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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR 12(G) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AGL RESOURCES INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
GEORGIA 58-2210952
(STATE OF INCORPORATION OR (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
ORGANIZATION)
303 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30308
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE (ZIP CODE)
OFFICES)
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH
TO BE SO REGISTERED EACH CLASS IS TO BE REGISTERED
Preferred Share Purchase Rights New York Stock Exchange
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:
(NONE)
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ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
On March 6, 1996, the Board of Directors of AGL Resources Inc., a Georgia
corporation (the "Company"), declared a dividend of one preferred share
purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of common stock, par
value $5 per share of the Company (the "Common Stock"). The dividend is
payable on March 22, 1996 (the "Record Date") to the shareholders of record on
that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the
Company one one-hundredth of a share of Class A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock, no par value per share (the "Preferred Shares"), of the Company at a
price of $60 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase
Price"), subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are
set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of March 6, 1996 (the "Rights
Agreement") between the Company and Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A., a
North Carolina corporation, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
Until the earlier to occur of (i) 10 days following a public announcement
that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring
Person") have acquired beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding
Common Stock or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined
by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any person or group
of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement
of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer
the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person
or group of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the earlier
of such dates being called the "Distribution Date"), the Rights will be
evidenced, with respect to any of the Common Stock certificates outstanding as
of the Record Date, by such Common Stock certificate.
The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or earlier
redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferred with
and only with the shares of Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date (or
earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Stock certificates
issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuances of Common Stock
will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until
the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the
surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock outstanding as of
the Record Date, even without such notation will also constitute the transfer
of the Rights associated with the shares of Common Stock represented by such
certificate. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate
certificates evidencing the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to
holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the
Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the
Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will
expire on March 6, 2006 (the "Final Expiration Date"), unless the Final
Expiration Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or
exchanged by the Company, in each case as described below.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares or other
securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to
adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the
Preferred Shares, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Shares of
certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares at a
price, or securities convertible into Preferred Shares with a conversion
price, less than the then-current market price of the Preferred Shares or
(iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred Shares of evidences of
indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends paid out of
earnings or retained earnings or dividends payable in Preferred Shares) or of
subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights are also subject to adjustment in the event
of a stock split of the Common Stock or a stock dividend on the Common Stock
payable in Common Stock or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the
Common Stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.
Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be
redeemable. Each Preferred Share will be entitled to a minimum preferential
quarterly dividend payment of $1 per share but will be entitled to an
aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per share of Common
Stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Shares will
be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $100 per
<PAGE>
share but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment
made per share of Common Stock. Each Preferred Share will have 100 votes,
voting together with the Common Stock. Finally, in the event of any merger,
consolidation or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock are
exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 100 times the
amount received per share of Common Stock. These rights are protected by
customary antidilution provisions.
Because of the nature of the Preferred Shares' dividend, liquidation and
voting rights, the value of the one one-hundredth interest in a Preferred
Share purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of
one share of Common Stock.
In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons
becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that each
holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring
Person (which will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to
receive upon exercise of the Right at the then current exercise price of the
Right, that number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two
times the exercise price of the Right.
In the event that, after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person,
the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction
or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold, proper
provision will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than Rights
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person which will have become void) will
thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof of the Right
at the then current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of
common stock of the person with whom the Company has engaged in the foregoing
transaction which number of shares at the time of such transaction will have a
market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior
to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding
Common Stock or the occurrence of an event described in the preceding
paragraph, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights
(other than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become void),
in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, or one
one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (or of a share of a class or series of the
Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences and
privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in
such Purchase Price. No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued (other than
fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Preferred
Share, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary
receipts) and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the
market price of the Preferred Shares on the last trading day prior to the date
of exercise.
At any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such, the Board of
Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a
price of $.01 per Right (the "Redemption Price"). The redemption of the Rights
may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as
the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon
any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate
and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption
Price.
For so long as Rights are then redeemable, the Company may, except with
respect to the redemption price, amend the Rights in any manner. After the
Rights are no longer redeemable the Company may amend the Rights in any manner
that does not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights
as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to
vote or to receive dividends.
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ITEM 2.EXHIBITS
1. Rights Agreement, dated as of March 6, 1996, between the Company and
Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A., which includes the form of Right
Certificate as Exhibit A and the Summary of Rights to Purchase
Preferred Shares as Exhibit B. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement,
printed Right Certificates will not be mailed until as soon as
practicable after the earlier of the tenth day after public
announcement that a person or group has acquired beneficial ownership
of 10% or more of the shares of Common Stock or the tenth business day
after a person commences, or announces its intention to commence, a
tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result
in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 10% or more of the
shares of Common Stock.
2. Form of Press Release dated March 6, 1996
3. Form of Letter to Shareholders, dated March 22, 1996
II-1
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SIGNATURE
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED
ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THERETO DULY AUTHORIZED.
