AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
This Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (“Agreement”) is made as of January 8, 2013, by and between Buffalo Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of its series the Buffalo China Fund (the “Target Fund”) and the Trust, on behalf of its series the Buffalo International Fund (the “Acquiring Fund” and, together with the Target Fund, the “Funds”). Xxxxxxxxx Capital Management, Inc. is a party to this Agreement solely for purposes of paragraph 8.2. All agreements, representations, actions and obligations described herein made or to be taken or undertaken by the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund are made and shall be taken or undertaken by the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund and Target Fund.
This Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The reorganization will consist of the transfer of all of the assets of the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund (the “Acquiring Fund Shares”), the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all liabilities of the Target Fund, and the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of the Target Fund in redemption of all outstanding Target Fund Shares (as defined below) and in complete liquidation of the Target Fund, all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in this Agreement (the “Reorganization”).
WHEREAS, the Target Fund is a series of a registered open-end management investment company, and the Acquiring Fund is a series of a registered open-end management investment company, and the Target Fund owns securities which are assets of the character in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;
WHEREAS, both the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund are authorized to issue their shares of beneficial interest;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has determined, with respect to the Target Fund, that (1) participation in the Reorganization is in the best interests of the Target Fund and its shareholders, and (2) the interests of the existing shareholders of the Target Fund would not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has determined, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, that (1) participation in the Reorganization is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and its shareholders, and (2) the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund would not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE REORGANIZATION AND FUND TRANSACTIONS
1.1 The Reorganization. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, at the Effective Time (as defined in paragraph 3.1), the Trust shall assign, deliver and otherwise transfer the Assets (as defined in paragraph 1.2) of the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund, and the Trust shall assume the Liabilities (as defined in paragraph 1.3) of the Target Fund on behalf of the Acquiring Fund. In consideration of the foregoing, at the Effective Time, the Acquiring Fund shall deliver to the Target Fund full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares (to the third decimal place). The number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered shall be determined as set forth in paragraph 2.3.
1.2 Assets of the Target Fund. The assets of the Target Fund to be acquired by the Acquiring Fund shall consist of all assets and property, including, without limitation, all cash, cash equivalents, securities, receivables (including securities, interests and dividends receivable), commodities and futures interests, rights to register shares under applicable securities laws, any deferred or prepaid expenses shown as an asset on the books of the Target Fund at the Valuation Time, books and records of the Target Fund, and any other property owned by the Target Fund at the Valuation Time (collectively, the “Assets”).
1.3 Liabilities of the Target Fund. The Target Fund will use commercially reasonable efforts to discharge all of its known liabilities and obligations prior to the Valuation Time consistent with its obligation to continue to pursue its investment objective and strategies in accordance with the terms of its prospectus. The Acquiring Fund will assume all of the Target Fund’s liabilities and obligations of any kind whatsoever, whether known or unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, in existence on the Closing Date (collectively, the “Liabilities”).
1.4 Distribution of Acquiring Fund Shares. At the Effective Time (or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable), the Target Fund will distribute the Acquiring Fund Shares received from the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.1, pro rata to the record holders of the shares of the Target Fund determined as of the Effective Time (the “Target Fund Shareholders”) in complete liquidation of the Target Fund. Such distribution and liquidation will be accomplished by the transfer of the Acquiring Fund Shares then credited to the account of the Target Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Target Fund Shareholders. The aggregate net asset value of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be so credited to Target Fund Shareholders shall be equal to the aggregate net asset value of the then outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Target Fund (the “Target Fund Shares”) owned by Target Fund Shareholders at the Effective Time. All issued and outstanding shares of the Target Fund will simultaneously be redeemed and canceled on the books of the Target Fund. The Acquiring Fund shall not issue certificates representing the Acquiring Fund Shares in connection with such exchange.
1.5 Recorded Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares. Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares will be shown on the books of the Acquiring Fund’s Transfer Agent (as defined in paragraph 3.3).
1.6 Filing Responsibilities of Target Fund. Any reporting responsibility of the Target Fund, including, but not limited to, the responsibility for filing regulatory reports, tax returns, or other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”), any state securities commission, and any Federal, state or local tax authorities or any other relevant regulatory authority, is and shall remain the responsibility of the Target Fund.
