EXECUTION COPY
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of September 28, 2000 (this "AGREEMENT"),
between Royal Bank of Canada, a Canadian chartered bank ("GRANTEE"), and Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("ISSUER").
RECITALS
A. MERGER AGREEMENt. Grantee and Issuer have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 28, 2000 (the "MERGER AGREEMENT"),
which agreement was executed and delivered on the date of this Stock Option
Agreement, pursuant to which Issuer is to merge with and into Grantee (the
"MERGER"); and
B. OPTION. As a condition to Grantee's entering into the Merger
Agreement and in consideration therefor, Issuer has agreed to grant Grantee the
Option (as hereinafter defined).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants
and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. GRANT OF OPTION. (a) Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an unconditional,
irrevocable option (the "OPTION") to purchase, subject to the terms hereof, up
to an aggregate of 2,571,451 fully paid and nonassessable shares of the common
stock, par value $0.125 per share, of Issuer ("COMMON STOCK") at a price per
share equal to $79.88; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall the number of
shares for which this Option is exercisable exceed 19.9% of the issued and
outstanding shares of Common Stock. The number of shares of Common Stock that
may be received upon the exercise of the Option and the Option Price are subject
to adjustment as herein set forth.
(b) In the event that any additional shares of Common Stock are issued or
otherwise become outstanding after the date of this Agreement (other than
pursuant to this Agreement and other than pursuant to an event described in
Section 5 hereof), the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option
shall be increased so that, after such issuance, such number together with any
shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant hereto, equals 19.9% of the
number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding. Nothing contained
in this Section l(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to authorize
Issuer to issue shares in breach of any provision of the Merger Agreement.
2. EXERCISE. (a) The Holder (as hereinafter defined) may exercise the
Option, in whole or part, if, but only if, both an Initial Triggering Event (as
hereinafter defined) and a Subsequent Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined)
shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (as
hereinafter defined), PROVIDED that the Holder shall have sent the written
notice of such exercise (as provided in subsection (e) of this Section 2) within
90 days following such Subsequent Triggering Event (or such later period as
provided in Section 10). Each of the following shall be an Exercise Termination
Event: (i) the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the
Merger; (ii) termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance
with the provisions thereof if such termination occurs prior to the
occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event except a termination by Grantee
pursuant to Section 8.01(b) of the Merger Agreement (unless the breach by Issuer
giving rise to such right of termination is non-volitional) (a "LISTED
TERMINATION"); or (iii) the passage of eighteen (18) months (or such longer
period as provided in Section 10) after termination of the Merger Agreement if
such termination follows the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event or is a
Listed Termination. The term "HOLDER" shall mean the holder or holders of the
Option. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Option
may not be exercised at any time when Grantee shall be in material breach of any
of its covenants or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement such that
Issuer shall be entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section
8.01(b) thereof.
(b) The term "INITIAL TRIGGERING EVENT" shall mean any of the following
events or transactions occurring on or after the date hereof:
(i) Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule
1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC")) (the "ISSUER SUBSIDIARIES"), without having
received Grantee's prior written consent, shall have entered into an
agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (as hereinafter defined)
with any person (the term "PERSON" for purposes of this Agreement having
the meaning assigned thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT"), and the rules
and regulations thereunder) other than Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries
(each a "GRANTEE SUBSIDIARY"), or the Board of Directors of Issuer (the
"ISSUER BOARD") shall have recommended that the stockholders of Issuer
approve or accept any Acquisition Transaction with any person other than
Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, (a)
"ACQUISITION TRANSACTION" shall mean (x) a merger or consolidation, or any
similar transaction, involving Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary, PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that in no event shall any merger, consolidation or similar
transaction involving only the Issuer and one or more of its Subsidiaries
or involving only any two or more of such Subsidiaries, if such transaction
is not in violation of the terms of the Merger Agreement, be deemed to be
an Acquisition Transaction, (y) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of
all or any substantial part of the assets or business operations of Issuer
or any Issuer Subsidiary, or (z) a purchase or other acquisition (including
by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) of securities
