Exhibit 4.1
EXECUTION COPY
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
dated as of
June 5, 2009
between
FRIEDMAN, BILLINGS, RAMSEY GROUP,
INC.
and
AMERICAN STOCK
TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY LLC
Rights Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Section
1
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Certain
Definitions
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1
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Section
2
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Appointment of
Rights Agent
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6
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Section
3
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Issuance of
Rights Certificates
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7
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Section
4
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Form of Rights
Certificates
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9
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Section
5
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Countersignature and Registration
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9
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Section
6
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Transfer,
Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates;
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates
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10
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Section
7
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Exercise of
Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights
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11
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Section
8
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Cancellation
and Destruction of Rights Certificates
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12
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Section
9
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Company
Covenants Concerning Securities and Rights
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12
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Section
10
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Record
Date
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14
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Section
11
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Adjustment of
Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Securities or Number of
Rights
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14
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Section
12
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Certificate of
Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares
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22
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Section
13
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Fractional
Rights and Fractional Shares
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22
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Section
14
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Rights of
Action
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23
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Section 15
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Agreement of
Rights Holders
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24
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- i -
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Section
16
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Rights
Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder
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24
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Section
17
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Concerning the
Rights Agent
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25
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Section
18
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Merger,
Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent
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26
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Section
19
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Duties of
Rights Agent
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26
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Section
20
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Change of
Rights Agent
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28
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Section
21
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Issuance of New
Rights Certificates
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29
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Section
22
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Redemption
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30
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Section
23
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Exchange
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30
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Section
24
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Notice of
Certain Events
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31
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Section
25
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Notices
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32
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Section
26
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Supplements and
Amendments
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33
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Section
27
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Successors
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33
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Section
28
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Determinations
and Actions by the Board
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33
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Section
29
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Benefits of
this Agreement
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34
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Section
30
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Severability
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34
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Section
31
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Governing
Law
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34
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Section
32
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Counterparts
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35
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Section
33
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Descriptive
Headings; Interpretation
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35
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EXHIBITS
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Exhibit
A :
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Form of
Articles of Amendment Designating Series A Junior Preferred
Stock
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Exhibit
B :
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Form of Rights
Certificate
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Exhibit
C :
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Summary of
Rights
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RIGHTS AGREEMENT
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of
June 5, 2009 (the “ Agreement ”), between
Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group, Inc., a Virginia corporation
doing business as Arlington Asset Investment Corp. (the “
Company ”), and American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company LLC, a New York limited liability company (the
“ Rights Agent ”).
W I T N E S S E T
H
WHEREAS, on June 1, 2009 (the
“ Rights Dividend Declaration Date ”), the Board
authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one right (a
“ Right ”) for each share of Class A common
stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “
Class A Common Stock ”) and one Right for each share
of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company
(the “ Class B Common Stock ”) outstanding at
the Close of Business (as hereinafter defined) on June 5, 2009
(the “ Record Date ”), each Right initially
representing the right to purchase one ten-thousandth of a share of
Preferred Stock (as hereinafter defined) of the Company, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, and
further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right (subject
to adjustment as provided herein) with respect to each share of
Class A Common Stock and each share of Class B Common Stock
issued or delivered by the Company (whether originally issued or
delivered from the Company’s treasury) after the Record Date
but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date (as hereinafter
defined) and the Expiration Date (as hereinafter defined) or as
provided in Section 21.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as
follows:
Section 1 Certain
Definitions
For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
(a) “ Acquiring Person
” shall mean any Person (other than the Company, any Related
Person or any Exempt Person) that has become, in itself or,
together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, the
Beneficial Owner of 4.9% or more of the shares of Class A
Common Stock then-outstanding, provided , however ,
that any Person who would otherwise qualify as an Acquiring Person
as of the Close of Business on the Record Date will not be deemed
to be an Acquiring Person for any purpose of this Agreement on and
after such date unless and until such time as such shareholder
acquires the beneficial ownership of one additional share of
Class A Common Stock, and provided , further ,
that a Person will not be deemed to have become an Acquiring Person
solely as a result of (i) a reduction in the number of shares
of Class A Common Stock outstanding, (ii) the exercise or
vesting of any options, warrants, rights or similar interests
(including restricted stock) granted by the Company to its
directors, officers and employees that are held by a director,
officer or employee of the Company or its Affiliates,
(iii) any unilateral grant of any security by the Company
approved by the Board or a committee thereof, or (iv) an
Exempt Transaction, unless and until such time, in each case, as
such shareholder acquires the beneficial ownership of one
additional share of Class A Common Stock. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no Person shall be an Acquiring Person unless the Board
shall have affirmatively determined, in its sole and absolute
discretion, within ten Business Days (or such later time as the
Board may determine) after such Person has otherwise met the
requirements of this Section 1(a), that such Person shall be
an Acquiring Person.
