FORM OF AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF ACQUISITION AND LIQUIDATION BETWEEN ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH FUND, INC. AND ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC. AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF ACQUISITION AND LIQUIDATION RELATING TO THE...
FORM
OF AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF ACQUISITION AND LIQUIDATION BETWEEN
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH FUND, INC. AND ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN INTERNATIONAL
GROWTH FUND, INC.
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF ACQUISITION AND LIQUIDATION
RELATING
TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROWTH FUND, INC.
As
of
May
8, 2008
This
Agreement and Plan of Acquisition and Liquidation (the “Acquisition Plan”) is
made as of this 8th day of May, 2008, by and between AllianceBernstein
International Growth Fund, Inc. (“Acquiring Fund”), a Maryland corporation, and
AllianceBernstein International Research Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Acquired
Fund”), a Maryland corporation.
WHEREAS,
Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund are open-end management investment
companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”);
WHEREAS,
the parties desire that the Acquired Fund transfer all of the assets
attributable to its Class A shares held by stockholders (“Stockholders”) in
exchange for Class A shares of equal net asset value of Acquiring Fund (“Class A
Acquisition Shares”), transfer all of the assets attributable to its Class B
shares held by Stockholders in exchange for Class B shares of equal net asset
value of Acquiring Fund (“Class B Acquisition Shares”), transfer all of the
assets attributable to its Class C shares held by Stockholders in exchange for
Class C shares of equal net asset value of Acquiring Fund (“Class C Acquisition
Shares”), transfer all of the assets attributable to its Advisor Class shares
held by Stockholders in exchange for Advisor Class shares of equal net asset
value of Acquiring Fund (“Advisor Class Acquisition Shares”), transfer all of
the assets attributable to its Class R shares held by Stockholders in exchange
for Class R shares of equal net asset value of Acquiring Fund (“Class R
Acquisition Shares”), transfer all of the assets attributable to its Class K
shares held by Stockholders in exchange for Class K shares of equal net asset
value of Acquiring Fund (“Class K Acquisition Shares”), transfer all of the
assets attributable to its Class I shares held by Stockholders in exchange for
Class I shares of equal net asset value of Acquiring Fund (“Class I Acquisition
Shares” and together with the Class A Acquisition Shares, Class B
Acquisition Shares, Class C Acquisition Shares, Advisor Class Acquisition
Shares, Class R Acquisition Shares, and Class K Acquisition Shares, the
“Acquisition Shares”) and distribute the Class A Acquisition Shares, Class B
Acquisition Shares, Class C Acquisition Shares, Advisor Class Acquisition
Shares, Class R Acquisition Shares, Class K Acquisition Shares, and Class I
Acquisition Shares to Stockholders of Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class,
Class R, Class K, and Class I, respectively, of the Acquired Fund (the
“Acquisition”); and
WHEREAS,
the parties intend that the Acquisition qualify as a “reorganization” within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”), and any successor provisions, and that with respect to the
Acquisition, Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will each be a “party to a
reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;
Now,
therefore, Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund agree as follows:
1.
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Definitions
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In
addition to the terms elsewhere defined herein, each of the following terms
shall have the meaning indicated for that term as follows:
1934
Act……………..
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Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
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1933
Act……………..
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Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
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Assets………………..
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All
assets of any kind and all interests, rights, privileges and powers of or
attributable to the Acquired Fund or its shares, as appropriate, whether
or not determinable at the appropriate Effective Time and wherever
located, including, without limitation, all cash, cash equivalents,
securities, claims (whether absolute or contingent, known or unknown,
accrued or unaccrued or conditional or unmatured), contract rights and
receivables (including dividend and interest receivables) owned by the
Acquired Fund or attributable to its shares and any deferred or prepaid
expense, other than unamortized organizational expenses, shown as an asset
on the Acquired Fund’s books.
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Closing
Date…………
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Shall
be on such other date following the date that Stockholders of the Acquired
Fund approve the Acquisition Plan as the parties may
agree.
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Effective
Time……….
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5:00
p.m. Eastern time on the Closing Date, or such other time as the parties
may agree to in writing.
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Financial
Statement….
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The
audited financial statements of the relevant Fund for its most recently
completed fiscal year and, if applicable, the unaudited financial
statements of that Fund for its most recently completed semi-annual
period.
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Fund………………….
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Acquiring
Fund and/or the Acquired Fund, as the case may be.
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Liabilities…………….
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All
liabilities, expenses and obligations of any kind whatsoever of the
Acquired Fund, whether known or unknown, accrued or unaccrued, absolute or
contingent or conditional or unmatured.
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N-14
Registration……
Statement
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The
Registration Statement of Acquiring Fund on Form N-14 under the 1940 Act
that will register the Acquisition Shares to be issued in the Acquisition
and will include the proxy materials necessary for the Stockholders of the
Acquired Fund to approve the Acquisition.
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Valuation
Time………
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The
close of regular session trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
on the Closing Date, when for purposes of the Acquisition Plan, Acquiring
Fund determines its net asset value per Acquisition Share and the Acquired
Fund determines the net value of the Assets.
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NAV………………….
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A
Fund’s net asset value is calculated by valuing and totaling assets and
then subtracting liabilities and then dividing the balance by the number
of shares that are outstanding.
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2.
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Regulatory
Filings
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Acquiring
Fund shall promptly prepare and file the N-14 Registration Statement with the
SEC, and Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund also shall make any other required
or appropriate filings with respect to the actions contemplated
hereby.
3.