representing 10% or more of the voting power of Issuer or any Issuer
Subsidiary and (b) "SUBSIDIARY" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule
12b-2 under the 1934 Act;
(ii) Any person other than the Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary shall
have acquired beneficial ownership or the right to acquire beneficial
ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the
term "BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP" for purposes of this Agreement having the
meaning assigned thereto in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act, and the rules
and regulations thereunder);
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(iii) The stockholders of Issuer shall have voted and failed to
approve the Merger Agreement and the Merger at a meeting which has been
held for that purpose or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or such
meeting shall not have been held or shall have been canceled prior to
termination of the Merger Agreement if, prior to such meeting (or if such
meeting shall not have been held or shall have been canceled, prior to such
termination), it shall have been publicly announced that any person (other
than Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries) shall have made, or disclosed an
intention to make, a bona fide proposal to engage in an Acquisition
Transaction;
(iv) The Issuer Board shall have withdrawn, modified or qualified (or
publicly announced its intention to withdraw, modify or qualify) in any
manner adverse in any respect to Grantee its recommendation that the
stockholders of Issuer approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement in anticipation of engaging in an Acquisition Transaction, or
Issuer shall have authorized, recommended, proposed (or publicly announced
its intention to authorize, recommend or propose) an agreement to engage in
an Acquisition Transaction with any person other than Grantee or a Grantee
Subsidiary;
(v) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary shall have
filed with the SEC a registration statement or tender offer materials with
respect to a potential exchange or tender offer that would constitute an
Acquisition Transaction (or filed a preliminary proxy statement with the
SEC with respect to a potential vote by its stockholders to approve the
issuance of shares to be offered in such an exchange offer);
(vi) Issuer shall have willfully breached any covenant or obligation
contained in the Merger Agreement after an overture is made by a third
party to Issuer or its stockholders to engage in an Acquisition
Transaction, and (a) following such breach Grantee would be entitled to
terminate the Merger Agreement (whether immediately or after the giving of
notice or passage of time or both) and (b) such breach shall not have been
cured prior to the Notice Date (as defined in Section 2(e)); or
(vii) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary, without
Grantee's prior written consent, shall have filed an application or notice
with any regulatory or antitrust authority regarding an Acquisition
Transaction.
(c) The term "SUBSEQUENT TRIGGERING EVENT" shall mean any of the following
events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:
(i) The acquisition by any person (other than Grantee or any Grantee
Subsidiary) of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the then outstanding
Common Stock; or
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(ii) The occurrence of the Initial Triggering Event described in
clause (i) of subsection (b) of this Section 2, except that the percentage
referred to in clause (z) of the second sentence thereof shall be 25%.
(d) Issuer shall notify Grantee promptly in writing of the occurrence of
any Initial Triggering Event or Subsequent Triggering Event (together, a
"TRIGGERING EVENT"), it being understood that the giving of such notice by
Issuer shall not be a condition to the right of the Holder to exercise the
Option.
(e) In the event the Holder is entitled to and wishes to exercise the
Option (or any portion thereof), it shall send to Issuer a written notice (the
date of which being herein referred to as the "NOTICE DATE") specifying (i) the
total number of shares it will purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a
place and date not earlier than three business days nor later than 60 business
days from the Notice Date for the closing of such purchase (the "CLOSING DATE");
PROVIDED, that if prior notification to or approval of any United States or
foreign regulatory or antitrust agency is required in connection with such
purchase, the Holder shall promptly file the required notice or application for
approval, shall promptly notify Issuer of such filing and shall expeditiously
process the same and the period of time that otherwise would run pursuant to
this sentence shall run instead from the date on which any required notification
periods have expired or been terminated or such approvals have been obtained and
any requisite waiting period or periods shall have passed. Any exercise of the
Option shall be deemed to occur on the Notice Date relating thereto.
(f) At the closing referred to in subsection (e) of this Section 2, the
Holder shall (i) pay to Issuer the aggregate purchase price for the shares of
Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option in immediately
available funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Issuer and (ii)
present and surrender this Agreement to Issuer at its principal executive
offices, PROVIDED that the failure or refusal of the Issuer to designate such a
bank account or accept surrender of this Agreement shall not preclude the Holder
from exercising the Option.