(b) “ Act ” shall
mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(c) “ Affiliate ”
and “ Associate ” shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of
this Agreement, and to the extent not included within the foregoing
clause of this Section 1(c), shall also include, with respect
to any Person, any other Person (whether or not a Related Person or
an Exempt Person) whose shares of Class A Common Stock or
Class B Common Stock would be deemed constructively owned by such
first Person, owned by a single “entity” as defined in
Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury Regulations, or
otherwise aggregated with shares owned by such first Person
pursuant to the provisions of the Code, or any successor provision
or replacement provision, and the Treasury Regulations thereunder,
provided , however , that a Person shall not be
deemed to be the Affiliate or Associate of another Person solely
because either or both Persons are or were directors or officers of
the Company.
(d) “ Agreement ”
shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this
Agreement.
(e) “ Authorized
Officer ” shall mean the Chief Executive Officer,
President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of
the Company.
(f) A Person shall be deemed the
“ Beneficial Owner ” of, and to “
beneficially own ” any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such
Person’s Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly,
has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing)
or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights,
warrants, options, or other rights (in each case, other than upon
exercise or exchange of the Rights); provided ,
however , that a Person shall not be deemed the “
Beneficial Owner ” of, or to “ beneficially
own ” securities (including rights, options or warrants)
which are convertible or exchangeable into Class A Common
Stock until such time as the convertible or exchangeable securities
are exercised and converted or exchanged into Class A Common
Stock except to the extent the acquisition or transfer of such
rights, options or warrants would be treated as exercised on the
date of its acquisition or transfer under Section 1.382-4(d)
of the Treasury Regulations; and, provided further ,
however , that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial
Owner of, or to beneficially own securities tendered pursuant to a
tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such
Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered
securities are accepted for purchase or exchange;
(ii) which such Person or any of
such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, directly or
indirectly, has or shares the right to vote or dispose of, or has
“beneficial ownership” of (as defined under Rule 13d-3
of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act),
including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding
(whether or not in writing), but only if the effect of such
agreement, arrangement or understanding is to treat such Persons as
an “entity” under Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the
Treasury Regulations, or
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(iii) which any other person is the
Beneficial Owner, if such Person or any of such Person’s
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (whether or not in writing) with such other Person
(or any of such other Person’s Affiliates or Associates) with
respect to acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any
securities of the Company, but only if the effect of such
agreement, arrangement or understanding is to treat such Persons as
an “entity” under Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the
Treasury Regulations; provided , however , that a
Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of,
or to “beneficially own” any security (A) if such
Person has the right to vote such security pursuant to an
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing)
which (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy given to such
Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made
pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and
regulations of the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then
reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any
comparable or successor report), or (B) if such beneficial
ownership arises solely as a result of such Person’s status
as a “clearing agency,” as defined in
Section 3(a)(23) of the Exchange Act; provided further
, however , that nothing in this Section 1(e) shall
cause a Person engaged in business as an underwriter of securities
or member of a selling to group to be the Beneficial Owner of, or
to “beneficially own,” any securities acquired through
such Person’s participation in good faith in an underwriting
syndicate until the expiration of 40 calendar days after the date
of such acquisition, or such later date as the Board may determine
in any specific case. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, to the extent not within the foregoing provisions of this
Section, a Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial
Owner” of and shall be deemed to “beneficially
own” or have “beneficial ownership” of,
securities which such Person would be deemed to constructively own
or which otherwise would be aggregated with shares owned by such
Person pursuant to Section 382 of the Code, or any successor
provision or replacement provision and the Treasury Regulations
thereunder.
(g) “ Board ”
shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(h) “ Business Day
” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day
on which banking institutions in the States of New York (or such
other state in which the principal office of the Rights Agent may
be located) are authorized or obligated by law or executive order
to close.
(i) “ Class A Common
Stock ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
of this Agreement.
(j) “ Class B Common
Stock ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
of this Agreement.
(k) “ Close of Business
” on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time,
on such date; provided , however , that if such date
is not a Business Day, it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time,
on the next succeeding Business Day.
(l) “ Code ”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
(m) “ Common Stock
” shall mean the Class A Common Stock together with the
Class B Common Stock.
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(n) “ Company ”
shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this
Agreement.
(o) “ Company’s
Articles of Incorporation ” shall mean the Amended and
Restated Article of Incorporation of the Company.
(p) “ Current Per Share
Market Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(d)(i) or Section 11(d)(ii) hereof, as
applicable.
(q) “ Current Value
” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof.
(r) “ Distribution Date
” shall mean the earliest of (i) the Close of Business
on the tenth Business Day after the Stock Acquisition Date or
(ii) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day (or,
unless the Distribution Date shall have previously occurred, such
later date as may be specified by the Board) after the commencement
of a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the
Company, any Related Person or any Exempt Person), if upon the
consummation thereof such Person would be the Beneficial Owner of
4.9% or more of the then-outstanding Class A Common
Stock.
(s) “ Equivalent Preferred
Stock ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(b) hereof.