ARTICLE II
VALUATION
2.1 Net Asset Value of the Target Fund. The net asset value of the Target Fund Shares shall be the net asset value computed as of the Valuation Time, after the declaration and payment of any dividends and/or other distributions on that date, using the valuation procedures of the Target Fund.
2.2 Net Asset Value of the Acquiring Fund. The net asset value of the Acquiring Fund Shares shall be the net asset value computed as of the Valuation Time, after the declaration and payment of any dividends and/or other distributions on that date, using the valuation procedures of the Acquiring Fund.
2.3 Calculation of Number of Acquiring Fund Shares. The number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued (including fractional shares (to the third decimal place), if any) in connection with the Reorganization shall be determined by dividing the value of the per share net asset value of the Target Fund Shares participating therein, determined in accordance with the valuation procedures referred to in paragraph 2.1, by the net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund, determined in accordance with the valuation procedures referred to in paragraph 2.2. The parties agree that the intent of this calculation is to ensure that the aggregate net asset value of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be so credited to Target Fund Shareholders shall be equal to the aggregate net asset value of the then outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Target Fund Shares owned by Target Fund Shareholders at the Effective Time.
2.4 Determination of Value. All computations of value hereunder shall by made in accordance with each Fund’s regular practice and the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and shall be subject to confirmation by each Fund’s respective independent registered public accounting firm upon reasonable request of the other Fund. The Trust and Target Fund agree to use all commercially reasonable efforts to resolve prior to the Valuation Time any material pricing differences for prices of portfolio securities of the Target Fund which are also held by the Acquiring Fund.
2.5 Valuation Time. The Valuation Time shall be the time at which the Funds calculate their net asset values as set forth in their respective prospectuses (normally the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)) on the business day immediately preceding the Closing Date (as defined in paragraph 3.1) (the “Valuation Time”).
ARTICLE III
CLOSING
3.1 Closing. The Reorganization, together with related acts necessary to consummate the same (“Closing”), shall occur at the principal office of the Trust on or about January 25, 2013, or at such other place and/or on such other date as to which the parties may agree (the “Closing Date”). All acts taking place at the Closing shall be deemed to take place immediately prior to the opening of business on the Closing Date unless otherwise provided herein (the “Effective Time”).
3.2 Transfer and Delivery of Assets. The Trust shall direct U.S. Bank National Association (“U.S. Bank”), as custodian for the Target Fund, to deliver, at the Closing, a certificate of an authorized officer stating that (i) the Assets were delivered in proper form to the Acquiring Fund at the Effective Time, and (ii) all necessary taxes in connection with the delivery of the Assets, including all applicable Federal and state stock transfer stamps, if any, have been paid or provision for payment has been made. The Target Fund’s portfolio securities represented by a certificate or other written instrument shall be presented by U.S. Bank, on behalf of the Target Fund, to U.S. Bank, as custodian for the Acquiring Fund. Such presentation shall be made for examination no later than five (5) business days preceding the Effective Time and shall be transferred and delivered by the Target Fund as of the Effective Time for the account of the Acquiring Fund duly endorsed in proper form for transfer in such condition as to constitute good delivery thereof. U.S. Bank, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall deliver to U.S. Bank, as custodian of the Acquiring Fund, as of the Effective Time by book entry, in accordance with the customary practices of U.S. Bank and of each securities depository, as defined in Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, in which the Target Fund’s Assets are deposited, the Target Fund’s Assets deposited with such depositories. The cash to be transferred by the Target Fund shall be delivered by wire transfer of Federal funds at the Effective Time.
3.3 Share Records. The Trust shall direct U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, in its capacity as transfer agent for the Target Fund (the “Transfer Agent”), to deliver at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the names and addresses of the Target Fund Shareholders and the number and percentage ownership of outstanding Target Fund Shares owned by each such Target Fund Shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. The Acquiring Fund shall issue and deliver to the Secretary of the Target Fund prior to the Effective Time a confirmation evidencing that the appropriate number of Acquiring Fund Shares will be credited to the Target Fund at the Effective Time, or provide other evidence satisfactory to the Target Fund as of the Effective Time that such Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the Target Fund’s accounts on the books of the Acquiring Fund.