(g) At such closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds as provided in subsection (f) of this Section 2, Issuer shall
deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing the number of
shares of Common Stock purchased by the Holder and, if the Option should be
exercised in part only, a new Option evidencing the rights of the Holder
thereof to purchase the balance of the shares purchasable hereunder.
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(h) Certificates for Common Stock delivered at a closing hereunder may be
endorsed with a restrictive legend that shall read substantially as follows:
"The transfer of the shares represented by this certificate is subject
to certain provisions of an agreement between the registered holder hereof
and Issuer and to resale restrictions arising under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended. A copy of such agreement is on file at the principal
office of Issuer and will be provided to the holder hereof without charge
upon receipt by Issuer of a written request therefor."
It is understood and agreed that: (i) the reference to the resale restrictions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 ACT") in the above legend
shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference
if the Holder shall have delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff
of the SEC, or an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Issuer, to the effect that such legend is not required for
purposes of the 1933 Act; (ii) the reference to the provisions of this Agreement
in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s)
without such reference if the shares have been sold or transferred in compliance
with the provisions of this Agreement and under circumstances that do not
require the retention of such reference in the opinion of counsel to the Holder,
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer; and (iii) the
legend shall be removed in its entirety if the conditions in the preceding
clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied. In addition, such certificates shall
bear any other legend as may be required by law.
(i) Upon the giving by the Holder to Issuer of the written notice of
exercise of the Option provided for under subsection (e) of this Section 2 and
the tender of the applicable purchase price in immediately available funds, the
Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon such exercise, notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of
Issuer shall then be closed or that certificates representing such shares of
Common Stock shall not then be actually delivered to the Holder. Issuer shall
pay all expenses, and any and all United States federal, state and local taxes
and other charges that may be payable in connection with the preparation, issue
and delivery of stock certificates under this Section 2 in the name of the
Holder or its assignee, transferee or designee.
3. COVENANTS OF ISSUER. Issuer agrees: (i) that it shall at all times
maintain, free from preemptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued or
treasury shares of Common Stock so that the Option may be exercised without
additional authorization of Common Stock after giving effect to all other
options, warrants, convertible securities and other rights to purchase Common
Stock; (ii) that it will not, by charter amendment or through reorganization,
consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary
act, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the
covenants, stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by
Issuer; (iii) promptly to take all action as may from time to time be required
(including (x) complying with all applicable premerger notification, reporting
and waiting period requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. Section 18a and
regulations promulgated
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thereunder and (y) in the event prior approval of or notice to any state or
other United States federal or foreign regulatory authority is necessary before
the Option may be exercised, cooperating fully with the Holder in preparing such
applications or notices and providing such information to such state or other
United States federal or foreign regulatory authority as they may require) in
order to permit the Holder to exercise the Option and Issuer duly and
effectively to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant hereto; and (iv) promptly
to take all action provided herein to protect the rights of the Holder against
dilution.
4. EXCHANGE. This Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) are
exchangeable, without expense, at the option of the Holder, upon presentation
and surrender of this Agreement at the principal office of Issuer, for other
Agreements providing for Options of different denominations entitling the holder
thereof to purchase, on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as are
set forth herein, in the aggregate the same number of shares of Common Stock
purchasable hereunder. The terms "AGREEMENT" and "OPTION" as used herein include
any Agreements and related Options for which this Agreement (and the Option
granted hereby) may be exchanged. Upon receipt by Issuer of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this
Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of reasonably
satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation of this
Agreement, if mutilated, Issuer will execute and deliver a new Agreement of like
tenor and date. Any such new Agreement executed and delivered shall constitute
an additional contractual obligation on the part of Issuer, whether or not the
Agreement so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated shall at any time be
enforceable by anyone.
5. CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. In addition to the adjustment in the number of
shares of Common Stock that are purchasable upon exercise of the Option pursuant
to Section 1 of this Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable
upon the exercise of the Option and the Option Price shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 5. In the event of any
change in Common Stock by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, split-up,
recapitalization, stock combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction,
the type and number of shares or securities subject to the Option, and the
Option Price therefor, shall be adjusted appropriately, and proper provision
shall be made in the agreements governing such transaction so that Grantee shall
receive, upon exercise of the Option, the number and class of shares or other
securities or property that Grantee would have received in respect of Common
Stock if the Option had been exercised immediately prior to such event, or the
record date therefor, as applicable. If any additional shares of Common Stock
are issued after the date of this Agreement (other than pursuant to an event
described in the first sentence of this Section 5), the number of shares of
Common Stock subject to the Option shall be adjusted so that, after such
issuance, it, together with any shares of Common Stock previously issued
pursuant hereto, equals 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock then
issued and outstanding.
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6. REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Upon the occurrence of a Subsequent Triggering
Event that occurs prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall, at
the request of Grantee delivered within twelve (12) months (or such later
period as provided in Section 10) of such Subsequent Triggering Event
(whether on its own behalf or on behalf of any subsequent holder of this
Option (or part thereof) or any of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant
hereto), promptly prepare, file and keep current a registration statement
under the 1933 Act covering any shares issued and issuable pursuant to this
Option and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration
statement to become effective and remain current in order to permit the sale
or other disposition of any shares of Common Stock issued upon total or
partial exercise of this Option ("OPTION SHARES") in accordance with any plan
of disposition requested by Grantee. Issuer will use its reasonable best
efforts to cause such registration statement promptly to become effective and
then to remain effective for such period not in excess of 180 days from the
day such registration statement first becomes effective or such shorter time
as may be reasonably necessary to effect such sales or other dispositions.
Grantee shall have the right to demand two such registrations. The Issuer
shall bear the costs of such registrations (including, but not limited to,
Issuer's attorneys' fees, printing costs and filing fees, except for
underwriting discounts or commissions, brokers' fees and the fees and
disbursements of Grantee's counsel related thereto). The foregoing
notwithstanding, if, at the time of any request by Grantee for registration
of Option Shares as provided above, Issuer is in registration with respect to
an underwritten public offering by Issuer of shares of Common Stock, and if
in the good faith judgment of the managing underwriter or managing
underwriters, or, if none, the sole underwriter or underwriters, of such
offering the offer and sale of the Option Shares would interfere with the
successful marketing of the shares of Common Stock offered by Issuer, the
number of Option Shares otherwise to be covered in the registration statement
contemplated hereby may be reduced; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that after any such
required reduction, the number of Option Shares to be included in such
offering for the account of the Holder shall constitute at least 33 1/2% of
the total number of shares to be sold by the Holder and Issuer in the
aggregate; and PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that if such reduction occurs, then
Issuer shall file a registration statement for the balance as promptly as
practicable thereafter as to which no reduction pursuant to this Section 6
shall be permitted or occur and the Holder shall thereafter be entitled to
one additional registration and the twelve (12) month period referred to in
the first sentence of this section shall be increased to twenty-four (24)
months. Each such Holder shall provide all information reasonably requested
by Issuer for inclusion in any registration statement to be filed hereunder.
If requested by any such Holder in connection with such registration, Issuer
shall become a party to any underwriting agreement relating to the sale of
such shares, but only to the extent of obligating itself in respect of
representations, warranties, indemnities and other agreements customarily
included in such underwriting agreements for Issuer. Upon receiving any
request under this Section 6 from any Holder, Issuer agrees to send a copy
thereof to any other person known to Issuer to be entitled to registration
rights under this Section 6, in each case by promptly mailing the same,
postage prepaid, to the address of record of the persons entitled to receive
such copies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no
event shall the number of registrations that Issuer
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is obligated to effect be increased by reason of the fact that there shall be
more than one Holder as a result of any assignment or division of this
Agreement.
