other than any Acquiring Person or any
Associate or Affiliate of any Acquiring Person), at the address of such holder
shown on the records of the Company. With respect to certificates for Common
Stock outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights
will be evidenced by such certificates registered in the names of the holders
thereof together with the Summary of Rights. Until the Distribution Date (or, if
earlier, the Expiration Date), the surrender for transfer of any certificate for
Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date, with or without a copy of the
Summary of Rights, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated
with the Common Stock represented thereby.
(c) Rights shall be issued in respect of all shares of Common Stock
issued or disposed of (including, without limitation, upon disposition of Common
Stock out of treasury stock or issuance or reissuance of Common Stock out of
authorized but unissued shares) after the Record Date but prior to the earlier
of the Distribution Date and the Expiration Date, or in certain circumstances
provided in Section 22 hereof, after the Distribution Date. Certificates issued
for Common Stock (including, without limitation, upon transfer of outstanding
Common Stock, disposition of Common Stock out of treasury stock or issuance or
reissuance of Common Stock out of authorized but unissued shares) after the
Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date and the Expiration
Date, or in certain circumstances provided in Section 22 hereof, after the
Distribution Date shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise
affixed to them the following legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
certain rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between
XXxxx.xxx, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as
Rights Agent, dated as of ________________, 2000 the same may be
amended from time to time (the "Rights Agreement"), the terms of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of
which is on file at the principal executive offices of XXxxx.xxx,
Inc. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights
Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates
and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate. XXxxx.xxx,
Inc. will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the
Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written
request therefor. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in
the Rights Agreement, Rights owned by or transferred to any
Person
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who is or becomes an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights
Agreement) and certain transferees thereof will become null and
void and will no longer be transferable.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until
the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented
by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone, and the
surrender for transfer of any such certificate, except as otherwise provided
herein, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Stock represented thereby. If the Company purchases or otherwise acquires
any Common Stock after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any
Rights associated with such Common Stock shall be deemed canceled and retired so
that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with
the Common Stock which are no longer outstanding.
Notwithstanding this paragraph (c), the omission of a legend shall not
affect the enforceability of any part of this Agreement or the rights of any
holder of the Rights.
4. Form of Right Certificates. The Right Certificates (and the forms of
election to purchase shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse
thereof) shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto and
may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries
or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to
comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant
thereto or with any rule or regulation of Nasdaq or of any other stock exchange
or automated quotation system on which the Rights may from time to time be
listed or quoted, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, the Right Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase
such number of one one-thousandths (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock as
shall be set forth therein at the price per one one-thousandth (1/1000) of a
share of Preferred Stock set forth therein (the "Purchase Price"), but the
number of such one one-thousandths (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock and
the Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.
5. Countersignature and Registration.
(a) The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the
Company by the President, any of the Vice Presidents, the Treasurer or the
Controller of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature, shall have
affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof and shall be attested
by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by
facsimile signature. The Right Certificates shall be manually countersigned by
the Rights Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless countersigned. If
any officer of the Company who has signed any of the Right Certificates ceases
to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent
and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates may,
nevertheless, be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by
the Company with the same force and effect as though the Person who signed such
Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any
Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any Person who, at
the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper
officer of the Company to sign such Right
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Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such
Person was not such an officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or
cause to be kept, at an office or agency designated for such purpose, books for
registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such books
shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right
Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right
Certificates and the date of each of the Right Certificates.
6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates;
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at any time after
the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, any Right Certificate or
Right Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for
another Right Certificate or Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder
to purchase a like number of one one-thousandths (1/1000) of a share of
Preferred Stock as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then
entitled such holder to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer,
split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right Certificates shall
make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender
the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split up,
combined or exchanged at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for
such purpose. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the
Person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case
may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any
transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates.
(b) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at any time after
the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, upon receipt by the
Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the
loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right Certificate, and, in case of
loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to
them, and, at the Company's request, reimbursement to the Company and the Rights
Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the
Rights Agent and cancellation of the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company
will make and deliver a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent
for delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost,
stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the Rights shall become
exercisable on the Distribution Date, and thereafter the registered holder of
any Right Certificate may, subject to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof and except as
otherwise provided herein, exercise the Rights evidenced thereby in whole or in
part upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to
purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the
office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with
payment of the Purchase Price for each one one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of
Preferred Stock (or other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be)
as to which the Rights are exercised, at any
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time which is both after the Distribution Date and prior to the time (the
"Expiration Date") that is the earliest of (i) the close of business on the date
that is ten years after the Record Date (the "Final Expiration Date"), (ii) the
time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 (the "Redemption
Date") or (iii) the time at which such Rights are exchanged as provided in
Section 24.
(b) The Purchase Price shall be initially $200 for each one
one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the
exercise of a Right. The Purchase Price and the number of one one-thousandths
(1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock or other securities or property to be
acquired upon exercise of a Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to
time as provided in Sections 11 and 13 and shall be payable in lawful money of
the United States of America in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 7.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, upon receipt of a Right
Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to
purchase duly executed, accompanied by payment of the aggregate Purchase Price
for the shares of Preferred Stock to be purchased and an amount equal to any
applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right
Certificate in accordance with Section 9, in cash or by certified check,
cashier's check or money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights
Agent shall thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of
the Preferred Stock, or make available if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent
for the Preferred Stock, certificates for the number of shares of Preferred
Stock to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer
agent to comply with all such requests, or (B) requisition from a depositary
agent appointed by the Company depositary receipts representing interests in
such number of one one-thousandths (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock as are
to be purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred Stock represented
by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary
agent) and the Company hereby directs the depositary agent to comply with such
request, (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash
to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section
14, (iii) promptly after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts,
cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of
such Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by
such holder and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt, promptly deliver such cash
to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate.
(d) Except as otherwise provided herein, if the registered holder of
any Right Certificate exercises less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a
new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the exercisable Rights
remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the registered
holder of such Right Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to
the provisions of Section 14.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any
action with respect to a registered holder of Rights upon the occurrence of any
purported transfer or exercise of Rights pursuant to Section 6 or this Section 7
unless such registered holder shall have (i) completed and signed the
certificate contained in the form of assignment or form of election to purchase
set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for such
transfer or exercise and
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(ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner
(or former Beneficial Owner) thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.