3.4 Postponement of Valuation Time. In the event that at the Valuation Time the NYSE or another primary trading market for portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund (each, an “Exchange”) shall be closed to trading or trading thereupon shall be restricted, or trading or the reporting of trading on such Exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that, in the judgment of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund, respectively, is impracticable, the Valuation Time shall be postponed until the first business day after the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1 Representations and Warranties of the Target Fund. Except as has been fully disclosed to the Acquiring Fund in a written instrument executed by an officer of the Trust, the Target Fund represents and warrants to the Acquiring Fund as follows:
4.1.1 The Target Fund is a duly established series of the Trust, which is a business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power under its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, each as amended from time to time, to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is presently conducted.
4.1.2 The Trust is registered with the Commission as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of the Target Fund Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), is in full force and effect.
4.1.3 No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Target Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and the 1940 Act, and such as may be required under state securities laws.
4.1.4 The current prospectus, statement of additional information, shareholder reports, marketing and other related materials of the Target Fund and each prospectus and statement of additional information of the Target Fund used at all times prior to the date of this Agreement conforms or conformed at the time of its use in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and does not or did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.
4.1.5 At the Effective Time, the Target Fund will have good and marketable title to the Assets and full right, power, and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver such Assets hereunder free of any liens or other encumbrances, and upon delivery and payment for such Assets, the Acquiring Fund will acquire good and marketable title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof other than such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act.
4.1.6 The Target Fund is not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not result, in (i) a violation of Delaware law or a material violation of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Target Fund is a party or by which it is bound, or (ii) the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of any penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, judgment or decree to which the Target Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
4.1.7 All material contracts or other commitments of the Target Fund (other than this Agreement and certain investment contracts, including options, futures, forward contracts and other similar instruments) will terminate without liability or obligation to the Target Fund on or prior to the Effective Time.
4.1.8 Except as otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund in writing, no litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against the Target Fund or any of its properties or assets that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of its business. The Target Fund knows of no facts which might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated.
4.1.9 The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets, and Schedule of Investments of the Target Fund at March 31, 2012 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, and are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) consistently applied, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Target Fund as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent liabilities of the Target Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date not disclosed therein.
4.1.10 Since March 31, 2012, there has not been any material adverse change in the Target Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Target Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund in writing. For the purposes of this subparagraph 4.1.10, a decline in net asset value per share of Target Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by the Target Fund, the discharge of the Target Fund’s liabilities, or the redemption of the Target Fund’s shares by shareholders of the Target Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.
4.1.11 At the Effective Time, all Federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms, and other tax-related reports of the Target Fund required by law to have been filed by such date (including any extensions, if any) shall have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all Federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof and no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns.
4.1.12 At the end of its first taxable year since its commencement of operations, the Target Fund properly elected to be treated as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code. The Target Fund has met the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and treatment as a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851 et seq. of the Code in respect of each taxable year since its commencement of operations, will continue to meet such requirements at all times through the Closing Date and will have distributed substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (as defined in the Code) that has accrued through the Closing Date, and before the Closing Date will have declared dividends sufficient to distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain for the period ending at the Closing Date. The Target Fund has not at any time since its inception been liable for, nor is now liable for, any material income or excise tax pursuant to Sections 852 or 4982 of the Code. There is no other tax liability (including, any foreign, state, or local tax liability) except as set forth and accrued on the Target Fund’s books. The Target Fund has no earnings or profits accumulated with respect to any taxable year in which the provisions of Subchapter M of the Code did not apply. The Target Fund will not be subject to corporate-level taxation on the sale of any assets currently held by it as a result of the application of Section 337(d) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. All dividends paid by the Target Fund at any time prior to the Closing Date shall have been deductible pursuant to the dividends paid deduction under Section 562 of the Code. The Target Fund is in compliance in all material respects with applicable regulations of the Internal Revenue Service pertaining to the reporting of dividends and other distributions on and redemptions of its shares of beneficial interest and has withheld in respect of dividends and other distributions and paid to the proper taxing authorities all taxes required to be withheld, and is not liable for any penalties which could be imposed thereunder.