7. REPURCHASE. (a) At any time after the occurrence of a Repurchase Event
(as defined below) (i) at the request of the Holder, delivered prior to an
Exercise Termination Event (or such later period as provided in Section 10),
Issuer (or any successor thereto) shall repurchase the Option from the Holder at
a price (the "OPTION REPURCHASE PRICE") equal to the amount by which (A) the
market/offer price (as defined below) exceeds (B) the Option Price, multiplied
by the number of shares for which this Option may then be exercised and (ii) at
the request of the owner of Option Shares from time to time (the "OWNER"),
delivered prior to an Exercise Termination Event (or such later period as
provided in Section 10), Issuer (or any successor thereto) shall repurchase such
number of the Option Shares from the Owner as the Owner shall designate at a
price (the "OPTION SHARE REPURCHASE PRICE") equal to the market/offer price
multiplied by the number of Option Shares so designated. The term "MARKET/OFFER
PRICE" shall mean the highest of (i) the price per share of Common Stock at
which a tender or exchange offer therefor has been made, (ii) the price per
share of Common Stock to be paid by any third party pursuant to an agreement
with Issuer, (iii) the highest closing price for shares of Common Stock within
the six-month period immediately preceding the date the Holder gives notice of
the required repurchase of this Option or the Owner gives notice of the required
repurchase of Option Shares, as the case may be, or (iv) in the event of a sale
of all or any substantial part of Issuer's assets or business operations, the
sum of the net price paid in such sale for such assets or business operations
and the current market value of the remaining assets or business operations of
Issuer as determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected
by the Holder or the Owner, as the case may be, and reasonably acceptable to
Issuer, divided by the number of shares of Common Stock of Issuer outstanding at
the time of such sale. In determining the market/offer price, the value of
consideration other than cash shall be determined by a nationally recognized
investment banking firm selected by the Holder or Owner, as the case may be, and
reasonably acceptable to Issuer.
(b) The Holder and the Owner, as the case may be, may exercise its right to
require Issuer to repurchase the Option and any Option Shares pursuant to this
Section 7 by surrendering for such purpose to Issuer, at its principal office, a
copy of this Agreement or certificates for Option Shares, as applicable,
accompanied by a written notice or notices stating that the Holder or the Owner,
as the case may be, elects to require Issuer to repurchase this Option and/or
the Option Shares in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7. The Owner
shall also represent and warrant that it has sole record and beneficial
ownership of such Option Shares and that such Option Shares are then free and
clear of all liens. As promptly as practicable, and in any event within five (5)
business days after the surrender of the Option and/or certificates representing
Option Shares and the receipt of such notice or notices relating thereto, Issuer
shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder the Option Repurchase Price
and/or to the Owner the Option Share Repurchase Price therefor or the portion
thereof that Issuer is not then prohibited under applicable law and regulation
from so delivering.
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(c) For purposes of this Section 7, a "REPURCHASE EVENT" shall be deemed to
have occurred upon the occurrence of any of the following events or transactions
after the date hereof:
(i) the acquisition by any person (other than Grantee or any Grantee
Subsidiary) of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the then outstanding
Common Stock; or
(ii) the consummation of any Acquisition Transaction described in
Section 2(b)(i) hereof, except that the percentage referred to in clause
(z) shall be 25%.
8. SUBSTITUTE OPTION. (a) In the event that prior to an Exercise
Termination Event, Issuer shall enter into an agreement (i) to consolidate with
or merge into any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary, or engage
in a plan of exchange with any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee
Subsidiary and Issuer shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of
such consolidation or merger or the acquirer in such plan of exchange, (ii) to
permit any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary, to merge into
Issuer or be acquired by Issuer in a plan of exchange and Issuer shall be the
continuing or surviving or acquiring corporation, but, in connection with such
merger or plan of exchange, the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be
changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other person or
cash or any other property or the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall
after such merger or plan of exchange represent less than 50% of the outstanding
shares and share equivalents of the merged or acquiring company, or (iii) to
sell or otherwise transfer all or a substantial part of its or any Issuer
Subsidiary's assets or business operations to any person, other than Grantee or
a Grantee Subsidiary, then, and in each such case, the agreement governing such
transaction shall make proper provision so that the Option shall, upon the
consummation of any such transaction and upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein, be converted into, or exchanged for, an option (the "SUBSTITUTE
OPTION"), at the election of the Holder, of either (x) the Acquiring Corporation
(as hereinafter defined) or (y) any person that controls the Acquiring
Corporation.