8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates. All Right
Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up,
combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Right
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights
Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and
retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company
otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all
canceled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of
the Company, destroy such canceled Right Certificates, and in such case shall
deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
9. Availability of Shares of Preferred Stock.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be
reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of
Preferred Stock or any shares of Preferred Stock held in its treasury, the
number of shares of Preferred Stock that will be sufficient to permit the
exercise in full of all outstanding Rights.
(b) If and so long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following
the time that a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and
other securities) issuable upon the exercise of Rights may be listed or admitted
to trading on Nasdaq or listed on any other national or internationally-
recognized securities exchange or quotation system, the Company shall use its
best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become
exercisable, all shares reserved for such issuance to be listed or admitted to
trading on Nasdaq or listed on any such other exchange or quotation system upon
official notice of issuance upon such exercise.
(c) From and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, the
Company shall use its best efforts, if then necessary to permit the issuance of
shares of Preferred Stock (and following the time that a Person first becomes an
Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and other securities) upon the exercise
of Rights, to register and qualify such shares of Preferred Stock (and following
the time that a Person first becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock
and other securities) under the Securities Act and any applicable state
securities or "Blue Sky" laws (to the extent exemptions therefrom are not
available), cause such registration statement and qualifications to become
effective as soon as possible after such filing and keep such registration and
qualifications effective until the earlier of the date as of which the Rights
are no longer exercisable for such securities and the Expiration Date. The
Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed 90 days, the
exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file a registration
statement under the Securities Act and permit it to become effective. Upon any
such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public
announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights
shall not be exercisable in any
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jurisdiction unless the requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall have
been obtained and until a registration statement under the Securities Act (if
required) shall have been declared effective.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such
action as may be necessary to ensure that all shares of Preferred Stock (and,
following the time that a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common
Stock and other securities) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time
of delivery of the certificates therefor (subject to payment of the Purchase
Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
nonassessable shares.
(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when
due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which
may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates
or of any shares of Preferred Stock (or shares of Common Stock or other
securities) upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be
required to pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer
or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or
delivery of certificates or depositary receipts for the Preferred Stock (or
shares of Common Stock or other securities) in a name other than that of, the
registered holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for
exercise or to issue or deliver any certificates or depositary receipts for
Preferred Stock (or shares of Common Stock or other securities) upon the
exercise of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax
being payable by that holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender)
or until it has been established to the Company's reasonable satisfaction that
no such tax is due.
10. Preferred Stock Record Date. Each Person in whose name any
certificate for Preferred Stock is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for
all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares of
Preferred Stock represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the
date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly
surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable transfer
taxes) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and
payment is a date upon which the Preferred Stock transfer books of the Company
are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such
shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day
on which the Preferred Stock transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to
the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Right Certificate
shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of Preferred Stock for which the
Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote or
to receive dividends or other distributions, and shall not be entitled to
receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.
11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares and Number
of Rights. The Purchase Price, the number of shares of Preferred Stock or other
securities or property purchasable upon exercise of each Right and the number of
Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in
this Section 11.
(a) (i) If the Company at any time after the date of this Agreement
(A) declares and pays a dividend on the Preferred Stock payable in shares of
Preferred Stock, (B)
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subdivides the outstanding Preferred Stock, (C) combines the outstanding
Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares of Preferred Stock or (D) issues
any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred Stock
(including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or
merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except
as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a), the number and kind of shares of
capital stock issuable upon exercise of a Right as of the record date for such
dividend or the effective date of such subdivision, combination or
reclassification shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any
Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate
number and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been
exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Stock
transfer books of the Company were open, the holder would have owned upon such
exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision,
combination or reclassification; provided, however, that in no event shall the
consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon
exercise of one Right.
(ii) Subject to Section 24 of this Agreement, if any Person
becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right, except as otherwise
provided in this Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, shall
thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal to
the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-thousandths
(1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is then exercisable, in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of shares of Preferred
Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall equal the result obtained
by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one
one-thousandths (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is then
exercisable and dividing that product by (y) 50% of the then current per share
market price of the Company's Common Stock (determined pursuant to Section
11(d)) on the date of the occurrence of such event; provided, however, that the
Purchase Price (as so adjusted) and the number of shares of Common Stock so
receivable upon exercise of a Right shall thereafter be subject to further
adjustment as appropriate in accordance with Section 11(f). Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, however, from and after the time
(the "invalidation time") when any Person first becomes an Acquiring Person, any
Rights that are beneficially owned by (x) any Acquiring Person (or any Affiliate
or Associate of any Acquiring Person), (y) a transferee of any Acquiring Person
(or any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a transferee after the
invalidation time or (z) a transferee of any Acquiring Person (or any such
Affiliate or Associate) who became a transferee prior to or concurrently with
the invalidation time pursuant to either (I) a transfer from the Acquiring
Person to holders of its equity securities or to any Person with whom it has any
continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred
Rights or (II) a transfer which the Board of Directors has determined is part of
a plan, arrangement or understanding which has the purpose or effect of avoiding
the provisions of this paragraph, and subsequent transferees of such Persons,
shall be void without any further action and any holder of such Rights shall
thereafter have no rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights under any
provision of this Agreement. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to
ensure that the provisions of this Section 11(a)(ii) are complied with, but
shall have no liability to any holder of Right Certificates or other Person as a
result of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring
Person or its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder. From and after
the invalidation time, no Right Certificate shall be issued pursuant to Section
3 or Section 6 that represents Rights that are or have become void pursuant to
the provisions of this paragraph, and any Right Certificate delivered to the
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Rights Agent that represents Rights that are or have become void pursuant to the
provisions of this paragraph shall be canceled. From and after the occurrence of
an event specified in Section 13(a), any Rights that theretofore have not been
exercised pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii) shall thereafter be exercisable
only in accordance with Section 13 and not pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii).