4.1.13 All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Target Fund will, at the time of Closing, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the Transfer Agent, on behalf of the Target Fund, as provided in paragraph 3.3. The Target Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the shares of the Target Fund, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any of the Target Fund’s shares.
4.1.14 The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will have been duly authorized prior to the Effective Time by all necessary action, if any, on the part of the Trustees of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, and this Agreement will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Target Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
4.1.15 The Information Statement (as defined in paragraph 5.5), insofar as it relates to the Target Fund, will, at the Effective Time (i) 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 therein, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading, and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; provided, however, that the representations and warranties of this subparagraph 4.1.15 shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Information Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use therein.
4.2 Representations and Warranties of the Acquiring Fund. Except as has been fully disclosed to the Target Fund in a written instrument executed by an officer of the Trust, the Acquiring Fund represents and warrants to the Target Fund as follows:
4.2.1 The Acquiring Fund is a duly established series of the Trust, which is a business trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with power under its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, each as amended from time to time, to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is presently conducted.
4.2.2 At the Effective Time, the Trust will be registered with the Commission as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of the Acquiring Fund Shares under the 1933 Act will be in full force and effect.
4.2.3 No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and such as may be required under state securities laws.
4.2.4 The current prospectus, statement of additional information, shareholder reports, marketing and other related materials of the Acquiring Fund and each prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquiring Fund used at all times prior to the date of this Agreement conforms or conformed at the time of its use in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and does not or did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.
4.2.5 At the Effective Time, the Acquiring Fund will have good and marketable title to the Acquiring Fund’s assets, free of any liens or other encumbrances.
4.2.6 The Acquiring Fund is not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not result, in (i) a violation of Delaware law or a material violation of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound, or (ii) the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of any penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, judgment or decree to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
4.2.7 Except as otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Target Fund in writing, no litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending or, to the Acquiring Fund’s knowledge, threatened against the Acquiring Fund, or any of the Acquiring Fund’s properties or assets that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect the Acquiring Fund’s financial condition or the conduct of its business. The Acquiring Fund knows of no facts which might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects the Acquiring Fund’s business or its ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated.
4.2.8 The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets, and Schedule of Investments of the Acquiring Fund at March 31, 2012 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, and are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Target Fund) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent liabilities of the Acquiring Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date not disclosed therein.
4.2.9 Since March 31, 2012, there has not been any material adverse change in the Acquiring Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Acquiring Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Target Fund in writing. For the purposes of this subparagraph 4.2.9, a decline in net asset value per share of Acquiring Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by the Acquiring Fund, the discharge of the Acquiring Fund’s liabilities, or the redemption of the Acquiring Fund’s shares by shareholders of the Target Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.
4.2.10 At the Effective Time, all Federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms, and other tax-related reports of the Acquiring Fund required by law to have been filed by such date (including any extensions, if any) shall have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all Federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof to the best of the knowledge of the Acquiring Fund, and no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns.
4.2.11 At the end of its first taxable year since its commencement of operations, the Acquiring Fund properly elected to be treated as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code. The Acquiring Fund has met the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and treatment as a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851 et seq. of the Code in respect of each taxable year since its commencement of operations, and will continue to meet such requirements at all times through the Closing Date. The Acquiring Fund has not at any time since its inception been liable for, nor is now liable for, any material income or excise tax pursuant to Sections 852 or 4982 of the Code. There is no other tax liability (including, any foreign, state, or local tax liability) except as set forth and accrued on the Acquiring Fund’s books. The Acquiring Fund has no earnings or profits accumulated with respect to any taxable year in which the provisions of Subchapter M of the Code did not apply. The Acquiring Fund will not be subject to corporate-level taxation on the sale of any assets currently held by it as a result of the application of Section 337(d) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. All dividends paid by the Acquiring Fund at any time prior to the Closing Date shall have been deductible pursuant to the dividends paid deduction under Section 562 of the Code. The Acquiring Fund is in compliance in all material respects with applicable regulations of the Internal Revenue Service pertaining to the reporting of dividends and other distributions on and redemptions of its shares of beneficial interest and has withheld in respect of dividends and other distributions and paid to the proper taxing authorities all taxes required to be withheld, and is not liable for any penalties which could be imposed thereunder.
4.2.12 The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will have been duly authorized prior to the Effective Time by all necessary action, if any, on the part of the Trustees of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and this Agreement will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Acquiring Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
4.2.13 The Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the Target Fund, for the account of the Target Fund Shareholders, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, will at the Effective Time have been duly authorized and, when so issued and delivered, will be duly and validly issued Acquiring Fund Shares, will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust and will have been issued in every jurisdiction in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements and applicable securities laws. The Acquiring Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the shares of the Acquiring Fund, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any of the Acquiring Fund’s shares.
4.2.14 The Information Statement, insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund Shares, will, and at the Effective Time (i) 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 therein, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading, and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; provided, however, that the representations and warranties of this subparagraph 4.2.14 shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Information Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Target Fund for use therein.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
5.1 Conduct of Business. The Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund each will operate its business in the ordinary course consistent with the Trust practice between the date hereof and the Effective Time, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will include the declaration and payment of customary dividends and distributions, and any other distribution that may be advisable.
5.2 No Distribution of Acquiring Fund Shares. The Target Fund covenants that the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued hereunder are not being acquired for the purpose of making any distribution thereof, other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.3 Information. The Target Fund will assist the Acquiring Fund in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of the Target Fund Shares.
5.4 Other Necessary Action. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will each take, or cause to be taken, all action, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.5 Information Statement. The Target Fund will provide the Acquiring Fund with information regarding the Target Fund, and the Acquiring Fund will provide the Target Fund with information regarding the Acquiring Fund, reasonably necessary for the preparation of an information statement on Schedule 14C (the “Information Statement”), in compliance with the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act.
5.6 Liquidating Distribution. As soon as is reasonably practicable after the Closing, the Target Fund will make a liquidating distribution to its respective shareholders consisting of the Acquiring Fund Shares received at the Closing.
5.7 Best Efforts. The Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund shall each use their reasonable best efforts to fulfill or obtain the fulfillment of the conditions precedent set forth in Article VI to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable.
5.8 Other Instruments. The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, each covenant that it will, from time to time, execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such assignments and other instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further action as the other party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) the Target Fund, title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder, and (b) the Acquiring Fund, title to and possession of all the Assets and otherwise to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.
5.9 Regulatory Approvals. The Acquiring Fund will use all reasonable efforts to obtain the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and such of the state blue sky or securities laws as may be necessary in order to continue its operations after the Effective Time.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
6.1 Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Target Fund. The obligations of the Target Fund, to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at the Trust’s election, to the following conditions:
6.1.1 All representations and warranties of the Acquiring Fund contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Effective Time, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Effective Time.
6.1.2 The Acquiring Fund shall have delivered to the Target Fund a certificate executed in the name of the Acquiring Fund by its President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trust, and dated as of the Effective Time, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, made in this Agreement are true and correct at and as of the Effective Time, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and as to such other matters as the Trusts shall reasonably request.
6.1.3 The Acquiring Fund shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Acquiring Fund, on or before the Effective Time.
6.1.4 The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 2.3.
6.2 Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Acquiring Fund. The obligations of the Acquiring Fund to complete the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at the Trust’s election, to the following conditions:
6.2.1 All representations and warranties of the Target Fund contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Effective Time, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Effective Time.
6.2.2 The Trust shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a statement of the Target Fund’s Assets and Liabilities, as of the Effective Time, which is prepared in accordance with GAAP and certified by the Treasurer of the Trust.
6.2.3 The Target Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a certificate executed in the name of the Target Fund by its President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and dated as of the Effective Time, to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Target Fund, made in this Agreement are true and correct at and as of the Effective Time, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and as to such other matters as the Trust shall reasonably request.
6.2.4 The Target Fund shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Target Fund, on or before the Effective Time.
6.2.5 The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 2.3.
6.3 Other Conditions Precedent. If any of the conditions set forth in this paragraph 6.3 have not been satisfied on or before the Effective Time, the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund shall, at its option, not be required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6.3.1 The Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have been approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and certified copies of the resolutions evidencing such approval shall have been delivered to the Acquiring Fund. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trust, on behalf of either the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund, respectively, may not waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph 6.3.1.
6.3.2 At the Effective Time, no action, suit or other proceeding shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Trust, threatened before any court or governmental agency in which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other relief in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein.
6.3.3 All consents of other parties and all other consents, orders and permits of Federal, state and local regulatory authorities deemed necessary by the Trust to permit consummation, in all material respects, of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund, provided that either party hereto may for itself waive any of such conditions.
6.3.4 The Trust shall have received an opinion of Xxxxxxx & Xxxx, S.C., as to federal income tax matters substantially to the effect that, based on the facts, representations, assumptions stated therein and conditioned on consummation of the Reorganization in accordance with this Agreement, for federal income tax purposes:
(a) The Reorganization will constitute a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund will each be a party to a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
(b) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer of all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Target Fund’s liabilities or upon the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the Target Fund’s shareholders in exchange for their shares of the Target Fund, except for (1) any gain or loss recognized on (i) “Section 1256 contracts” as defined in Section 1256(b) of the Code or (ii) stock in a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code, and (2) any other gain or loss required to be recognized by reason of the reorganization (i) as a result of the closing of the tax year of the Target Fund, (ii) upon termination of a position, or (iii) upon the transfer of an asset regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a nontaxable transaction under the Code.
(c) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon the receipt by it of all of the assets of the Target Fund in exchange solely for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the liabilities of the Target Fund.
(d) The aggregate tax basis of the assets of the Target Fund received by the Acquiring Fund will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of such assets to the Target Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization.
(e) The holding period of the assets of the Target Fund received by the Acquiring Fund, other than any asset with respect to which gain or loss is required to be recognized as described in (b), above, will include the holding period of those assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization.
(f) No gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of the Target Fund upon the exchange of their Target Fund Shares for the Acquiring Fund Shares (including fractional shares to which they may be entitled).
(g) The aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the shareholders of the Target Fund (including fractional shares to which they may be entitled) pursuant to the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the Target Fund Shares held by the Target Fund’s shareholders immediately prior to the Reorganization.
(h) The holding period of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the shareholders of the Target Fund (including fractional shares to which they may be entitled) will include the holding period of the Target Fund Shares surrendered in exchange therefore, provided that the Target Fund Shares were held as a capital asset on the Closing Date.
Such opinion shall be based on customary assumptions, limitations and such representations as Xxxxxxx & Xxxx, S.C., may reasonably request, and the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund will cooperate to make and certify the accuracy of such representations. Such opinion may contain such assumptions and limitations as shall be in the opinion of such counsel appropriate to render the opinions expressed therein. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither party may waive the condition set forth in this paragraph 6.3.4.
6.3.5 U.S. Bank shall have delivered such certificates or other documents as set forth in paragraph 3.2.
6.3.6 The Transfer Agent shall have delivered to the Trust a certificate of its authorized officer as set forth in paragraph 3.3.
6.3.7 The Acquiring Fund shall have issued and delivered to the Secretary of the Target Fund the confirmation as set forth in paragraph 3.3.
6.3.8 Each party shall have delivered to the other such bills of sale, checks, assignments, receipts or other documents as reasonably requested by such other party or its counsel.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Indemnification by the Acquiring Fund. The Trust, solely out of the Acquiring Fund’s assets and property, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Target Fund, and its trustees, officers, employees and agents (the “Trust Target Fund Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Trust Target Fund Indemnified Parties may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Acquiring Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by the Acquiring Fund or the members of the Acquiring Fund’s Board or its officers prior to the Closing Date, provided that this indemnification shall not apply to the extent such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) shall be due to any negligent, intentional or fraudulent act, omission or error of the Target Fund or its trustees, officers or agents.