(b) The following terms have the meanings indicated:
(i) "ACQUIRING CORPORATION" shall mean (i) the continuing or surviving
person of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if other than Issuer),
(ii) the acquiring person in a plan of exchange in which Issuer is
acquired, (iii) the Issuer in a merger or plan of exchange in which Issuer
is the continuing or surviving or acquiring person and (iv) the transferee
of all or a substantial part of Issuer's assets or business operations (or
the assets or business operations of any Issuer Subsidiary).
(ii) "SUBSTITUTE COMMON STOCK" shall mean the common stock issued by
the issuer of the Substitute Option upon exercise of the Substitute Option.
(iii) "ASSIGNED VALUE" shall mean the market/offer price, as defined
in Section 7.
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(iv) "AVERAGE PRICE" shall mean the average closing price of a share
of the Substitute Common Stock for six months immediately preceding the
consolidation, merger or sale in question, but in no event higher than the
closing price of the shares of Substitute Common Stock on the day preceding
such consolidation, merger or sale; PROVIDED that if Issuer is the issuer
of the Substitute Option, the Average Price shall be computed with respect
to a share of common stock issued by the person merging into Issuer or by
any company which controls or is controlled by such person, as the Holder
may elect.
(c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the Option, PROVIDED
that if the terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons, be the
same as the Option, such terms shall be as similar as possible and in no event
less advantageous to the Holder. The issuer of the Substitute Option shall also
enter into an agreement with the then Holder or Holders of the Substitute Option
in substantially the same form as this Agreement (after giving effect for such
purpose to the provisions of Section 9), which agreement shall be applicable to
the Substitute Option.
(d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of shares of
Substitute Common Stock as is equal to the Assigned Value multiplied by the
number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable
immediately prior to the event described in the first sentence of Section 8(a),
divided by the Average Price. The exercise price of the Substitute Option per
share of Substitute Common Stock shall then be equal to the Option Price
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares
of Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable immediately prior to the
event described in the first sentence of Section 8(a) and the denominator of
which shall be the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the
Substitute Option is exercisable.
(e) In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs, shall the
Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the shares of Substitute
Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the Substitute Option. In the
event that the Substitute Option would be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the
shares of Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise but for this
clause (e), the issuer of the Substitute Option (the "SUBSTITUTE OPTION ISSUER")
shall make a cash payment to Holder equal to the excess of (i) the value of the
Substitute Option without giving effect to the limitation in this clause (e)
over (ii) the value of the Substitute Option after giving effect to the
limitation in this clause (e). This difference in value shall be determined by a
nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder.
(f) Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in subsection (a)
of this Section 8 unless the Acquiring Corporation and any person that controls
the Acquiring Corporation assume in writing all the obligations of Issuer
hereunder.
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9. REPURCHASE OF SUBSTITUTE OPTION. (a) At the request of the holder of the
Substitute Option (the "SUBSTITUTE OPTION HOLDER"), the Substitute Option Issuer
shall repurchase the Substitute Option from the Substitute Option Holder at a
price (the "SUBSTITUTE OPTION REPURCHASE PRICE") equal to the amount by which
(i) the Highest Closing Price (as hereinafter defined) exceeds (ii) the exercise
price of the Substitute Option, multiplied by the number of shares of Substitute
Common Stock for which the Substitute Option may then be exercised, and at the
request of the owner (the "SUBSTITUTE SHARE OWNER") of shares of Substitute
Common Stock (the "SUBSTITUTE SHARES"), the Substitute Option Issuer shall
repurchase the Substitute Shares at a price (the "SUBSTITUTE SHARE REPURCHASE
PRICE") equal to the Highest Closing Price multiplied by the number of
Substitute Shares so designated. The term "HIGHEST CLOSING PRICE" shall mean the
highest closing price for shares of Substitute Common Stock within the six-month
period immediately preceding the date the Substitute Option Holder gives notice
of the required repurchase of the Substitute Option or the Substitute Share
Owner gives notice of the required repurchase of the Substitute Shares, as
applicable.