(iii) The Company may at its option substitute for a share of
Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Rights in accordance with the
foregoing subparagraph (ii) such number or fractions of shares of Preferred
Stock having an aggregate current market value equal to the current per share
market price of a share of Common Stock. In the event that there shall not be
sufficient shares of Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but
unissued to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the
foregoing subparagraph (ii), the Board of Directors shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable law and any material agreements then in effect to which
the Company is a party (A) determine the excess of (1) the value of the shares
of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right in accordance with the
foregoing subparagraph (ii) (the "Current Value") over (2) the then current
Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-thousandths (1/1000) of
shares of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to
the time that the Acquiring Person became such (such excess, the "Spread"), and
(B) with respect to each Right (other than Rights which have become void
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)), make adequate provision to substitute for the
shares of Common Stock issuable in accordance with subparagraph (ii) upon
exercise of the Right and payment of the applicable Purchase Price, (1) cash,
(2) a reduction in the applicable Purchase Price, (3) shares of Preferred Stock
or other equity securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares
or fractions of shares of preferred stock which, by virtue of having dividend,
voting and liquidation rights substantially comparable to those of the shares of
Common Stock, are deemed in good faith by the Board of Directors to have
substantially the same value as the shares of Common Stock (such shares of
Preferred Stock and shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock are
hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock equivalents"), (4) debt securities of
the Company, (5) other assets, or (6) any combination of the foregoing, having a
value which, when added to the value of the shares of Common Stock actually
issued upon exercise of such Right, shall have an aggregate value equal to the
Current Value (less the amount of any reduction in the applicable Purchase
Price), where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board of Directors
upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected in
good faith by the Board of Directors; provided, however, if the Company shall
not make adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within
thirty (30) days following the date that the Acquiring Person became such (the
date of the Acquiring Person becoming such being the "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger
Date"), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, to the extent permitted
by applicable law and any material agreements then in effect to which the
Company is a party, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without
requiring payment of the applicable Purchase Price, shares of Common Stock (to
the extent available), and then, if necessary, such number or fractions of
shares of Preferred Stock (to the extent available) and then, if necessary,
cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. If,
upon the date any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors
shall determine in good faith that it is likely that sufficient additional
shares of Common Stock could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of
the Rights, then, if the Board of Directors so elects, the thirty (30) day
period set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more
than ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii)
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Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek stockholder approval for the
authorization of such additional shares (such thirty (30) day period, as it may
be extended, is herein called the "Substitution Period"). To the extent that the
Company determines that some action need be taken pursuant to the second and/or
third sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall provide,
subject to Section 11(a)(ii) and the last sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii),
that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights and (y) may
suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the
Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares
and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to
such second sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any
such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public
announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. For purposes
of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of the shares of Common Stock shall be the
current per share market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i)) on
the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the per share or fractional value of any
"Common Stock equivalent" shall be deemed to equal the current per share market
price of the Common Stock. The Board of Directors of the Company may, but shall
not be required to, establish procedures to allocate the right to receive shares
of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Rights among holders of Rights pursuant
to this Section 11(a)(iii).
(b) If the Company fixes a record date for the issuance of rights,
options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Stock entitling them (for a
period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for
or purchase Preferred Stock (or shares having the same rights, privileges and
preferences as the Preferred Stock ("equivalent preferred shares")) or
securities convertible into Preferred Stock or equivalent preferred shares at a
price per share of Preferred Stock or equivalent preferred shares (or having a
conversion price per share, if a security convertible into shares of Preferred
Stock or equivalent preferred shares) less than the then current per share
market price of the Preferred Stock (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)) on
such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date
shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately
prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the
number of shares of Preferred Stock and equivalent preferred shares outstanding
on such record date plus the number of shares of Preferred Stock and equivalent
preferred shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of
shares of Preferred Stock and/or equivalent preferred shares so to be offered
(and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so
to be offered) would purchase at such current market price, and the denominator
of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock and equivalent
preferred shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional
shares of Preferred Stock and/or equivalent preferred shares to be offered for
subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be
offered are initially convertible); provided, however, that in no event shall
the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon
exercise of one Right. If such subscription price may be paid in a consideration
part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such
consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of
the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with
the Rights Agent. Shares of Preferred Stock and equivalent preferred shares
owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding
for the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made
successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such
rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the
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Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in
effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(c) If the Company fixes a record date for the making of a
distribution to all holders of the Preferred Stock (including any such
distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness
or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in
Preferred Stock) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to
in Section 11(b)), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date
shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately
prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the
then current per share market price of the Preferred Stock (determined pursuant
to Section 11(d)) on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company whose determination shall
be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the
assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription
rights or warrants applicable to one share of Preferred Stock, and the
denominator of which shall be such current per share market price (determined
pursuant to Section 11(d)) of the Preferred Stock; provided, however, that in no
event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less
than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company to be
issued upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made successively
whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such distribution is
not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price
which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(d) (i) Except as otherwise provided herein, for the purpose of any
computation hereunder, the "current per share market price" of any security (a
"Security" for the purpose of this Section 11(d)(i)) on any date shall be deemed
to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Security for the
thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date; provided,
however, that in the event that the current per share market price of the
Security is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer
of such Security of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Security payable in
shares of such Security or securities convertible into such shares, or (B) any
subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security, and prior to the
expiration of thirty (30) Trading Days after the ex-dividend date for such
dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination
or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the current per share market
price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price per
share equivalent of such Security. The closing price for each day shall be the
last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day,
the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as
reported by the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect
to securities listed or admitted to trading on Nasdaq or, if the Security is not
listed or admitted to trading on Nasdaq, as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on
the principal national securities exchange or internationally-recognized
exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading or, if the
Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national or
internationally-recognized securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not
so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the
over-the-counter market, as reported by Nasdaq or such other system then in use,
or, if on any such date the Security is not quoted by any such organization, the
average of the
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closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making
a market in the Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, if the
Preferred Stock is publicly traded, the "current per share market price" of the
Preferred Stock shall be determined in accordance with the method set forth in
Section 11(d)(i). If the Preferred Stock is not publicly traded but the Common
Stock is publicly traded, the "current per share market price" of the Preferred
Stock shall be conclusively deemed to be the current per share market price of
the Common Stock as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) multiplied by the
then applicable Adjustment Number (as defined in and determined in accordance
with the Certificate of Designation for the Preferred Stock). If neither the
Common Stock nor the Preferred Stock is publicly traded, "current per share
market price" shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in
a statement filed with the Rights Agent.