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Transfer of the
Acquired Fund’s Assets
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Acquiring
Fund and the Acquired Fund shall take the following steps with respect to the
Acquisition, as applicable:
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(a)
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On
or prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund shall pay or provide for
the payment of all of the Liabilities, expenses, costs and charges of or
attributable to the Acquired Fund that are known to the Acquired Fund and
that are due and payable prior to or as of the Closing
Date.
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(b)
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Prior
to the Effective Time, except to the extent prohibited by Rule 19b-1 under
the 1940 Act, the Acquired Fund will declare to Acquired Fund Stockholders
of record a dividend or dividends which, together with all previous such
dividends, shall have the effect of distributing (i) all the excess of (A)
Acquired Fund’s investment income excludable from gross income under
Section 103(a) of the Code over (B) Acquired Fund’s deductions disallowed
under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code, (ii) all of Acquired Fund’s
investment company taxable income (as defined in Code Section 852),
(computed in each case without regard to any deduction for dividends
paid), and (iii) all of Acquired Fund’s net realized capital gain (as
defined in Code Section 1222), if any (after reduction for any capital
loss carryover), in each case for both the taxable year ending on July 31,
2007, and for the short taxable year beginning on August 1, 2007 and
ending on the Closing Date. Such dividends will be declared and paid to
ensure continued qualification of the Acquired Fund as a “regulated
investment company” for tax purposes and to eliminate fund-level
tax.
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(c)
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At
the Effective Time, pursuant to Articles of Transfer accepted for record
by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the
“SDAT”), the Acquired Fund shall assign, transfer, deliver and convey the
Assets to Acquiring Fund, subject to the Liabilities. Acquiring Fund shall
then accept the Assets and assume the Liabilities such that at and after
the Effective Time (i) the Assets at or after the Effective Time shall
become and be assets of Acquiring Fund, and (ii) the Liabilities at the
Effective Time shall attach to Acquiring Fund, and shall be enforceable
against Acquiring Fund to the same extent as if initially incurred by
Acquiring Fund.
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(d)
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Within
a reasonable time prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund shall
provide, if requested, a list of the Assets to Acquiring Fund. The
Acquired Fund may sell any asset on such list prior to the Effective Time.
After the Acquired Fund provides such list, the Acquired Fund will not
acquire any additional securities or permit to exist any encumbrances,
rights, restrictions or claims not reflected on such list, without the
approval of Acquiring Fund. Within a reasonable time after receipt of the
list and prior to the Closing Date, Acquiring Fund will advise the
Acquired Fund in writing of any investments shown on the list that
Acquiring Fund has determined to be inconsistent with its investment
objective, policies and restrictions. The Acquired Fund will dispose of
any such securities prior to the Closing Date to the extent practicable
and consistent with applicable legal requirements, including the Acquired
Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions. In addition, if
Acquiring Fund determines that, as a result of the Acquisition, Acquiring
Fund would own an aggregate amount of an investment that would exceed a
percentage limitation applicable to Acquiring Fund, Acquiring Fund will
advise the Acquired Fund in writing of any such limitation and the
Acquired Fund shall dispose of a sufficient amount of such investment as
may be necessary to avoid the limitation as of the Effective Time, to the
extent practicable and consistent with applicable legal requirements,
including the Acquired Fund’s investment objectives, policies and
restrictions.
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(e)
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The
Acquired Fund shall assign, transfer, deliver and convey the Assets to
Acquiring Fund at the Effective Time on the following
basis:
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(i)
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The
value of the Assets less the Liabilities of the Acquired Fund attributable
to shares of Class A held by Stockholders, shares of Class B held by
Stockholders, shares of Class C held by Stockholders, shares of Advisor
Class held by Stockholders, shares of Class R held by Stockholders, shares
of Class K held by Stockholders, and shares of Class I held by
Stockholders, determined as of the Valuation Time, shall be divided by the
then NAV of one Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K
or Class I Acquisition Share, as applicable, and, in exchange for the
transfer of the Assets, Acquiring Fund shall simultaneously issue and
deliver to the Acquired Fund the number of Class A, Class B, Class C,
Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, and Class I Acquisition Shares so
determined, rounded to the second decimal place or such other decimal
place as the parties may agree to in
writing;
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(ii)
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The
NAV of Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, and
Class I Acquisition Shares to be delivered to the Acquired Fund shall be
determined as of the Valuation Time in accordance with Acquiring Fund’s
then applicable valuation procedures, and the net value of the Assets to
be conveyed to Acquiring Fund shall be determined as of the Valuation Time
in accordance with the then applicable valuation procedures of the
Acquired Fund; and
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(iii)
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The
portfolio securities of the Acquired Fund shall be made available by the
Acquired Fund to The Bank of New York Mellon, as custodian for Acquiring
Fund (the “Custodian”), for examination no later than five business days
preceding the Valuation Time. On the Closing Date, such portfolio
securities and all the Acquired Fund’s cash shall be delivered by the
Acquired Fund to the Custodian for the account of Acquiring Fund, such
portfolio securities to be duly endorsed in proper form for transfer in
such manner and condition as to constitute good delivery thereof in
accordance with the custom of brokers or, in the case of portfolio
securities held in the U.S. Treasury Department’s book-entry system or by
The Depository Trust Company, Participants Trust Company or other third
party depositories, by transfer to the account of the Custodian in
accordance with Rule 17f-4, Rule 17f-5 or Rule 17f-7, as the case may be,
under the 1940 Act and accompanied by all necessary federal and state
stock transfer stamps or a check for the appropriate purchase price
thereof. The cash delivered shall be in the form of currency or certified
or official bank checks, payable to the order of the Custodian, or shall
be wired to an account pursuant to instructions provided by Acquiring
Fund.