AGL Resources Inc.
/s/ David R. Jones
By: _________________________________
DAVID R. JONES
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
Dated: March 6, 1996
II-2
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EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO.DESCRIPTION
1. Rights Agreement, dated as of March 6, 1996, between the Company
and Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A., which includes the form
of Right Certificate as Exhibit A and the Summary of Rights to
Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit B. Pursuant to the Rights
Agreement, printed Right Certificates will not be mailed until as
soon as practicable after the earlier of the tenth day after
public announcement that a person or group has acquired beneficial
ownership of 10% or more of the shares of Common Stock or the
tenth business day after a person commences, or announces its
intention to commence, a tender offer or exchange offer the
consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by
a person or group of 10% or more of the shares of Common Stock.
2. Form of Press Release dated March 6, 1996
3. Form of Letter to Shareholders, dated March 22, 1996
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 1
AGL RESOURCES INC., a Georgia corporation
and
WACHOVIA BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA, N.A.,
a North Carolina corporation,
as Rights Agent
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Rights Agreement
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Dated as of March 6, 1996
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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Page
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Section 1. Certain Definitions............................................. 1
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent..................................... 6
Section 3. Issue of Right Certificates..................................... 7
Section 4. Form of Right Certificates...................................... 9
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration............................... 10
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen
Right Certificates............................................. 11
Section 7. Exercise of Rights, Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights... 12
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates.............. 14
Section 9. Availability of Shares of Preferred Stock....................... 15
Section 10. Preferred Stock Record Date.................................... 17
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares and Number of
Rights........................................................ 18
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares..... 33
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
Earnings Power................................................ 33
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares........................ 40
Section 15. Rights of Action............................................... 42
Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders..................................... 42
Section 17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder.............. 43
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent.................................... 44
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent...... 45
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent......................................... 46
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
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Page
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Section 21. Change of Rights Agent......................................... 49
Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates............................. 51
Section 23. Redemption..................................................... 51
Section 24. Exchange....................................................... 52
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events....................................... 54
Section 26. Notices........................................................ 56
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments..................................... 56
Section 28. Successors..................................................... 57
Section 29. Benefits of this Agreement..................................... 57
Section 30. Severability................................................... 58
Section 31. Governing Law.................................................. 58
Section 32. Counterparts................................................... 58
Section 33. Descriptive Headings........................................... 58
</TABLE>
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RIGHTS AGREEMENT
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Agreement, dated as of March 6, 1996, between AGL Resources Inc., a
Georgia corporation (the "Company"), and Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A.,
a North Carolina corporation (the "Rights Agent").
The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a
dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each share of
Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding as of the close
of business (as defined below) on March 22, 1996 (the "Record Date"), each Right
representing the right to purchase one one-hundredth (subject to adjustment) of
a share of Preferred Stock (as hereinafter defined), upon the terms and subject
to the conditions herein set forth, and has further authorized and directed the
issuance of one Right (subject to adjustment as provided herein) with respect to
each share of Common Stock that shall become outstanding between the Record Date
and the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and the Final
Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined); provided, however, that
Rights may be issued with respect to shares of Common Stock that shall become
outstanding after the Distribution Date and prior to the Redemption Date and the
Final Expiration Date in accordance with Section 22.
Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the
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following terms have the meaning indicated:
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(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person (as such term is
hereinafter defined) who or which shall be the Beneficial Owner (as such
term is hereinafter defined) of 10% or more of the shares of Common Stock
then outstanding, but shall not include an Exempt Person (as such term is
hereinafter defined); provided, however, that if the Board of Directors of
the Company determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be
an "Acquiring Person" has become such inadvertently (including, without
limitation, because (i) such Person was unaware that it beneficially owned
a percentage of Common Stock that would otherwise cause such Person to be a
"Acquiring Person" or (ii) such Person was aware of the extent of its
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock but had no actual knowledge of the
consequences of such Beneficial Ownership under this Rights Agreement) and
without any intention of changing or influencing control of the Company,
and such Person, as promptly as practicable divested or divests himself or
itself of Beneficial Ownership of a sufficient number of shares of Common
Stock so that such Person would no longer be an Acquiring Person, then such
Person shall not be deemed to be or to have become an "Acquiring Person"
for any purposes of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" as the result of an acquisition
of shares of Common Stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of
shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares
beneficially owned by such Person to 10% or more of the shares of Common
Stock then outstanding, provided, however, that if a Person shall become
the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the shares of Common Stock then
outstanding by reason of such share acquisitions by the Company and
thereafter become the Beneficial Owner of any additional shares of Common
Stock, then such Person shall be deemed to be an
2
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"Acquiring Person" unless upon the consummation of the acquisition of such
additional shares of Common Stock such Person does not own 10% or more of
the shares of Common Stock then outstanding. The phrase "then
outstanding", when used with reference to a Person's Beneficial Ownership
of securities of the Company, shall mean the number of such securities then
issued and outstanding together with the number of such securities not then
actually issued and outstanding which such Person would be deemed to own
beneficially hereunder.
(b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, shall be
deemed to have "Beneficial Ownership" of and shall be deemed to
"beneficially own" any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates is deemed to beneficially own, directly or indirectly
within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement;
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to
any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary
agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members
with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities), or upon
the exercise of conversion rights,
3
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exchange rights, rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided,
however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or
to beneficially own, (x) securities tendered pursuant to a tender 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, (y) securities which such Person has a right to
acquire on the exercise of Rights at any time prior to the time a
Person becomes an Acquiring Person or (z) securities issuable upon
exercise of Rights from and after the time a Person becomes an
Acquiring Person if such Rights were acquired by such Person or any of
such Person's Affiliates or Associates prior to the Distribution Date
or pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof ("original Rights")
or pursuant to Section 11(i) or Section 11(n) with respect to an
adjustment to original Rights; or (B) the right to vote 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 by reason of such agreement, arrangement or
understanding if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote
such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent
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 promulgated under the Exchange Act and (2) is
not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or
any comparable or successor report); or
(iii) which 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 (other than customary
4
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agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members
with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent
contemplated by the proviso to Section 1(c)(ii)(B)) or disposing of
any securities of the Company.
(d) "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, or the
State in which the principal office of the Rights Agent is located, are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
(e) "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.
(f) "Common Stock" when used with reference to the Company shall mean
the common stock, presently par value $5 per share, of the Company.
"Common Stock" when used with reference to any Person other than the
Company shall mean the capital stock (or, in the case of an unincorporated
entity, the equivalent equity interest) with the greatest voting power of
such other Person or, if such other Person is a subsidiary of another
Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately control such first-mentioned
Person.
(g) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3
hereof.
(h) "Exempt Person" shall mean the Company, any Subsidiary (as such
term is hereinafter defined) of the Company, any employee benefit plan of
the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity or trustee
holding Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or for
the purpose of
5
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funding any such plan or funding other employee benefits for employees of
the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company.
(i) "Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7 hereof.
(j) "New York Stock Exchange" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc.
(k) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other
entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such
entity.
(l) "Preferred Stock" shall mean the Class A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, no par value per share, of the Company having the rights
and preferences set forth in Section 2.03 of the Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation of the Company.
(m) "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7
hereof.
(n) "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(o) "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 Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act)
by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become
such or such earlier date as a majority of the Board of Directors shall
become aware of the existence of an Acquiring Person.
(p) "Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean any corporation or other
entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary
voting power sufficient to elect a majority of the board of directors or
other persons performing
6
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similar functions are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such
Person, and any corporation or other entity that is otherwise controlled by
such Person.
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints
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the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights
(who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall prior to the Distribution Date
also be the holders of Common Stock) 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.
Section 3. Issue of Right Certificates. (a) Until the earlier of
---------------------------
(i) the tenth day after the Stock Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth business
day (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors
prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date of
the commencement by any Person (other than an Exempt Person) of, or of the first
public announcement of the intention of such Person (other than an Exempt
Person) to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would
result in any Person becoming the Beneficial Owner of shares of Common Stock
aggregating 10% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding (including any such
date which is after the date of this Agreement and prior to the issuance of the
Rights; the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the "Distribution
Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of Section
3(b) hereof) by the certificates for Common Stock registered in the names of the
holders thereof and not by separate Right Certificates, and (y) the Rights will
be transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common Stock. As soon
as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and
execute, the Rights Agent will countersign, and the Company will send or cause
to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested, send) by first-class,
insured, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of
7
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Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date (other than
any 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 Right
Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (a "Right
Certificate"), evidencing one Right (subject to adjustment as provided herein)
for each share of Common Stock so held. As of the Distribution Date, the Rights
will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.
(b) On the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the
Company will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Shares of Preferred
Stock, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (the "Summary of Rights"),
by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Stock as
of the close of business on the Record Date (other than any Acquiring Person or
any Associate or Affiliate of any Acquiring Person), at the address of such
holder shown on the records of the Company. With respect to certificates for
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. Until the Distribution
Date (or the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date), the
surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Stock outstanding on the
Record Date, with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights, shall also
constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock
represented thereby.