(e) No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless
such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the
Purchase Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this
Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken
into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section
11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one ten-thousandth
(1/10000) of a share of Preferred Stock or share of Common Stock or other share
or security as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this
Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later
than the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the transaction which
requires such adjustment or (ii) the Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a),
the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive
any shares of capital stock of the Company other than the Preferred Stock,
thereafter the Purchase Price and the number of such other shares so receivable
upon exercise of a Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a
manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with
respect to the Preferred Stock contained in Sections 11(a), 11(b), 11(c), 11(e),
11(h), 11(i) and 11(m), and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 with
respect to the Preferred Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other
shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-thousandths
(1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable from time to time hereunder
upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided
herein.
(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided
in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the
calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding immediately
prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-thousandths
(1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest one
ten-thousandth (1/10000) of a share of Preferred Stock) obtained by (i)
multiplying (x) the number of one one-thousandths (1/1000) of a share
purchasable upon the exercise of a Right
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immediately prior to such adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the
product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such
adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of
the Purchase Price pursuant to Sections 11(b) or 11(c) hereof to adjust the
number of Rights, in substitution for any adjustment in the number of one
one-thousandths (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the
exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the
number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-thousandths
(1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such
adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights
(calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth (1/10000)) obtained by dividing
the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase
Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the
Purchase Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to
adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and,
if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date
may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter,
but, if the Right Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten days
later than the date of the public announcement. If Right Certificates have been
issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section
11(i), the Company may, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to
holders of record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates
evidencing, subject to Section 14, the additional Rights to which such holders
shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the
Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution
and replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the
date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new
Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be
entitled after such adjustment. Right Certificates so to be distributed shall be
issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein and shall
be registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the
record date specified in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price
or the number of one one-thousandths (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock
issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and
thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price and the number of
one one-thousandths (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock which were expressed
in the initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing
the Purchase Price below the then par value, if any, of the fraction of
Preferred Stock or other shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise of a
Right, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of
its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally
issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Preferred Stock or other such
shares at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 requires that an adjustment
in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified
event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the
issuing to the holder of any Right exercised
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after such record date of the Preferred Stock and other capital stock or
securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above
the Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if
any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect
prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to
such holder a due xxxx or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's
right to receive such additional shares upon the occurrence of the event
requiring such adjustment.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Company shall be entitled to make such adjustments in the Purchase Price, in
addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to
the extent that it in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in
order that any consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Stock, issuance
wholly for cash of any shares of Preferred Stock at less than the current market
price, issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Stock or securities which by their
terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Stock, dividends on
Preferred Stock payable in shares of Preferred Stock or issuance of rights,
options or warrants referred to hereinabove in Section 11(b), hereafter made by
the Company to holders of its Preferred Stock shall not be taxable to such
stockholders.
(n) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if
at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Distribution Date,
the Company (i) declares and pays any dividend on the Common Stock payable in
Common Stock or (ii) effects a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the
Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend
payable in Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common
Stock, then in each such case, the number of Rights associated with each share
of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or delivered thereafter, shall be
proportionately adjusted so that the number of Rights thereafter associated with
each share of Common Stock following any such event shall equal the result
obtained by multiplying the number of Rights associated with each share of
Common Stock immediately prior to such event by a fraction the numerator of
which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and the denominator of which
shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
following the occurrence of such event.
(o) The Company agrees that, after the earlier of the Distribution
Date or the Stock Acquisition Date, it will not, except as permitted by Sections
23, 24 or 27, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time
such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish
substantially or eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.
12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares. Whenever
an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or 13, the Company shall
promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment, and a brief
statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) file with the Rights
Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock a
copy of such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of
a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 25 (if so required under Section
25). The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such
certificate and on any adjustment therein
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contained and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment
unless and until it shall have received such certificate.
13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning
Power.
(a) If, directly or indirectly, at any time after any Person has
become an Acquiring Person, (i) the Company consolidates with or merges with and
into any other Person, (ii) any Person merges with and into the Company and the
Company is the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger and, in
connection with such merger, all or part of the Common Stock is changed into or
exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person (or of the Company)
or cash or any other property, or (iii) the Company sells or otherwise transfers
(or one or more of its Subsidiaries sells or otherwise transfers), in one or
more transactions, assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets
or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any
other Person (other than the Company or one or more of its wholly-owned
Subsidiaries), then upon the first occurrence of such event, proper provision
shall be made so that: (A) each holder of record of a Right (other than Rights
which have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)) thereafter has the right
to receive, upon the exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current
Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-thousandths (1/1000) of a
share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable (whether or not such
Right was then exercisable) immediately prior to the time that any Person first
became an Acquiring Person (each as subsequently adjusted thereafter pursuant to
Sections 11(a)(i), 11(b), 11(c), 11(h), 11(i) and 11(m)), in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and in lieu of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock
of the Company, such number of validly authorized and issued, fully paid,
non-assessable and freely tradeable shares of Common Stock of the Principal
Party not subject to any liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal or other
adverse claims, as shall be equal to the result obtained by (1) multiplying the
then current Purchase Price by the number of one one-thousandths (1/1000) of a
share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to
the time that any Person first became an Acquiring Person (as subsequently
adjusted thereafter pursuant to Sections 11(a)(i), 11(b), 11(c), 11(h), 11(i)
and 11(m)) and (2) dividing that product by 50% of the then current per share
market price of the Common Stock of such Principal Party (determined pursuant to
Section 11(d)(i)) on the date of consummation of such consolidation, merger,
sale or transfer; provided that the applicable Purchase Price and the number of
shares of Common Stock of such Principal Party issuable upon exercise of each
Right shall be further adjusted as provided in Section 11(f) to reflect any
events occurring in respect of the Common Stock of such Principal Party after
the occurrence of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; (B) such
Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of
such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, all the obligations and duties of
the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (C) the term "Company" shall thereafter
be deemed to refer to such Principal Party; and (D) such Principal Party shall
take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient
number of its shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 9) in connection
with such consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to assure
that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as
reasonably may be, in relation to the shares of its Common Stock thereafter
deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights; provided that, upon the subsequent
occurrence of any consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets or other
extraordinary transaction in respect of such Principal Party, each holder of a
Right shall thereupon be entitled to receive, upon exercise of a Right and
payment of the Purchase Price as
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provided in this Section 13(a), such cash, shares, rights, warrants and other
property which such holder would have been entitled to receive had such holder,
at the time of such transaction, owned the Common Stock of the Principal Party
receivable upon the exercise of a Right pursuant to this Section 13(a), and such
Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to,
reservation of shares of stock) as may be necessary to permit the subsequent
exercise of the Rights in accordance with the terms hereof for such cash,
shares, rights, warrants and other property.