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(f)
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Promptly
after the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will deliver to Acquiring Fund a
Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Acquired Fund as of the Closing
Date.
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4.
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Termination of the
Acquired Fund, Registration of Acquisition Shares and Access to
Records
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The
Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund also shall take the following steps, as
applicable:
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(a)
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At
or as soon as reasonably practical after the Effective Time, the Acquired
Fund shall terminate by transferring pro rata to its Stockholders of Class
A of record Class A Acquisition Shares received by the Acquired Fund
pursuant to Section 3(e)(i) of this Acquisition Plan; to its Stockholders
of Class B of record Class B Acquisition Shares received by the Acquired
Fund pursuant to Section 3(e)(i) of this Acquisition Plan; to its
Stockholders of Class C of record Class C Acquisition Shares received by
the Acquired Fund pursuant to Section 3(e)(i) of this Acquisition Plan; to
its Stockholders of Advisor Class of record Advisor Class Acquisition
Shares received by the Acquired Fund pursuant to Section 3(e)(i) of this
Acquisition Plan; to its Stockholders of Class R of record Class R
Acquisition Shares received by the Acquired Fund pursuant to Section
3(e)(i) of this Acquisition Plan; to its Stockholders of Class K of record
Class K Acquisition Shares received by the Acquired Fund pursuant to
Section 3(e)(i) of this Acquisition Plan; and to its Stockholders of Class
I of record Class I Acquisition Shares received by the Acquired Fund
pursuant to Section 3(e)(i) of this Acquisition Plan. Acquiring Fund shall
establish accounts on its share records and note on such accounts the
names of the former Acquired Fund Stockholders and the types and amounts
of Acquiring Fund shares that former Acquired Fund Stockholders are due
based on their respective holdings of shares of the Acquired Fund as of
the close of business on the Closing Date. Fractional Acquiring Fund
shares shall be carried to the second decimal place. Acquiring Fund shall
not issue certificates representing Acquiring Fund shares in connection
with such exchange. All issued and outstanding shares in connection with
such exchange will be simultaneously cancelled on the books of the
Acquired Fund. Ownership of Acquiring Fund’s shares will be shown on the
books of Acquiring Fund’s transfer
agent.
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Following
distribution by the Acquired Fund to its Stockholders of all Acquisition
Shares delivered to the Acquired Fund, the Acquired Fund shall wind up its
affairs and shall take all steps as are necessary and proper to terminate
as soon as is reasonably possible after the Effective
Time.
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(b)
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At
and after the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund shall provide Acquiring Fund
and its transfer agent with immediate access to: (i) all records
containing the names, addresses and taxpayer identification numbers of all
of the Acquired Fund’s Stockholders and the number and percentage
ownership of the outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund owned by
Stockholders as of the Effective Time, and (ii) all original documentation
(including all applicable Internal Revenue Service forms, certificates,
certifications and correspondence) relating to the Acquired Fund
Stockholders’ taxpayer identification numbers and their liability for or
exemption from back-up withholding. The Acquired Fund shall preserve and
maintain, or shall direct its service providers to preserve and maintain,
records with respect to the Acquired Fund as required by Section 31 of,
and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under, the 1940
Act.
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5.
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Certain
Representations and Warranties of the Acquired
Fund
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The
Acquired Fund represents and warrants to Acquiring Fund as follows:
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(a)
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The
Acquired Fund is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland. The Acquired Fund
is registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company
under the 1940 Act and such registrations will be in full force and effect
as of the Effective Time.
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(b)
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The
Acquired Fund has the power and all necessary federal, state and local
qualifications and authorizations to own all of the Assets, to carry on
its business, to enter into this Acquisition Plan and to consummate the
transactions contemplated herein.
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(c)
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The
Board of Directors of the Acquired Fund has duly authorized the execution
and delivery of this Acquisition Plan and the transactions contemplated
herein. Duly authorized officers of the Acquired Fund have executed and
delivered this Acquisition Plan. This Acquisition Plan represents a valid
and binding contract, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as
to enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement,
moratorium, and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or
affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles. The
execution and delivery of this Acquisition Plan does not, and, subject to
the approval of Stockholders referred to in Section 3 hereof, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Acquisition Plan
will not, violate the Acquired Fund’s Charter, its Bylaws or any material
agreement to which the Acquired Fund is subject. Except for the approval
of its Stockholders, the Acquired Fund does not need to take any other
action to authorize its officers to effectuate this Acquisition Plan and
the transactions contemplated
herein.
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(d)
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The
Acquired Fund has qualified as a regulated investment company under Part I
of Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code, in respect of each
taxable year since the commencement of its operations and intends to
continue to qualify as a regulated investment company for its taxable year
ending upon its liquidation.
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(e)
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The
information pertaining to the Acquired Fund included within the N-14
Registration Statement when filed with the SEC, when Part A of the N-14
Registration Statement is distributed to Stockholders, at the time of the
Stockholder meeting of the Acquired Fund for approval of the Acquisition
and at the Effective Time, insofar as it relates to the Acquired Fund,
shall (i) comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder
and applicable state securities laws, and (ii) not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not
misleading.
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(f)
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The
Acquired Fund has duly authorized and validly issued all of its issued and
outstanding shares of common stock, and all such shares are fully paid and
non-assessable and were offered for sale and sold in conformity with the
registration requirements of all applicable federal and state securities
laws. There are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to
subscribe for or purchase any of the shares of the Acquired Fund, nor are
there any securities convertible into shares of the Acquired
Fund.