(b) The Substitute Option Holder and the Substitute Share Owner, as the
case may be, may exercise its respective rights to require the Substitute Option
Issuer to repurchase the Substitute Option and the Substitute Shares pursuant to
this Section 9 by surrendering for such purpose to the Substitute Option Issuer,
at its principal office, the agreement for such Substitute Option (or, in the
absence of such an agreement, a copy of this Agreement) and/or certificates for
Substitute Shares accompanied by a written notice or notices stating that the
Substitute Option Holder or the Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be,
elects to require the Substitute Option Issuer to repurchase the Substitute
Option and/or the Substitute Shares in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 9. As promptly as practicable and in any event within five (5) business
days after the surrender of the Substitute Option and/or certificates
representing Substitute Shares and the receipt of such notice or notices
relating thereto, the Substitute Option Issuer shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Substitute Option Holder the Substitute Option Repurchase Price
and/or to the Substitute Share Owner the Substitute Share Repurchase Price
therefor or the portion thereof which the Substitute Option Issuer is not then
prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering.
10. EXTENSION OF PERIODS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. The periods for
exercise of certain rights under Sections 2, 6, 7, 9 and 14 shall be extended:
(i) to the extent necessary to obtain all regulatory approvals for the exercise
of such rights (for so long as the Holder, Owner, Substitute Option Holder or
Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be, is using commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain such regulatory approvals), and for the expiration of all
statutory waiting periods; (ii) to the extent necessary to avoid liability under
Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act by reason of such exercise; and (iii) when there
exists an injunction, order or judgment that prohibits or delays exercise of
such right.
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11. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. (a) Issuer hereby represents and
warrants to Grantee as follows:
(i) Issuer has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the
Issuer Board prior to the date hereof and no other corporate proceedings on the
part of Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the
transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by Issuer.
(ii) Issuer has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize and
reserve and to permit it to issue, and at all times from the date hereof through
the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms will have
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Option, that number of shares of
Common Stock equal to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock at any time
and from time to time issuable hereunder, and all such shares, upon issuance
pursuant thereto, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid,
nonassessable, and will be delivered free and clear of all claims, liens,
encumbrance and security interests and not subject to any preemptive rights.
(b) Grantee hereby represents and warrants to Issuer as follows: Grantee
has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery
of this Agreement by the Grantee and the performance of its obligations
hereunder by the Grantee have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of
Directors of Grantee and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the
Grantee are necessary to authorize this Agreement or for Grantee to perform its
obligations hereunder. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by Grantee.
(c) This Option is not being, and any Option Shares or other securities
acquired by Grantee upon exercise of the Option will not be, acquired with a
view to the public distribution thereof and will not be transferred or otherwise
disposed or except in a transaction registered or exempt from registration under
the 1933 Act.
12. ASSIGNMENT. Neither of the parties hereto may assign any of its rights
or obligations under this Agreement or the Option created hereunder to any other
person, without the express written consent of the other party, except that in
the event an Initial Triggering Event shall have occurred prior to an Exercise
Termination Event, Grantee, subject to the express provisions hereof, may assign
in whole or in part its rights and obligations hereunder.
13. FILINGS, ETC. Each of Grantee and Issuer will use its reasonable best
efforts to make all filings with, and to obtain consents of, all third parties
and governmental authorities necessary to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
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14. SURRENDER OF OPTION. (a) Grantee may, at any time following a
Repurchase Event and prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event
(or such later period as provided in Section 10), relinquish the Option
(together with any Option Shares issued to and then owned by Grantee) to Issuer
in exchange for a cash fee equal to the Surrender Price. The "SURRENDER PRICE"
shall be equal to $43 million (i) plus, if applicable, Grantee's purchase price
with respect to any Option Shares, (ii) minus, if applicable, the excess of (A)
the net price, if any, received by Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary pursuant to
the sale of Option Shares (or any other securities into which such Option Shares
were converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated party, over (B) Grantee's
purchase price of such Option Shares and (iii) minus, if applicable, the amount
paid by Issuer to Grantee pursuant to Section 8.03(a) of the Merger Agreement.