(b) The Company shall not consummate any consolidation, merger, sale
or transfer referred to in Section 13(a) unless prior thereto the Company and
the Principal Party involved therein shall have executed and delivered to the
Rights Agent an agreement confirming that the requirements of Sections 13(a)
shall promptly be performed in accordance with their terms and that such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets shall not result in a default
by the Principal Party under this Agreement as the same shall have been assumed
by the Principal Party pursuant to Section 13(a) and (b) hereof and providing
that, as soon as practicable after executing such agreement pursuant to this
Section 13, the Principal Party will:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the
Securities Act, if necessary, with respect to the Rights and the securities
purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, use its best
efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as
practicable after such filing and use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the Expiration Date, and
similarly comply with applicable state securities laws;
(ii) use its best efforts, if the Common Stock of the Principal
Party is listed or admitted to trading on Nasdaq or on a national or
internationally-recognized securities exchange, to list or admit to trading (or
continue the listing of) the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise
of the Rights on Nasdaq or such securities exchange, or, if the Common Stock of
the Principal Party is not listed or admitted to trading on Nasdaq or a national
or internationally-recognized securities exchange, to cause the Rights and the
securities receivable upon exercise of the Rights to be reported by such other
system then in use;
(iii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial
statements for the Principal Party which comply in all respects with the
requirements for registration on Form 10 (or any successor form) under the
Exchange Act; and
(iv) obtain waivers of any rights of first refusal or preemptive
rights in respect of the Common Stock of the Principal Party subject to purchase
upon exercise of outstanding Rights.
(c) If the Principal Party has provision in any of its authorized
securities or in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other instrument
governing its affairs, which provision would have the effect of (i) causing such
Principal Party to issue (other than to holders of Rights pursuant to this
Section 13), in connection with, or as a consequence of, the consummation of a
transaction referred to in this Section 13, shares of Common Stock or Common
Stock equivalents of such Principal Party at less than the then current market
price per
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share thereof (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)) or securities exercisable
for, or convertible into, Common Stock or Common Stock equivalents of such
Principal Party at less than such then current market price, or (ii) providing
for any special payment, tax or similar provision in connection with the
issuance of the Common Stock of such Principal Party pursuant to the provisions
of Section 13, then, in such event, the Company hereby agrees with each holder
of Rights that it shall not consummate any such transaction unless prior thereto
the Company and such Principal Party have executed and delivered to the Rights
Agent a supplemental agreement providing that the provision in question of such
Principal Party shall have been canceled, waived or amended, or that the
authorized securities shall be redeemed, so that the applicable provision will
have no effect in connection with, or as a consequence of, the consummation of
the proposed transaction.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time
after a Person first becomes an Acquiring Person, enter into any transaction of
the type contemplated by (i) - (iii) of Section 13(a) if (x) at the time of or
immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or other
transaction there are any rights, warrants or other instruments or securities
outstanding or agreements in effect which would substantially diminish or
otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights, (y)
prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such consolidation, merger,
sale, transfer or other transaction, the stockholders of the Person who
constitutes, or would constitute, the Principal Party have received a
distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates
or Associates or (z) the form or nature of organization of the Principal Party
would preclude or limit the exercisability of the Rights.
14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights
or to distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights (except
prior to the Distribution Date in accordance with Section 11(n) hereof). In lieu
of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the
Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise
be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value of a whole Right. For the purposes of this Section 14(a), the current
market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the
Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would
have been otherwise issuable. The closing price for any day shall be the last
sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect
to securities listed or admitted to trading on Nasdaq or, if the Rights are not
listed or admitted to trading on Nasdaq, as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on
the principal national or internationally-recognized securities exchange on
which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not
listed or admitted to trading on any national or internationally-recognized
securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of
the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by
Nasdaq or such other system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are
not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights
selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such
market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the
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Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company shall be used.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the
Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of
Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock). Interests in fractions
of Preferred Stock in integral multiples of one one-thousandth (1/1000) of a
share of Preferred Stock may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by
depositary receipts, pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company
and a depositary selected by it; provided, that such agreement shall provide
that the holders of such depositary receipts shall have all the rights,
privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of
the Preferred Stock represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of
fractional shares of Preferred Stock that are not integral multiples of one
one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock, the Company shall pay to
the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are
exercised or exchanged as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same
fraction of the current market value of one share of Preferred Stock. For the
purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of a share of Preferred
Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Preferred Stock (as determined
pursuant to Section 11(d)(i)) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date
of such exercise or exchange.
(c) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares
of Common Stock or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares
of Common Stock upon the exercise or exchange of Rights. In lieu of such
fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company shall pay to the registered
holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional shares of
Common Stock would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same
fraction of the current market value of a whole share of Common Stock (as
determined in accordance with Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day
immediately prior to the date of such exercise or exchange.
(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly
waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon
exercise or exchange of a Right (except as provided above).
15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of this Agreement,
except the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under Section 18, are
vested in the respective registered holders of the Right Certificates (and,
prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Common Stock); and
any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution
Date, of the Common Stock), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the
holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of
the Common Stock), on his own behalf and for his own benefit, may enforce, and
may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to
enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights
evidenced by such Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, such
Common Stock) in the manner provided in such Right Certificate and in this
Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the
holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights
would not have an adequate remedy at law
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for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of
the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened
violations of, the obligations of any Person subject to this Agreement.
16. Agreement of Right Holders. Every holder of a Right, by accepting
the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with
every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable
only in connection with the transfer of the Common Stock;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at
the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, duly
endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer; and
(c) the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person
in whose name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the
Common Stock certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the
Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing
on the Right Certificates or the Common Stock certificate made by anyone other
than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither
the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the
contrary.
17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder. No holder, as
such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or
be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Stock or any other
securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise or
exchange of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein
or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right
Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any
right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to
stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
stockholders (except as provided in this Agreement), or to receive dividends or
subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Rights evidenced by such Right
Certificate shall have been exercised or exchanged in accordance with the
provisions hereof.
