Exhibit 1
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
June 12, 2002
by and between
Del Monte Foods Company
and
The Bank of New York
as Rights Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Section 1. Certain Definitions....................................... 1
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent............................... 6
Section 3. Issuance of Rights Certificates........................... 6
Section 4. Form of Right Certificates................................ 8
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration......................... 9
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of
Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost
or Stolen Right Certificates.............................. 9
Section 7. Exercise of Rights........................................ 10
Section 8. Cancellation of Right Certificates........................ 11
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock............. 12
Section 10. Securities Record Date................................... 12
Section 11. Adjustment of Exercise Price, Number of Shares
Issuable Upon Exercise of Rights or Number of
Rights.................................................... 13
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Exercise Price or
Number of Shares Issuable Upon Exercise of
Rights.................................................... 18
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of
Assets or Earning Power................................... 18
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.................. 20
Section 15. Rights of Action......................................... 21
Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders............................... 21
Section 17. Right Holder and Right Certificate Holder Not
Deemed a Stockholder...................................... 22
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent.............................. 22
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of
Rights Agent.............................................. 23
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent................................... 24
ii
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent................................... 26
Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates....................... 27
Section 23. Redemption of Rights..................................... 27
Section 24. Exchange of Rights....................................... 28
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events................................. 29
Section 26. Notices.................................................. 29
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments............................... 30
Section 28. Certain Covenants........................................ 30
Section 29. Successors............................................... 31
Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement............................... 31
Section 31. Severability............................................. 31
Section 32. Governing Law............................................ 31
Section 33. Counterparts............................................. 31
Section 34. Descriptive Headings..................................... 31
TABLE OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit A -- Form of Right Certificate
Exhibit B - Summary of Rights
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
June 12, 2002 by and between Del Monte Foods Company, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as
rights agent (the "Rights Agent").
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared
a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each Common
Share (as hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding on June 12, 2002 (the
"Record Date"), each Right representing the right to purchase one one-ten
thousandth of a Preferred Share (as hereinafter defined), upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth herein, and has further authorized and
directed the issuance of one Right with respect to each Common Share that shall
become outstanding between the Record Date and the earliest of the Distribution
Date, the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter
defined).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms have the meanings indicated:
"Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to
such terms in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the
date hereof.
A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of and shall be deemed to
"Beneficially Own" any securities:
(i) that such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, for purposes of
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act, in each case as in effect on the date hereof;
(ii) that such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately, or only after the passage of time, compliance with regulatory
requirements, the fulfillment of a condition or otherwise) pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of
conversion rights, exchange rights (other than these Rights), rights,
warrants or options, or otherwise, provided, however, that a Person shall
not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to Beneficially Own, securities
tendered pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer made by or on behalf
of such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such
tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange;
(iii) that such Person or any such Person's Affiliates or Associates
has the right to vote, whether alone or in concert with others, pursuant
to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, provided, however, that a
Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to Beneficially
Own, any security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote
such security (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy given to
such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates in response
to a public proxy solicitation made pursuant to and in accordance with the
applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, and
(B) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or
any comparable or successor report);
(iv) that are Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by any
other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose
of acquiring, holding, voting (other than voting pursuant to a revocable
proxy as described in the proviso to clause (iii) of this definition of
"Beneficial Owner") or disposing of any securities of the Company; and
(v) that, on any day on or after the Distribution Date, evidence
Rights that prior to such date were represented by certificates for Common
Shares that such Person Beneficially Owns on such day.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section l(b), a Person engaged
in business as an underwriter of securities shall not be deemed to be the
Beneficial Owner of, or to Beneficially Own, any securities acquired through
such Person's participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting
until the expiration of 40 days after the date of such acquisition.
"Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day
on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close.
"Certificate of Designations" shall mean the certificate of designations
specifying the powers, designations, preferences and rights of the Preferred
Shares in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law.
"Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m., California
time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day,
it shall mean 5:00 p.m., California time, on the next succeeding Business Day.
"Closing Price" of a stock or other security on any day shall be the last
sale price, regular way, per share of such stock or unit of such other security
on such day or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the
closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the
principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities
listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if such stock
or other security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system
with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange
on which such stock or other security is listed or admitted to trading or, if
such stock or other security is not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the
average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as
reported on the Nasdaq National Market ("NASDAQ") or such other system then in
use or, if on any such date such stock or other security is not quoted by any
such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices
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as furnished by a professional market maker that makes a market in such stock or
other security and that is selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Common Share" shall mean one share of the common stock, par value $0.01
per share, of the Company, unless used with reference to a Person other than the
Company, in which case it shall mean one share of each class of stock of such
Person having the right to vote generally in the election of directors or, if
such Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, one Common Share of the Person
that ultimately controls such Person.
"Common Share Equivalent" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
11(a)(iii) hereof.
"Current Market Price" per share of a stock or unit of any other security
on any date shall mean the average of the daily Closing Prices of such stock or
other security for the 30 consecutive Trading Days through and including the
Trading Day immediately preceding the date in question; provided, however, that
if any event shall have caused the Closing Price on any Trading Day during such
30-day period not to be fully comparable with the Closing Price on the date in
question (or, if no Closing Price is available on the date in question, on the
Trading Day immediately preceding the date in question), then each such
non-comparable Closing Price so used shall be appropriately adjusted by the
Board of Directors in order to make the Closing Price on each Trading Day during
the period used for the determination of the Current Market Price fully
comparable with the Closing Price on such date in question (or, if applicable,
the immediately preceding Trading Day). "Current Market Price" per share of any
stock or unit of such other security that is not publicly held or so listed or
traded, and "Current Market Price" of any other property, shall mean the fair
value per share of such stock or unit of such other security, or the fair value
of such other property, respectively, as determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors of the Company based upon such appraisals or valuation reports of
such independent experts as the Board of Directors shall in good faith determine
appropriate, which determination shall be described in a statement filed by the
Company with the Rights Agent.
"Distribution Date" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3
hereof.
"Effective Time" shall mean the date and time at which the Merger becomes
effective.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Exempt Person" shall mean TPG Partners, L.P., and TPG Parallel I, L.P.
(including their respective Affiliates and Associates), the Company, any
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the
Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company and any Person holding Voting
Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit plan;
provided, however, that following the Effective Time, "Exempt Person" shall
no longer mean TPG Partners, L.P., and TPG Parallel I, L.P. (including their
respective Affiliates and Associates).
"Exercise Price" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 7(c)
hereof.
"Expiration Date" shall mean June 12, 2003.
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"15% Ownership Date" shall mean the first date of public announcement
(which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without limitation, a
report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) by the Company or a
15% Stockholder containing the facts by virtue of which a Person has become a
15% Stockholder.
"15% Stockholder" shall mean any Person that Beneficially Owns 15% or more
of the Voting Shares of the Company then outstanding; provided, however, that
the term "15% Stockholder" shall not include: (i) an Exempt Person; (ii) any
Person that would not otherwise be a 15% Stockholder but for a reduction in the
number of outstanding Voting Shares resulting from a stock repurchase program or
other similar plan of the Company or from a self tender offer of the Company,
which plan or tender offer commenced on or after the date hereof; provided,
however, that the term "15% Stockholder" shall include such Person from and
after the first date upon which (A) such Person, since the date of the
commencement of such plan or tender offer, shall have acquired Beneficial
Ownership of, in the aggregate, a number of Voting Shares of the Company equal
to 1% or more of the Voting Shares of the Company then outstanding and (B) such
Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall
Beneficially Own 15% or more of the Voting Shares of the Company then
outstanding; (iii) any Person that would not otherwise be a 15% Stockholder but
for its Beneficial Ownership of Rights; (iv) from the date hereof up to and
until the Effective Time, any Person that is the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more
of the outstanding Voting Shares of the Company as of June 12, 2002; provided,
however, that the term "15% Stockholder" shall include such Person from and
after the first date upon which (A) such Person, since June 12, 2002, shall have
acquired, without the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Company,
Beneficial Ownership of, in the aggregate, a number of Voting Shares of the
Company equal to 1% or more of the Voting Shares of the Company then outstanding
and (B) such Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person,
shall Beneficially Own 15% or more of the Voting Shares of the Company then
outstanding; (v) at and following the Effective Time, any Person that is the
Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares of the Company
as of the Effective Time; provided, however, that the term "15% Stockholder"
shall include such Person from and after the first date upon which (A) such
Person, since the Effective Time, shall have acquired, without the prior
approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, Beneficial Ownership of, in
the aggregate, a number of Voting Shares of the Company equal to 1% or more of
the Voting Shares of the Company then outstanding and (B) such Person, together
with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall Beneficially Own 15% or
more of the Voting Shares of the Company then outstanding; or (vi) following the
first to occur of the termination of the Merger Agreement or Effective Time of
the Merger, any Person (a "Transferee") that acquires Voting Shares from (x) a
person who is then an Exempt Person or (y) if the Merger Agreement has been
terminated, a Person described in clause (iv) above that has not become a 15%
Stockholder, if, after giving effect to such acquisition, such Transferee
Beneficially Owns no more than the sum of the Voting Shares so acquired plus 1%
of the Voting Shares then outstanding; provided, however, that the term "15%
Stockholder" shall include such Transferee from and after the first date upon
which (A) such Transferee, since the date of such acquisition, shall have
acquired, without the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Company,
Beneficial Ownership of, in the aggregate, a number of Voting Shares of the
Company equal to 1% or more of the Voting Shares of the Company then outstanding
and (B) such Transferee, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such
Transferee, shall Beneficially Own 15% or
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more of the Voting Shares of the Company then outstanding or (vi) X.X. Xxxxx
Company or SKF Foods Inc., if either Person would not otherwise be a 15%
Stockholder but for the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger
Agreement and of any voting agreement contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of
Merger. In calculating the percentage of the outstanding Voting Shares that are
Beneficially Owned by a Person for purposes of this definition, Voting Shares
that are Beneficially Owned by such Person shall be deemed outstanding, and
Voting Shares that are not Beneficially Owned by such Person and that are
subject to issuance upon the exercise or conversion of outstanding conversion
rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants or options shall not be deemed
outstanding. Any determination made by the Board of Directors of the Company as
to whether any Person is or is not a 15% Stockholder shall be conclusive and
binding upon all holders of Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if the
Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that a Person who
would otherwise be a "15% Stockholder" as defined pursuant to the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph has become such inadvertently (including, without
limitation, because (A) such Person was unaware that it beneficially owned a
percentage of the Voting Shares of the Company that would otherwise cause such
Person to be a "15% Stockholder" as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions
of this paragraph, or (B) such Person was aware of the extent of the Voting
Shares of the Company it beneficially owned but had no actual knowledge of the
consequences of such beneficial ownership under this Agreement) and without any
intention of changing or influencing control of the Company, and if such Person
divested or divests as promptly as practicable a sufficient number of Voting
Shares of the Company so that such Person would no longer be a "15% Stockholder"
as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, then such
Person shall not be deemed to be or to have become a "15% Stockholder" for any
purposes of this Agreement.
"Merger" shall mean the merger of Del Monte Corporation with and into SKF
Foods Inc. pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
"Merger Agreement" shall mean the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
of June 12, 2002, among X.X. Xxxxx Company, SKF Foods Inc., the Company and
Del Monte Corporation.
"Person" shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation,
association, group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 promulgated under the
Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof) or other entity, and shall include
any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
"Preferred Share" shall mean one share of the Series B Preferred Stock,
par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, which shall have the rights and
preferences set forth in the Certificate of Designations for the Preferred
Shares.
"Preferred Share Equivalent" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 11(b) hereof.
"Record Date" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals
hereto.
"Redemption Date" shall mean the date of the action of the Board of
Directors of the Company authorizing and directing the redemption of the Rights
pursuant to Section 23(a) hereof or the exchange of the Rights pursuant to
Section 24(a) hereof.
"Redemption Price" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 23(a)
hereof.
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"Right Certificate", as that term is used with respect to any period prior
to the Distribution Date, shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(c)
hereof, and, as that term is used with respect to any period on or after the
Distribution Date, shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(d) hereof.
"Rights Expiration Date" shall mean the Expiration Date, except if there
has been a Distribution Date, then it shall mean the tenth anniversary of the
Distribution Date.
"Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
11(a)(ii) hereof.
"Section 13(a) Event" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
13(a) hereof.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean any corporation or other Person of
which equity securities or equity interests representing a majority of the
voting power are owned, directly or indirectly, or which is effectively
controlled, by such Person.
"Summary of Rights" shall mean a summary of this Agreement substantially
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
"Surviving Person" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 13(a)
hereof.
"Trading Day" shall mean, as to any stock or other security, a day on
which the principal national securities exchange on which such stock or other
security is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of
business or, if such stock or other security is not listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.
"Voting Share" shall mean (i) a Common Share of the Company and (ii) any
other share of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors or entitled to vote together with the Common Shares in
respect of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets, liquidation, dissolution or winding up. References in this
Agreement to a percentage or portion of the outstanding Voting Shares shall be
deemed a reference to the percentage or portion of the total votes entitled to
be cast by the holders of the outstanding Voting Shares.
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the
Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and
conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The
Company may from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem
necessary or desirable upon ten (10) days' prior written notice to the Rights
Agent. The Rights Agent shall have no duty to supervise, and shall in no event
be liable for, the acts or omissions of any such Co-Rights Agent..
Section 3. Issuance of Rights Certificates.
(a) "Distribution Date" shall mean the date, after the date hereof, that
is the earliest of (i) the tenth Business Day (or such later day as shall be
designated by the Board of Directors of the Company) following the date that a
tender or exchange offer by any Person, other than an
6
Exempt Person, is first published or sent or given within the meaning of Rule
14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, if,
assuming the successful consummation thereof, such Person would be a 15%
Stockholder, (ii) the date of the first Section 11(a)(ii) Event or (iii) the
date of the first Section 13(a) Event.
(b) On the Record Date or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Company
will send a copy of the Summary of Rights by first-class, postage-prepaid mail,
to each record holder of Common Shares as of the Close of Business on the Record
Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company's
transfer agent and registrar.
(c) Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights shall be represented by
certificates for Common Shares together with the Summary of Rights (all of which
certificates for Common Shares shall be deemed to be Right Certificates) and not
by separate Right Certificates, (ii) the record holder of the Common Shares
represented by each of such certificates shall be the record holder of the
Rights represented thereby and (iii) the Rights shall be transferable only in
connection with the transfer of Common Shares. Until the earliest of the
Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date, the surrender for
transfer of such certificates for Common Shares shall also constitute the
surrender for transfer of the Rights represented thereby.
(d) As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, and after receipt
of written notification from the Company, the Rights Agent shall send, at the
expense of the Company, by first-class, postage-prepaid mail to each record
holder of Common Shares, as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date,
at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right
Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto representing one Right
for each Common Share so held. From and after the Distribution Date, the Rights
shall be represented solely by such Right Certificates and may only be
transferred by the transfer of such Right Certificates, and the holders of such
Right Certificates, as listed in the records of the Company or any transfer
agent or registrar for such Rights, shall be the record holders of such Rights.
(e) Certificates for Common Shares issued at any time after the Record
Date and prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or
the Expiration Date, shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or
otherwise affixed to them the following legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain
Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of June 12, 2002 by and
between Del Monte Foods Company and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent
(the "Rights Agreement"), as amended to date, the terms and conditions of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is
on file at the principal executive offices of Del Monte Foods Company.
Under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, such Rights
will be represented by separate certificates and will no longer be
represented by this certificate. Under certain circumstances specified in
the Rights Agreement, Rights beneficially owned by certain persons may
become null and void. Del Monte Foods Company will mail to the record
holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge
promptly following receipt of a written request therefor. As described in
the Rights Agreement, Rights Beneficially Owned by any Person who becomes
a
7
15% Stockholder or any Affiliate or Associate of a 15% Stockholder (as
such capitalized terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) shall become
null and void.
(f) Certificates for Common Shares issued at any time on or after the
Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Rights
Expiration Date shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise
affixed to them the following legend:
This certificate does not represent any Right issued pursuant to the terms
of a Rights Agreement dated as of June 12, 2002 by and between Del Monte
Foods Company and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.
(g) In the event that at any time on or after the earlier of the date of
the first Section 11(a)(ii) Event or the date of the first Section 13(a) Event
and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Rights Expiration Date,
the Company shall issue any Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of conversion
rights, exchange rights, rights (other than Rights), warrants or options that
shall have been issued or granted prior to the earlier of the date of the first
Section 11(a)(ii) Event or the date of the first Section 13(a) Event, then,
unless the Board of Directors of the Company shall have provided otherwise at
the time of the issuance or grant of such conversion rights, exchange rights,
rights (other than Rights), warrants or options, the Rights Agent shall, as soon
as practicable after the date of such event, send by first-class,
postage-prepaid mail to the record holder of such Common Shares, at the address
of such holder as shown on the records of the Company, a Right Certificate
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto representing one Right for each
Common Share so issued.
(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3, the Rights
Agent shall not send any Right Certificate to any 15% Stockholder or any of its
Affiliates or Associates or to any Person if the Rights held by such Person are
Beneficially Owned by a 15% Stockholder or any of its Affiliates or Associates.
Any determination made by the Board of Directors of the Company as to whether
any Common Shares are or were Beneficially Owned at any time by a 15%
Stockholder or an Affiliate or Associate of a 15% Stockholder shall be
conclusive and binding upon all holders of Rights.
Section 4. Form of Right Certificates. The Right Certificates and the form
of assignment, including certificate, and the form of election to purchase,
including certificate, printed on the reverse thereof, when, as and if issued,
shall be substantially the same as Exhibit A hereto, and may have such marks of
identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements
printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any
applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any
rule or regulation of any stock exchange upon which the Rights or the securities
of the Company issuable upon exercise of the Rights may from time to time be
listed, or to conform to usage. The Right Certificates shall be in a machine
printable format and in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Rights Agent.
Subject to Section 22 hereof, Right Certificates, whenever issued, that are
issued in respect of Common Shares that were issued and outstanding as of the
Close of Business on the Distribution Date, shall be dated as of the
Distribution Date and show the date of countersignature.
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Section 5. Countersignature and Registration.
(a) The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by
its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President, or any other
officer of the Company designated by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer or President, either manually or by facsimile signature, and may have
affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof attested by its
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, either manually or by facsimile signature.
The Right Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and
shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer
of the Company who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease
to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent
and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates may
nevertheless be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by
the Company with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such
Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company. Any Right
Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who at the
actual date of such execution shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign
such Right Certificate, even though such person was not such an officer at the
date of the execution of this Agreement.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent shall keep or cause
to be kept at its principal offices books for registration and transfer of the
Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and
addresses of the respective holders of Right Certificates, the number of Rights
represented on its face by each Right Certificate and the date of each Right
Certificate.
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 6(c), 7(d) and 14 hereof, at any
time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and so long as the
Rights represented thereby remain outstanding, any one or more Right
Certificates may be transferred, split-up, combined or exchanged for one or more
Right Certificates representing the same aggregate number of Rights as the Right
Certificates surrendered. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up,
combine or exchange one or more Right Certificates shall make such request in
writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Right
Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the office of
the Rights Agent with the form of assignment, including certificate, on the
reverse side thereof completed and duly executed, with signature guaranteed.
Thereupon, the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the person entitled
thereto one or more Right Certificates, as so requested. The Company may require
payment by the holder of Rights of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split
up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates.
(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
a Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or
security reasonably satisfactory to them and, at the Company's request,
reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses
incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of
such Right Certificate, if mutilated, the Company shall issue and deliver to the
Rights Agent for
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delivery to the record holder of such Right Certificate a new Right Certificate
of like tenor in lieu of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Right
Certificate.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, the Rights
Agent shall not countersign and deliver a Right Certificate to any Person if
such Right Certificate represents, or would represent when held by such Person,
Rights that had become or would become null and void pursuant to Section 7(d)
hereof.
Section 7. Exercise of Rights.
(a) Until the Distribution Date, no Right may be exercised.
(b) Subject to Section 7(d) and (g) hereof and the other provisions of
this Agreement, at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date
and prior to the Close of Business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the
Rights Expiration Date, the registered holder of any Right Certificate may
exercise the Rights represented thereby in whole or in part upon surrender of
such Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase, including
certificate, on the reverse side thereof completed and duly executed, with
signature guaranteed, to the Rights Agent at the office of the Rights Agent at
The Bank of New York, 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attention: Stock
Transfer Administration, together with payment of the Exercise Price for each
Right exercised. Upon the exercise of an exercisable Right and payment of the
Exercise Price in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the holder
of such Right shall be entitled to receive, subject to adjustment as provided
herein, one one-ten thousandth of a Preferred Share (or, following the
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event or a Section 13(a) Event, Common Shares
and/or other securities).
(c) The "Exercise Price" for the exercise of each Right shall initially be
$45.00 and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in
accordance with Section 7(f) hereof. The Exercise Price and the number of
Preferred Shares (or, following the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event or a
Section 13(a) Event, Common Shares and/or other securities) to be acquired upon
exercise of a Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided
in Sections 7(e), 11 and 13 hereof and the other provisions of this Agreement.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from and
after the earlier of the date of the first Section 11(a)(ii) Event or the date
of the first Section 13(a) Event, any Rights that are or were Beneficially Owned
by a 15% Stockholder or any Affiliate or Associate of a 15% Stockholder at any
time on or after the Distribution Date shall be null and void, and for all
purposes of this Agreement such Rights shall thereafter be deemed not to be
outstanding, and any holder of such Rights (whether or not such holder is a 15%
Stockholder or an Affiliate or Associate of a 15% Stockholder) shall thereafter
have no right to exercise such Rights.
(e) Prior to the Distribution Date, if the Board of Directors of the
Company shall have determined that such action adequately protects the interests
of the holders of Rights, the Company may, in its discretion, substitute for all
or any portion of the Preferred Shares that would otherwise be issuable (after
the Close of Business on the Distribution Date) upon the exercise of each Right
and payment of the Exercise Price (i) cash, (ii) other equity securities of
10
the Company, (iii) debt securities of the Company, (iv) other property or (v)
any combination of the foregoing, in each case having an aggregate Current
Market Price equal to the aggregate Current Market Price of the Preferred Shares
for which substitution is made. Subject to Section 7(d) hereof, in the event
that the Company takes any action pursuant to this Section 7(e), such action
shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights.
(f) Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights,
with the form of election to purchase, including certificate, completed and duly
executed, with signature guaranteed, accompanied by payment of the Exercise
Price for each Right to be exercised and an amount equal to any applicable
transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right Certificate in
accordance with Section 9 hereof by certified check or cashier's check payable
to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall thereupon promptly (i)
requisition from the transfer agent of the Preferred Shares (or, following the
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event or a Section 13(a) Event, Common Shares
and/or securities) certificates for the number of Preferred Shares (or such
other securities) to be purchased, and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes
such transfer agent to comply with all such requests, and/or, as provided in
Section 14 hereof, requisition from the depositary agent described therein
depositary receipts representing such number of one-ten thousandths of a
Preferred Share (or such other securities) as are to be purchased (in which case
certificates for the Preferred Shares (or such other securities) represented by
such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with such depositary
agent) and the Company hereby directs such depositary agent to comply with such
request, (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash
to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional Preferred Shares (or such other
securities) in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) after receipt of such
certificates, depositary receipts or cash, cause the same to be delivered to or
upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in
such name or names as may be designated by such holder and (iv) when
appropriate, after receipt thereof, deliver such cash to or upon the order of
the registered holder of such Right Certificate.
(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7, the
exercisability of the Rights shall be suspended for such period as shall
reasonably be necessary for the Company to register and qualify under the
Securities Act and any applicable securities law of any jurisdiction the
Preferred Shares and/or Common Shares or other securities to be issued pursuant
to the exercise of the Rights; provided, however, that nothing contained in this
Section 7 shall relieve the Company of its obligations under Section 9(c)
hereof.
(h) In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise
less than all of the Rights represented thereby, a new Right Certificate
representing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be
issued by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or
to such holder's duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section
14 hereof.
Section 8. Cancellation of Right Certificates. All Right Certificates
surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or
exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be
delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if
surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Right
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation
and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so
11
cancel and retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the
Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver
all canceled Right Certificates to the Company.
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock.
(a) Subject to Sections 7(e) and 9(f) hereof, the Company shall cause to
be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued equity
securities (or out of its authorized and issued equity securities held in its
treasury), the number of such equity securities that will from time to time be
sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights.
(b) In the event that any securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights
are listed on any national securities exchange, the Company shall use its best
efforts, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, to cause all
such securities issued or reserved for such issuance to be listed on such
exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.
(c) If necessary to permit the issuance of securities upon exercise of the
Rights, the Company shall use its best efforts, from and after the Distribution
Date, to register and qualify such securities under the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws and to keep such
registration effective until the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Rights
Expiration Date.
(d) The Company shall take all such action as may be necessary to ensure
that all securities delivered upon exercise of the Rights shall, at the time of
delivery of the certificates for such securities (subject to payment of the
Exercise Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
nonassessable securities.
(e) The Company shall pay when due and payable any and all federal and
state transfer taxes and charges that may be payable in respect of the issuance
or delivery of the Right Certificates or of any securities upon the exercise of
Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax that
may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of a Right Certificate to
a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of a certificate for securities
in respect of a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Right
Certificate representing Rights surrendered for exercise, or to issue or deliver
any certificate for securities upon the exercise of any Right until any such tax
shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such Right
Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the
Company's satisfaction that no such tax is due.
(f) With respect to the Common Shares and/or other securities issuable
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) and (iii) hereof, the foregoing covenants shall be
applicable only upon and following the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event.
Section 10. Securities Record Date. Each Person in whose name any
certificate for securities of the Company is issued upon the exercise of Rights
shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the
securities represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date
upon which the Right Certificate representing such Rights was duly surrendered
and payment of the Exercise Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) was made;
provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon
which the
12
securities transfer books of the Company are closed, such person shall be deemed
to have become the record holder of such securities on, and such certificate
shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the securities
transfer books of the Company are open.
Section 11. Adjustment of Exercise Price, Number of Shares Issuable Upon
Exercise of Rights or Number of Rights. The Exercise Price, the number and kind
of securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a Right and the number of
Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in
this Section 11.
(a)(i) In the event that the Company shall at any time after the
Close of Business on the Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on
the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Rights Expiration Date (A)
declare or pay any dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in Preferred
Shares or Voting Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares,
(C) combine the outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of
Preferred Shares or (D) issue Preferred Shares or other securities of the
Company (other than those for which an adjustment is required under
Section 11(b) hereof) in a reclassification of the Preferred Shares
(including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or
merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) or
in a reorganization of the Company, then, and upon each such event, the
number and kind of Preferred Shares or other securities issuable upon the
exercise of a Right on the date of such event shall be proportionately
adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised on or after such date
shall be entitled to receive, upon the exercise thereof and payment of the
Exercise Price, the aggregate number and kind of Preferred Shares or other
securities or other property, as the case may be, that, if such Right had
been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when such
Right was exercisable and the transfer books of the Company were open,
such holder would have owned upon such exercise and would have been
entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination
or reclassification. If an event occurs that would require an adjustment
under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the
adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to,
and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section
11(a)(ii) hereof.
(ii) In the event that a 15% Ownership Date shall have occurred and
neither the Redemption Date nor the Expiration Date shall have occurred
prior to the tenth Business Day following such 15% Ownership Date (a
"Section 11(a)(ii) Event"), then, and upon each such Section 11(a)(ii)
Event, proper provision shall be made so that, except as provided in
Section 7(d) hereof, each holder of a Right shall thereafter have the
right to receive, upon the exercise thereof in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement and payment of the then current Exercise Price, such
number of Common Shares of the Company as shall equal the result obtained
by (A) multiplying the then current Exercise Price by the then number of
one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to such Section 11(a)(ii) Event (or, if the Distribution
Date shall not have occurred prior to the date of such Section 11(a)(ii)
Event, the number of one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a
Right would have been exercisable if the Distribution Date had occurred on
the Business Day immediately preceding the date of such Section 11(a)(ii)
Event), and (B) dividing that product by 50% of the Current Market Price
of a Common Share on the date of occurrence of the relevant
13
Section 11(a)(ii) Event (such number of shares being hereinafter referred
to as the "Adjustment Shares"). Successive adjustments shall be made
pursuant to this paragraph each time a Section 11(a)(ii) Event occurs.
(iii) In the event that on the date of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event the
aggregate number of Common Shares that are authorized by the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, but not
outstanding or reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise
of the Rights is less than the aggregate number of Adjustment Shares
thereafter issuable upon the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance
with Section 11(a)(ii) hereof (the excess of such number of Adjustment
Shares over and above such number of Common Shares being hereinafter
referred to as the "Unavailable Adjustment Shares"), then, and upon each
such event, the Company shall substitute for the pro rata portion of the
Unavailable Adjustment Shares that would otherwise be issuable thereafter
upon the exercise of each Right and payment of the Exercise Price (A)
cash, (B) other equity securities of the Company (including, without
limitation, shares of preferred stock of the Company or units of such
shares having the same Current Market Price as one Common Share (a "Common
Share Equivalent")), (C) debt securities of the Company, (D) other
property or (E) any combination of the foregoing, in each case having an
aggregate Current Market Price equal to the aggregate Current Market Price
of the Unavailable Adjustment Shares for which substitution is made.
Subject to Section 7(d) hereof, in the event that the Company takes any
action pursuant to this Section 11(a)(iii), such action shall apply
uniformly to all outstanding Rights.
(b) In the event that the Company shall, at any time after the Close of
Business on the Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the earlier of
the Redemption Date or the Rights Expiration Date, fix a record date for the
issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares
entitling them initially to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares (or
shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred
Shares ("Preferred Share Equivalents")) or securities convertible into Preferred
Shares or Preferred Share Equivalents, at a price per Preferred Share or
Preferred Share Equivalent (or having a conversion price per share, if a
security convertible into Preferred Shares or Preferred Share Equivalents) less
than the Current Market Price per Preferred Share on such record date, then, and
upon each such event, the Exercise Price to be in effect after such record date
shall be determined by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately
prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be equal
to the sum of the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date
plus the number of Preferred Shares that the aggregate offering price of the
total number of Preferred Shares and/or Preferred Share Equivalents to be so
offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible
securities to be so offered) would purchase at such Current Market Price, and
the denominator of which shall be equal to the number of Preferred Shares
outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional Preferred Shares
and/or Preferred Share Equivalents to be offered for subscription or purchase
(or into which the convertible securities to be so offered are initially
convertible); provided, however, that if such rights, options or warrants are
not exercisable immediately upon issuance but become exercisable only upon the
occurrence of a specified event or the passage of a specified period of time,
then the adjustment to the Exercise Price shall be made and become effective
only upon the occurrence of such event or such passage of time, and such
adjustment shall be made as if the
14
record date for the issuance of such rights, options or warrants had been the
Business Day immediately preceding the date upon which such rights, options or
warrants became exercisable. Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account
of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such
computation. Such adjustment to the Exercise Price shall be made successively
whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such rights or
warrants are not so issued, the Exercise Price shall be adjusted to be the
Exercise Price that would then be in effect if such record date had not been
fixed.
(c) In the event that the Company shall, at any time after the Close of
Business on the Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the earlier of
the Redemption Date or the Rights Expiration Date, fix a record date for the
making of a distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares (including any
such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the surviving corporation) of assets (other than a distribution for
which an adjustment is required under Section 11(a)(i) or (b) hereof or a
regular quarterly cash dividend), then the Exercise Price to be in effect after
such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect
immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which
shall be equal to the excess of the Current Market Price per Preferred Share on
such record date over and above the fair market value of the portion of the
securities or assets to be so distributed with respect to one Preferred Share,
and the denominator of which shall be equal to such Current Market Price per
Preferred Share. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a
record date is fixed, and in the event that such a distribution is not so made,
the Exercise Price shall be adjusted to be the Exercise Price that would then be
in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(d) For the purpose of any computation under this Section 11 or under
Section 13, if the Preferred Shares are not publicly held or traded, the
"Current Market Price" per Preferred Share shall be conclusively deemed to be
the Current Market Price per Common Share multiplied by 10,000.
(e) No adjustment in the Exercise Price shall be required unless such
adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the then
current Exercise Price; provided, however, that any adjustments that by reason
of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be cumulated and taken
into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section
11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-thousandth of a
Common Share or other share or one-millionth of a Preferred Share, as the case
may be.
(f) If, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a)
hereof, the holder of any Right shall, upon exercise thereof, be entitled to
receive any securities of the Company other than Preferred Shares, and if an
event occurs in respect of such securities that, if it were to occur in respect
of Preferred Shares, would require an adjustment under this Section 11 in
respect of Preferred Shares, then the number of such other securities so
receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to adjustment from time
to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the
provisions with respect to Preferred Shares contained in this Section 11, and
the other provisions of this Agreement with respect to Preferred Shares shall
apply on like terms to any such other securities.
15
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Exercise Price hereunder shall represent the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price, the number of one-ten thousandths of a
Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the
Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in
Section 11(i) below, upon each adjustment of the Exercise Price as a result of
the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c) hereof, each Right outstanding
immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter represent
the right to purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price, that number of one-ten
thousandths of a Preferred Share (calculated to the nearest one-millionth of a
Preferred Share) obtained by multiplying (i) the number of one-ten thousandths
of a Preferred Share purchasable upon the exercise of one Right immediately
prior to such adjustment of the Exercise Price by (ii) the Exercise Price in
effect immediately prior to such adjustment, and dividing the product so
obtained by the Exercise Price in effect immediately after such adjustment.
(i) The Company may elect, on or after the date of any adjustment of the
Exercise Price, to adjust the number of Rights instead of making any adjustment
in the number of Preferred Shares purchasable upon the exercise of a Right. Each
of the Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be
exercisable for the number of one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share for which
a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of
record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number
of Rights (calculated to the nearest one one-thousandth of a Right) obtained by
dividing the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to the adjustment of the
Exercise Price by the Exercise Price in effect immediately after such adjustment
of the Exercise Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its
election to adjust the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i),
indicating the record date for the adjustment and, if known at the time, the
amount of the adjustment to be made. Such record date may be the date on which
the Exercise Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if separate Right
Certificates have been issued, it shall be at least ten days after the date of
such public announcement. If separate Right Certificates have been issued, upon
each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the
Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of
record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates
representing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such
holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment or, at the option of
the Company, cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution
and replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the
date of such adjustment, and upon surrender thereof if required by the Company,
new Right Certificates representing all the Rights to which such holders shall
be entitled after such adjustment. Right Certificates to be so distributed shall
be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein (and may
bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted Exercise Price) and shall be
registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the
record date specified in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Exercise Price or the
number of one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share issuable upon the exercise of
one Right, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue
to express the Exercise Price per one
16
one-ten thousandth of a Preferred Share and the number of Preferred Shares
issuable upon the exercise of one Right that were expressed in the initial Right
Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the
Exercise Price below one one-ten thousandth of the then par value, if any, of
the Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall
take any corporate action that may, in the advice or opinion of its counsel, be
necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and
nonassessable one one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share at such adjusted
Exercise Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment
in the Exercise Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified
event, the Company may elect to defer, until the occurrence of such event, the
issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of the
number of one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share and other capital stock or
securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above
the number of one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share and other capital stock
or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis
of the Exercise Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however,
that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due xxxx or other appropriate
instrument representing such holder's right to receive such additional shares
upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Company shall be entitled to make such further adjustments in the number of
one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share that may be purchased upon exercise of
one Right, and such further adjustments in the Exercise Price, in addition to
those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent
that the Company in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order
that any (i) consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Shares, (ii) issuance
wholly for cash of any Preferred Shares at less than the Current Market Price
thereof, (iii) issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares or securities that
by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Shares, (iv)
dividends on Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares or (v) issuance of
rights, options or warrants referred to in Section 11(b) hereof, hereafter made
by the Company to holders of its Preferred Shares shall not be taxable to such
stockholders.
(n) In the event that the Company shall, at any time after the Close of
Business on the Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the earliest
of the date of the first Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the date of the first Section
13(a) Event, the Redemption Date or the Rights Expiration Date, (i) pay any
dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares, (ii) subdivide the
outstanding Common Shares, (iii) combine the outstanding Common Shares into a
smaller number of Common Shares or (iv) issue Common Shares in a
reclassification of the Common Shares (including any such reclassification in
connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
or surviving corporation), then, and upon each such event, the Exercise Price to
be in effect after such event shall be determined by multiplying the Exercise
Price in effect immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of
which shall be equal to the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately
prior to such event and the denominator of which shall be equal to the number of
Common Shares outstanding immediately after such event. Successive adjustments
shall be made pursuant to this Section 11(n) each time such a dividend is paid
or such a subdivision, combination or
17
reclassification is effected. If an event occurs that would require an
adjustment under both this Section 11(n) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the
adjustment provided for in this Section 11(n) shall be in addition to, and shall
be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Exercise Price or Number of Shares
Issuable Upon Exercise of Rights. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in
Section 11 hereof, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting
forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts giving rise to such
adjustment, (b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the
securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights a copy of such certificate and
(c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of Rights in accordance with
Section 25 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the failure of the
Company to make such certification or to give such notice shall not affect the
validity or the force and effect of such adjustment. Any adjustment to be made
pursuant to Sections 11 or 13 hereof shall be effective as of the date of the
event giving rise to such adjustment. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected
in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained, and
shall not be obligated or responsible for calculating any adjustment nor shall
it be deemed to have knowledge of such an adjustment unless and until it shall
have received such certificate.
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
Earning Power.
(a) In the event (a "Section 13(a) Event") that, at any time on or after
the 15% Ownership Date and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date or the
Rights Expiration Date, (1) the Company shall, directly or indirectly,
consolidate with or merge with and into any other Person and the Company shall
not be the continuing or surviving corporation in such consolidation or merger,
(2) any Person shall, directly or indirectly, consolidate with or merge with and
into the Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation in such merger and, in connection with such merger, all or part of
the Common Shares shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other
securities of any Person or cash or any other property, or (3) the Company
and/or any one or more of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, sell
or otherwise transfer, in one or more transactions (other than transactions in
the ordinary course of business), assets or earning power aggregating more than
50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as
a whole) to any Person or Persons other than the Company or one or more of its
wholly-owned Subsidiaries (such Persons, together with the surviving
corporations described in clauses (1) and (2) above shall be collectively
referred to in this Section as the "Surviving Person"), then, and in each such
case, proper provision shall be made so that:
(i) except as provided in Section 7(d) hereof, each holder of a
Right shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise
thereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and payment of the
then current Exercise Price, in lieu of the securities or other property
otherwise purchasable upon such exercise, such number of validly
authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable Common Shares of the
Surviving Person (and if such Surviving Person has more than one class or
series of Common Shares, such number of validly authorized and issued,
fully paid and nonassessable Common Shares of each series or class) as
shall be equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is:
18
(A) if a Section 11(a)(ii) Event has not occurred prior to
such Section 13(a) Event, the product of the then current Exercise
Price multiplied by the number of one-ten thousandths of a Preferred
Share purchasable upon the exercise of one Right immediately prior
to the first Section 13(a) Event (or, if the Distribution Date shall
not have occurred prior to the date of such Section 13(a) Event, the
number of one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share that would have
been so purchasable if the Distribution Date had occurred on the
Business Day immediately preceding the date of such Section 13(a)
Event), or
(B) if a Section 11(a)(ii) Event has occurred prior to such
Section 13(a) Event, the product of the Exercise Price in effect
immediately prior to such Section 11(a)(ii) Event multiplied by the
number of one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share purchasable upon
the exercise of one Right immediately prior to such Section
11(a)(ii) Event (or, if the Distribution Date shall not have
occurred prior to the date of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the
number of one-ten thousandths of a Preferred Share that would have
been so purchasable if the Distribution Date had occurred on the
Business Day immediately preceding the date of such Section
11(a)(ii) Event),
and the denominator of which is 50% of the Current Market Price per Common
Share of the Surviving Person on the date of consummation of such Section
13(a) Event;
(ii) the Surviving Person shall thereafter be liable for and shall
assume, by virtue of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, all the
obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement;
(iii) the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to
the Surviving Person; and
(iv) the Surviving Person shall take such steps (including, but not
limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares in
accordance with Section 9 hereof) in connection with such consummation as
may be necessary to ensure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be
applicable to its Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon the exercise
of Rights.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Section 13(a) Event is the sale
or transfer in one or more transactions of assets or earning power aggregating
more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(taken as a whole), but less than 100% thereof, then each Person acquiring all
or a portion thereof shall assume the obligations of the Company as to a
fraction of each of the Rights equal to the fraction of the assets of the
Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) acquired by such Person, and the
obligations of the Company as to the remaining fraction of each of the Rights
shall continue to be the obligations of the Company.
(c) The Company shall not consummate a Section 13(a) Event unless prior
thereto the Company and the Surviving Person shall have executed and delivered
to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement confirming that such Surviving
Person shall, upon consummation of
19
such Section 13(a) Event, assume this Agreement in accordance with Section 13
hereof, that all rights of first refusal or preemptive rights in respect of the
issuance of Common Shares of such Surviving Person upon exercise of outstanding
Rights have been waived and that such Section 13(a) Event shall not result in a
default by such Surviving Person under this Agreement, and further providing
that, as soon as practicable after the date of consummation of such Section
13(a) Event, such Surviving Person shall:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities
Act with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon
exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, use its best efforts to
cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as
practicable after such filing, use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the Rights
Expiration Date, and similarly comply with all applicable state securities
laws;
(ii) use its best efforts to list (or continue the listing of) the
Rights and the Common Shares of the Surviving Person purchasable upon
exercise of the Rights on a national securities exchange, or use its best
efforts to cause the Rights and such Common Shares to meet the eligibility
requirements for quotation on NASDAQ; and
(iii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial
statements for such Surviving Person that comply in all respects with the
requirements for registration on Form 10 (or any successor form) under the
Exchange Act.
(d) In the event that at any time after the occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event some or all of the Rights shall not have been exercised pursuant
to Section 11 hereof prior to the date of a Section 13(a) Event, such Rights
shall thereafter be exercisable only in the manner described in Section 13(a)
hereof. In the event that a Section 11(a)(ii) Event occurs on or after the date
of a Section 13(a) Event, Rights shall not be exercisable pursuant to Section 11
hereof but shall instead be exercisable pursuant to, and only pursuant to, this
Section 13.
(e) The provisions of this Section 13 shall apply to each successive
merger, consolidation, sale or other transfer constituting a Section 13(a)
Event.
(f) In no event shall the Rights Agent have any liability in respect of
any such Surviving Person transactions, including, without limitation, the
propriety thereof. The Rights Agent may rely and be fully protected in relying
upon a certificate of the Company stating that the provisions of this Section 13
have been fulfilled. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
the prior written consent of the Rights Agent must be obtained in connection
with any supplemental agreement which alters the rights or duties of the Rights
Agent.
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to
distribute Right Certificates that represent fractional Rights. If the Company
shall determine not to issue such fractional Rights, the Company shall pay to
the registered holders of the Right Certificates with respect to which such
fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, at the time such
20
fractional Rights would otherwise have been issued as provided herein, an amount
in cash equal to the same fraction of the Current Market Price of a whole Right
on the Business Day immediately prior to the date upon which such fractional
Rights would otherwise have been issuable.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Shares
or Preferred Shares (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one
one-ten thousandth of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of Rights, or to
distribute certificates that represent fractional Common Shares or Preferred
Shares (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one one-ten
thousandth of a Preferred Share). Fractions of Preferred Shares in integral
multiples of one one-ten thousandth of a Preferred Share may, at the election of
the Company, be represented by depositary receipts, pursuant to an appropriate
agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it, provided that
such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary receipts shall
have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as
beneficial owners of Preferred Shares. If the Company shall determine not to
issue fractional Common Shares or Preferred Shares (or depositary receipts in
lieu of Preferred Shares), the Company shall pay to the registered holders of
Right Certificates with respect to which such fractional Common Shares or
Preferred Shares would otherwise be issuable, at the time such Rights are
exercised as provided herein, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of
the Current Market Price of a whole Common Share or Preferred Share, as the case
may be. For purposes of this Section 14(b), the Current Market Price of a whole
Common Share or Preferred Share shall be the Closing Price per share for the
Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(c) The holder of a Right, by the acceptance of such Right, expressly
waives such holder's right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional
Common Shares or Preferred Shares upon exercise of such Right, except as
permitted by this Section 14.
Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement, except the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under Section
18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Right
Certificates and certificates for Common Shares representing Rights, and any
registered holder of any Right Certificate or of such certificate for Common
Shares, without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other
Right Certificate or any other certificate for Common Shares may, in such
holder's own behalf and for such holder's own benefit, enforce, and may
institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to
enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, such holder's right to exercise the
Rights represented by such Right Certificate or by such certificate for Common
Shares in the manner provided in such Certificate and in this Agreement. Without
limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is
specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate
remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and shall be entitled to specific
performance, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations, of
the obligations of any Person under this Agreement.
Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders. Every holder of a Right, by
accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent
and every other holder of a Right that:
21
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights shall be represented by
certificates for Common Shares registered in the name of the holders of such
Common Shares (which certificates for Common Shares shall also constitute Right
Certificates), and each such Right shall be transferable only in connection with
the transfer of such Common Shares;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates shall only be
transferable on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the
principal office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper
instrument of transfer; and
(c) the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in
whose name the Right Certificate is registered as the absolute owner thereof and
of the Rights represented thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or
writing on the Right Certificate by anyone other than the Company or the Rights
Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent
shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a
Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent
injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent
jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or
commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or
enacted by any governmental authority prohibiting or otherwise restraining
performance of such obligation; provided that the Company must use its
reasonable best efforts to have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or
otherwise overturned as soon as possible..
Section 17. Right Holder and Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a
Stockholder. No holder, as such, of any Right or Right Certificate shall be
entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of
the securities of the Company that may at any time be issuable upon the exercise
of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any
Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right or Right
Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any
right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to
stockholders at any meeting thereof, to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends
or subscription rights, or otherwise, in each case until such Right or the
Rights represented by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent.
(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent such compensation as
shall be agreed to in writing between the Company and the Rights Agent for all
services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the
Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and disbursements and
other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this
Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company
also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against,
any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without gross negligence or willful
misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the
Rights Agent in connection with the
22
acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and
expenses of defending against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a
holder of Rights, or any other Person) of liability including reasonable
attorney's fees and expenses. The costs and expenses of enforcing this right of
indemnification shall also be paid by the Company. The indemnification provided
for hereunder shall survive the expiration of the Rights and the termination of
this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 18(a) shall survive the
expiration of the Rights and the termination of this Agreement.
(b) The Rights Agent may conclusively rely upon and shall be protected and
shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it in connection with its administration of this Agreement in
reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate for Preferred Shares or
Common Shares or for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment
or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice,
instruction, direction, consent, certificate, statement or other paper or
document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed and executed by the
proper person or persons, or otherwise upon the advice of its counsel as set
forth in Section 20 hereof.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no
event shall the Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect or consequential
loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost
profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such
loss or damage and regardless of the form of the action.
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.
(a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation
resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or
substantially all the corporate trust or stock transfer business of the Rights
Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent
under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation
would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the
provisions of Section 21 hereof. If, at the time such successor Rights Agent
shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Right
Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor
Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and
deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned; and if at that time any of the
Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent
may countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor
Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases
such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in such Right
Certificate and in this Agreement.
(b) If at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed, and at
such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not
delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name
and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and if at that time any of the
Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may
countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed
name;
23
and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided
in such Right Certificate and in this Agreement.
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes the duties
and obligations expressly imposed by this Agreement (and no implied duties or
obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent) upon the
following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of
Right Certificates, by their acceptance of the Rights, shall be bound:
(a) Before the Rights Agent acts or refrains from acting, it may consult
with legal counsel of its selection (who may be legal counsel for the Company),
and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or
omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the
Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be
proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action
hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer or President, or any other officer of the Company
designated to the Rights Agent in writing by the Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer or President, and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such
certificate shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken
or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in
reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company and any
other Person only for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct; provided,
however, that the Rights Agent shall not be liable for any indirect, special,
consequential or punitive damages..
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the
statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement, or in the Right
Certificates (except its countersignature thereof), or be required to verify the
same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been
made by the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of
the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the
due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Rights Agent) or in
respect of the validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its
countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the
Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right
Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of
the Rights (including any Rights becoming null and void pursuant to Section 7(d)
hereof) or any adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner,
method or amount thereof) provided for in Sections 7, 11, 13 and 23 hereof, or
the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change or
adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights represented by Right
Certificates after actual notice that such change or adjustment is required);
nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or
warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Preferred Shares or
Common Shares or other securities to be issued pursuant to this Agreement
24
or any Right Certificate, or as to whether any Preferred Shares or Common Shares
or other securities will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully
paid and nonassessable, nor shall the Rights Agent be responsible for the
legality of the terms hereof in its capacity as an administrative agent.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and
deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such
further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required
by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of
the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any
one of the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President, or any
other officer of the Company designated to the Rights Agent in writing by the
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President, and to apply to
such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it
shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good
faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer or for any delay in
acting while waiting for those instructions. Any application by the Rights Agent
for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Rights
Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the
Rights Agent under this Agreement and the date on or after which such action
shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Rights Agent shall not
be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in
accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date
specified in such application (which date shall not be less than ten Business
Days after the date any officer of the Company actually receives such
application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to an
earlier date) unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in
the case of an omission), the Rights Agent shall have received written
instructions from the Company in response to such application to the contrary.
(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of
the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities
of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the
Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or
otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not the Rights Agent under
this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in
any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers
hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through
its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default,
neglect or misconduct, provided that reasonable care was exercised in the
selection.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if
there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it.
25
(k) The Rights Agent shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to
have notice of any fact, event or determination (including, without limitation,
any dates or events defined in this Agreement or the designation of any Person
as a 15% Stockholder, Affiliate or Associate) under this Agreement unless and
until the Rights Agent shall be specifically notified in writing by the Company
of such fact, event or determination.
(l) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the Rights
Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of
assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has not been
completed, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to
such requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the Company.
(m) In addition to the foregoing, the Rights Agent shall be protected and
shall incur no liability for, or in respect of, any action taken or omitted by
it in connection with its administration of this Agreement if such acts or
omissions are in reliance upon (i) the proper execution of the certification
concerning beneficial ownership appended to the form of assignment and the form
of election to purchase attached hereto unless the Rights Agent shall have
actual knowledge that, as executed, such certification is untrue, or (ii) the
non-execution of such certification including, without limitation, any refusal
to honor any otherwise permissible assignment or election by reason of such
non-execution.
(n) The Company agrees to give the Rights Agent prompt written notice of
any event which would prohibit the exercise or transfer of the Right
Certificates.
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon 30-days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent
of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and,
at the expense of the Company to the holders of the Right Certificates by
first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent upon 30-days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or
successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the
Common Shares and Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the
holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall
resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting as such, the
Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail
to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after giving notice of such
removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or
incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a
Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit such holder's Right
Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the Company shall become the
Rights Agent and the registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any
successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court,
shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United
States or of the States of New York or California (or of any other state of the
United States so long as such corporation is authorized to do business as a
banking institution in the States of New York or California), in good standing,
having a principal office in New York or California, that is authorized under
such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to
supervision or examination by federal or state authority and that has at the
time of its appointment as Rights
26
Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. After appointment,
the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties
and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without
further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer
to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and
execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for
the purpose of this Agreement and so that the successor Rights Agent may
appropriately act as Rights Agent hereunder. Not later than the effective date
of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with
the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Shares and
Preferred Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders
of the Right Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in this
Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or
validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of
the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.
Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the
provisions of this Agreement or of the Right Certificates to the contrary, the
Company may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates in such form as may be
approved by the Board of Directors in order to reflect any adjustment or change
in the Exercise Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other
securities or property purchasable upon exercise of the Rights in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 23. Redemption of Rights.
(a) Until the earliest of (i) the date of the first Section 11(a)(ii)
Event, (ii) the date of the first Section 13(a) Event or (iii) the Rights
Expiration Date, the Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option,
authorize and direct the redemption of all, but not less than all, of the then
outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $.001 per Right, as such redemption
price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend
or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (the "Redemption Price"),
and the Company shall so redeem the Rights.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company
authorizing and directing the redemption of the Rights pursuant to subsection
(a) of this Section 23, or at such time and date thereafter as it may specify,
and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise
Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights
shall be to receive the Redemption Price. Within ten Business Days after the
date of such action, the Company shall give notice of such redemption to Rights
Agent and the holders of Rights by mailing such notice to all holders of Rights
at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights
Agent or, if prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the
transfer agent for the Common Shares. Any notice that is mailed in the manner
herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives such
notice, but neither the failure to give any such notice nor any defect therein
shall affect the legality or validity of such redemption. Each such notice of
redemption shall state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price
will be made. Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates or Associates may,
directly or indirectly, redeem, acquire or purchase for value any Rights in any
manner other than that specifically set forth in Section 24 hereof or in this
Section 23, or in
27
connection with the purchase of Common Shares prior to the earlier of the date
of the first Section 11(a)(ii) Event or the date of the first Section 13(a)
Event.
(c) The Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash,
Common Shares, Preferred Shares, other equity securities of the Company, debt
securities of the Company, other property or any combination of the foregoing,
in each case having an aggregate Current Market Price on the Redemption Date
equal to the Redemption Price.
Section 24. Exchange of Rights.
(a) At any time during the period of 180 days after a Section 11(a)(ii)
Event, the Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, authorize and
direct the exchange of all, but not less than all, of the then outstanding
Rights for Common Shares, one one-ten thousandths of Preferred Shares, debt
securities of the Company, other property, or any combination of the foregoing,
in each case having an aggregate Current Market Price equal to the result
obtained by (i) multiplying the Current Market Price per Common Share on the
record date for such exchange by the number of Common Shares for which a Right
is exercisable on such record date and (ii) subtracting from such product the
Exercise Price on such Record Date (the "Exchange Ratio"), and the Company shall
so exchange the Rights.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company
authorizing and directing the exchange of the Rights pursuant to subsection (a)
of this Section 24, or at such time and date thereafter as it may specify, and
without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise Rights
shall terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be
to receive the securities or other property described in Section 24(a) in
accordance with the Exchange Ratio. Within ten Business Days after the date of
such action, the Company shall give notice of such exchange to the holders of
Rights by mailing such notice to all holders of Rights at their last addresses
as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, if prior to the
Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common
Shares. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed
given, whether or not the holder receives such notice, but neither the failure
to give any such notice nor any defect therein shall affect the legality or
validity of such exchange. Each such notice of exchange shall state the method
by which the Rights will be exchanged.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the aggregate number
of Common Shares that are authorized by the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended from time to time, but not outstanding or reserved for
issuance for purposes other than upon exercise or exchange of the Rights is less
than the aggregate number of Common Shares issuable upon the exchange of the
Rights in accordance with this Section 24 (the excess of such number of
authorized Common Shares over and above such number of issuable Common Shares
being hereinafter referred to as the "Unavailable Exchange Shares"), then the
Company shall substitute for the pro rata portion of the Unavailable Exchange
Shares that would otherwise be issuable upon the exchange of the Rights in
accordance with this Section 24 (i) cash, (ii) other equity securities of the
Company (including, without limitation, Common Share Equivalents), (iii) debt
securities of the Company, (iv) other property or (v) any combination of the
foregoing, in each case having an aggregate Current Market Price equal to the
aggregate Current Market Price of the Unavailable Exchange Shares for which
substitution is made. Subject to Section 7(d) hereof,
28
in the event that the Company takes any action pursuant to this Section 24, such
action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights.
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events.
(a) In the event that the Company shall propose (i) to declare or pay any
dividend on or make any distribution with respect to its Common Shares or
Preferred Shares (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to offer
to the holders of its Common Shares or Preferred Shares options, rights or
warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional shares thereof or shares
of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to
effect any reclassification of its Common Shares or Preferred Shares (other than
a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding shares), (iv)
to effect any consolidation or merger with or into, or to effect any sale or
other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale
or other transfer), in one or more transactions, of more than 50% of the assets
or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to, any
other Person or Persons, or (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, then and in each such case, the Company shall give to
each holder of a Right Certificate and to the Rights Agent, in accordance with
Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action that shall specify the
record date for the purpose of such dividend or distribution, or the date upon
which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation,
dissolution or winding up is to take place and the date of participation therein
by the holders of record of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares, if any such
date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action
covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least 20 days prior to the record date
for determining holders of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares for purposes of
such action, and in the case of any such other action, at least 20 days prior to
the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation
therein by the holders of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares, whichever date
shall be the earlier. The failure to give the notice required by this Section 25
or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of the action
taken by the Company or the vote upon any such action.
(b) Upon the occurrence of each Section 11(a)(ii) Event and each Section
13(a) Event, the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each
holder of a Right Certificate and to the Rights Agent, in accordance with
Section 26 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, specifying the
event and the consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Sections 11
and 13 hereof.
Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be
given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to
or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:
Del Monte Foods Company
Xxx Xxxxxx @ Xxx Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Secretary
29
Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand authorized
by this Agreement to be given or made to or on the Rights Agent (i) by the
Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent, postage prepaid, by
registered or certified mail, addressed to the principal office of the Rights
Agent as set forth below (until another address is filed in writing with the
Company) or (ii) by the holder of any Right Certificate shall be sufficiently
given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the
principal office of the Rights Agent as set forth below (until another address
is filed in writing with the Company), and shall be deemed given upon actual
receipt. The Company hereby agrees that it shall encourage the holders of the
Right Certificates, in any and all writings to such holders regarding the Rights
or this Agreement, to give or make any notice or demand authorized by this
Agreement by registered or certified mail, addressed to the principal office of
the Rights Agent as follows (until another address is filed in writing with the
Company):
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Stock Transfer Administration
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall be
sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry
books of the Company.
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, from time to time, without
the approval of any holders of Rights, supplement or amend any provision of this
Agreement in any manner, whether or not such supplement or amendment is adverse
to any holder of Rights, and direct the Rights Agent so to supplement or amend
such provision, and the Rights Agent shall so supplement or amend such
provision; provided, however, that from and after the earliest of (i) the date
of the first Section 11(a)(ii) Event, (ii) the date of the first Section 13(a)
Event, (iii) the Redemption Date or (iv) the Expiration Date, this Agreement
shall not be supplemented or amended in any manner that would materially and
adversely affect any holder of outstanding Rights other than a 15% Stockholder
or a Surviving Person.
(b) From and after the earlier of the date of the first Section 11(a)(ii)
Event or the date of the first Section 13(a) Event and prior to the Rights
Expiration Date, the Company shall not effect any amendment to the Certificate
of Designations for the Preferred Shares that would materially and adversely
affect the rights, privileges or preferences of the Preferred Shares without the
prior approval of the holders of two-thirds or more of the then outstanding
Rights. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no
supplement or amendment that changes the rights and duties of the Rights Agent
under this Agreement in any manner adverse to the Rights Agent will be effective
against the Rights Agent without the execution of such supplement or amendment
by the Rights Agent.
Section 28. Certain Covenants. Subject to Section 27 hereof and the other
provisions of this Agreement, from and after the earlier of the date of the
first Section 11(a)(ii) Event or the
30
date of the first Section 13(a) Event and prior to the earlier of the Redemption
Date or the Rights Expiration Date, the Company shall not (a) issue or sell, or
permit any Subsidiary to issue or sell, to a 15% Stockholder or a Surviving
Person, or any Affiliate or Associate of a 15% Stockholder or a Surviving
Person, or any Person holding Voting Shares of the Company that are Beneficially
Owned by a 15% Stockholder or a Surviving Person, (i) any rights, options,
warrants or convertible securities on terms similar to, or that materially
adversely affect the value of, the Rights or (ii) Preferred Shares, Common
Shares or shares of any other class of capital stock, if such sale is intended
to or would materially adversely affect the value of the Rights, or (b) take any
other action that is intended to or would materially adversely affect the value
of the Rights.
Section 29. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Right Certificates (other than those representing
Rights that have become null and void) and the certificates for Common Shares
representing Rights (other than those Rights that have become null and void) any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement, and this
Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights
Agent and such registered holders of Right Certificates and certificates for
Common Shares representing Rights.
Section 31. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
Section 32. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Right Certificate
issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the
State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of such state applicable to contracts made and
performed entirely within such state, provided, however, that the rights and
obligations of the Rights Agent shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York. The parties hereto hereby waive the
right to a jury trial in any action arising out of this Agreement. Any dispute
arising out of this Agreement shall be litigated in the borough of Manhattan,
New York City, New York, and the parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction of
such courts and acknowledge that such courts are a convenient forum.
Section 33. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and each such counterpart shall for all purposes be deemed to be an
original and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the
same instrument.
Section 34. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several
sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
31
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
DEL MONTE FOODS COMPANY
By: ________________________________
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Rights Agent
By: ________________________________
Name:
Title:
32
EXHIBIT A
Form of Right Certificate
Certificate No. _____ __________ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER THE LATER OF JUNE 12, 2003 OR THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE DISTRIBUTION DATE (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT)
OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $.001 PER
RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A 15% STOCKHOLDER OR AN
AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF A 15% STOCKHOLDER (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN
THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT AND AS THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE SPECIFIED IN THE
RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL
AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHT CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED TO
A PERSON WHO WAS A 15% STOCKHOLDER OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF A 15%
STOCKHOLDER (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT). THIS
RIGHT CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME VOID IN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.]*
Right Certificate
DEL MONTE FOODS COMPANY
This certifies that _______________________, or registered assigns, is the
registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles
the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights
Agreement dated as of June 12, 2002 (the "Rights Agreement") between Del Monte
Foods Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and The Bank of New York,
a New York banking corporation (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the
Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the
Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M., California time, on the later of June
12, 2012 or the tenth anniversary of the Distribution Date at the office or
agency of the Rights Agent at The Bank of New York, 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000, Attention: Stock Transfer Administration, or at the office of
its successors as Rights Agent, one one-ten thousandth of a fully paid
non-assessable share of Series B Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value (the
"Preferred
-----------
* That portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if applicable
and shall replace the preceding sentence.
Shares"), of the Company, at an exercise price of $45.00 per Right (the
"Exercise Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate
with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed. The number of Rights
evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of Preferred Shares that may
be purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth above, and the Exercise Price per
share set forth above, are the number and Exercise Price as of June 12, 2002,
based on the Preferred Shares as constituted at such date.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Exercise Price and the number of
Preferred Shares that may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced
by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the
happening of certain events. This Right Certificate is subject to all of the
terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms,
provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a
part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full
description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and
immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the
Rights Certificates. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal
executive offices of Del Monte Foods Company and the above-mentioned offices of
the Rights Agent.
This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon
surrender at the office or agency of the Rights Agent at The Bank of New York,
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attention: Shareholder Services
Division, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates
of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like
aggregate number of Preferred Shares as the Rights evidenced by the Right
Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to
purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall
be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right
Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised. Subject to the
provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate
may, but are not required to, be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price
of $.001 per Right.
No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any
Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions that are integral
multiples of one one-ten thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the
election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu
thereof, a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or of
any other securities of the Company that may at any time be issuable on the
exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein
be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a
stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or
upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or
withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or
other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights
Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until
the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been
exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
2
This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until it shall have been countersigned by an authorized signatory of the Rights
Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company
and its corporate seal. Dated as of _______________.
ATTEST: DEL MONTE FOODS COMPANY
____________________________ __________________________________________
Secretary [Title]
Countersigned:
The Bank of New York,
as Rights Agent
By: ________________________ Date: ____________________________________
Authorized Signatory
3
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder desires
to transfer the Right Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED _______________________________________ hereby sells,
assigns and transfers unto______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address of transferee)
________________________________________________________________________________
this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and
does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _________________________________
Attorney, to transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the
within-named Company, with full power of substitution.
Dated: ____________________, ____
____________________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (bank,
stock broker, savings and loan association or credit union) with membership in
an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and
Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate are not Beneficially Owned by a 15% Stockholder or an Affiliate or
Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).
--------------------------------
Signature
(Signature must conform in all respects to
name of holder as specified on the face of
this Right Certificate in every particular,
without alteration or enlargement or any
change whatsoever)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate -- continued
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to
exercise the Right Certificate.)
TO DEL MONTE FOODS COMPANY:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ___________________
Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares or
other securities issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that
certificates for such Preferred Shares or other securities be issued in the
following name:
(please print name, address and social security, tax
identification or other identifying number:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights
shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
(please print name, address and social security, tax
identification or other identifying number:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Dated: _________________
_________________________________________
Signature
(Signature must conform in all respects
to name of holder as specified on the
face of this Right Certificate in every
particular, without alteration or
enlargement or any change whatsoever)
5
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate -- continued
Signature Guarantee:
Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (bank,
stock broker, savings and loan association or credit union) with membership in
an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and
Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate are not Beneficially Owned by a 15% Stockholder or an Affiliate or
Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).
____________________________________________
Signature
(Signature must conform in all respects to
name of holder as specified on the face of
this Right Certificate in every particular,
without alteration or enlargement or any
change whatsoever)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE
The signatures in the foregoing Forms of Assignment and Election must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
In the event the certification set forth above in the Forms of Assignment
and Election is not completed, the Company will deem the Beneficial Owner of the
Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate to be a 15% Stockholder or an
Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and, in the
case of an Assignment, will affix a legend to that effect on any Right
Certificates issued in exchange for this Right Certificate.
6
SUMMARY OF THE RIGHTS
On June 12, 2002, the Board of Directors of Del Monte Foods Company (the
"Company") authorized and declared a dividend of one preferred stock purchase
right (a "Right") for each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of
the Company (the "Common Shares"). The dividend is payable on June 12, 2002 (the
"Record Date") to the holders of record of Common Shares as of the close of
business on such date.
The following is a brief description of the Rights. It is intended to
provide a general description only and is subject to the detailed terms and
conditions of the Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") dated as of June 12,
2002 by and between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent (the
"Rights Agent").
1. Common Share Certificates Representing Rights
Until the Distribution Date (as defined in Section 2 below), (a) the
Rights shall not be exercisable, (b) the Rights shall be attached to and trade
only together with the Common Shares and (c) the stock certificates representing
Common Shares also shall represent the Rights attached to such Common Shares.
Common Share certificates issued after the Record Date and prior to the
Distribution Date shall contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by
reference.
2. Distribution Date
The "Distribution Date" is the earliest of (a) the tenth business day
following the date of the first public announcement that any person (other than
(i) the Company, (ii) TPG Partners, L.P. and TPG Parallel I, L.P. and any of
their affiliates or associates, (iii) X.X. Xxxxx Company or SKF Foods Inc., if
either person would not otherwise be a 15% Stockholder (as defined below) but
for the execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement and Plan of Merger
among X.X. Xxxxx Company, SKF Foods Inc., the Company and Del Monte Corporation
(the "Merger Agreement") and of any voting agreement contemplated thereby, (iv)
and certain additional exceptions) has become the beneficial owner of 15% or
more of the then outstanding Voting Shares (such person is a "15% Stockholder"
and the date of such public announcement is the "15% Ownership Date"), (b) the
tenth business day (or such later day as shall be designated by the Board of
Directors) following the date that a tender or exchange offer by any Person,
other than an Exempt Person, is first published or sent or given within the
meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange
Act, if, assuming the successful consummation thereof, such Person would be a
15% Stockholder, (c) the first date, on or after the 15% Ownership Date, upon
which the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination in which
the Company is not the surviving corporation or in which the outstanding Common
Shares are changed into or exchanged for stock or assets of another person, or
upon which 50% or more of the Company's consolidated assets or earning power are
sold (other than in transactions in the ordinary course of business). In
calculating the percentage of outstanding Voting Shares that are beneficially
owned by any person, such person shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting
Shares issuable upon the exercise, exchange or conversion of any options,
warrants or other securities beneficially owned by such person; provided,
however, that
Voting Shares issuable upon the exercise of such securities shall not be deemed
outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage of Voting Shares that
are beneficially owned by any other person.
Upon the close of business of the Distribution Date, the Rights shall
separate from the Common Shares, Right certificates shall be issued and the
Rights shall become exercisable to purchase Preferred Shares as described in
Section 5 below.
No Person who is the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the outstanding
Voting Shares as of June 12, 2002 shall be deemed a 15% Stockholder unless or
until such Person shall acquire, without the prior approval of the Board of
Directors, Beneficial Ownership of an additional 1% of the Voting Shares then
outstanding and, following such acquisition, is the Beneficial Owner of more
than 15% of the Voting Shares then outstanding. In addition, any Person (a
"Transferee") who purchases Voting Shares from such Person shall not be deemed a
15% Stockholder if, after giving effect to such acquisition, such Transferee
holds no more than the sum of the Voting Shares so acquired plus 1% of the
Voting Shares then outstanding.
3. Issuance of Right Certificates
As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate
certificates representing only Rights shall be mailed to the holders of record
of Common Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, and such
separate Right certificates alone shall represent such Rights from and after the
Distribution Date.
4. Expiration of Rights
The Rights shall expire on June 12, 2003 (the "Expiration Date"), unless
earlier redeemed or exchanged, unless the Distribution Date has previously
occurred and the Rights have separated from the Common Shares, in which case the
Rights will remain outstanding for ten years from the date they separate.
5. Exercise of Rights
Unless the Rights have expired or been redeemed or exchanged, they may be
exercised, at the option of the holders, pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) or (c)
below. No Right may be exercised more than once or pursuant to more than one of
such paragraphs. From and after the first event of the type described in
paragraphs (b) or (c) below, each Right that is beneficially owned by a 15%
Stockholder or that was attached to a Common Share that is subject to an option
beneficially owned by a 15% Stockholder shall be void.
(a) Right to Purchase Preferred Shares. From and after the close of
business on the Distribution Date, each Right (other than a Right that has
become void) shall be exercisable to purchase one one-ten thousandth of a share
of Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the
"Preferred Shares"), at an exercise price of $45.00 (the "Exercise Price").
Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company may substitute for all or any
portion of the Preferred Shares that would otherwise be issuable upon exercise
of the Rights, cash, assets or other securities having the same aggregate value
as such Preferred Shares. The Preferred Shares are nonredeemable and, unless
otherwise provided in connection with the
2
creation of a subsequent series of preferred stock, are subordinate to any other
series of the Company's preferred stock whether issued before or after the
issuance of the Preferred Shares. The Preferred Shares may not be issued except
upon exercise of Rights. The holder of a Preferred Share is entitled to receive
when, as and if declared, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the first day
of March, June, September and December in each year (each such date being
referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the
first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or
fraction of a share of Series B Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded
to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (i) $.25 per share ($1.00 per
annum) or (ii) subject to adjustment, 10,000 times the aggregate per share
amount of all dividends or other distributions declared on the Common Stock
since the last quarterly dividend payment. In the event of liquidation, no
distribution shall be made to: (i) the holders of shares of stock ranking junior
to the Series B Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of
Series B Preferred Stock shall have received the greater of (A) $10,000.00 per
share ($1.00 per one one-ten thousandth of a share), plus an amount equal to
accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared,
to the date of such payment, or (B) an aggregate amount per share, subject to
the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 10,000 times the
aggregate amount to be distributed per share of Common Stock to holders thereof;
or (ii) the holders of shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series B
Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Series B Preferred
Stock and all such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the
holders of all such shares are entitled. Each Preferred Share has 10,000 votes
per share (one vote per one one-ten thousandth of a share) on all matters
submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event of any
merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Shares are exchanged,
the holder of a Preferred Share shall be entitled to receive 10,000 times the
amount received per Common Share. The rights of the Preferred Shares as to
dividends, voting and liquidation preferences are protected by antidilution
provisions. It is anticipated that the value of one one-ten thousandth of a
Preferred Share should approximate the value of one Common Share.
(b) Right to Purchase Common Shares of the Company. From and after
the close of business on the tenth business day following the 15% Ownership
Date, each Right (other than a Right that has become void) shall be exercisable
to purchase, at the Exercise Price, Common Shares with a market value equal to
two times the Exercise Price. If the Company does not have sufficient Common
Shares available for all Rights to be exercised, the Company shall substitute
for all or any portion of the Common Shares that would otherwise be issuable
upon the exercise of the Rights, cash, assets or other securities having the
same aggregate value as such Common Shares.
(c) Right to Purchase Common Stock of a Successor Corporation. If,
on or after the 15% Ownership Date, (i) the Company is acquired in a merger or
other business combination in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation, (ii) the Company is the surviving corporation in a merger or other
business combination in which all or part of the outstanding Common Shares are
changed into or exchanged for stock or assets of another person or (iii) 50% or
more of the Company's consolidated assets or earning power are sold (other than
in transactions in the ordinary course of business), then each Right (other than
a Right that has become void) shall thereafter be exercisable to purchase, at
the Exercise Price, shares of common
3
stock of the surviving corporation or purchaser, respectively (the "Surviving
Person"), with an aggregate market value equal to two times the Exercise Price.
6. Adjustments to Prevent Dilution
The Exercise Price, the number of outstanding Rights and the number of
Preferred Shares or Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time as set forth in the Rights Agreement in
order to prevent dilution. With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the
Exercise Price shall be required until cumulative adjustments require an
adjustment of at least 1%.
7. Cash Paid Instead of Issuing Fractional Securities
No fractional securities shall be issued upon exercise of a Right (other
than fractions of Preferred Shares that are integral multiples of one one-ten
thousandth of a Preferred Share and that may, at the election of the Company, be
evidenced by depositary receipts) and in lieu thereof, a payment in cash shall
be made based on the market price of such securities on the last trading date
prior to the date of exercise.
8. Redemption
At any time prior to the earlier of (a) the tenth business day following
the 15% Ownership Date or (b) the first event of the type giving rise to
exercise rights under Section 5(c) above, the Board of Directors may, at its
option, direct the Company to redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a
price of $.001 per Right (the "Redemption Price"), and the Company shall so
redeem the Rights. Immediately upon such action by the Board of Directors (the
date of such action being the "Redemption Date"), the only right of the holders
of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price.
9. Exchange
At any time during the 180 day period following the 15% Ownership Date,
the Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, authorize and direct
the exchange of all, but not less than all, of the then outstanding Rights for
Common Shares, one one-ten thousandths of Preferred Shares, debt securities of
the Company, other property or any combination of the foregoing, which, as of
the date of the Board of Directors' action, has a current market price equal to
the difference between the Exercise Price and the current market price of the
shares that would otherwise be issuable upon exercise of a Right on such date
(the "Exchange Ratio"), and the Company shall so exchange the Rights.
Immediately upon such action by the Board of Directors, the right to exercise
Rights shall terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights shall be to
receive the securities so designated by the Board of Directors in accordance
with the Exchange Ratio.
10. No Stockholder Rights Prior to Exercise
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company (other than rights resulting from such
holder's ownership of Common Shares), including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends.
4
11. Amendment of Rights Agreement
The Board of Directors may, from time to time, without the approval of any
holder of Rights, direct the Company and the Rights Agent to supplement or amend
any provision of the Rights Agreement in any manner, whether or not the
supplement or amendment is adverse to any holder of Rights, and the Company and
the Rights Agent shall so supplement or amend such provision; provided, however,
that (i) from and after the earliest of (a) the tenth business day following the
15% Ownership Date, (b) the first event of the type giving rise to exercise
rights under Section 5(c) above or (c) the Redemption Date, the Rights Agreement
cannot be supplemented or amended in any manner that would materially and
adversely affect any holder of outstanding Rights other than a 15% Stockholder
or a Surviving Person; and (ii) following the execution date of the Merger
Agreement and prior to the earlier of the effectiveness of the merger provided
for therein (the "Merger") or the termination of the Merger Agreement, the
Company shall not amend, modify or waive any provision of the Rights Agreement,
or take any action to redeem the Rights or render the Rights inapplicable to any
transaction other than the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the
Voting Agreement entered into in connection with the Merger Agreement unless,
and only to the extent that: (a) the Company is required to do so by order of a
court of competent jurisdiction or (b) the Board of Directors determines in its
good faith judgment, after receipt of advice of counsel, that, in light of a
Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement), it is required to so
amend, modify or terminate the Rights Agreement in order to comply with the
Board of Directors' fiduciary obligations to the Company stockholders under
applicable law.
5