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(g)
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The
Acquired Fund shall operate its business in the ordinary course between
the date hereof and the Effective Time. Such ordinary course of business
will include the declaration and payment of customary dividends and
distributions and any other dividends and distributions referred to in
Section 3(b) hereof.
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(h)
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At
the Effective Time, the Acquired Fund will have good and marketable title
to the Assets and full right, power and authority to assign, transfer,
deliver and convey the Assets.
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(i)
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The
Financial Statements of the Acquired Fund, a copy of which has been
previously delivered to Acquiring Fund, fairly present the financial
position of the Acquired Fund as of the Acquired Fund’s most recent fiscal
year-end and the results of the Acquired Fund’s operations and changes in
the Acquired Fund’s net assets for the periods
indicated.
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(j)
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To
the knowledge of the Acquired Fund, the Acquired Fund has no liabilities,
whether or not determined or determinable, other than the Liabilities
disclosed or provided for in its Financial Statements or Liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to the date of the
most recent Financial Statement referencing
Liabilities.
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(k)
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To
the knowledge of the Acquired Fund, except as has been disclosed in
writing to Acquiring Fund, no claims, actions, suits, investigations or
proceedings of any type are pending or threatened against the Acquired
Fund or any of its properties or assets or any person whom the Acquired
Fund may be obligated to indemnify in connection with such litigation,
proceeding or investigation. Subject to the foregoing, there are no facts
that the Acquired Fund has reason to believe are likely to form the basis
for the institution of any such claim, action, suit, investigation or
proceeding against the Acquired Fund. The Acquired Fund is not a party to
nor subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any
court or governmental body that adversely affects, or is reasonably likely
to adversely affect, its financial condition, results of operations, or
the Assets or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by
the Acquisition Plan.
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(l)
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Except
for agreements entered into or granted in the ordinary course of its
business, in each case under which no material default exists, and this
Acquisition Plan, the Acquired Fund is not a party to or subject to any
material contract or other commitments that, if terminated, may result in
material liability to the Acquired Fund or under which (whether or not
terminated) any material payment for periods subsequent to the Closing
Date will be due from the Acquired
Fund.
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(m)
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The
Acquired Fund has filed its federal income tax returns, copies of which
have been previously made available to Acquiring Fund, for all taxable
years for which such returns are due and has paid all taxes payable
pursuant to such returns. All of the Acquired Fund’s tax liabilities will
have been adequately provided for on its books. No such return is
currently under audit and no unpaid assessment has been asserted with
respect to such returns. To the best of the Acquired Fund’s knowledge, it
will not have any tax deficiency or liability asserted against it or
question with respect thereto raised, and it will not be under audit by
the Internal Revenue Service or by any state or local tax authority for
taxes in excess of those already paid. The Acquired Fund will timely file
its federal income tax return for each subsequent taxable year including
its current taxable year.
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(n)
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For
federal income tax purposes, the Acquired Fund qualifies as a “regulated
investment company,” and the provisions of Sections 851 through 855 of the
Code apply to the Acquired Fund for the remainder of its current taxable
year beginning August 1, 2007, and will continue to apply through the
Closing Date.
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(o)
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Since
the date of the Financial Statements of the Acquired Fund, there has been
no material adverse change in its financial condition, results of
operations, business, or Assets. For this purpose, negative investment
performance shall not be considered a material adverse
change.
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(p)
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The
Acquired Fund’s investment operations from inception to the date hereof
have been in compliance in all material respects with the investment
policies and investment restrictions set forth in its prospectus or
prospectuses and statement or statements of additional information as in
effect from time to time, except as previously disclosed in writing to
Acquiring Fund.
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(q)
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The
Acquisition Shares to be issued to the Acquired Fund pursuant to paragraph
4(e)(i) will not be acquired for the purpose of making any distribution
thereof other than to the Acquired Fund Stockholders as provided in
paragraph 4(e)(i).
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(r)
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The
Acquired Fund, or its agents, (i) holds a valid Form W-8Ben, Certificate
of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Withholding (or
other appropriate series of Form W-8, as the case may be) or Form W-9,
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, for each
Acquired Fund Stockholder of record, which Form W-8 or Form W-9 can be
associated with reportable payments made by the Acquired Fund to such
Stockholder, and/or (ii) has otherwise timely instituted the appropriate
backup withholding procedures with respect to such Stockholder as provided
by Section 3406 of the Code and the regulations
thereunder.
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6.
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Certain
Representations and Warranties of Acquiring
Fund
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Acquiring
Fund represents and warrants to the Acquired Fund as follows:
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(a)
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Acquiring
Fund is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Maryland. Acquiring Fund is
registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company under
the 1940 Act and such registrations will be in full force and effect as of
the Effective Time.
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(b)
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Acquiring
Fund shall operate its business in the ordinary course between the date
hereof and the Effective Time. Such ordinary course of business will
include the declaration and payment of customary dividends and
distributions.
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(c)
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Acquiring
Fund has the power and all necessary federal, state and local
qualifications and authorizations to own all of its assets, to carry on
its business, to enter into this Acquisition Plan and to consummate the
transactions contemplated herein.
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(d)
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The
Board of Directors of Acquiring Fund has duly authorized execution and
delivery of this Acquisition Plan and the transactions contemplated
herein. Duly authorized officers of Acquiring Fund have executed and
delivered the Acquisition Plan. The Acquisition Plan represents a valid
and binding contract, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as
to enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement,
moratorium and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or
affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles. The
execution and delivery of this Acquisition Plan does not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Acquisition Plan
will not, violate the Charter of Acquiring Fund, its Bylaws or any
material agreement to which Acquiring Fund is subject. Except for the
approval of its Board, Acquiring Fund does not need to take any other
action to authorize its officers to effectuate the Acquisition Plan and
the transactions contemplated
herein.