18. Concerning the Rights Agent.
(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time,
on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and
other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this
Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company
also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against,
any loss, liability or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted
by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this
Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of
liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly.
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(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability
for, or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection
with, its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right
Certificate or certificate for the Preferred Stock or Common Stock or for other
securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of
attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent,
certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by
the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set
forth in Section 20.
19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.
(a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent is merged or with which it is consolidated, or any corporation
resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent is a party, or any corporation succeeding to the stock
transfer or corporate trust powers of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without
the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of
the parties hereto; provided, that such corporation would be eligible for
appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21. If
at the time such successor Rights Agent succeeds to the agency created by this
Agreement, any of the Right Certificates have been countersigned but not
delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the
predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned;
and if at that time any of the Right Certificates have not been countersigned,
any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in the
name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights
Agent; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force
provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.
(b) If at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and
at such time any of the Right Certificates have been countersigned but not
delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name
and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and if at that time any of the
Right Certificates have not been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign
such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name and in
all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the
Right Certificates and in this Agreement.
20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and
obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions,
by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their
acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be
legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full
and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement
the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be
proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action
hereunder, such fact or matter (unless
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other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be
deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any
one of the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Controller or the
Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate
shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered
in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such
certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company and
any other Person only for its own negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of
the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right
Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the
same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been
made by the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in
respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof
(except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the
validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature
thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any
covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate;
nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights
(including the Rights becoming void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)) or any
adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner, method or amount
thereof) provided for in Sections 3, 11, 13, 23 and 24, or the ascertaining of
the existence of facts that would require any such change or adjustment (except
with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after
receipt of a certificate furnished pursuant to Section 12, describing such
change or adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any
representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares
of Preferred Stock or other securities to be issued pursuant to this Agreement
or any Right Certificate or as to whether any shares of Preferred Stock or other
securities will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge
and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all
such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be
required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights
Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any
person reasonably believed by the Rights Agent to be one of the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary of the
Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection
with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by
it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer or for any
delay in acting while waiting for those instructions. Any application by the
Rights Agent for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the
Rights Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by
the Rights Agent under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such
action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Rights Agent
shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in
accordance with a proposal
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included in any such application on or after the date specified in such
application (which date shall not be less than five Business Days after the date
any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such
officer shall have consented in writing to an earlier date) unless, prior to
taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the
Rights Agent shall have received written instructions in response to such
application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or
employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other
securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in
which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the
Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent
under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting
in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.
(i) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the
Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate contained in the form of
assignment or the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse thereof,
as the case may be, has not been completed to certify the holder is not an
Acquiring Person (or an Affiliate or Associate thereof), the Rights Agent shall
not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise or transfer
without first consulting with the Company.
21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon
thirty (30) days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer
agent of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock by registered or certified mail,
and, following the Distribution Date, to the holders of the Right Certificates
by first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights
Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent
of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock by registered or certified mail, and,
following the Distribution Date, to the holders of the Right Certificates by
first-class mail. If the Rights Agent resigns or is removed or otherwise becomes
incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent.
If the Company fails to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30)
days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in
writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated
Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such
notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the
registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights
Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a
corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or
any state thereof, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by
federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as
Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. After
appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers,
rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights
Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall
deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held
by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act
or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such
appointment the Company shall file notice thereof in writing
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with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock or
Preferred Stock, and, following the Distribution Date, mail a notice thereof in
writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates. Failure to give any
notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall
not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights
Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.
22. Issuance of New Right Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the
provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may,
at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such forms as
may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in
the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities
or property purchasable under the Right Certificates made in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or
sale of Common Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration
Date, the Company may with respect to shares of Common Stock so issued or sold
pursuant to (i) the exercise of stock options, (ii) under any employee plan or
arrangement, (iii) upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities notes
or debentures issued by the Company or (iv) a contractual obligation of the
Company in each case existing prior to the Distribution Date, issue Rights
Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with
such issuance or sale.
23. Redemption.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at any time prior to
such time as any Person first becomes an Acquiring Person, redeem all but not
less than all the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $.01 per
Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or
similar transaction occurring in respect of the Common Stock after the date
hereof (the redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption
Price"). The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on
such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole
discretion may establish. The Redemption Price shall be payable, at the option
of the Company, in cash, shares of Common Stock, or such other form or
consideration as the Board of Directors determines.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering
the redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 23 (or at
such later time as the Board of Directors may establish for the effectiveness of
such redemption), and without any further action and without any notice, the
right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the
holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price. The Company shall
promptly give public notice of any such redemption; provided, however, that the
failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the validity
of such redemption. Within ten days after such action of the Board of Directors
ordering the redemption of the Rights (or such later time as the Board of
Directors may establish for the effectiveness of such redemption), the Company
shall mail a notice of redemption to all the holders of the then outstanding
Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the
Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the
transfer agent for the Common Stock. Any notice which is mailed in the manner
herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the
notice. Each such notice of redemption shall state the method by which the
payment of the Redemption Price will be made.
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24. Exchange.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any
time after any Person first becomes an Acquiring Person, exchange all or part of
the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that
have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii)) for shares of
Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right,
appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring in respect of the Common Stock after the date hereof (such
exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Ratio").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall not be empowered to
effect such exchange at any time after (1) an Acquiring Person has become the
Beneficial Owner of shares of Common Stock aggregating 50% or more of the shares
of Common Stock then outstanding or (2) the occurrence of an event specified in
Section 13(a). The exchange of the Rights by the Board of Directors may be made
effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of
Directors in its sole discretion may establish.
(b) Immediately upon the effectiveness of the action of the Board of
Directors of the Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to Section
24(a) and without any further action and without any notice, the right to
exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder
of such Rights shall be to receive that number of shares of Common Stock equal
to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange
Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange;
provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall
not affect the validity of such exchange. The Company shall promptly mail a
notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of the Rights so exchanged at
their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent.
Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given,
whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will
state the method by which the exchange of the shares of Common Stock for Rights
will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights
which will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based
on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to
the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii)) held by each holder of Rights.