(t) “ Exchange Act
” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(u) “ Exchange Ratio
” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a)
hereof
(v) “ Exempt Person
” shall mean a Person whose Beneficial Ownership (together
with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person) of 4.9% or more
of the then-outstanding Class A Common Stock would not, as
determined by the Board in its sole discretion, jeopardize or
endanger the availability to the Company of its Tax Benefits or who
the Board determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, should,
in the best interests of the Company, be treated as an Exempt
Person, provided , however , that, any Person shall
cease to be an Exempt Person as of the date that such Person ceases
to beneficially own 4.9% or more of the shares of the then
outstanding Class A Common Stock. Additionally, a Person shall
cease to be an Exempt Person if the Board, in its sole discretion,
makes a contrary determination with respect to the effect of such
Person’s Beneficial Ownership (together with all Affiliates
and Associates of such Person) with respect to the availability to
the Company of its Tax Benefits; and provided ,
further , that the Board may set any terms, conditions or
limitations to any determination that a Person is an Exempt Person
as the Board may determine in its sole and absolute
discretion.
(w) “ Exempt
Transaction ” shall mean any transaction that the Board
determines, in its sole discretion, is exempt, which determination
shall be irrevocable; provided , however , the Board
may set any terms, conditions or limitations on such transaction as
it determines in its sole and absolute discretion.
(x) “ Expiration Date
” shall mean the earliest of (i) the Final Expiration
Date, (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as
provided in Section 22 hereof, (iii) the time at which
the Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 23 hereof,
(iv) the repeal of Section 382 and Section 383 of
the Code or any successor statute if the Board determines in its
sole and absolute
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discretion that this Agreement is no longer
necessary for the preservation of Tax Benefits or otherwise in the
best interests of the Company, (v) the beginning of a taxable
year of the Company to which the Board determines in its sole and
absolute discretion that no Tax Benefits may be carried forward and
(vi) the Close of Business on June 4, 2010 if Shareholder
Approval has not been obtained.
(y) “ Final Expiration
Date ” shall be June 4, 2019.
(z) “ Nasdaq ”
means The Nasdaq Stock Market.
(aa) “ NYSE ”
means the New York Stock Exchange.
(bb) “ Person ”
shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, limited liability partnership, trust or other
legal entity, group of persons making a “coordinated
acquisition” of shares or otherwise treated as an entity
within the meaning of Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury
Regulations or otherwise, and includes any successor (by merger or
otherwise) of such individual or entity.
(cc) “ Preferred Stock
” shall mean shares of Series A Junior Preferred Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of the Company having the rights and
preferences set forth in the form of Articles of Amendment to the
Company’s Articles of Incorporation designating the Series A
Junior Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit A
.
(dd) “ Purchase Price
” shall mean initially $3.00 per one ten-thousandth of a
share of Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment from time to time
as provided in this Agreement.
(ee) “ Record Date
” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this
Agreement.
(ff) “ Redemption Price
” shall mean $0.01 per Right, subject to adjustment by the
Company to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the date hereof.
(gg) “ Related Person
” shall mean (i) any Subsidiary of the Company (but
specifically excluding FBR Capital Markets Corporation) or
(ii) any employee benefit or stock ownership plan of the
Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company (but specifically
excluding FBR Capital Markets Corporation) or any entity holding
shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as the
case may be, for or pursuant to the terms of any such
plan.
(hh) “ Rights ”
shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this
Agreement.
(ii) “ Rights Agent
” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this
Agreement.
(jj) “ Rights
Certificates ” shall mean certificates evidencing the
Rights, in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit B .
(kk) “ Rights Dividend
Declaration Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in
the recitals to this Agreement.
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(ll) “
Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date ” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.
(mm) “ Securities Act
” shall mean Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(nn) “ Shareholder
Approval ” shall mean the approval of this Agreement by
the holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company in accordance with the Company’s Articles of
Incorporation, bylaws and applicable law.
(oo) “ Spread ”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof.
(pp) “ Stock Acquisition
Date ” shall mean the first date of public announcement
(which for purposes of this definition shall include, without
limitation, a report filed pursuant to the Exchange Act) by the
Company that an Acquiring Person has become such or such earlier
date as the Board shall determine that a Person has become an
Acquiring Person.
(qq) “ Subsidiary
” shall mean, with reference to any Person, any corporation
or other legal entity of which a majority of the voting power of
the voting equity securities or equity interests is owned, directly
or indirectly, by such Person, or otherwise controlled by such
Person.
(rr) “ Substitution
Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.
(ss) “ Summary of
Rights “ shall mean a copy of a summary of the terms of
the Rights, in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit C .
(tt) “ Tax Benefits
” shall mean the net operating loss carry-overs, capital loss
carry-overs, general business credit carry-overs, alternative
minimum tax credit carry-overs and foreign tax credit carry-overs,
as well as any “net unrealized built-in loss” within
the meaning of Section 382 of the Code, of the Company or any
direct or indirect Subsidiary thereof.
(uu) “ Trading Day
” shall mean a day on which the principal national securities
exchange on which the shares of Class A Common Stock are
listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of
business or, with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock
which are not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, a Trading Day for the Class A Common
Stock.
(vv) “ Treasury
Regulations ” shall mean final, temporary and proposed
income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, including any
amendments thereto.
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 and hereby certifies that it complies with the
requirements of the New York Stock Exchange governing transfer
agents and registrars. The Company may from time to time appoint
such co-rights agents as it may deem necessary or desirable. The
Rights Agent shall have no duty to supervise, and shall in no event
be liable for, the acts or omission of any such co-rights agent.