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(e)
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Acquiring
Fund has qualified as a regulated investment company under Part I of
Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code in respect of each
taxable year since the commencement of its operations and qualifies and
intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company for its
current taxable year.
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(f)
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The
N-14 Registration Statement, when filed with the SEC, when Part A of the
N-14 Registration Statement is distributed to Stockholders, at the time of
the Stockholder meeting of the Acquired Fund for approval of the
Acquisition and at the Effective Time, insofar as it relates to Acquiring
Fund, shall (i) comply in all material respects with the applicable
provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder and applicable state securities laws and (ii) not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
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(g)
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Acquiring
Fund has duly authorized and validly issued all issued and outstanding
shares of common stock of Acquiring Fund, and all such shares are fully
paid and non-assessable and were offered for sale and sold in conformity
with the registration requirements of all applicable federal and state
securities laws. Acquiring Fund has duly authorized the Class A, Class B,
Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K and Class I shares of Acquiring
Fund referred to in Section 3(e) hereof to be issued and delivered to the
Acquired Fund as of the Effective Time. When issued and delivered, such
Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K, and Class I
shares of Acquiring Fund shall be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable, and no Stockholder of Acquiring Fund shall have any
preemptive right of subscription or purchase in respect of any such share.
There are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to subscribe
for or purchase any Acquisition Shares, nor are there any securities
convertible into Acquisition
Shares.
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(h)
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To
the knowledge of Acquiring Fund, except as has been disclosed in writing
to the Acquired Fund, no claims, actions, suits, investigations or
proceedings of any type are pending or threatened against Acquiring Fund
or any of its properties or assets or any person whom Acquiring Fund may
be obligated to indemnify in connection with such litigation, proceeding
or investigation. Subject to the foregoing, there are no facts that
Acquiring Fund currently has reason to believe are likely to form the
basis for the institution of any such claim, action, suit, investigation
or proceeding against Acquiring Fund. Acquiring Fund is not a party to or
subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or
governmental body that adversely affects, or is reasonably likely to
adversely affect its financial condition, results of operations, its
assets or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Acquisition Plan.
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|
(i)
|
Except
for agreements entered into or granted in the ordinary course of its
business, in each case under which no material default exists, Acquiring
Fund is not a party to or subject to any material contract, debt
instrument, employee benefit plan, lease, franchise, license or permit of
any kind or nature whatsoever.
|
|
(j)
|
Acquiring
Fund has filed its federal income tax returns, copies of which have been
previously made available to the Acquired Fund, for all taxable years for
which such returns are due and has paid all taxes payable pursuant to such
returns. All of Acquiring Fund’s tax liabilities will have been adequately
provided for on its books. No such return is currently under audit and no
unpaid assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns. To the
best of Acquiring Fund’s knowledge, it will not have any tax deficiency or
liability asserted against it or question with respect thereto raised, and
it will not be under audit by the Internal Revenue Service or by any state
or local tax authority for taxes in excess of those already paid.
Acquiring Fund will timely file its federal income tax return for each
subsequent taxable year including its current taxable
year.
|
|
(k)
|
For
federal income tax purposes, Acquiring Fund qualifies as a “regulated
investment company,” and the provisions of Sections 851 through 855 of the
Code apply to Acquiring Fund for the remainder of its current taxable year
beginning July 1, 2007, and will continue to apply through the Closing
Date.
|
|
(l)
|
The
Financial Statements of Acquiring Fund, a copy of which has been
previously delivered to the Acquired Fund, fairly present the financial
position of Acquiring Fund at its most recent fiscal year-end and the
results of Acquiring Fund’s operations and changes in Acquiring Fund’s net
assets for the period indicated.
|
|
(m)
|
Since
the date of the Financial Statements of Acquiring Fund, there has been no
material adverse change in its financial condition, results of operations,
business or assets. Negative investment performance shall not be
considered a material adverse
change.
|
|
(n)
|
Acquiring
Fund’s investment operations from inception to the date hereof have been
in compliance in all material respects with the investment policies and
investment restrictions set forth in its prospectus or prospectuses and
statement or statements of additional information as in effect from time
to time, except as previously disclosed in writing to the Acquired
Fund.
|
|
(o)
|
Acquiring
Fund will use all reasonable efforts to obtain the approvals and
authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and such other state
securities laws as it may deem appropriate in order to continue its
operations after the Closing Date.
|
7.
|
Conditions to the
Obligations of Acquiring Fund and the Acquired
Fund
|
The
obligations of Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund with respect to the
Acquisition shall be subject to the following conditions precedent:
|
(a)
|
The
Stockholders of the Acquired Fund shall have approved the Acquisition in
the manner required by the Charter of the Acquired Fund, its Bylaws and
applicable law. If Stockholders of the Acquired Fund fail to approve the
Acquisition as required, that failure shall release the Funds of their
obligations under this Acquisition
Plan.
|
|
(b)
|
Acquiring
Fund and the Acquired Fund shall have delivered to the other party a
certificate dated as of the Closing Date and executed in its name by its
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, in a form reasonably satisfactory to
the receiving party, stating that the representations and warranties of
Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund, as applicable, in this Acquisition
Plan that apply to the Acquisition are true and correct in all material
respects at and as of the Valuation
Time.
|
|
(c)
|
Acquiring
Fund and the Acquired Fund shall have performed and complied in all
material respects with each of its representations and warranties required
by this Acquisition Plan to be performed or complied with by it prior to
or at the Valuation Time and the Effective
Time.
|
|
(d)
|
There
has been no material adverse change in the financial condition, results of
operations, business, properties or assets of Acquiring Fund or the
Acquired Fund since the date of the most recent Financial Statements.
Negative investment performance shall not be considered a material adverse
change.
|
|
(e)
|
Acquiring
Fund and the Acquired Fund shall have received an opinion of
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP reasonably satisfactory to each of them,
substantially to the effect that for federal income tax
purposes:
|
|
(i)
|
the
Acquisition will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code and that Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund
will each be “a party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section
368(b) of the Code;
|
|
(ii)
|
a
Stockholder of the Acquired Fund will recognize no gain or loss on the
exchange of the Stockholder’s shares of the Acquired Fund solely for
Acquisition Shares;
|
|
(iii)
|
neither
the Acquired Fund nor Acquiring Fund will recognize any gain or loss upon
the transfer of all of the Assets to Acquiring Fund in exchange for
Acquisition Shares and the assumption by Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities
pursuant to this Acquisition Plan or upon the distribution of Acquisition
Shares to Stockholders of the Acquired Fund in exchange for their
respective shares of the Acquired
Fund;
|
|
(iv)
|
the
holding period and tax basis of the Assets acquired by Acquiring Fund will
be the same as the holding period and tax basis that the Acquired Fund had
in such Assets immediately prior to the
Acquisition;
|
|
(v)
|
the
aggregate tax basis of Acquisition Shares received in connection with the
Acquisition by each Stockholder of the Acquired Fund (including any
fractional share to which the Stockholder may be entitled) will be the
same as the aggregate tax basis of the shares of the Acquired Fund
surrendered in exchange therefor, and increased by any gain recognized on
the exchange;
|
|
(vi)
|
the
holding period of Acquisition Shares received in connection with the
Acquisition by each Stockholder of the Acquired Fund (including any
fractional share to which the Stockholder may be entitled) will include
the holding period of the shares of the Acquired Fund surrendered in
exchange therefor, provided that such Acquired Fund shares constitute
capital assets in the hands of the Stockholder as of the Closing Date;
and
|
|
(vii)
|
Acquiring
Fund will succeed to the capital loss carryovers of the Acquired Fund, if
any, under Section 381 of the Code, but the use by Acquiring Fund of any
such capital loss carryovers (and of capital loss carryovers of Acquiring
Fund) may be subject to limitation under Section 383 of the
Code.
|
The
opinion will be based on certain factual certifications made by officers of the
Funds and will also be based on customary assumptions and subject to certain
qualifications. The opinion is not a guarantee that the tax consequences of the
Acquisition will be as described above.
Notwithstanding
this subparagraph (e), Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP will express no view with respect
to the effect of the Acquisition on any transferred asset as to which any
unrealized gain or loss is required to be recognized at the end of a taxable
year (or on the termination or transfer thereof) under federal income tax
principles. Each Fund shall agree to make and provide additional factual
representations to Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP with respect to the Funds that
are reasonably necessary to enable Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP to deliver the
tax opinion. Notwithstanding anything in this Acquisition Plan to the contrary,
neither Fund may waive in any material respect the conditions set forth under
this subparagraph (e).
|
(f)
|
The
N-14 Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act
as to the Acquisition Shares, and the SEC shall not have instituted and,
to the knowledge of Acquiring Fund, is not contemplating instituting any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the N-14 Registration
Statement.
|
|
(g)
|
No
action, suit or other proceeding shall be threatened or pending before any
court or governmental agency in which it is sought to restrain or
prohibit, or obtain damages or other relief in connection with the
Acquisition.
|
|
(h)
|
The
SEC shall not have issued any unfavorable advisory report under Section
25(b) of the 1940 Act nor instituted any proceeding seeking to enjoin
consummation of the Acquisition under Section 25(c) of the 1940
Act.
|
|
(i)
|
Neither
party shall have terminated this Acquisition Plan with respect to the
Acquisition pursuant to Section 12 of this Acquisition
Plan.
|
8.
|
Conditions to the
Obligations of the Acquired
Fund
|
The
obligations of the Acquired Fund with respect to the Acquisition shall be
subject to the following conditions precedent:
|
(a)
|
The
Acquired Fund shall have received an opinion of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP,
counsel to Acquiring Fund, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Acquired Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, substantially to
the effect that:
|
|
(i)
|
Acquiring
Fund is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and is an open-end,
management investment company registered under the 1940
Act;
|
|
(ii)
|
This
Acquisition Plan has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
Acquiring Fund and, assuming the N-14 Registration Statement referred to
in Section 2 of this Acquisition Plan does not contain any material
misstatements or omissions, and assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery of this Acquisition Plan by the Acquired Fund, represents a
legal, valid and binding contract, enforceable in accordance with its
terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
fraudulent conveyance and transfer and similar laws relating to or
affecting creditors’ rights generally and court decisions with respect
thereto, and further subject to the application of equitable principles in
any proceeding, whether at law or in equity or with respect to the
enforcement of provisions of this Acquisition Plan and the effect of
judicial decisions which have held that certain provisions are
unenforceable when their enforcement would violate an implied covenant of
good faith and fair dealing or would be commercially unreasonable or when
default under this Acquisition Plan is not
material;
|
|
(iii)
|
The
Class A, Class B, Class C, Advisor Class, Class R, Class K and
Class I Acquisition Shares to be delivered as provided for by this
Acquisition Plan are duly authorized and upon delivery will be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable by Acquiring
Fund;
|
|
(iv)
|
The
execution and delivery of this Acquisition Plan did not, and the
consummation of the Acquisition will not, violate the Charter of Acquiring
Fund, its Bylaws or any agreement of Acquiring Fund known to such counsel,
after reasonable inquiry; and
|
|
(v)
|
To
the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval, authorization or
order of any federal or state court or administrative or regulatory
agency, other than the acceptance of record of Articles of Transfer by the
SDAT, is required for Acquiring Fund to enter into this Acquisition Plan
or carry out its terms, except those that have been obtained under the
1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations under those Acts or
that may be required under state securities laws or subsequent to the
Effective Time or when the failure to obtain the consent, approval,
authorization or order would not have a material adverse effect on the
operation of Acquiring Fund.
|
In
rendering such opinion, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP may (i) rely on the opinion of
Xxxxxxx LLP as to matters of Maryland law to the extent set forth in such
opinion, (ii) make assumptions regarding the authenticity, genuineness and/or
conformity of documents and copies thereof without independent verification
thereof, (iii) limit such opinion to applicable federal and state law, (iv)
define the word “knowledge” and related terms to mean the knowledge of attorneys
then with such firm who have devoted substantive attention to matters directly
related to this Acquisition Plan and (v) rely on certificates of officers or
directors of Acquiring Fund as to factual matters.
|
(b)
|
Acquiring
Fund shall have received a letter from AllianceBernstein L.P. (the
“Adviser”) with respect to insurance matters in form and substance
satisfactory to the Acquired Fund.
|
9.
|
Conditions to the
Obligations of Acquiring
Fund
|
The
obligations of Acquiring Fund with respect to the Acquisition shall be subject
to the following conditions precedent:
|
(a)
|
Acquiring
Fund shall have received an opinion of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP, counsel to
the Acquired Fund, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Acquiring Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, substantially to the
effect that:
|
|
(i)
|
The
Acquired Fund is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and is an open-end
management investment company registered under the 1940
Act;
|
|
(ii)
|
This
Acquisition Plan has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Acquired Fund and, assuming the N-14 Registration Statement referred to in
Section 2 of this Acquisition Plan does not contain any material
misstatements or omissions, and assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery of this Acquisition Plan by Acquiring Fund, represents a legal,
valid and binding contract, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent
conveyance and transfer and similar laws relating to or affecting
creditors’ rights generally and court decisions with respect thereto, and
further subject to the application of equitable principles in any
proceeding, whether at law or in equity or with respect to the enforcement
of provisions of this Acquisition Plan and the effect of judicial
decisions which have held that certain provisions are unenforceable when
their enforcement would violate an implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing or would be commercially unreasonable or when default under this
Acquisition Plan is not material;
|
|
(iii)
|
The
execution and delivery of this Acquisition Plan did not, and the
consummation of the Acquisition will not, violate the Charter of the
Acquired Fund, its Bylaws or any agreement of the Acquired Fund known to
such counsel, after reasonable inquiry, and no approval of the Acquisition
Plan by the Stockholders of Acquiring Fund is required under its Charter,
Bylaws or applicable law; and
|
|
(iv)
|
To
the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval, authorization or
order of any federal or state court or administrative or regulatory
agency, other than the acceptance of record of Articles of Transfer by the
SDAT, is required for the Acquired Fund to enter into this Acquisition
Plan or carry out its terms, except those that have been obtained under
the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations under those Acts
or that may be required under state securities laws or subsequent to the
Effective Time or when the failure to obtain the consent, approval,
authorization or order would not have a material adverse effect on the
operation of the Acquired Fund.
|
In
rendering such opinion, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP may (i) rely on the opinion of
Xxxxxxx LLP as to matters of Maryland law, (ii) make assumptions regarding the
authenticity, genuineness and/or conformity of documents and copies thereof
without independent verification thereof, (iii) limit such opinion to applicable
federal and state law, (iv) define the word “knowledge” and related terms to
mean the knowledge of attorneys then with such firm who have devoted substantive
attention to matters directly related to this Acquisition Plan and (v) rely on
certificates of officers or directors of the Acquired Fund as to factual
matters.
|
(b)
|
Acquiring
Fund shall have received a letter from the Adviser agreeing to indemnify
Acquiring Fund in respect of certain liabilities of the Acquired Fund in
form and substance satisfactory to Acquiring
Fund.
|
10.
|
Closing
|
|
(a)
|
The
Closing shall be held at the offices of the Funds, 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, or at such other time or place as the
parties may agree.
|
|
(b)
|
In
the event that at the Valuation Time (i) the NYSE shall be closed to
trading or trading thereon shall be restricted, or (ii) trading or the
reporting of trading on said Exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so
that accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Acquired
Fund or Acquiring Fund is impracticable, the Closing Date shall be
postponed until the first business day after the day when trading shall
have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored; provided
that if trading shall not be fully resumed and reporting restored within
three business days of the Valuation Time, this Acquisition Plan may be
terminated by either the Acquired Fund or Acquiring Fund upon the giving
of written notice to the other
party.
|
|
(c)
|
Acquiring
Fund will provide to the Acquired Fund evidence satisfactory to the
Acquired Fund that Acquisition Shares issuable pursuant to the Acquisition
have been credited to the Acquired Fund’s account on the books of
Acquiring Fund. After the Closing Date, Acquiring Fund will provide to the
Acquired Fund evidence satisfactory to the Acquired Fund that such Shares
have been credited pro rata to open accounts in the names of the Acquired
Fund Stockholders.
|
|
(d)
|
At
the Closing, each party shall deliver to the other such bills of sale,
instruments of assumption of liabilities, checks, assignments, stock
certificates, receipts or other documents as such other party or its
counsel may reasonably request in connection with the transfer of assets,
assumption of liabilities and liquidation contemplated by the Acquisition
Plan.
|
11.
|
Survival of
Representations and
Warranties
|
No
representations, warranties or covenants in or pursuant to this Acquisition Plan
(including certificates of officers) hereto shall survive the completion of the
transactions contemplated herein.