(c) If there are insufficient shares of Common Stock issued but not
outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit an exchange of Rights as
contemplated in accordance with this Section 24, the Company shall substitute,
to the extent of such insufficiency, for each share of Common Stock that would
otherwise be issuable upon exchange of a Right, a number of shares of Preferred
Stock or fractions thereof (or equivalent preferred shares as such term is
defined in Section 11(b)) having an aggregate current per share market price
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d)) equal to the current per share market
price of one share of Common Stock (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)) as of
the date of issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock or fractions thereof (or
equivalent preferred shares).
25. Notice of Certain Events.
(a) If the Company at any time after the earlier of the Distribution
Date or the Stock Acquisition Date proposes to (i) pay any dividend payable in
stock of any class to the
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holders of its Preferred Stock or to make any other distribution to the holders
of its Preferred Stock (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend), (ii)
offer to the holders of its Preferred Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for
or to purchase any additional shares of Preferred Stock or shares of stock of
any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) effect any
reclassification of its Preferred Stock (other than a reclassification involving
only the subdivision or combination of outstanding Preferred Stock), (iv) effect
the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or (v) pay any
dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock or to effect a subdivision,
combination or consolidation of the Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Stock), then, in each such
case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in
accordance with Section 26, a notice of such proposed action, which shall
specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, or distribution
of rights or warrants, or the date on which such liquidation, dissolution or
winding up is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders
of the Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock, if any such date is to be fixed, and
such notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or
(ii) above at least ten days prior to the record date for determining holders of
the Preferred Stock for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such
other action, at least ten days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed
action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Stock
and/or Preferred Stock, whichever is earlier.
(b) If any event described in Section 11(a)(ii) or Section 13
occurs, then the Company shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, give to each
holder of a Right Certificate (or if occurring prior to the Distribution Date,
the holders of the Common Stock) in accordance with Section 26, a notice of the
occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe such event and the
consequences of such event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) and
Section 13.
26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given
or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on
the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail,
postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the
Rights Agent) as follows:
XXxxx.xxx, Inc.
00000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by this
Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Right
Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if
sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
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Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall be
sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry
books of the Company.
27. Supplements and Amendments. Except as provided in the penultimate
sentence of this Section 27, for so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the
Company may in its sole and absolute discretion, and the Rights Agent shall if
the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement in
any respect without the approval of any holders of the Rights. At any time when
the Rights are no longer redeemable, except as provided in the penultimate
sentence of this Section 27, the Company may, and the Rights Agent shall, if the
Company so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of
any holders of Rights Certificates in order to (i) cure any ambiguity, (ii)
correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii) shorten or lengthen any
time period hereunder, or (iv) change or supplement the provisions hereunder in
any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable; provided that no
such supplement or amendment may (a) adversely affect the interests of the
holders of Rights as such (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person), (b) cause the rights again to become
redeemable or (c) cause the Agreement again to become amendable other than in
accordance with this sentence. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, no supplement or amendment shall be made which
changes the Redemption Price. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an
appropriate officer of the Company which states that the supplement or amendment
is in compliance with the terms of this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall
execute such supplement or amendment; provided that any supplement or amendment
that does not amend Sections 18, 19, 20 or 21 hereof in a manner adverse to the
Rights Agent shall become effective immediately upon execution by the Company,
whether or not also executed by the Rights Agent.
28. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or
for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the
benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
29. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, the Common Stock) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this
Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the
Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates
(and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Stock).
30. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement or applicable to this Agreement is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated.
31. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued
hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of
Delaware and for all
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purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such
State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such
State.
32. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to
be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and
the same instrument.
33. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several Sections
of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or
affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
34. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to
administer this Agreement and to exercise the rights and powers specifically
granted to the Board of Directors of the Company or to the Company, or as may be
necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this
Agreement and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the
administration of this Agreement (including, without limitation, a determination
to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend or not amend this Agreement). All
such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations (including, for
purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) that
are done or made by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith, shall
(x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the
holders of the Rights, as such, and all other parties, and (y) not subject the
Board of Directors to any liability to the holders of the Rights.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
Attest: XXXXX.XXX, INC.
By: By:
----------------------------- ------------------------------
Name: Name:
--------------------------- ----------------------------
Title: Title:
-------------------------- ---------------------------
Attest: AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
By: By:
----------------------------- ------------------------------
Name: Name:
--------------------------- ----------------------------
Title: Title:
-------------------------- ---------------------------
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Exhibit A
Form of Right Certificate
Certificate No. R- ____ ___ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER ______________, 2010 OR EARLIER IF
REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO
REDEMPTION AT $.01 PER RIGHT AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET
FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS
SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS OWNED BY OR TRANSFERRED
TO ANY PERSON WHO IS OR BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS DEFINED
IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL
BECOME NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.
RIGHT CERTIFICATE
XXxxx.xxx, Inc.
This certifies that ___________ or registered assigns, is the registered
owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner
thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights
Agreement, dated as of ____________, 2000, as the same may be amended from time
to time (the "Rights Agreement"), between XXxxx.xxx, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as
Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company at any time
after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement)
and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on _______________, 2010, at the
office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or of its
successor as Rights Agent, one one-thousandth (1/1000) of a fully paid
non-assessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value
$.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), of the Company, at a purchase price of
$200 per one one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock (the
"Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate
with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed. The number of Rights
evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and the number of one one-thousandths
(1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock which may be purchased upon exercise
hereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number
and Purchase Price as of _____________, 2000, based on the Preferred Stock as
constituted at such date. As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase
Price, the number of one one-thousandths (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock
(or other securities or property) which may be purchased upon the exercise of
the Rights and the number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are
subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.
36
This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates. Copies of
the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the
Company and the above-mentioned office or agency of the Rights Agent. The
Company will mail to the holder of this Right Certificate a copy of the Rights
Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor.
This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon
surrender at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of
like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like
aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the
Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered entitled such holder to
purchase. If this Right Certificate is exercised in part, the holder shall be
entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right
Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced
by this Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price of
$.01 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for shares of
Preferred Stock or shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share.
No fractional shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock will be issued
upon the exercise or exchange of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other
than fractions of Preferred Stock which are integral multiples of one
one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the
election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu
thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Right Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote
or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred
Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise or exchange hereof, nor shall anything contained in the
Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as
such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for
the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as
provided in the Rights Agreement) or to receive dividends or subscription
rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate have been exercised or exchanged as provided in the Rights
Agreement.
