Common use of Dividends and Dividend Equivalents Clause in Contracts

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide that Stock Awards shall earn dividends or dividend equivalents, as applicable. Such dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid currently or may be credited to an account maintained on the books of the Company. Any payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents will be subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations as the Committee may establish, from time to time, in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, reinvestment in additional shares of Common Stock or common share equivalents; provided, however, if the payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents is in respect of a Stock Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then the payment or crediting of such dividends or dividend equivalents shall conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and such requirements shall be specified in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends or dividend equivalents may not be paid or accrue with respect to any Stock Award subject to the achievement of Performance Criteria, unless and until the relevant Performance Criteria have been satisfied, and then only to the extent determined by the Committee, as specified in the Award Agreement.