Prior to the appointment of a co-rights agent, the specific duties
and obligations of each such co-rights
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agents shall be set forth in writing and
delivered to the Rights Agent and the proposed co-rights agent. Any
actions which may be taken by the Rights Agent pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement may be taken by any such co-rights agent.
To the extent that any co-rights agent takes any action pursuant to
this Agreement, such co-rights agent shall be entitled to all of
the rights and protections of, and subject to all of the applicable
duties and obligations imposed upon, the Rights Agent pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement. The Rights Agent will have no duty to
supervise, and in no event will be liable for, the acts or
omissions of any co-rights agent.
Section 3 Issuance of
Rights Certificates
(a) Until the Distribution Date,
(i) the Rights shall be evidenced (subject to
Section 3(b)) by the certificates representing the shares of
Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, registered in
the names of the record holders thereof (which certificates
representing such shares of Class A Common Stock and/or Class
B Common Stock shall also be deemed to be Rights Certificates),
(ii) the Rights shall be transferable only in connection with
the transfer of the underlying shares of Class A Common Stock
and/or Class B Common Stock, and (iii) the surrender for
transfer of any certificates representing such shares of
Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock in respect of
which Rights have been issued shall also constitute the transfer of
the Rights associated with the shares of Class A Common Stock
and/or Class B Common Stock represented by such
certificates.
(b) On, or as reasonably practicable
after, the Record Date, the Company shall send by first class,
postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of shares of
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of the Close
of Business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown
on the records of the Company as of such date, a copy of a Summary
of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock in substantially the form
attached as Exhibit C. With respect to certificates for
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding as
of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
evidenced by such certificates registered in the names of the
holders thereof together with the Summary of Rights. Failure to
provide notice of the Summary of Rights on a timely basis or at
all, or to have and hold a copy of such Summary of Rights, shall
not invalidate the Rights or impact their transfer with the
underlying shares of Class A Common Stock and/or Class B
Common Stock.
(c) Rights shall be issued by the
Company in respect of all shares of Class A Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock (other than any shares of Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise
or exchange of any Right) issued or delivered by the Company
(whether originally issued or delivered from the Company’s
treasury) after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the
Distribution Date and the Expiration Date, provided that pursuant
to Section 21 hereof, Rights may be issued after the
Distribution Date and before the Expiration Date. Certificates
representing such shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock shall have stamped on, impressed on, printed on,
written on, or otherwise affixed to them a legend in substantially
the following form or such similar legend as the Company may deem
appropriate and is not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Agreement and as do not affect the rights, duties or
responsibilities of the Rights Agent, 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 or transaction reporting system on which the shares of
Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock may from time to
time be listed or quoted:
This certificate also evidences and
entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in the
Rights Agreement between Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group, Inc. and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, dated as of
June 5, 2009 and as amended from time to time (the
“Rights Agreement”), the terms of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at
the principal executive offices of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey
Group, Inc. The Rights are not exercisable prior to the occurrence
of certain events specified in the Rights Agreement. Under certain
circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights
may be redeemed, may be exchanged, may expire, may be amended, or
may be evidenced by separate certificates and no longer be
evidenced by this certificate. Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group,
Inc. shall mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the
Rights Agreement, as in effect on the date of mailing, without
charge promptly after receipt of a written request therefor.
Under certain circumstances as set forth in the Rights
Agreement, Rights that are or were beneficially owned by an
Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring
Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) may
become null and void.
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(d) Any Rights Certificate issued
pursuant to this Section 3 or Section 21 hereof that
represents Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or any
of its Associates or Affiliates and any Rights Certificate issued
at any time upon the transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person
or any of its Associates or Affiliates or to any nominee of such
Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate and any Rights Certificate
issued pursuant to Section 6 or 11 hereof upon transfer,
exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate
referred to in this sentence, shall be subject to and contain a
legend in substantially the following form or such similar legend
as the Company may deem appropriate and is 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 on which the Rights may from time to time be
listed:
The Rights represented by this
Rights Certificate are or were beneficially owned by a Person who
was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or an Associate of an
Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights
Agreement). This Rights Certificate and the Rights represented
hereby may become null and void in the circumstances specified in
Section 11(a)(ii) of the Rights Agreement.
(e) As promptly as practicable after
the Distribution Date, the Company shall prepare and execute, the
Rights Agent shall countersign and the Company shall send or cause
to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested, and if
provided with all necessary information, send), by first class,
insured, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of shares of
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as of the Close
of Business on the Distribution Date (other than an Acquiring
Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person), at
the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a
Rights Certificate representing one Right for each share of
Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock so held,
subject to
- 8 -
adjustment as provided herein. As of and after
the Distribution Date, the Rights shall be represented solely by
such Rights Certificates. The Company shall promptly notify the
Rights Agent in writing upon the occurrence of the Distribution
Date and, if such notification is given orally, the Company shall
confirm the same in writing on or prior to the next Business Day.
Until such notice is received by the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent
may presume conclusively that the Distribution Date has not
occurred.
(f) In the event that the Company
purchases or otherwise acquires any shares after the Record Date
but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such
shares of Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock
shall be deemed canceled and retired so that the Company shall not
be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the shares of
Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock so purchased
or acquired.
Section 4 Form of Rights
Certificates
The Rights Certificates (and the
form of election to purchase and the form of assignment to be
printed on the reverse thereof) shall each be substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit B with such changes and
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 or transaction reporting system on
which the Rights may from time to time be listed or quoted, or to
conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 21
hereof, the Rights Certificates, whenever distributed shall entitle
the holders thereof to purchase such number of one ten-thousandths
of a share of Preferred Stock as is set forth therein at the
Purchase Price; provided , however , that the
Purchase Price, the number and kind of securities issuable upon
exercise of each Right and the number of Rights outstanding shall
be subject to adjustments as provided in this Agreement.
Section 5
Countersignature and Registration
(a) The Rights Certificates shall be
executed on behalf of the Company by any Authorized Officer, either
manually or by facsimile signature, and shall, if required by
applicable law, have affixed thereto the Company’s seal or a
facsimile thereof which shall be attested by any Authorized
Officer, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Rights
Certificates shall be countersigned by the Rights Agent, either
manually or by facsimile signature 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 Rights Certificates shall cease to
be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the
Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Rights
Certificates, nevertheless, may 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 Rights Certificates
had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Rights
Certificates may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person
who, at the actual date of the execution of such Rights
Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such
Rights Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this
Agreement any such person was not such an officer.
- 9 -
(b) Following the Distribution Date,
upon receipt by the Rights Agent of written notice of the
occurrence of the Distribution Date pursuant to Section 3(e)
hereof, a shareholder list and all other relevant information
referred to in Section 3(e) or as reasonably requested by the
Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall keep, books for registration
and transfer of the Rights Certificates issued hereunder or cause
to be kept, at its office or offices designated for such purposes
and at such other offices 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 or any
transaction reporting system on which the rights may from time to
time be listed or quoted. Such books shall show the names and
addresses of the respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the
number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Rights
Certificates and the date of each of the Rights
Certificates.
Section 6 Transfer,
Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights Certificates;
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights
Certificates
(a) Subject to the provisions of
Section 7(d) and Section 13 hereof, at any time after the
Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and prior to the
Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate(s) (other than Rights
Certificates representing Rights that may have been exchanged
pursuant to Section 23 hereof) representing exercisable Rights
may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another
Rights Certificate(s), entitling the registered holder to purchase
a like number of one ten-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock
(or other securities, as the case may be) as the Rights
Certificate(s) surrendered then entitled such holder (or former
holder in the case of a transfer) to purchase. Any registered
holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any such
Rights Certificate(s) must make such request in writing delivered
to the Rights Agent, and must surrender the Rights Certificate(s)
to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged, with the forms
of assignment and certificate contained therein duly executed, at
the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose. The Rights Certificates are transferable only on the
registry books of the Rights Agent. Neither the Rights Agent nor
the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with
respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Rights Certificate
until the registered holder shall have (i) completed and
signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the
reverse side of such Rights Certificate, (ii) provided such
additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or
former Beneficial Owner and the Affiliates and Associates of such
Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) as the Company or the
Rights Agent shall reasonably request and (iii) paid a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or charge that may be imposed in
connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange or
Rights Certificates as required by Section 9(d) hereof.
Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the
Person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested registered in
such name or names as may be designated by the surrendering
registered holder. The Rights Agent shall promptly forward any such
sum collected by it to the Company or to such Person or Persons as
the Company shall specify by written notice. The Rights Agent shall
have no duty or obligation unless and until it is satisfied that
all such taxes and/or charges have been paid.
(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 Rights Certificate,
and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or
security reasonably satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the
Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses
incidental
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thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent
and cancellation of the Rights Certificate, if mutilated, the
Company shall execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like
tenor to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent will countersign and
deliver such new Rights Certificate to the registered holder in
lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or
mutilated.
Section 7 Exercise of
Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of
Rights
(a) Except as otherwise provided
herein, the Rights shall become exercisable on the Distribution
Date and prior to the Expiration Date, and thereafter the
registered holder of any Right Certificate may, subject to
Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 23 hereof, exercise the
Rights evidenced thereby in whole or in part upon surrender of the
Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the
reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the
office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose,
together with payment of the Purchase Price (including any
applicable tax or charge required to be paid by the holder of such
Rights Certificate in accordance with the provisions of
Section 9(d)) hereof for each one ten-thousandth of a share of
Preferred Stock (or other securities, cash or assets, as the case
may be) as to which the Rights are exercised.
(b) Upon receipt of a Rights
Certificate representing exercisable Rights with the form of
election to purchase and the certificate properly completed and
duly executed, accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the
shares to be purchased and an amount equal to any applicable tax or
charge required to be paid under Section 9(d) hereof by
certified check, cashier’s check, bank draft or money order
payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall,
thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer
agent of the shares of Preferred Stock (or make available, if the
Rights Agent is the transfer agent for such shares) certificates
representing the total number of one ten-thousandths of a share of
Preferred Stock to be purchased (and the Company hereby irrevocably
authorizes and directs its transfer agent to comply with all such
requests) or (B) if the Company shall have elected to deposit
any shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights
hereunder with a depositary agent, requisition from the depositary
agent depositary receipts representing such number of one
ten-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as are to be
purchased (and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes and
directs such depositary agent to comply with all such requests),
(ii) after receipt of such certificates (or depositary
receipts, as the case may be) cause the same to be delivered to or
upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate,
registered in such name or names as may be designated by such
holder, (iii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company
or any transfer agent therefor of certificates representing the
number of equivalent shares to be issued in lieu of the issuance of
shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as the
case may be, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 11(a)(iii), (iv) when appropriate, after receipt
of such certificates, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the
order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate,
registered in such name or names as may be designated by such
holder, (v) when appropriate, requisition from the Company of
the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional
shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 hereof,
and (vi) when appropriate, after receipt, deliver such cash to
the registered holder of such Rights Certificate.
(c) In case the registered holder of
any Rights Certificate shall exercise less than all the Rights
evidenced thereby, the Rights Agent shall prepare, execute and
deliver a new Rights
- 11 -
Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the
Rights remaining unexercised to the registered holder of such
Rights Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to
the provisions of Section 13 hereof.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company
shall be obligated to undertake any action with respect to any
purported transfer, split up, combination or exchange of any Rights
Certificate pursuant to Section 6 or exercise or assignment of
a Rights Certificate as set forth in this Section 7 unless the
registered holder of such Rights Certificate shall have
(i) duly and properly completed and signed the certificate
following the form of assignment or the form of election to
purchase, as applicable, set forth on the reverse side of the
Rights Certificate surrendered for such transfer, split up,
combination, exchange, exercise or assignment and
(ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the
Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) thereof and of the
Rights evidenced thereby and Affiliates and Associates thereof as
the Company or the Rights Agent may reasonably request, including,
but not limited to, confirmation that such Person is not an
Acquiring Person, or Affiliate, Associate or transferee
thereof.
Section 8 Cancellation
and Destruction of Rights Certificates
All Rights Certificates surrendered
for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split-up, combination or
exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any of its agents,
be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled
form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by
it, and no Rights Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof
except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this
Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for
cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel
and retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by
the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights
Agent shall deliver all cancelled Rights Certificates to the
Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy
such cancelled Rights Certificates, and in such case shall deliver
a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
Section 9 Company
Covenants Concerning Securities and Rights
(a) The Company covenants and agrees
that it shall cause to be reserved, authorized for issuance and
kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of
Preferred Stock, and/or other securities, or any shares of any such
security of the Company held in its treasury, a number of shares of
Preferred Stock (or any other security of the Company as may be
applicable at the time of exercise) that shall be sufficient to
permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights in accordance
with Section 7.
(b) The Company covenants and agrees
so long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the
occurrence of any Person becoming an Acquiring Person, shares of
Class A Common Stock and/or other securities) issuable upon
the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any national securities
exchange, or quoted on Nasdaq, it shall endeavor to cause, from and
after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all securities
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of Rights to be listed on
such exchange, or quoted on the Nasdaq, upon official notice of
issuance upon such exercise. Notwithstanding anything contained
herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to cause
the Class B Common Stock or associated Rights to be listed on a
national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq.
- 12 -
(c) The Company covenants and agrees
it will take all such actions as may be necessary to ensure that
all shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of any
Person becoming an Acquiring Person, shares of Class A Common
Stock, Class B Common Stock and/or other securities) delivered upon
exercise of Rights, at the time of delivery of the certificates for
such securities, shall be (subject to payment of the Purchase
Price) duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable securities.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees
it will pay when due and payable any and all federal or state taxes
and charges that may be payable in respect of the issuance or
delivery of the Rights Certificates and of any certificates
representing securities issued upon the exercise of Rights;
provided , however , that the Company shall not be
required to pay any tax or charge which may be payable in respect
of any transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates to a person
other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates or
depositary receipts representing securities issued upon the
exercise of Rights in a name other than that of, the registered
holder of the Rights Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for
exercise, or to issue or deliver any certificates or depositary
receipts representing securities issued upon the exercise of any
Rights until any such tax or charge has been paid (any such tax or
charge being payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at
the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the
Company’s reasonable satisfaction that no such tax or charge
is due.
(e) If the Company determines that
registration under the Securities Act is required, then the Company
shall use commercially reasonable efforts (i) to file, as soon
as practicable after the Distribution Date, on an appropriate form,
a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to
the securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights, (ii) to
cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as
practicable after such filing and (iii) to cause such
registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at
all times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the
earlier of (A) the date as of which the Rights are no longer
exercisable for such securities and (B) the Expiration Date.
The Company shall also take such action as may be appropriate
under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or “blue
sky” laws of the various states in connection with the
exercisability of the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend,
for a period of time not to exceed 120 days, the exercisability of
the Rights in order to prepare and file such registration statement
and to permit it to become effective or to qualify the rights, the
exercise thereof or the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock,
Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, or other
securities upon the exercise thereof under state securities or
“blue sky” laws. Upon any such suspension, the Company
shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability
of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public
announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.
The Company shall notify the Rights Agent in writing whenever it
makes a public announcement pursuant to this Section 9(e) and
give the Rights Agent a copy of such announcement. In addition, if
the Company determines that a registration statement or other
document should be filed under the Securities Act or any state
securities laws following the Distribution Date, the Company may
temporarily suspend the exercisability of the Rights, for a period
of time not to exceed 120 days, in each relevant jurisdiction until
such time as a registration statement has been declared effective
or any such other document filed and, if
- 13 -
required, approved, and, upon any such
suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating
that the exercisability of the rights has been temporarily
suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the
suspension is no longer in effect. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in
any jurisdiction if the requisite registration or qualification in
such jurisdiction has not been effected or the exercise of the
Rights is not permitted under applicable law.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, after the later of the Stock Acquisition
Date and the Distribution Date, the Company shall not take (or, to
the extent practical, permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if
at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that
such action shall eliminate or otherwise diminish the benefits
intended to be afforded by the Rights.
(g) In the event that the Company is
obligated to issue other securities of the Company and/or pay cash
pursuant to Sections 7, 11, 13 or 23 it shall make all
arrangements necessary so that such other securities and/or cash
are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when
necessary to comply with this Agreement.
Section 10 Record
Date
Each Person in whose name any
certificate for a number of one ten-thousandths of a share of
Preferred Stock (or Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock
and/or other securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the
exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become
the holder of record of such shares of Preferred Stock (or
Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) represented thereby on, and such
certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Rights
Certificate representing such Rights was duly surrendered and
payment of the Purchase Price (and all applicable taxes and
charges) was made; provided , however , that if the
date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the
transfer books of the Company for shares of Preferred Stock (or
Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) 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 transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to the
exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights
Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of any
security of the Company with respect to shares for which the Rights
are or may be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right
to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise
any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any
notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided
herein.
Section 11 Adjustment of
Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Securities or Number of
Rights
The Purchase Price, the number of
shares of Preferred Stock or other securities or property
purchasable upon exercise of each Right and the number of Rights
outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided
in this Section 11.
- 14 -
(a) (i) In the event the Company
shall at any time after the Record Date (A) declare a dividend
on the shares of Preferred Stock payable in shares of Preferred
Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock, (C) combine the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock
into a smaller number of shares of Preferred Stock or
(D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a
reclassification of the shares of Preferred Stock (including any
such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger
in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation),
except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a), the
Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such
dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination
or reclassification, as the case may be, and the number and kind of
shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be
proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised
after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number
and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been
exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the
transfer books of the Company for the shares of Preferred Stock
were open, the holder would have owned upon such exercise and been
entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision,
combination or reclassification.
(ii) Subject to Section 23 of
this Agreement and except as otherwise provided in this
Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 11(a)(iii), in the event
that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right
shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof
at a price equal to the then-current Purchase Price, in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of shares of Preferred
Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class
B Common Stock, as the case may be, (or at the option of the
Company, such number of one ten-thousandths of a share of Preferred
Stock) as shall equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying
the then-current Purchase Price by the number of one
ten-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is
then exercisable and dividing that product by (y) 50% of the
Current Per Share Market Price of the Company’s Class A
Common Stock (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on
the date of the occurrence of such event; provided ,
however , that the Purchase Price (as so adjusted) and the
number of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common
Stock, as the case may be, so receivable upon exercise of a Right
shall thereafter be subject to further adjustment as appropriate in
accordance with Section 11(f) hereof.
Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, however, from and after the time (the
“ invalidation time ”) when any Person first
becomes an Acquiring Person, any Rights that are beneficially owned
by (A) any Acquiring Person (or any Affiliate or Associate of
any Acquiring Person), (B) a transferee of any Acquiring
Person (or any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a
transferee after the invalidation time or (C) a transferee of
any Acquiring Person (or any such Affiliate or Associate) who
became a transferee prior to or concurrently with the invalidation
time pursuant to either (1) a transfer from the Acquiring
Person to holders of its equity securities or to any Person with
whom it has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding,
written or otherwise, regarding the transferred Rights or
(2) a transfer that the Board has determined, in its sole and
absolute discretion, is part of a plan, arrangement or
understanding, written or otherwise, which has the purpose or
effect of avoiding the provisions of this paragraph, and subsequent
transferees of such Persons, shall be void without any further
action and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no
rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights under any provision
of this Agreement. The Company will use commercially reasonable
efforts to ensure that the provisions of this
Section 11(a)(ii) are complied with, but shall have no
liability to any holder of Rights Certificates or other Person as
a
- 15 -
result of its determinations or failure to make
any determinations, with respect to an Acquiring Person or its
Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder. From and after the
invalidation time, no Right Certificates shall be issued pursuant
to Section 3 or Section 6 hereof that represents Rights
that are or have become void pursuant to the provisions of this
paragraph, and any Right Certificates delivered to the Rights Agent
that represents Rights that are or have become void pursuant to the
provisions of this paragraph shall be cancelled.
(iii) The Company may at its option
substitute for a share of Class A Common Stock or Class B
Common Stock, as the case may be, issuable upon the exercise of
Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) such
number or fractions of shares of Preferred Stock having an
aggregate current market value equal to the Current Per Share
Market Price of a share of Class A Common Stock or Class B
Common Stock, as the case may be. In the event that there shall be
an insufficient number of Class A Common Stock or Class B
Common Stock authorized but unissued (and unreserved) to permit the
exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing
subparagraph (ii), or if the Board shall otherwise determine to do
so, the Board shall or may, as the case may be, with respect to
such deficiency or otherwise, to the extent permitted by applicable
law and any material agreements then in effect to which the Company
is a party (A) determine the excess of (x) the value of
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right in
accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) (the “
Current Value ”) over (y) the then-current
Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one ten-thousandths of
shares of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to the time that the Acquiring Person became such
(such excess, the “ Spread ”), and (B) with
respect to each Right (other than Rights which have become void
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)), make adequate provision to
substitute for the shares of Class A Common Stock and/or Class
B Common Stock issuable in accordance with subparagraph
(ii) upon exercise of the Right and payment of the applicable
Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in such
Purchase Price, (3) shares of Preferred Stock or other equity
securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares or
fractions of shares of preferred stock which, by virtue of having
dividend, voting and liquidation rights substantially comparable to
those of the shares of Class A Common Stock and/or Class B
Common Stock, are deemed in good faith by the Board to have
substantially the same value as the shares of Class A Common
Stock or Class B Common Stock, as the case may be, (such shares of
preferred stock and shares or fractions of shares of preferred
stock are hereinafter referred to as “ Common Stock
equivalents ”) (4) debt securities of the Company,
(5) other assets or (6) any combination of the foregoing,
having a value which, when added to the value of the shares of
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock actually issued
upon exercise of such Right, shall have an aggregate value equal to
the Current Value (less the amount of any reduction in such
Purchase Price), where such aggregate value has been determined by
the Board (upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment
banking firm selected by the Board in good faith); provided
, however , if the Company shall not make adequate provision
to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty
(30) days following the date that the Acquiring Person became
such (the “ Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date
”), or if the Board shall otherwise determine to do so, then
the Company shall deliver, to the extent permitted by applicable
law and any material agreements then in effect to which the Company
is a party, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without
requiring payment of the Purchase Price, shares of Class A
Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock (to the extent available),
and then, if necessary, such number or fractions of shares of
Preferred Stock (to the extent available) and then, if necessary,
cash, which shares and/or cash have, as determined by the Board in
good
- 16 -
faith, an aggregate value equal to the Spread.
If within the thirty (30) day period referred to above the
Board shall determine in good faith that it is likely that
sufficient additional shares of Class A Common Stock and/or
Class B Common Stock could be authorized for issuance upon exercise
in full of the Rights, then, if the Board so elects, such thirty
(30) day period may be extended to the extent necessary, but
not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the
Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the Company may
seek shareholder approval for the authorization of such additional
shares (such thirty (30) day period, as it may be extended, is
hereinafter called the “ Substitution Period ”).
To the extent that the Company determines that some action need be
taken pursuant to the second and/or third sentence of this
Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall provide,
subject to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof and the last sentence of
this Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, that such action shall apply
uniformly to all outstanding Rights and (y) may suspend the
exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the
Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of
additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of
distribution to be made pursuant to such second sentence and to
determine the value thereof. In the event of any such suspension,
the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as
well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no
longer in effect.
(b) If the Company fixes a record
date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders
of shares of Preferred Stock entitling them (for a period expiring
within 45 calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for or
purchase shares of Preferred Stock (or securities having equivalent
rights, privileges and preferences as the shares of Preferred Stock
(for purposes of this Section 11(b), “ Equivalent
Preferred Stock ”)) or securities convertible into shares
of Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock at a price per
share of Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock (or having a
conversion price per share, if a security convertible into shares
of Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock) less than the
Current Per Share Market Price of the shares of Preferred Stock
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d)) on such record date,
the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be
determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately
prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record
date plus the number of shares of Preferred Stock which the
aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Preferred
Stock and/or Equivalent Preferred Stock so to be offered (and/or
the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible
securities so to be offered) would purchase at such Current Per
Share Market Price and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date plus the
number of additional shares of Preferred Stock and/or Equivalent
Preferred Shares to be offered for subscription or purchase (or
into which the convertible securities so to be offered are
initially convertible). In case such subscription price may be paid
in a consideration part or all of which is in a form other than
cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in
good faith by the Board, whose determination shall be described in
a written statement filed with the Rights Agent. Shares of
Preferred Stock owned by or held for the account of the Company
shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such
computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever
such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such rights,
options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be
adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if
such record date had not been fixed.
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(c) If the Company fixes a record
date for the making of a distribution to all holders of shares of
Preferred Stock (including any such distribution made in connection
with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the
continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness,
cash (other than a regular periodic cash dividend), assets, stock
(other than a dividend payable in shares of Preferred Stock) or
subscription rights, options or warrants (excluding those referred
to in Section 11(b)), the Purchase Price to be in effect after
such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the Current Per Share Market
Price of the shares of Preferred Stock (as determined pursuant to
Section 11(d)) on such record date or, if earlier, the date on
which shares of Preferred Stock begin to trade on an ex-dividend or
when issued basis for such distribution, less the fair market value
(as determined in good faith by the Board, whose dete