This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
[Signature page follows.]
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WITNESS the signature of the proper officers of the Company and its
corporate seal.
Dated as of ______________________.
Attest: XXXXX.XXX, INC.
By: By:
-------------------------------- -------------------------------
Name:
-----------------------------
Title:
----------------------------
Countersigned:
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,
as Rights Agent
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
-----------------------------
Title:
----------------------------
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Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Right Certificate)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED _________________________ hereby sells, assigns and
transfer unto __________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address of transferee)
Rights represented by this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and
interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
___________________ Attorney, to transfer said Rights on the books of the
within-named Company, with full power of substitution.
Dated: _____________________
-----------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (a
bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union with membership
in an approved signature guarantee medallion program) pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
________________________________________________________________________________
(To be completed)
The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate are not beneficially owned by, were not acquired by the undersigned
from, and are not being assigned to, an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).
-----------------------------
Signature
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Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate - continued
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to exercise
Rights represented by the Rights Certificate)
To XXxxx.xxx, Inc.:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise
____________________________ Rights represented by this Right Certificate to
purchase the shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities or property)
issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for
such shares of Preferred Stock (or such other securities) be issued in the name
of:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such
Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: ____________________
-----------------------------
Signature
(Signature must conform to holder specified on Right Certificate)
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (a
bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union with membership
in an approved signature guarantee medallion program) pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate -- continued
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(To be completed)
The undersigned certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate are not beneficially owned by, and were not acquired by the
undersigned from, an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as
defined in the Rights Agreement)
-----------------------------
Signature
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE
The signature in the Form of Assignment or Form of Election to Purchase,
as the case may be, must conform to the name as written upon the face of this
Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any
change whatsoever.
If the certification set forth above in the Form of Assignment or the
Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, such
Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.
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Exhibit B
UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS OWNED
BY OR TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON WHO IS OR BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS
DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL BECOME
NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
SHARES OF XXXXX.XXX, INC.
SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
On February 14, 2000, the Board of Directors of XXxxx.xxx, Inc. (the
"Company") declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right")
for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
Company (the "Common Stock"). The dividend is payable upon the closing of the
Company's initial public offering of Common Stock (the "Record Date") to the
holders of record of the Company's Common Stock on that date. Each Right
entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth
(1/1000) of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value
$.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), of the Company at a price of $200 per
one one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock (the "Purchase
Price"), subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set
forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of ________________, 2000, as the same may
be amended from time to time (the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
Until the earlier to occur of (i) ten days following a public
announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (with
certain exceptions, an "Acquiring Person") has acquired beneficial ownership of
15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or (ii) ten business days
(or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors
prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an
Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention
to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result
in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock (the earlier of such dates being called the
"Distribution Date"), the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any of the
Common Stock certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such Common
Stock certificate together with a copy of this Summary of Rights.
The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or
earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferred
with and only with the Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier
redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Stock certificates issued
after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuances of Common Stock will
contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the
Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the
surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of Common Stock
outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such notation or a copy of this
Summary of Rights, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated
with the shares of Common Stock represented by such certificate. As soon as
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practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing
the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to holders of record of the
Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such
separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights
will expire on the day that is ten years after the Record Date (the "Final
Expiration Date"), unless the Final Expiration Date is advanced or extended or
unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each case
as described below.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock
or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) upon a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred
Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Stock of certain rights
or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Stock at a price, or
securities convertible into Preferred Stock with a conversion price, less than
the then-current market price of the Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the
distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or
assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends or dividends payable in
Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those
referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights is subject to adjustment in the event
of a stock dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock or
subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Stock occurring, in
any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.
Shares of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will
not be redeemable. Each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and
if declared, to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of the greater
of (a) $1.00 per share, and (b) an amount equal to 1,000 times the dividend
declared per share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, the holders of the Preferred Stock will be entitled
to a minimum preferential payment of the greater of (a) $1.00 per share (plus
any accrued but unpaid dividends) and (b) an amount equal to 1,000 times the
payment made per share of Common Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock will have
1,000 votes, voting together with the Common Stock. Finally, in the event of any
merger, consolidation or other transaction in which outstanding shares of Common
Stock are converted or exchanged, each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled
to receive 1,000 times the amount received per share of Common Stock. These
rights are protected by customary anti-dilution provisions.
Because of the nature of the Preferred Stock's dividend, liquidation and
voting rights, the value of the one one-thousandth (1/1000) interest in a share
of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate
the value of one share of Common Stock.
If any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an
Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned
by the Acquiring Person (which will thereupon become void), will thereafter have
the right to receive upon exercise of a Right at the then current exercise price
of the Right, that number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two
times the exercise price of the Right in lieu of Shares of Preferred Stock. If,
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after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, the Company is acquired
in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its
consolidated assets or earning power are sold, proper provision will be made so
that each holder of a Right (other than Rights beneficially owned by an
Acquiring Person which will have become void) will thereafter have the right to
receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current exercise price of the
Right, that number of shares of common stock of the person with whom the Company
has engaged in the foregoing transaction (or its parent), which number of shares
at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the
exercise price of the Right.
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and
prior to the acquisition by an Acquiring Person of 50% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock or the occurrence of an event described in
the prior paragraph, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the
Rights (other than Rights owned by such Acquiring Person which will have become
void), in whole or in part, for shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (or a
series of the Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences
and privileges), at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, or a
fractional share of Preferred Stock or Common Stock.
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in
such Purchase Price. No fractional shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock
will be issued (other than fractions of Preferred Stock which are integral
multiples of one one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of Preferred Stock, which
may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts) and in
lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the current market
price of the Preferred Stock or Common Stock.
At any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such, the
Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in
part, at a price of $.01 per Right (the "Redemption Price") payable, at the
option of the Company, in cash, shares of Common Stock or such other form of
consideration as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine. The
redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and
with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may
establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise
the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to
receive the Redemption Price.
For so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may, except
with respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Rights Agreement in any manner.
After the Rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may, except with respect
to the Redemption Price, amend the Rights Agreement in any manner that does not
adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights.
Until a Right is exercised or exchanged, the holder thereof, as such,
will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without
limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.
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A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the
Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, as the
same may be amended from time to time, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
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Exhibit C
Form of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock
Please refer to attachment.
1