7.2 Indemnification by the Target Fund. The Trust, solely out of the Target Fund’s assets and property, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Acquiring Fund, and its trustees, officers, employees and agents (the “Trust Acquiring Fund Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Trust Acquiring Fund Indemnified Parties may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Target Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by the Target Fund or the members of the Target Fund’s Board or its officers prior to the Closing Date, provided that this indemnification shall not apply to the extent such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) shall be due to any negligent, intentional or fraudulent act, omission or error of the Acquiring Fund or its trustees, officers or agents.
7.3 Liability of the Trust. The Trust understands and agrees that the obligations of either the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund under this Agreement shall not be binding upon any trustee, shareholder, nominee, officer, agent or employee of the Trust personally, but bind only the Target Fund and the Target Fund’s property or the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund’s property. Moreover, no series of the Trust other than the Target Fund or Acquiring Fund shall be responsible for the obligations of the Trust hereunder, and all persons shall look only to the assets of the Target Fund to satisfy the obligations of the Target Fund and to the assets of the Acquiring Fund to satisfy the obligations of the Acquiring Fund hereunder. The Trust represents that it has notice of the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust disclaiming such shareholder and trustee liability for acts or obligations of the Target Fund or Acquiring Fund.
ARTICLE VIII
BROKERAGE FEES AND EXPENSES
8.1 No Broker or Finder Fees. The Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund represent and warrant to each other that there are no brokers or finders entitled to receive any payments in connection with the transactions provided for herein,
8.2 Expenses of Reorganization. The expenses relating to the proposed Reorganization, whether or not consummated, will be borne by Xxxxxxxxx Capital Management, Inc. The costs of the Reorganization shall include, but not be limited to: costs associated with obtaining any necessary order of exemption from the 1940 Act, preparing, printing and distributing the Information Statement and prospectus supplements of the Target Fund relating to the Reorganization, and winding down the operations and terminating the existence of the Target Fund; legal fees of counsel to each of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund, including those incurred in connection with the preparation of legal opinions, and accounting fees with respect to the Reorganization and the Information Statement; and all necessary taxes in connection with the delivery of the Assets, including all applicable federal and state stock transfer stamps. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly incurring such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by another person of such expenses would result in the disqualification of such party as a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
9.1 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of the Trust or the Trust, on behalf of either the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund, respectively; provided, however, that following the approval of this Agreement by the Board of Trustees of the Target Fund pursuant to paragraph 6.3.1 of this Agreement, no such amendment may have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to the Target Fund Shareholders under this Agreement to the detriment of such shareholders without the Board of Trustees’ further approval.
9.2 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned by resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust on behalf of the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund, respectively, at any time prior to the Effective Time, if circumstances should develop that, in the opinion of such Board of Trustees, make proceeding with the Agreement inadvisable.
ARTICLE X
NOTICES
Any notice, report, statement or demand required or permitted by any provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by facsimile, electronic delivery (i.e., e-mail) personal service or prepaid or certified mail addressed as follows:
If to the Trust:
Buffalo Funds Trust
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Spearo, Esq. Secretary
With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxxx & Xxxx, S.C.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
If to Xxxxxxxxx Capital Management, Inc:
Xxxxxxxxx Capital Management, Inc.
0000 X. 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Entire Agreement. The Trust agrees that it has not made any representation, warranty or covenant, on behalf of either the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund, respectively, not set forth herein, and that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.
11.2 Survival. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith, and the obligations with respect to indemnification of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund contained in paragraphs 7.1 and 7.2, shall survive the Closing.
11.3 Headings. The Article and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
11.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
11.5 Assignment. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other party. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
11.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all taken together shall constitute one agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the 8th day of January, 2013.
ON BEHALF OF THE BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL FUND
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: President and Treasurer
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ON BEHALF OF THE BUFFALO CHINA FUND
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: President and Treasurer
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Solely for purposes of paragraph 8.2
XXXXXXXXX CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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