12.
|
Termination of
Acquisition Plan
|
A
majority of either Fund’s Board of Directors may terminate this Acquisition Plan
with respect to that Fund at any time before the applicable Effective Time if:
(a) the Fund’s conditions precedent set forth in Sections 8, 9 or 10 as
appropriate, are not satisfied; or (b) the Board of Directors determines that
the consummation of the Acquisition is not in the best interests of the Fund or
its Stockholders and gives notice of such termination to the other
party.
13.
|
Governing
Law
|
This
Acquisition Plan and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed,
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York,
except to the extent preempted by federal law, without regard to conflicts of
law principles.
14.
|
Brokerage
Fees
|
Each
party represents and warrants that there are no brokers or finders entitled to
receive any payments in connection with the transactions provided for in this
Acquisition Plan.
15.
|
Amendments
|
The
parties may, by agreement in writing authorized by their respective Board of
Directors, amend this Acquisition Plan at any time before or after the
Stockholders of the Acquired Fund approve the Acquisition. However, after
Stockholders of the Acquired Fund approve the Acquisition, the parties may not
amend this Acquisition Plan in a manner that materially alters the obligations
of the other party. This Section shall not preclude the parties from changing
the Closing Date or the Effective Time by mutual agreement.
16.
|
Waivers
|
At any
time prior to the Closing Date, either party may by written instrument signed by
it (a) waive the effect of any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties made to it contained herein and (b) waive compliance with any of the
agreements, covenants or conditions made for its benefit contained herein. Any
waiver shall apply only to the particular inaccuracy or requirement for
compliance waived, and not any other or future inaccuracy or lack of
compliance.
17.
|
Indemnification of
Directors
|
Acquiring
Fund agrees that all rights to indemnification and all limitations of liability
existing in favor of the Acquired Fund’s current and former Directors and
officers, acting in their capacities as such, under the Acquired Fund’s Charter
and Bylaws as in effect as of the date of this Acquisition Plan shall survive
the Acquisition as obligations of Acquiring Fund and shall continue in full
force and effect, without any amendment thereto, and shall constitute rights
which may be asserted against Acquiring Fund, its successors or
assigns.
18.
|
Cooperation and
Further Assurances
|
Each
party will cooperate with the other in fulfilling its obligations under this
Acquisition Plan and will provide such information and documentation as is
reasonably requested by the other in carrying out this Acquisition Plan’s terms.
Each party will provide such further assurances concerning the performance of
its obligations hereunder and execute all documents for or in connection with
the consummation of the Acquisition as, with respect to such assurances or
documents, the other shall deem necessary or appropriate.
19.
|
Updating of N-14
Registration Statement
|
If at any
time prior to the Effective Time, a party becomes aware of any untrue statement
of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements made not misleading in the N-14
Registration Statement, the party discovering the item shall notify the other
party and the parties shall cooperate in promptly preparing, filing and clearing
with the SEC and, if appropriate, distributing to Stockholders appropriate
disclosure with respect to the item.
20.
|
Limitation on
Liabilities
|
The
obligations of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund shall not bind any of the
directors, Stockholders, nominees, officers, agents, employees or agents of the
Acquired Fund or Acquiring Fund personally, but shall bind only the Acquired
Fund or Acquiring Fund, as appropriate. The execution and delivery of this
Acquisition Plan by an officer of either party shall not be deemed to have been
made by the officer individually or to impose any liability on the officer
personally, but shall bind only the Acquired Fund or Acquiring Fund, as
appropriate.
21.
|
Termination of the
Acquired Fund
|
If the
parties complete the Acquisition, the Acquired Fund shall terminate its
registration under the 1940 Act and the 1933 Act and will
terminate.
22.
|
Notices
|
Any
notice, report, statement, certificate or demand required or permitted by any
provision of this Acquisition Plan shall be in writing and shall be given in
person or by telecopy, certified mail or overnight express courier
to:
For the
Acquired Fund:
AllianceBernstein
International Research Growth Fund, Inc.
0000
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Secretary
For
Acquiring Fund:
AllianceBernstein
International Growth Fund, Inc.
0000
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Secretary
23.
|
Expenses
|
The
Acquisition expenses shall be paid by the Acquired Fund.
24.
|
General
|
This
Acquisition Plan supersedes all prior agreements between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and may be amended only in writing signed
by both parties. The headings contained in this Acquisition Plan are for
reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Acquisition Plan. Whenever the context so requires, the use in this
Acquisition Plan of the singular will be deemed to include the plural and vice
versa. Nothing in this Acquisition Plan, expressed or implied, confers upon any
other person any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Acquisition Plan.
Neither party may assign or transfer any right or obligation under this
Acquisition Plan without the written consent of the other party.
In
Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Acquisition Plan as of
the day and year first above written.
AllianceBernstein
International Research Growth Fund, Inc.
Attest:
|
|||||
By:
|
|||||
Name:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
||
Title:
|
Assistant
Secretary
|
Title:
|
Secretary
|
||
AllianceBernstein
International Growth Fund, Inc.
|
|||||
Attest:
|
|||||
By:
|
|||||
Name:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
||
Title:
|
Assistant
Secretary
|
Title:
|
Secretary
|
ablegal
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|
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