(b) Grantee may exercise its right to relinquish the Option and any Option
Shares pursuant to this Section 14 by surrendering to Issuer, at its principal
office, a copy of this Agreement together with certificates for Option Shares,
if any, accompanied by a written notice stating (i) that Grantee elects to
relinquish the Option and Option Shares, if any, in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 14 and (ii) the Surrender Price. The Surrender Price
shall be payable in immediately available funds on or before the second business
day following receipt of such notice by Issuer.
15. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The parties hereto acknowledge that damages would
be an inadequate remedy for a breach of this Agreement by either party hereto
and that the obligations of the parties hereto shall be enforceable by either
party hereto through injunctive or other equitable relief. In connection
therewith, both parties waive the posting of any bond or similar requirement.
16. SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained
in this Agreement is held by a court or a federal or state regulatory agency of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of
the terms, provisions and covenants and restrictions contained in this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated. If for any reason such court or regulatory agency determines
that the Holder is not permitted to acquire, or Issuer is not permitted to
repurchase pursuant to Section 7, the full number of shares of Common Stock
provided in Section l(a) hereof (as adjusted pursuant to Section l(b) or Section
5 hereof), it is the express intention of Issuer to allow the Holder to acquire
or to require Issuer to repurchase such lesser number of shares as may be
permissible, without any amendment or modification hereof.
17. NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered
in person, by fax, telecopy, or by registered or certified mail (postage
prepaid, return receipt requested) at the respective addresses of the parties
set forth in the Merger Agreement.
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18. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
20. EXPENSES. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of the
parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on
its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including
fees and expenses of its own financial consultants, investment bankers,
accountants and counsel.
21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein or in the Merger Agreement, this Agreement contains the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereunder and supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings with respect
thereof, written or oral. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assignees. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto,
and their respective successors except as assignees, any rights, remedies,
obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as
expressly provided herein.
22. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not
defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Merger Agreement.
23. NOTIONAL TOTAL PROFIT. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, this Option may not be exercised for a number of shares as would, as
of the date of exercise, result in a Notional Total Profit (as defined below) of
more than $50 million; PROVIDED, that nothing in this sentence shall restrict
any exercise of the Option permitted hereby on any subsequent date.
(b) As used herein, the term "NOTIONAL TOTAL PROFIT" with respect to any
number of shares as to which Grantee may propose to exercise this Option shall
be the Total Profit determined as of the date of such proposed exercise assuming
for such purposes that this Option were exercised on such date for such number
of shares and assuming that such shares, together with all other Option Shares
held by Grantee and its affiliates as of such date, were sold for cash at the
closing market price for the Common Stock as of the close of business on the
preceding trading day (less customary brokerage commissions).
(c) As used herein, the term "TOTAL PROFIT" shall mean the aggregate amount
(before taxes) of the following: (i) the amount received by Grantee pursuant to
Issuer's repurchase of the Option (or any portion thereof) pursuant to Section
7, (ii) (x) the amount received by Grantee.
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pursuant to Issuer's repurchase of Option Shares pursuant to Section 7, less (y)
Grantee's purchase price for such Option Shares, (iii) (x) the net cash amounts
received by Grantee pursuant to the sale of Option Shares (or any other
securities into which such Option Shares are converted or exchanged) to any
unaffiliated party, less (y) the Grantee's purchase price of such Option Shares,
(iv) the net cash amounts received by Grantee on the transfer of the Option (or
any portion thereof) to any unaffiliated party, (v) any amount equivalent to the
foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) with respect to the Substitute Option and
(vi) the amount paid by Issuer to Grantee pursuant to Section 8.03(a) of the
Merger Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the
date first above written.
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
By
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Name:
Title:
By
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Name:
Title:
XXXX XXXXXXXX CORPORATION
By
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Name:
Title:
