Exhibit 4.10
AQUA AMERICA, INC.
and
EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
as Rights Agent
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of February 20, 2004
Table of Contents
SECTION 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS............................................................................2
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT OF RIGHTS AGENT....................................................................4
SECTION 3. ISSUE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES...................................................................5
SECTION 4. FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES....................................................................6
SECTION 5. COUNTERSIGNATURE AND REGISTRATION..............................................................7
SECTION 6. TRANSFER, SPLIT UP, COMBINATION AND EXCHANGE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES;
MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.......................................8
SECTION 7. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE; EXPIRATION DATE OF RIGHTS..................................9
SECTION 8. CANCELLATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES...........................................10
SECTION 9. RESERVATION AND AVAILABILITY OF CAPITAL STOCK; REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES.....................11
SECTION 10. CAPITAL STOCK RECORD DATE.....................................................................12
SECTION 11. ADJUSTMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE, NUMBER AND KIND OF SHARES OR NUMBER OF RIGHTS...................13
SECTION 12. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTED PURCHASE PRICE OR NUMBER OF SHARES....................................21
SECTION 13. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS OR EARNING POWER..........................21
SECTION 14. FRACTIONAL RIGHTS AND FRACTIONAL SHARES.......................................................24
SECTION 15. RIGHTS OF ACTION..............................................................................25
SECTION 16. AGREEMENT OF RIGHTS HOLDERS...................................................................26
SECTION 17. RIGHTS CERTIFICATE HOLDER NOT DEEMED A SHAREHOLDER............................................26
SECTION 18. CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AGENT...................................................................27
SECTION 19. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OR CHANGE OF NAME OF RIGHTS AGENT.....................................27
SECTION 20. DUTIES OF RIGHTS AGENT........................................................................27
SECTION 21. CHANGE OF RIGHTS AGENT........................................................................29
SECTION 22. ISSUANCE OF NEW RIGHTS CERTIFICATES...........................................................30
SECTION 23. REDEMPTION AND TERMINATION....................................................................31
SECTION 24. EXCHANGE......................................................................................32
SECTION 25. NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS......................................................................33
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SECTION 26. NOTICES.......................................................................................33
SECTION 27. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS....................................................................34
SECTION 28. SUCCESSORS....................................................................................34
SECTION 29. DETERMINATIONS AND ACTIONS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ETC.....................................35
SECTION 30. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT....................................................................35
SECTION 31. SEVERABILITY..................................................................................35
SECTION 32. GOVERNING LAW.................................................................................35
SECTION 33. COUNTERPARTS..................................................................................36
SECTION 34. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS..........................................................................36
EXHIBIT A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AQUA AMERICA, INC.
(formerly known as PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION)
ESTABLISHING AND DESIGNATING SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING
PREFERRED SHARES AS A SERIES OF THE PREFERRED STOCK..........................................A-1
EXHIBIT B FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE...................................................................B-1
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FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS AGREEMENT
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of February 20,
2004 (the "Agreement"), between AQUA AMERICA, INC., a Pennsylvania corporation
(the "Company"), and EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. (the "Rights Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company and the Rights Agent entered into a Rights
Agreement, dated as of March 1, 1998 (the "Original Rights Agreement");
WHEREAS, on February 3, 1998 (the "Rights Dividend Declaration Date"),
the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and declared a dividend
distribution of one Right for each Common Share (as hereinafter defined) of the
Company outstanding at the close of business on March 1, 1998 (the "Record
Date") (which for these purposes included all Common Shares then entitled to
receive dividends) and authorized the issuance of one Right (as such number may
hereafter be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(i) hereof) for
each Common Share of the Company issued between the Record Date (whether
originally issued or delivered from the Company's treasury) and the Distribution
Date (as hereinafter defined), each Right initially representing the right to
purchase one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (as hereinafter defined) of the
Company having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in the form of the
Resolution of the Board of Directors attached hereto as Exhibit A, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth (the "Rights");
WHEREAS, on March 1, 1998, the Rights were distributed to the holders
of record of shares of Common Stock on the Record Date;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Rights Agent desire to amend and restate
the Original Rights Agreement to provide, among other things, that a majority of
the Board of Directors of the Company can redeem the Rights hereunder and, in
certain circumstances, amend this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Rights are held by the Rights Agent as trustee for the
shareholders of the Company until the Distribution Date;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has considered whether
approval of this Agreement and the distribution of the Rights is in the best
interests of the Company and all other pertinent factors; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has concluded that
approval of this Agreement and the distribution of the Rights is in the best
interests of the Company because the existence of the Rights will help (i)
reduce the risk of coercive two-tiered, front-end loaded or partial offers that
may not offer fair value to all shareholders, (ii) mitigate against market
accumulators who through open market and/or private purchases may achieve a
position of substantial influence or control without paying to selling or
remaining shareholders a fair control premium, (iii) deter market accumulators
who are simply interested in putting the Company into "play," (iv) restrict
self-dealing by a substantial shareholder, and (v) preserve the Board of
Directors' bargaining power and flexibility to deal with third-party acquirors,
to pursue the business strategies of the Company and to otherwise seek to
maximize values for all shareholders.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements herein set forth, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms have the meanings indicated:
(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which,
together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the
Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding, but shall
not include the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit
plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or entity
organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms
of any such plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall become an
"Acquiring Person" as the result of an acquisition of Common Shares by the
Company which, by reducing the number of Common Shares outstanding, increases
the proportionate number of Common Shares beneficially owned by such Person to
20% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding; provided, however, that if a
Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the then outstanding
Common Shares by reason of Common Shares purchased by the Company and shall,
after such share purchases by the Company, become the Beneficial Owner of any
additional Common Shares, then such Person shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring
Person." Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a majority of the Board of Directors
of the Company determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an
"Acquiring Person", as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this
paragraph (a), has become such inadvertently, and such Person divests as
promptly as practicable a sufficient number of Common Shares so that such Person
would no longer be an Acquiring Person, as defined pursuant to the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph (a), then such Person shall not be deemed to be an
"Acquiring Person" for purposes of this Agreement.
(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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect
on the date hereof (the "Exchange Act").
(c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and
shall be deemed to "beneficially own," any securities:
(i) that such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to acquire (whether such right
is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) 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," (A) securities tendered pursuant to a
tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates
or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for payment, purchase
or exchange, or (B) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights at any time
prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event, or (C) securities issuable upon
exercise of Rights from and after the occurrence of a Triggering Event which
Rights were acquired by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates prior to the Distribution Date or pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section
22 hereof (the "Original Rights") or pursuant to Section 11(i) hereof in
connection with an adjustment made with respect to any Original Rights;
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(ii) that such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates
or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or dispose of or
has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act), including without
limitation pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or
not in writing); provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
"Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any security under this
subparagraph (ii) as a result of an oral or written agreement, arrangement or
understanding to vote such security if such agreement, arrangement or
understanding: (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy given in response to a
public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with,
the applicable provisions of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act, and (B) is not also then reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D
under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or
(iii) that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such
Person (or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates) has any agreement,
arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing), for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as described in
the proviso to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (c)) or disposing of any
voting securities of the Company,
provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph (c) shall cause a person
engaged in business as an underwriter of securities to be the "Beneficial Owner"
of, or to "beneficially own," any securities acquired through such Person's
participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting until the
expiration of forty days after the date of such acquisition.
(d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New Jersey or the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are authorized or obligated by law or executive
order to close.
(e) "Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00
P.M., Philadelphia time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is
not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., Philadelphia time, on the next
succeeding Business Day.
(f) "Common Share" shall mean, when used with reference to the
Company, a share of common stock, par value $.50 per share, of the Company and,
to the extent that there are not a sufficient number of Common Shares authorized
to permit the full exercise of the Rights, shares of any other class or series
of the Company designated for such purpose containing terms substantially
similar to the terms of the Common Shares, except that "Common Share" when used
with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the shares of
common stock of such Person with the greatest voting power, or the equity
securities or other equity interest having power to control or direct the
management, of such Person.
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(g) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3 hereof.
(h) "Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7(a) hereof.
(i) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company or other entity.
(j) "Preferred Share" shall mean a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Shares, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company and,
to the extent that there are not a sufficient number of shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Shares authorized to permit the full exercise of
the Rights, shares of any other series of Series Preferred Stock of the Company
designated for such purpose containing terms substantially similar to the terms
of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Shares.
(k) "Preferred Share Fraction" shall mean one one-thousandth
of a Preferred Share.
(l) "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean any event described
in Section 11(a)(ii) (A), (B) or (C) hereof.
(m) "Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in
clauses (x), (y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.
(n) "Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of
public announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include,
without limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) under the Exchange
Act) by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become
such.
(o) "Subsidiary" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.
(p) "Trading Day" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(d)(i) hereof.
(q) "Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event
or any Section 13 Event.
Unless otherwise specified, where reference is made in
this Agreement to sections of, and the General Rules and Regulations under, the
Exchange Act, such reference shall mean such sections and rules as amended from
time to time and any successor provisions thereto.
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the
Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and
conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The
Company may from time to time appoint such Co-Rights Agents as it may deem
necessary or desirable, upon ten (10) days' prior written notice to the Rights
Agent. The Rights Agent shall have no duty to supervise, and in no event be
liable for, the acts or omissions of any such co-Rights Agent.
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Section 3. Issue of Rights Certificates.
(a) Until the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on the
tenth Business Day after a Stock Acquisition Date involving an Acquiring Person
that has become such in a transaction as to which the Board of Directors has not
made the determination referred to in Section 11(a)(ii)(B) hereof, or (ii)
within ten (10) Business Days (or such later date as may be determined by action
of the Board of Directors prior to such time any Person becomes an Acquiring
Person) after the date that a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than
the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the
Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or entity organized,
appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such
plan) is first published or sent or given within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of
the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, if upon consummation
thereof, such Person would be the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Common
Shares then outstanding (the earlier of (i) and (ii) being herein referred to as
the "Distribution Date"), (x) beneficial interests in the Rights will be
evidenced (subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 3) by the
certificates for the Common Shares registered in the names of the holders of the
Common Shares (which certificates for Common Shares shall be deemed also to be
certificates for beneficial interests in the Rights) and not by separate
certificates, and (y) the Rights and beneficial interests therein will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying Common
Shares (including a transfer to the Company). The Company must promptly notify
the Rights Agent of such Distribution Date and request that its transfer agent
provide the Rights Agent with a list of the record holders of the Company's
Common Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date. As soon as
practicable after the Rights Agent receives such notice and list, the Rights
Agent will send by first-class, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of
the Common Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, at the
address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, one or more rights
certificates, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (the "Rights
Certificates"), evidencing one Right for each Common Share so held, subject to
adjustment as provided herein. In the event that an adjustment in the number of
Rights per Common Share has been made pursuant to Section 11(p) hereof, at the
time of distribution of the Rights Certificates, the Company shall make the
necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments (in accordance with Section 14(a)
hereof) so that Rights Certificates representing only whole numbers of Rights
are distributed and cash is paid in lieu of any fractional Rights. As of and
after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Rights
Certificates.
(b) With respect to certificates for the Common Shares
outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the registered
holders of the Common Shares shall also be the registered holders of the
beneficial interests in the associated Rights. Until the earlier of the
Distribution Date or the Expiration Date (as such term is defined in Section 7
hereof), the transfer of any certificates representing Common Shares in respect
of which Rights have been issued shall also constitute the transfer of the
Rights associated with such Common Shares. Certificates issued after the Record
Date upon the transfer of Common Shares outstanding on the Record Date shall
bear the legend set forth in subsection (c).
(c) Except as provided in Section 22 hereof, Rights shall be
issued in respect of all Common Shares that are issued (whether originally
issued or delivered from the Company's treasury) after the Record Date but prior
to the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date. Certificates
representing such Common Shares shall also be deemed to be certificates for
beneficial interests in the associated Rights, and shall bear the following
legend:
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"This certificate also evidences a beneficial interest in and
entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in
the First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement between Aqua
America, Inc. (the "Company") and Equiserve Trust Company,
N.A. (the "Rights Agent") dated as of February 20, 2004 (the
"Rights Agreement"), and as the same may be amended from time
to time, the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal
offices of the Company. Under certain circumstances, as set
forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced
by separate certificates and beneficial interests therein will
no longer be evidenced by this certificate. The Company will
mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights
Agreement, as in effect on the date of mailing, without charge
promptly after receipt of a written request therefor. Under
certain circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement,
Rights issued to, or held by, any Person who is, was or
becomes an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate
thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement),
whether currently held by or on behalf of such Person or by
any subsequent holder, may become null and void."
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
earlier of (i) the Distribution Date or (ii) the Expiration Date, beneficial
interests in the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such
certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone and registered
holders of Common Shares shall also be the registered holders of beneficial
interests in the associated Rights, and the transfer of any of such certificates
shall also constitute the transfer of beneficial interests in the Rights
associated with the Common Shares represented by such certificates.
Section 4. Form of Rights Certificates.
(a) The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to
purchase and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall each be
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks
of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements
printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate (which do not affect the
duties or responsibilities of the Rights Agent) and as are not inconsistent with
the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any
applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any
rule or regulation of any stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market on which the
Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the
provisions of Section 11 and Section 22 hereof, the Rights Certificates,
whenever distributed, shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number
of Preferred Share Fractions as shall be set forth therein at the price set
forth therein (such exercise price per Preferred Share Fraction, the "Purchase
Price"), but the amount and type of securities purchasable upon the exercise of
each Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment as
provided herein.
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(b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or
Section 22 hereof that represents Rights that the Company knows are beneficially
owned by: (i) an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring
Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or
(iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring
Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer
(whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of
equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom such
Acquiring Person has any continuing oral or written plan, agreement, arrangement
or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer that the
Board of Directors of the Company has determined is part of an oral or written
plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding that has as a primary purpose or
effect avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof, and provided that the Company shall
have notified the Rights Agent that this Section 4(b) applies, any Rights
Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer,
exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate referred to
in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible) the following legend:
"The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were
beneficially owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as
such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement). Accordingly,
this Rights Certificate and the Rights represented hereby may
become null and void in the circumstances specified in Section
7(e) of such Agreement."
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration.
(a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the
Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or any Vice President,
either manually or by facsimile signature, and shall have affixed thereto the
Company's seal or a facsimile thereof which shall be attested by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile
signature. The Rights Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights
Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case
any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Rights Certificates
shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the
Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Rights Certificates,
nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered
by the Company with the same force and effect as though the Person who signed
such Rights Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and
any Rights Certificates may be signed on behalf of the Company by any Person
who, at the actual date of the execution of such Rights Certificate, shall be a
proper officer of the Company to sign such Rights Certificate, although at the
date of the execution of this Agreement any such Person was not such an officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date and upon receipt by the
Rights Agent of the notice and list of recordholders of the Rights referred to
in Section 3(a), the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its office
or offices designated pursuant to Section 25 hereof, books for registration and
transfer of the Rights Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the
names and addresses of the respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the
number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Rights Certificates, the
Certificate number and the date of each of the Rights Certificates.
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Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e)
and Section 14 hereof, at any time after the Close of Business on the
Distribution Date, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the Expiration
Date, any Rights Certificate or Certificates may be transferred, split up,
combined or exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Certificates, entitling
the registered holder to purchase a like number of Preferred Share Fractions
(or, following a Triggering Event, Common Shares or other securities, cash or
other assets, as the case may be), as the Rights Certificate or Certificates
surrendered then entitled such holder or former holder in the case of a transfer
to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or
exchange any Rights Certificate or Certificates shall make such request in
writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Rights
Certificate or Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged
at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. Neither the
Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever
with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Rights Certificate or
Certificates until the registered holder shall have completed and signed the
certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such
Rights Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence of the
identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or
Associates thereof as the Company or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request.
Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and
Section 14 hereof, countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a
Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested.
The Rights Agent shall not be obligated to process the transaction until it has
received evidence that all taxes and charges arising from the transaction have
been paid. 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 Rights Certificates.
(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of
evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction,
of indemnity or security satisfactory to them, and 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 Rights Certificate if
mutilated, the Company will execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like
tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered
owner in lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of
Rights.
(a) Subject to subsection (e), the registered holder of any
Rights Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as
otherwise provided herein including, without limitation, the restrictions on
exercisability set forth in Section 9(c), Section 11(a)(iii) and Section 23(a)
hereof) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon
surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase and
the certificate on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent
at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with
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payment of the aggregate Purchase Price (except as provided in Section 11(q)
hereof) with respect to the total number of Preferred Share Fractions (or Common
Shares, other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as to which
such surrendered Rights are then exercisable (except as provided in Section
11(q) hereof), at or prior to the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on March
1, 2008 (the "Final Expiration Date"), (ii) the consummation of a transaction
contemplated by Section 13(d) hereof, or (iii) the time at which the Rights are
redeemed or terminated as provided in Section 23 hereof (the earliest of (i),
(ii) and (iii) being herein referred to as the "Expiration Date").
(b) The "Purchase Price" for each Preferred Share Fraction
pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $46.08 (which amount
represents the purchase price of $90 set forth in the Original Rights Agreement,
adjusted for stock splits occurring between the date of the Original Rights
Agreement and the date hereof), and shall be subject to adjustment from time to
time as provided in Sections 11 and 13(a) hereof and shall be payable in
accordance with subsection (c).
(c) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing
exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate
duly executed, accompanied by payment, with respect to each Right so exercised,
of the Purchase Price per Preferred Share Fraction (or Common Shares, other
securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) to be purchased as set
forth below and an amount equal to any applicable tax or governmental charge,
the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 20(k) and Section 14(b) hereof,
thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred
Shares (or make available, if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent for the
Common Shares) certificates for the total number of Preferred Shares to be
purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to
comply with all such requests, or (B) if the Company shall have elected to
deposit some or all of the total number of Preferred Shares issuable upon
exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent, requisition from the
depositary agent depositary receipts representing such number of Preferred Share
Fractions as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred
Shares represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent
with the depositary agent) and the Company will direct the depositary agent to
comply with such request, (ii) requisition from the Company the amount of cash,
if any, to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14
hereof, (iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause
the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such
Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by
such holder, and (iv) after receipt thereof, deliver such cash, if any, to or
upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate. The payment
of the Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section
11(a)(iii) hereof) may be made, at the election of the holder of the Rights
Certificate, (x) in cash or by certified bank check or money order payable to
the order of the Company or (y) by delivery of Rights if and to the extent
authorized by Section 11(q) hereof. In the event that the Company is obligated
to issue other securities of the Company (including Common Shares) pay cash
and/or distribute other property pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Company
will make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities, cash and/or
other property are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when
necessary to comply with this agreement.
9
(d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate
shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights
Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised
shall be issued by the Rights Agent and delivered to, or upon the order of, the
registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names
as may be designated by such holder, subject to the provisions of Section 6 and
Section 14 hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, from and after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, any
Rights beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or
Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or
of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring
Person becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any
such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently
with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to
either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring
Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person
with whom the Acquiring Person has any continuing oral or written plan,
agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B)
a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has determined is part of
an oral or written plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding which has as a
primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 7(e), shall become null
and void without any further action and no holder of such Rights shall have any
rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of
this Agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that the Rights held by an
Acquiring Person, an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or the
transferees of such persons referred to above shall not be voided unless the
Acquiring Person in question or an Affiliate or Associate of such Acquiring
Person shall be involved in the transaction giving rise to the Section 11(a)(ii)
Event. The Company shall notify the Rights Agent when this Section 7(e) applies
and shall use all reasonable efforts to insure that the provisions of this
Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but neither the Company
nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of Rights
Certificates or other Person as a result of the Company's failure to make any
determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or its Affiliates, Associates
or transferees hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to
undertake any action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of
any purported exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered
holder shall have (i) properly completed and signed the certificate contained in
the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights
Certificate surrendered for such exercise, and (ii) provided such additional
evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or
Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall or the Rights Agent
reasonably request.
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates. All
Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up,
combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Rights
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights
Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and
retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company
otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all
canceled Rights Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of
the Company, destroy such canceled Rights Certificates, and in such case shall
deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
10
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock; Registration
of Securities.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be
reserved and kept available for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding Rights
as many of its authorized and unissued Preferred Shares (and, following the
occurrence of a Triggering Event, out of its authorized and unissued or treasury
Common Shares and/or other securities) or out of its authorized and issued
shares held in its treasury, which together, shall at all times after the
Distribution Date be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all
outstanding Rights.
(b) So long as the Preferred Shares (and, following the
occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Shares or other securities) issuable
and deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any stock
exchange, or quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Company shall use its best
efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all
shares and other securities reserved for such issuance to be listed on such
exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.
(c) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as
soon as practicable following the earliest date after the first occurrence of a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event on which the consideration to be delivered by the
Company upon exercise of the Rights has been determined in accordance with
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, or as soon as is required by law following the
Distribution Date, as the case may be, a registration statement or statements
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), with respect to the
securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form or
forms, (ii) cause such registration statement or statements to become effective
as soon as practicable after such filing, and (iii) cause such registration
statement or statements to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of
which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities, and (B) the
Expiration Date. The Company will also take such action as may be appropriate
under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or "blue sky" laws of the
various states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights. The Company
may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days
after the date set forth in clause (i) of the first sentence of this subsection
(c), the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such
registration statement 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. In addition,
if the Company shall determine that a registration statement is required
following the Distribution Date, the Company may, by issuing a public
announcement, temporarily suspend the exercisability of the Rights until such
time as a registration statement has been declared effective. The Company shall
notify the Rights Agent whenever it makes a public announcement pursuant to this
subsection (c) and give the Rights Agent a copy of the announcement.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights
shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction unless the requisite qualification
in such jurisdiction shall have been obtained, nor shall the Rights be
exercisable if the exercise thereof shall not be permitted under applicable law
or a registration statement shall not have been declared effective.
11
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all
such action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares (and,
following a Triggering Event, Common Shares or other securities) delivered upon
exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such
shares or other securities (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly
and validly authorized and issued and, with respect to Preferred Shares, Common
Shares or other shares of capital stock, fully paid and nonassessable.
(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay
when due and payable any and all taxes and governmental charges that may be
payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates and of
any certificates for a number of Preferred Share Fractions (or Common Shares or
other securities, as the case may be) upon the exercise of Rights. The Company
shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax that may be payable in
respect of any transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates to a Person other
than, or the issuance or delivery of a number of Preferred Share Fractions (or
Common Shares or other securities, as the case may be) in respect of a name
other than that of the registered holder of the Rights Certificates evidencing
Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or deliver any certificates for a
number of Preferred Share Fractions (or Common Shares or other securities, as
the case may be) in a name other than that of the registered holder upon the
exercise of any Rights until such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being
payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at the time of surrender) or
until it has been established to the Company's satisfaction that no such tax is
due.
Section 10. Capital Stock Record Date. Each Person in whose name any
certificate for a number of Preferred Share Fractions (or Common Shares or other
securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for
all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such Preferred
Share Fractions (or Common Shares or other securities, as the case may be)
represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which
the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment
of the Purchase Price (and all applicable taxes and governmental charges) was
made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a
date upon which the applicable transfer books of the Company are closed, such
Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares
(fractional or otherwise) on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next
succeeding Business Day on which the applicable transfer books of the Company
are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a
Rights Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a shareholder of the
Company with respect to shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable,
including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other
distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to
receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or
Number of Rights. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares and other
securities covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are
subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.
12
(a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of
this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on any security of the Company payable in
Preferred Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine
the outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of shares, or (D) issue
any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred Shares
(including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or
merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except
as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e) hereof, the
Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of
the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the
number and kind of Preferred Shares or capital stock, as the case may be,
issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of
any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive, upon payment
of the adjusted Purchase Price, the aggregate number and kind of Preferred
Shares or capital stock, as the case may be, that, if such Right had been
exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Share
transfer books were open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise and
been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or
reclassification. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under
both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment provided
for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior
to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(ii) In the event:
(A) any Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of any
Acquiring Person, at any time after the Stock Acquisition Date, directly or
indirectly, (1) shall merge into the Company or otherwise combine with the
Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such
merger or combination and the Common Shares of the Company or other equity
securities of the Company shall remain outstanding, (2) shall, in one
transaction or a series of transactions, transfer any assets to the Company or
to any of its Subsidiaries in exchange (in whole or in part) for Common Shares,
for shares of other equity securities of the Company, or for securities
exercisable for or convertible into shares of equity securities of the Company
(Common Shares or otherwise) or otherwise obtain from the Company, with or
without consideration, any additional shares of such equity securities or
securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of such equity securities
(other than pursuant to a pro rata distribution to all holders of Common
Shares), (3) shall sell, purchase, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer
or otherwise acquire or dispose of assets in one transaction or a series of
transactions, to, from or with (as the case may be) the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, on terms and conditions less favorable to the Company than the
Company would be able to obtain in arm's-length negotiation with an unaffiliated
third party, other than pursuant to a Section 13 Event, (4) shall sell,
purchase, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of
assets having an aggregate fair market value of more than $5,000,000 in one
transaction or a series of transactions, to, from or with (as the case may be)
the Company or any of the Company's Subsidiaries (other than incidental to the
lines of business, if any, engaged in as of the date hereof between the Company
and such Acquiring Person or Associate or Affiliate), other than pursuant to a
Section 13 Event, (5) shall receive any compensation from the Company or any of
the Company's Subsidiaries other than compensation for full-time employment as a
regular employee at rates in accordance with the Company's (or its
Subsidiaries') past practices, or (6) shall receive the benefit, directly or
indirectly (except proportionately as a shareholder and except if resulting from
a requirement of law or governmental regulation), of any loans, advances,
guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax credits or other
tax advantages provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or
13
(B) any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the
Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the
Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the
Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan), alone or together with
its Affiliates and Associates, shall, at any time after the Rights Dividend
Declaration Date, become the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Common
Shares then outstanding, unless the event causing the 20% threshold to be
crossed is a Section 13 Event, or is an acquisition of Common Shares pursuant to
a tender offer or an exchange offer for all outstanding Common Shares at a price
and on terms determined by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the
Company, after receiving advice from one or more nationally recognized
investment banking firms, to be in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders (a "Qualifying Offer"), after taking into consideration all factors
that such members of the Board of Directors deem relevant, including, without
limitation, the long-term prospects and value of the Company and the prices and
terms that such members of the Board of Directors believe, in good faith, could
reasonably be achieved if the Company or its assets were sold on an orderly
basis designed to realize maximum value, or
(C) during such time as there is an Acquiring Person, there
shall be any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split),
or recapitalization of the Company, or any merger or consolidation of the
Company with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction or series of
transactions involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than a
Section 13 Event or series of such Section 13 Events (whether or not with or
into or otherwise involving an Acquiring Person) that has the effect, directly
or indirectly, of increasing by more than 1% the proportionate share of the
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries that is directly or indirectly beneficially owned by any
Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of any Acquiring Person,
then, promptly following the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event,
proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right (except as
provided below and in Section 7(e) hereof) shall thereafter have the right to
receive, upon exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, in lieu of a number of Preferred Share
Fractions, such number of Common Shares of the Company as shall equal the result
obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the then number
of Preferred Share Fractions for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior
to the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, and (y) dividing that
product (which, following such first occurrence, shall thereafter be referred to
as the "Purchase Price" for each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement)
by 50% of the current market price (as defined in and determined pursuant to
Section 11(d) hereof) per Common Share on the date of such first occurrence
(such number of shares, the "Adjustment Shares").
14
(iii) In the event that the number of Common Shares that are
authorized by the Company's Articles of Incorporation but not outstanding or
reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise of the Rights are
not sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with
the foregoing subparagraph (ii) of this Section 11(a), the Company shall: (A)
determine the excess of the value of the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the
exercise of a Right (the "Current Value") over the Purchase Price (such excess,
the "Spread"), and (B) with respect to each Right, make adequate provision to
substitute for the Adjustment Shares, upon payment of the applicable Purchase
Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in the Purchase Price, (3) Common Shares of the
same or a different class or other equity securities of the Company (including,
without limitation, preferred shares or units of preferred shares that a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company has deemed (based, among other
things, on the dividend and liquidation rights of such preferred shares) to have
substantially the same economic value as Common Shares (such preferred shares,
hereinafter referred to as "common share equivalents")), (4) debt securities of
the Company, (5) other assets, or (6) any combination of the foregoing, having
an aggregate value equal to the Current Value, where such aggregate value has
been determined by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company after
considering the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm
selected by the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, if the
Company shall not have made adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to
clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following the later of (x) the first
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event and (y) the date on which the Company's
right of redemption pursuant to Section 23(a) expires (the later of (x) and (y)
being referred to herein as the "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date"), then the
Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon the surrender for exercise of a
Right and without requiring payment of the Purchase Price, Common Shares (to the
extent available) and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash have an
aggregate value equal to the Spread. If the Board of Directors of the Company
shall determine in good faith that it is likely that sufficient additional
Common Shares could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the
Rights, 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)
Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek shareholder approval for the
authorization of such additional shares (such period, as it may be extended, the
"Substitution Period"). To the extent that the Company determines that some
action need be taken pursuant to the first and/or second sentences of this
Section 11(a)(iii), the Company shall provide, subject to Section 7(e) hereof,
that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights, and may
suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the
Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares
and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to
such first sentence and to determine the value thereof. The Company shall make a
public announcement when the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily
suspended, and again when such suspension is no longer in effect. The Company
shall notify the Rights Agent of the suspension of the exercisability of the
Rights, and provide the Rights Agent with a copy of such public announcement.
For purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of the Common Shares shall be
the current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per
Common Share on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the value of any "common
share equivalent" shall be deemed to have the same value as the Common Shares on
such date.
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the
issuance of rights, options or warrants to holders of any security of the
Company entitling them to subscribe for or purchase (for a period expiring
within forty-five (45) calendar days after such record date) Preferred Shares
(or shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred
Shares ("equivalent preferred shares")) or securities convertible into Preferred
Shares or equivalent preferred shares at a price per Preferred Share or per
15
equivalent preferred share (or having a conversion price per share, if a
security convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares) less
than the current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof)
per Preferred Share 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 Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date,
plus the number of Preferred Shares that the aggregate offering price of the
total number of Preferred Shares 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 Preferred Shares outstanding on
such record date, plus the number of additional Preferred Shares 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). In
case such subscription price may be paid by delivery of consideration part or
all of which may be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration
shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company,
whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights
Agent and shall be binding on the Company, the Rights Agent and the holders of
the Rights. 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 or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price
shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price that would then be in effect if such
record date had not been fixed.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a
distribution to all holders of Preferred Shares (including any such distribution
made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the
continuing corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash (other than a regular
quarterly dividend out of the earnings or retained earnings of the Company),
assets (other than a regular quarterly dividend referred to above or dividend
payable in Preferred Shares, but including any dividend payable in stock other
than Preferred Shares) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those
referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), 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 current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)
hereof) per Preferred Share on such record date, less the then 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 and
shall be conclusive for all purposes) of the portion of the cash, assets or
evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or
warrants applicable to a Preferred Share and the denominator of which shall be
such current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per
Preferred Share. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a
record date is fixed, and in the event that such distribution is not so made,
the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would have
been in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
16
(d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other
than computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current
market price" per Common Share on any date shall be deemed to be the average of
the daily closing prices per Common Share for the thirty (30) consecutive
Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) immediately prior to and not
including such date, and for purposes of computations made pursuant to Section
11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current market price" per Common Share on any date shall
be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per Common Share for the
ten (10) consecutive Trading Days immediately following and not including such
date; provided, however, that in the event that the current market price per
Common Share is determined during a period following the announcement by the
issuer of such Common Share of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Common
Share payable in Common Shares or securities convertible into Common Shares
(other than the Rights), or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification
of such Common Shares, and prior to the expiration of the requisite thirty (30)
Trading Day or ten (10) Trading Day period, as set forth above, 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 market price" shall be properly adjusted to take into account
ex-dividend trading. The closing price for each Trading 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 the New York Stock Exchange or,
if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system
with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange
on which the Common Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Common
Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national 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 the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System
("Nasdaq") or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Common
Shares 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 Common Shares selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any
such date no market maker is making a market in the Common Shares, the fair
value of such shares on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company shall be used. The term "Trading Day" shall mean a day
on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Shares
are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if
the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, a Business Day. If the Common Shares are not publicly held
or not so listed or traded, "current market price" per share shall mean the fair
value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the
Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the
"current market price" per Preferred Share shall be determined in the same
manner as set forth above for the Common Shares in clause (i) of this Section
11(d) (other than the last sentence thereof). If the current market price per
Preferred Share cannot be determined in the manner provided above or if the
Preferred Shares are not publicly held or listed or traded in a manner described
in clause (i) of this Section 11(d), the "current market price" per Preferred
Share shall be conclusively deemed to be an amount equal to one hundred (as such
number may be appropriately adjusted for such events as stock splits, stock
dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Common Shares occurring
after the date of this Agreement) multiplied by the current market price per
Common Share. If neither the Common Shares nor the Preferred Shares are publicly
held or so listed or traded, "current market price" per Preferred Share shall
mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement
filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes. For all
purposes of this Agreement, the "current market price" of a Preferred Share
Fraction shall be equal to the "current market price" of one Preferred Share
divided by 1000.
17
(e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no
adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would
require an increase or decrease of at least one percent (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 ten-thousandth of a Common
Share or one millionth of a Preferred Share, as the case may be. Notwithstanding
the first sentence of this subsection (e), any adjustment required by this
Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three (3) years from
the date of the transaction that mandates such adjustment, or (ii) the
Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section
11(a)(ii) or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised
shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock other than
Preferred Shares, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon
exercise of any Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Shares contained in
Sections 11(a), (b), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (m) and (q), and the
provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred
Shares 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 Preferred Share
Fractions 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 subsections (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
Preferred Share Fractions (calculated to the nearest one-one millionth of a
Preferred Share) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of Preferred Share
Fractions covered by a Right immediately prior to this adjustment, by (y) the
Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase
Price, and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any
adjustment of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in lieu of any
adjustment in the number of Preferred Share Fractions purchasable upon the
exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after the adjustment in the
number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of Preferred Share
Fractions 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-one
millionth of a Preferred Share) 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. The Company shall forward a copy of such
public announcement to the Rights Agent. The record date for the adjustment may
be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but,
if the Rights Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten (10) days
later than the date of the public announcement. If Rights Certificates have been
issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section
11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to
holders of record of Rights Certificates on such record date Rights Certificates
evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such
holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of
the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in
substitution and replacement for the Rights Certificates held by such holders
prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the
Company, new Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders
shall be entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates so to be
distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided
for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted Purchase
Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Rights
Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.
18
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase
Price or the number of Preferred Share Fractions issuable upon the exercise of
the Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may
continue to express the Purchase Price per Preferred Share Fraction and the
number of Preferred Share Fractions that were expressed in the initial Rights
Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
reducing the Purchase Price below the then stated or par value, if any, of the
number of Preferred Share Fractions issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the
Company shall take any corporate action that may, in the opinion of its counsel,
be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue such number
of fully paid and nonassessable Preferred Share Fractions at such adjusted
Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a
specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such
event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date
the number of Preferred Share Fractions and other capital stock or securities of
the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the number of
Preferred Share Fractions 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 (fractional or otherwise) or securities
upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment, and the Company
shall also deliver a copy of such xxxx or instrument to the Rights Agent.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the
Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this
Section 11, as and to the extent that in their good faith judgment the Board of
Directors of the Company shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i)
consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Shares, (ii) issuance wholly for
cash of any Preferred Shares at less than the current market price, (iii)
issuance wholly for cash for Preferred Shares or securities which by their terms
are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Shares, (iv) stock dividends
or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 11,
hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Shares shall not be
taxable to such shareholders.
19
(n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any
time after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other
than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section
11(o) hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other than a Subsidiary
of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or
(iii) sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one
transaction, or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other person or persons (other than the
Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), if (x) at the time of or immediately after
such consolidation, merger or sale there are any rights, warrants or other
instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect that would
substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be
afforded by the Rights or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after
such consolidation, merger or sale, the shareholders of the Person who
constitutes, or would constitute, the "Principal Party" for purposes of Section
13(a) hereof shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by
such Person or any of its Affiliates and Associates.
(o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the
Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 27
hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such
action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish
substantially or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the
Rights.
(p) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event that the Company shall at any time after the
Rights Dividend Declaration Date and prior to the Distribution Date (i) declare
a dividend on the outstanding Common Shares payable in Common Shares, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding Common Shares, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common
Shares into a smaller number of shares, the number of Rights associated with
each Common Share then outstanding, or issued or delivered thereafter but prior
to the Distribution Date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the number
of Rights thereafter associated with each Common Share following any such event
shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the number of Rights associated
with each Common Share immediately prior to such event by a fraction the
numerator of which shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding
immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and the denominator of which
shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately following the
occurrence of such event.
(q) In the event that the Rights become exercisable following
a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the Company, by action of a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company, may authorize that the Rights, subject to Section 7(e)
hereof, either (i) will only be, or (ii) may, at the option of the holder
entitled to exercise the Rights be, exercisable for, in either case 50% of the
Common Shares (or cash or other securities or assets to be substituted for the
Adjustment Shares pursuant to subsection (a)(iii)) that would otherwise be
purchasable under subsection (a), in consideration of the surrender to the
Company of the Rights so exercised and without other payment of the Purchase
Price. Rights exercised under this subsection (q) shall be deemed to have been
exercised in full and shall be canceled.
20
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares.
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or Section 13 hereof,
the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such
adjustment and a brief, reasonably detailed statement of the facts and
computations accounting for such adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Rights
Agent, and with each transfer agent for the Preferred Shares and the Common
Shares, a copy of such certificate, and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each
holder of a Rights Certificate (or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to each
holder of a certificate representing Common Shares) in accordance with Section
25 hereof. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such
certificate and on any adjustment therein contained and shall have no duty with
respect to and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment
unless and until it shall have received such a certificate.
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
Earning Power.
(a) In the event that, following the Stock Acquisition Date,
directly or indirectly, (x) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with
and into, any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a
transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), and the Company shall not
be the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, (y)
any person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof) shall consolidate with, or merge with or
into, the Company, and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation of such consolidation or merger and, in connection with such
consolidation or merger, all or part of the outstanding Common Shares shall be
changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person or
cash or any other property, or (z) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer
(or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one
transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets, operating income, cash flow or earning
power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person or
Persons (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in one or more
transactions each of which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), then, and in
each such case and except as contemplated by subsection (d), proper provision
shall be made so that:
(i) each holder of a Right, except as provided in Section 7(e)
hereof or subsection (e), shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the
exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement, such number of validly authorized and issued, fully paid, non
assessable and freely tradeable Common Shares of the Principal Party (as such
term is hereinafter defined), not subject to any liens, encumbrances, rights of
first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall be equal to the result obtained
by (1) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of Preferred
Share Fractions for which a Right is exercisable immediately prior to the first
occurrence of a Section 13 Event (or, if a Section 11(a)(ii) Event has occurred
prior to the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event, multiplying the number of
such shares for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such first occurrence), and (2) dividing that product
(which, following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event, shall be referred
to as the "Purchase Price" for each Right and for all purposes of this
Agreement) by 50% of the current market price (determined pursuant to Section
11(d)(i) hereof) per Common Share of such Principal Party on the date of
consummation of such Section 13 Event;
21
(ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and
shall assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the obligations and duties
of the Company pursuant to this Agreement;
(iii) the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer
to such Principal Party, it being specifically intended that the provisions of
Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such Principal Party following the first
occurrence of a Section 13 Event;
(iv) such Principal Party shall take such steps (including,
but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares)
in connection with the consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary
to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly
as reasonably may be, in relation to its Common Shares thereafter deliverable
upon the exercise of the Rights; and
(v) the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall be of no
effect following the first occurrence of any Section 13 Event.
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean
(i) in the case of any transaction described in clause (x) or
(y) of the first sentence of subsection (a), the Person that is the issuer of
any securities into which Common Shares of the Company are converted in such
merger or consolidation, and if no securities are so issued, the Person that is
the other party to such merger or consolidation; and
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause (z) of
the first sentence of subsection (a), the Person that is the party receiving the
greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such
transaction or transactions;
provided, however, that in the case of either (i) or (ii) above, (1) if the
Common Shares of such Person are not at such time and have not been continuously
over the preceding twelve (12) month period registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act, and such Person is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another
Person the Common Shares of which are and have been so registered, "Principal
Party" shall refer to such other Person, and (2) in case such Person is a
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one Person, the Common Shares
of two or more of which are and have been so registered, "Principal Party" shall
refer to whichever of such Persons is the issuer of the Common Shares having the
greatest aggregate market value.
(c) The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation,
merger, sale or transfer unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient
number of authorized shares of its Common Shares that have not been issued or
reserved for issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance
with this Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Company and such Principal
Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental
agreement providing for the terms set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
Section 13 and further providing that, as soon as practicable after the date of
any Section 13 event, the Principal Party will
22
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Act,
with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the
Rights on an appropriate form, and will use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to (A) become effective as soon as practicable after such
filing and (B) remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the
requirements of the Act) until the Expiration Date;
(ii) use its best efforts to qualify or register the Rights
and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights under blue sky laws
of such jurisdiction, as may be necessary or appropriate; and
(iii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial
statements for the Principal Party and each of its Affiliates that comply in all
respects with the requirements for registration on Form 10 under the Exchange
Act. The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive
mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers. In the event that a
Section 13 Event shall occur at any time after the occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event, the Rights that have not theretofore been exercised shall
thereafter become exercisable solely in the manner described in Section 13(a).
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, Section 13 (other than this subsection (d)) shall not be applicable
to, and the term "Section 13 Event" shall not include, a transaction described
in subparagraphs (x) and (y) of Section 13(a) if (i) such transaction is
consummated with a Person, or Persons who acquired Common Shares pursuant to a
Qualifying Offer (or a wholly owned Subsidiary of any such Person or Persons),
(ii) the price per Common Share offered in such transaction is not less than the
price per Common Share paid to all holders of Common Shares whose shares were
purchased pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer and (iii) the form of
consideration being offered to the remaining holders of Common Shares pursuant
to such transaction is the same as the form of consideration paid pursuant to
such tender or exchange offer. Upon consummation of any such transaction
contemplated by this subsection (d), all Rights hereunder shall expire.
(e) In the event that the Rights become exercisable under
subsection (a) (except as provided in subsection (d)), the Company, by action of
a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company, may authorize that the
Rights either (i) will only be or (ii) may, at the option of the Principal Party
be, exercisable for, 50% of the Common Shares of the Principal Party that would
otherwise be purchasable under subsection (a), in consideration of the surrender
to the Principal Party, as the successor to the Company under subsection (a)
(ii), of the Rights so exercised and without other payment of the Purchase
Price. Rights exercised under this subsection (e) shall be deemed to have been
exercised in full and shall be canceled.
23
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Rights, except prior to the Distribution Date as provided in Section 11(p)
hereof, or to distribute Rights Certificates that evidence fractional Rights. In
lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of
the Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would
otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current market value of a whole Right. For purposes of this subsection (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 of the Rights 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 the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or
admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on
the principal national 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 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
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 Shares upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which
evidence fractional Preferred Shares, except in each case for fractions which
are integral multiples of Preferred Shares. In lieu of fractional Preferred
Shares that are not integral multiples of Preferred Shares, the Company may pay
to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are
exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current market value of a Preferred Share. For purposes of this subsection (b),
the current market value of one Preferred Share shall be the closing price of a
Preferred Share (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(ii) hereof) for the
Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the
Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Shares upon exercise
of the Rights or to distribute certificates that evidence fractional Common
Shares. In lieu of fractional Common Shares, the Company may pay to the
registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised
as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current
market value of one Common Share. For purposes of this subsection (c), the
current market value of one Common Share shall be the closing price of one
Common Share (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading
Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(d) Whenever a payment for fractional Rights or fractional
shares is to be made by the Rights Agent, the Company shall (i) promptly prepare
and deliver to the Rights Agent a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail
the facts related to such payment and the process and/or formulas utilized in
calculating such payments, and (ii) provide sufficient monies to the Rights
Agent in the form of fully collected funds to make such payments. The Rights
Agent shall be fully protected in relying on such certificate and shall have no
duty with respect to and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any payment
for fractional Rights or fractional shares under this Section 4 unless and until
it shall have received such a certificate and sufficient monies.
24
(e) The holder of a Right or a beneficial interest in a Right
by the acceptance thereof expressly waives his right to receive any fractional
Rights or any fractional Common Shares upon exercise of a Right, except as
permitted by this Section 14.
Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement are vested in the respective registered holders of the Rights
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the
Common Shares); and any registered holder of any Rights Certificate (or, prior
to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), without the consent of the
Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights Certificate (or, prior to the
Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), may, in his own behalf and for his own
benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding
against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to
exercise the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate in the manner provided
in such Rights Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing
or any remedies available to the holders of Rights or beneficial interests
therein, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights or
beneficial interests therein would not have an adequate remedy at law for any
breach of this Agreement and shall be entitled to specific performance of the
obligations hereunder and injunctive relief against actual or threatened
violations of the obligations hereunder of any Person subject to this Agreement.
Section 16. Agreement of Rights Holders. Every holder of a Right or a
beneficial interest in a Right by accepting the same consents and agrees with
the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other such holder that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, beneficial interests in
the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common
Shares;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at
the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purposes, duly endorsed or
accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and with the appropriate forms
and certificates fully executed;
(c) subject to Section 6(a) and Section 7(f) hereof, the
Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name a
Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common
Share certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights
evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the
Rights Certificates or the associated Common Share 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 required to be affected by any
notice to the contrary; and
25
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to
any holder of a Right or a beneficial interest in a Right or other Person as a
result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement
by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree,
judgment or ruling (whether interlocutory or final) issued by a court of
competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency
or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated
or enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining
performance of such obligation; provided, however, the Company must use its best
efforts to have any such order, decree, judgment or ruling lifted or otherwise
overturned as soon as possible.
Section 17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder. No
holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of Preferred
Share Fractions or any other securities of the Company (including the Common
Shares) that may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights
represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights
Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights Certificate, as
such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for
the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders (except as
provided in Section 24 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights,
or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate
shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent.
(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent 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
disbursements and other disbursements incurred in the preparation, execution,
delivery, amendment, administration and execution of this Agreement and the
exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to
indemnify the Rights Agent and its directors, officers, employees and agents,
for and to hold each of them harmless against, any loss, liability, damage,
judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, settlement, cost or expense, incurred
without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the
Rights Agent or any such indemnified party, for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance or administration
of this Agreement or the exercise of its duties hereunder, including without
limitation the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability in
the premises.
(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 the acceptance and administration of this Agreement or in the
exercise of its duties hereunder in reliance upon any Rights Certificate or
certificate for Common Shares 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.
26
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.
(a) Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person
resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the
shareholder services or stock transfer business of the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this
Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto; provided, however, that such Person would be
eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of
Section 21 hereof.
(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be
changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature
under its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in
case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been
countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either
in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights
Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and
in this Agreement.
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes the
duties and obligations, and only the duties and obligations, expressly imposed
by this Agreement (and no implied duties or obligations) upon the following
terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights
Certificates or beneficial interests in the Rights, by their acceptance thereof,
shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may
be legal counsel for the Company), and the advice or written opinion of such
counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights
Agent, and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of, any
action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with
such advice or 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 (including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and
the determination of "current market price") be proved or established by the
Company prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such fact
or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically
prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a
certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any
Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such
certificate shall be full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and
the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken,
suffered or omitted in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement
in reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its
own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct; provided, however that
the Rights Agent shall not be liable for special, indirect, incidental or
consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever, even if the Rights Agent
has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage.
27
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of
any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the
Rights Certificates or be required to verify the same (except as to its
countersignature on such Rights Certificates), but all such statements and
recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any liability or
responsibility in respect of the validity of any provision of this Agreement or
the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights
Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Rights Certificate
(except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any
breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement
or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment
required under the provisions of this Agreement or responsible for the manner,
method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of
facts that would require any such adjustment (except with respect to the
exercise of Rights evidenced by Rights Certificates after actual notice of any
such adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any
representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Common
Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights Certificate or as
to whether any Common Shares or Preferred Shares will, when so issued, be
validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute,
acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and
delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may
reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by
the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to
accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from
any one of the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the
Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of
the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in
connection with its duties, and such instructions shall be full authorization
and protection for the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall incur no
liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken
by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer. The
Rights Agent may conclusively rely on the most recent instructions provided to
it by any such officer.
(h) The Rights Agent and any shareholder, affiliate, 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
the Rights Agent under this Agreement and none of such actions shall constitute
a breach of trust. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in
any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person or legal entity.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the
rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself
or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be
answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any
such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company or any other Person
resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, absent gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in the selection and continued
employment thereof.
28
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights
Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability
in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its
rights if it believes that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification
against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(k) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to
the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form
of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has either
not been completed or indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2
thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such
requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the Company.
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice mailed to the Company and to each
transfer agent of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares by registered or
certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first- class
mail. In the event the transfer agency relationship in effect between the
Company and the Rights Agent terminates, the Rights Agent will be deemed to
resign automatically on the effective date of such termination; and any required
notice will be sent by the Company.The Company may remove the Rights Agent or
any successor Rights Agent upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice mailed to
the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each
transfer agent of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, by registered or
certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class
mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become
incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent.
If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 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 Rights Certificate (who shall, with such
notice, submit his Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then any
registered holder of any Rights Certificate may apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights
Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (a) a
Person organized, doing business and in good standing under the laws of the
United States or of any state, having a principal office in the State of New
York or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, that is authorized by law to exercise
shareholder services and stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or
examination by federal or state authority and that has at the time of its
appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000 or (b) an Affiliate of any such Person. After appointment, the
successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and
responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without
further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer
to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and
execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for
the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the
Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent
and each transfer agent of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares and mail a
notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates
or, prior to the Distribution Date, to the registered holders of the Common
Shares. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the
agency and trust created by this Agreement, any of the Rights Certificates shall
have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may
adopt the countersignature of a predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights
Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights
Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may
countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the predecessor or in
the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights
Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and
in this Agreement. 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.
29
Section 22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates. Notwithstanding any of
the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company
may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form
as may be approved by 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 Rights Certificates made in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection
with the issuance, sale or delivery of Common Shares following the Distribution
Date and prior to the redemption or expiration of the Rights, the Company (a)
shall, with respect to Common Shares so issued, sold or delivered pursuant to
the exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, grants or awards
outstanding on the Distribution Date under any benefit plan or arrangement for
employees or directors, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of
securities outstanding on the Record Date or hereinafter issued by the Company,
and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board
of Directors of the Company, issue Rights Certificates representing the
appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; provided,
however, that (i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the
extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would
create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or
the Person to whom such Rights Certificate would be issued, and (ii) no such
Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate
adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.
Section 23. Redemption and Termination.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option,
at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth day
following a Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the Stock Acquisition Date shall have
occurred prior to the Record Date, the Close of Business on the tenth day
following the Record Date), or (ii) the Close of Business on the Final
Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at
a redemption price of $.00512 per Right (which amount represents the redemption
price of $.01 set forth in the Original Rights Agreement, adjusted for stock
splits occurring between the date of the Original Rights Agreement and the date
hereof), as such amount may be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock
split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof
(such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price")
and the Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price either in Common
Shares (based on the "current market price", as defined in Section 11(d)(i)
hereof, of the Common Shares at the time of redemption) or cash; provided,
however, that if, following the occurrence of a Stock Acquisition Date and
following the expiration of the right of redemption hereunder but prior to any
Triggering Event, (i) an Acquiring Person shall have transferred or otherwise
disposed of a number of Common Shares in one transaction or series of
transactions, not directly or indirectly involving the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, which did not result in the occurrence of a Triggering Event or
the Company shall have issued additional equity securities, in either instance
such that such Person is thereafter a Beneficial Owner of 10% or less of the
outstanding Common Shares, and (ii) there is no other Acquiring Person
immediately following the occurrence of the event described in clause (i), then
the right of redemption shall be reinstated thereafter be subject to the
provisions of this Section 23. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable after the first
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event until such time as the Company's right
of redemption hereunder has expired.
30
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of
the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, without any notice, or
further action, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only
right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption
Price for each Right so held. Promptly after the action of the Board of
Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall give notice
of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding
Rights by, in the case of notice to holders, mailing such notice to all such
holders at each holder's last address as it appears upon the registry books of
the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of
the Transfer Agent for the Common Shares. Any notice that is mailed in the
manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives
the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the
payment of the Redemption Price will be made.
Section 24. Exchange.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option,
at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, exchange all or part
of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights
that have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e)
hereof) for Common Shares at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right,
appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the date hereof (such exchange ratio being
hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Ratio"). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company's Board of Directors shall not be empowered to effect such exchange
at any time after any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the
Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any such Subsidiary, or any
Person organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the
terms of any such plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates of such
Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
Common Shares then outstanding.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of
the Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (a) of
this Section 24 and without any further action and without any notice, the right
to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of the
holders of such Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares 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 notify the
Rights Agent of any such exchange. The Company promptly shall mail a notice of
any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses
as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is
mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the
holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method
by which the exchange of the Common Shares 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
7(e) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.
31
(c) In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common
Shares issued but not outstanding or authorized but issued to permit any
exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 24, the
Company shall take all such action as may be necessary to authorize additional
Common Shares for issuance upon exchange of the Rights.
(d) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Common Shares or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common
Shares. In lieu of such fractional Common Shares, there shall be paid to the
registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such
fractional Common Shares would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to
the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Common Share. For the
purposes of this subsection (d), the current market value of a whole Common
Share shall be the closing price of a Common Share (as determined pursuant to
the second sentence of Section 11(d) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately
prior to the date of exchange pursuant to this Section 24.
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events.
(a) In case the Company shall propose, at any time after the
Distribution Date, (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the
holders of Preferred Shares or to make any other distribution to the holders of
Preferred Shares (other than a regular quarterly dividend out of earnings or
retained earnings of the Company), or (ii) to offer to the holders of Preferred
Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional
Preferred Shares or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights
or options, or (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred Shares
(other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding
Preferred Shares), or (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with
any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or to effect any sale or other transfer (or
to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer),
in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of more than 50% of the
assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole)
to any other Person or Persons (other than the Company and/or any of its
Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which complies with Section
11(o) hereof), or (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to the Rights Agent
and to each holder of a Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and in
accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall
specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, distribution of
rights or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation,
merger, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place
and the date of participation therein by the holders of Preferred Shares, 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 twenty (20) days prior to
the record date for determining holders of Preferred Shares for purposes of such
action, and in the case of any such other action, at least twenty (20) days
prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of
participation therein by the holders of Preferred Shares, whichever shall be the
earlier.
32
(b) Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, (i) the
Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Rights
Certificate, to the extent feasible and in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a
notice of the occurrence of such event, which shall specify the event and the
consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof,
and (ii) all references in the preceding paragraph to Preferred Shares shall be
deemed thereafter to refer to Common Shares and/or, if appropriate, other
securities.
Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to
be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights Certificate
to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:
Aqua America, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 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 Rights
Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if
sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
Equiserve Trust Company, N.A.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Client Administration
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or, if
prior to the Distribution Date to the holder of certificates representing Common
Shares) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the
registry books of the Company.
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments. Prior to the Distribution Date,
the Company may and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs,
supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement without the approval of any
holders of certificates representing Common Shares. From and after the
Distribution Date, the Company may and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so
directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders
of Rights Certificates in order (i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or
supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent
with any other provisions herein, (iii) to shorten or lengthen any time period
33
hereunder, or (iv) to change or supplement the provisions hereunder in any
manner that the Company may deem necessary or desirable and that shall not
adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights Certificates; provided,
this Agreement may not be supplemented or amended to lengthen, pursuant to
clause (iii) of this sentence, (A) a time period relating to when the Rights may
be redeemed at such time as the Rights are not then redeemable, or (B) any other
time period unless such lengthening is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing
or clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of Rights. Upon
the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company that
states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms
of this Section 27, and if requested by the Rights Agent, an opinion of counsel,
the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) no supplement or
amendment shall be made that changes the Redemption Price, the Final Expiration
Date, the Purchase Price or the number of Preferred Share Fractions for which a
Right is exercisable, and (ii) no supplement or amendment that changes or
increases the obligations and duties of the Rights Agent under this Agreement
shall be effective without the consent of the Rights Agent. Prior to the
Distribution Date, the interests of the beneficial owners of Rights shall be
deemed coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Shares. Prior to
the Distribution Date, the interests of the beneficial owners of Rights shall be
deemed coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Shares.
Section 28. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
Section 29. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc.
For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of Common
Shares outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of determining
the particular percentage of such outstanding Common Shares of which any Person
is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of
Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.
The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and
authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers
specifically granted to the Board of Directors of the Company or to the Company,
or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this 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 a determination
to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend or supplement the 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 and all other Persons, and (y) not subject the Board of
Directors of the Company to any liability to the holders of the Rights. For
purposes of this Agreement, the Rights Agent shall be allowed to assume that all
such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations have been done or
made by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.
Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall
be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and
the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Shares) any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, registered holders of the Common Shares).
34
Section 31. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or
other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable for any purpose or under
any set of circumstances or as applied to any Person, such invalid, void or
unenforceable term, provision, covenant or restriction shall continue in effect
to the maximum extent possible for all other purposes, under all other
circumstances and as applied to all other Persons; and the remainder of the
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such
court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment that severing the
invalid language from this Agreement would adversely affect the purpose or
effect of this Agreement, the right of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof
shall be reinstated and shall not expire until the Close of Business on the
tenth day following the date of such determination by the Board of Directors.
Section 32. Governing Law. This Agreement, each Right and each Rights
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and for all purposes shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of such jurisdiction applicable to
contracts made and to be performed entirely within such jurisdiction; except
that all provisions regarding the rights, duties and obligations of the Rights
Agent shall by governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely
within such jurisdiction.
Section 33. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed
to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one
and the same instrument.
Section 34. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
Section 35. Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, Rights Agent shall not be liable for any delays or failures in
performance resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control including, without
limitation, acts of God, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or
malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of computer facilities, or loss of
data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage
or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, war, or civil unrest.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
AQUA AMERICA, INC.
By /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------
Name: Xxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President
EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
By /s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxx
------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. XxXxxx
Title: Senior Account Manager
35
EXHIBIT A
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORPORATION
ESTABLISHING AND DESIGNATING
SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED SHARES
AS A SERIES OF THE PREFERRED STOCK
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority expressly vested in the Board of
Directors of Philadelphia Suburban Corporation (the "Corporation") by Article
FIFTH of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, the Board of
Directors hereby fixes and determines the voting rights, designations,
preferences, qualifications, privileges, limitations, restrictions, options,
conversion rights and other special or relative rights of the first series of
the Series Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, which shall consist of
100,000 shares and shall be designated as Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Shares (the "Series A Preferred Shares").
Special Terms of the Series A Preferred Shares
Section 1. Dividends and Distributions.
(a) The rate of dividends payable per share of Series A
Preferred Shares on the first day of January, April, July and October in each
year or such other quarterly payment date as shall be specified by the Board of
Directors (each such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after
the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of the Series A Preferred
Shares, shall be (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (i)
$10.00 or (ii) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth,
1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000
times the aggregate per share amount (payable in cash, based upon the fair
market value at the time the non-cash dividend or other distribution is declared
or paid as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) of all non-cash
dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of
Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock, $.50 par value per
share, of the Corporation since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date,
since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of the Series A
Preferred Shares. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares shall be paid out
of funds legally available for such purpose. In the event the Corporation shall
at any time after March 1, 1998 (the "Rights Declaration Date") (i) declare any
dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amounts
to which holders of Series A Preferred Shares were entitled immediately prior to
such event under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by
multiplying each such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.
A-1
(b) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding Series A Preferred Shares from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date
next preceding the date of issue of such Series A Preferred Shares, unless the
date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to
accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the
determination of holders of Series A Preferred Shares entitled to receive a
quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of
which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such
quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear
interest. Dividends paid on the Series A Preferred Shares in an amount less than
the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such
shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such
shares at the time outstanding.
Section 2. Voting Rights. In addition to any other voting rights
required by law, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall have the
following voting rights:
(a) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, each Series A Preferred Share shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000
votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Corporation.
In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date
(i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each
such case the number of votes per share to which holders of Series A Preferred
Shares were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by
multiplying such number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(b) In the event that dividends upon the Series A Preferred
Shares shall be in arrears to an amount equal to six full quarterly dividends
thereon, the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares shall become entitled to
the extent hereinafter provided to vote noncumulatively at all elections of
directors of the Corporation, and to receive notice of all shareholders'
meetings to be held for such purpose. At such meetings, to the extent that
directors are being elected, the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares
voting as a class shall be entitled solely to elect two members of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation; and all other directors of the Corporation shall
be elected by the other shareholders of the Corporation entitled to vote in the
election of directors. Such voting rights of the holders of such Series A
Preferred Shares shall continue until all accumulated and unpaid dividends
thereon shall have been paid or funds sufficient therefor set aside, whereupon
all such voting rights of the holders of shares of such series shall cease,
subject to being again revived from time to time upon the reoccurrence of the
conditions above described as giving rise thereto.
A-2
At any time when such right to elect directors separately as a
class shall have so vested, the Corporation may, and upon the written request of
the holders of record of not less than 20% of the then outstanding total number
of shares of all the Series A Preferred Shares having the right to elect
directors in such circumstances shall, call a special meeting of holders of such
Series A Preferred Shares for the election of directors. In the case of such a
written request, such special meeting shall be held within 90 days after the
delivery of such request, and, in either case, at the place and upon the notice
provided by law and in the By-laws of the Corporation; provided, that the
Corporation shall not be required to call such a special meeting if such request
is received less than 120 days before the date fixed for the next ensuing annual
or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation. Upon the mailing of the
notice of such special meeting to the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares,
or, if no such meeting be held, then upon the mailing of the notice of the next
annual or special meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, the
number of directors of the Corporation shall, ipso facto, be increased to the
extent, but only to the extent, necessary to provide sufficient vacancies to
enable the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares to elect the two directors
hereinabove provided for, and all such vacancies shall be filled only by vote of
the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares as hereinabove provided. Whenever
the number of directors of the Corporation shall have been increased, the number
as so increased may thereafter be further increased or decreased in such manner
as may be permitted by the By-laws and without the vote of the holders of Series
A Preferred Shares, provided that no such action shall impair the right of the
holders of Series A Preferred Shares to elect and to be represented by two
directors as herein provided.
So long as the holders of Series A Preferred Shares are
entitled hereunder to voting rights, any vacancy in the Board of Directors
caused by the death or resignation of any director elected by the holders of
Series A Preferred Shares, shall, until the next meeting of shareholders for the
election of directors, in each case be filled by the remaining director elected
by the holders of Series A Preferred Shares having the right to elect directors
in such circumstances.
Upon termination of the voting rights of the holders of any
series of Series A Preferred Shares the terms of office of all persons who shall
have been elected directors of the Corporation by vote of the holders of Series
A Preferred Shares or by a director elected by such holders shall forthwith
terminate.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, in the Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation or by law, the holders of Series A Preferred
Shares and the holders of Common Stock (and the holders of shares of any other
series or class entitled to vote thereon) shall vote together as one class on
all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation.
Section 3. Reacquired Shares. Any Series A Preferred Shares purchased
or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be
retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares
shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued Series Preferred
Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Series Preferred Stock to
be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. In the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to
receive the greater of (a) $100.00 per share, plus accrued dividends to the date
of distribution, whether or not earned or declared, or (b) an amount per share,
subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 1,000
times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common
Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii)
combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares,
then in each such case the amount to which holders of Series A Preferred Shares
were entitled immediately prior to such event pursuant to clause (b) of the
preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction
the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
A-3
Section 5. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall
enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which
the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the Series A
Preferred Shares shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an
amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth)
equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any
other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which
each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the Corporation
shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on
Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock
into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount set forth in
the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of
Series A Preferred Shares shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
event.
Section 6. No Redemption. The Series A Preferred Shares shall not be
redeemable.
Section 7. Ranking. The Series A Preferred Shares shall rank junior to
all other series of the Corporation's Series Preferred Stock as to the payment
of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of any such series
shall provide otherwise.
Section 8. Fractional Shares. Series A Preferred Shares may be issued
in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such
holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends,
participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of
holders of Series A Preferred Shares.
A-4
EXHIBIT B
[Form of Rights Certificate]
Certificate No. R- ___________ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER MARCH 1, 2008 OR AFTER EARLIER
REDEMPTION BY THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO
REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT $.01 PER RIGHT ON
THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING
PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS
SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY
SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID.
[THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING
PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS
SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY,
THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY
BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION
7(e) OF SUCH AGREEMENT.]*
---------------
* The bracketed portion of the legend shall be inserted only if applicable and
shall replace the preceding sentence.
B-1
AQUA AMERICA, INC.
RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
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 First
Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of _________ __, 2004, (the
"Rights Agreement"), between Aqua America, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the
"Company"), and Equiserve Trust Company, N.A. (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase
from the Company at any time prior to 5:00 P.M. (Philadelphia time) on March 1,
2008 at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose,
or its successors as Rights Agent, one one-thousandth of a fully paid,
nonassessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the
"Preferred Share") of the Company, at a purchase price (the "Purchase Price") of
$46.08 per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (such fraction, a "Preferred
Share Fraction"), upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate
with the Form of Election to Purchase and related Certificate duly executed.
Except as provided in Sections 11(q) and 13(e) of the Rights Agreement, the
Purchase Price shall be paid, at the option of the Company, in cash or Common
Stock, of the Company (the "Common Shares") having an equivalent value. The
number of Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and the number of
Preferred Share Fractions that may be purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth
above, and the Purchase Price per Preferred Share Fraction set forth above, are
the number and Purchase Price as of March 1, 1998, based on the Preferred Shares
as constituted at such date.
Except as otherwise provided in the Rights Agreement, upon the
occurrence of any Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined in the Rights
Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are beneficially
owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or Associate or Affiliate or Associate of any
Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), (ii) a
transferee of any Acquiring Person (of any such Associate or Affiliate) who
becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) under
certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of a
person who, after such transfer, became an Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person, such Rights shall become null and void and no
holder hereof shall have any right with respect to such Rights from and after
the occurrence of any such Section 11(a)(ii) Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number
and kind of Preferred Shares or other securities that may be purchased upon the
exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are subject to
modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events, including
Triggering Events and a Section 11 (a) (ii) Event.
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, covenants and
restrictions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, covenants and restrictions
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 Rights Certificates, which
limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of
such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office of the
Rights Agent and are also available upon written request to the Company.
B-2
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates,
upon surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose,
may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like
tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like
aggregate number of Preferred Share Fractions as the Rights evidenced by the
Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such
holder to purchase. If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the
holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Rights
Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced
by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option at a redemption
price of $.00512 per Right at any time prior to the earlier of the Close of
Business (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) on (i) the tenth day
following the Stock Acquisition Date (as such time period may be extended
pursuant to the Rights Agreement), and (ii) the Final Expiration Date.
No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any
Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of a Preferred Share, which may, as the election of the Company, be
evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be
made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of Preferred Shares or
of any other securities of the Company (including Common Shares) that may at any
time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the
Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as
such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for
the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or, to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders (except as
provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription
rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any
purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
B-3
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company
and its corporate seal.
Dated as of ____________, 19__
ATTEST AQUA AMERICA, INC.
By
--------------------------------- --------------------------------
Secretary Title:
Countersigned
EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
By
-----------------------------
Authorized Signature
B-4
[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
------------------
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED ________________________________________ hereby sells,
assigns and transfers unto_____________________________________________________
(Please print name and address of transferee)
___________________________________________________________ this Rights
Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does
hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ___________________ Attorney, to
transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named Company,
with full power of substitution.
Dated: _________________, 20 __
---------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Certificate
-----------
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes
that:
(1) this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold, assigned
and transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or
an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are
defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the
undersigned, it [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: ________________, 20__
---------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
NOTICE
The signatures to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
B-5
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to exercise
Rights represented by the Rights Certificate.)
To: AQUA AMERICA, INC.:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ________ Rights
represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares issuable
upon the exercise of the Rights (or Common Shares or such other securities of
the Company or of any other person that may be issuable upon the exercise of the
Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares be issued in the name of
and delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights
shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
Dated: ________________, 20__
---------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
B-6
Certificate
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [ ] are [ ]
are not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms
are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it
[ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from
any Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: ________________, 20__
---------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
NOTICE
The signatures to the foregoing Election to Purchase and Certificate
must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate
in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
B-7