(c) Certificates issued for Common Stock (including, without
limitation, upon transfer of outstanding Common Stock, disposition of Common
Stock out of treasury stock or issuance or reissuance of Common Stock out of
authorized but unissued shares) after the Record Date but prior to the earliest
of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the
8
<PAGE>
Final 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 between AGL
Resources Inc., a Georgia corporation, and Wachovia Bank of North
Carolina, N.A., a North Carolina corporation, dated as of March 6,
1996 as the same may be 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 AGL Resources Inc. Under certain circumstances, as set
forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by
separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this
certificate. AGL Resources Inc. will mail to the holder of this
certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after
receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances,
as set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights owned by or transferred
to any Person who becomes an Acquiring Person (as defined in the
Rights Agreement) and certain transferees thereof will become null and
void and will no longer be transferable.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by
such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone, and the
surrender for transfer of any such certificate, except as otherwise provided
herein, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Stock represented thereby. In the event that the Company purchases or
otherwise acquires any Common Stock after the Record Date but prior to the
Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such Common Stock shall be deemed
cancelled and retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any
Rights associated with the Common Stock which are no longer outstanding.
Notwithstanding this paragraph (c), the omission of a legend shall not
affect the enforceability of any part of this Agreement or the rights of any
holder of the Rights.
9
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Section 4. Form of Right Certificates. The Right Certificates (and
--------------------------
the forms of election to purchase shares and of assignment to be printed on the
reverse thereof) shall be substantially in the form set forth in 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 the New York
Stock Exchange or of any other stock exchange or automated quotation system on
which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 11, 13 and 22 hereof, the Right
Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock as shall be set forth therein at
the price per one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock set forth therein
(the "Purchase Price"), but the number of such one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock and the Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment as
provided herein.
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration. (a) The Right
---------------------------------
Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, any of the Vice
Presidents, the Treasurer or the Controller of the Company, either manually or
by facsimile signature, shall have affixed thereto the Company's seal or a
facsimile thereof, and shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company, 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 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
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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 Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the
Company; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any
Person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall
be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at
the date of the execution of this Agreement any such Person was not such an
officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or
cause to be kept, at an office or agency designated for such purpose, books for
registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such
books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right
Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right
Certificates and the date of each of the Right Certificates.
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 7(e), 11(a)(ii) and 14 hereof, 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 Final Expiration Date, any
Right Certificate or Right Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined
or exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates, entitling the
registered holder to purchase a like number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then
entitled such holder to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer,
split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right Certificates shall
make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender
the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split up,
combined or exchanged at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for
such
11
<PAGE>
purpose. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the Person
entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case may be,
as so requested. The Company may require payment 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) Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, at any time
after the Distribution Date and prior to the close of business on the earlier of
the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date, 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 the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will
make and deliver a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for
delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Right 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 thereafter the registered holder of
any Right Certificate may, subject to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof and except as
otherwise provided herein, exercise the Rights evidenced thereby in whole or in
part upon surrender of the Right 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 for each one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred
Stock as to which the Rights are exercised, at any time which is both after the
Distribution Date and prior to the
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<PAGE>
earliest of (i) the close of business on March 6, 2006 (the "Final Expiration
Date"), (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23
hereof (the "Redemption Date") or (iii) the time at which such Rights are
exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof.
(b) The Purchase Price shall be initially $60 for each one one-
hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of a
Right. The Purchase Price and the number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock or other securities or property to be acquired upon exercise of
a Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections
11 and 13 hereof and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of
America in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 7.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, upon receipt of a Right
Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to
purchase duly executed, accompanied by payment of the aggregate Purchase Price
for the shares of Preferred Stock to be purchased 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, in cash or by certified check,
cashier's check 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 Preferred Stock certificates for the number of shares of Preferred Stock to
be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to
comply with all such requests, or (B) requisition from the depositary agent
depositary receipts representing interests in such number of one one-hundredths
of a share of Preferred Stock as are to be purchased (in which case certificates
for the Preferred Stock represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the
transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Company hereby directs the
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
shares in accordance with Section 14
13
<PAGE>
hereof, (iii) promptly after receipt of such certificates or depositary
receipts, 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, promptly
deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right
Certificate.
(d) Except as otherwise provided herein, in case the registered holder
of any Right Certificate shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced
thereby, a new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the exercisable
Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the
registered holder of such Right Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns,
subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.
(e) 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 a registered holder of Rights upon the occurrence of any
purported transfer or exercise of Rights pursuant to Section 6 hereof or this
Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have (i) completed and signed the
certificate contained in the form of assignment or election to purchase set
forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for such
transfer or exercise and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity
of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) thereof as the Company
shall reasonably request.
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction 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 cancelled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it, and no Right
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
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<PAGE>
Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so
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 cancelled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the
written request of the Company, destroy such cancelled Right Certificates, and
in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
Section 9. Availability of Shares of Preferred Stock. (a) The
-----------------------------------------
Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept
available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock (and,
following the time that a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common
Stock and other securities) or any shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the
time that a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and other
securities) held in its treasury, the number of shares of Preferred Stock (and,
following the time that a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common
Stock and other securities) that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in
full of all outstanding Rights.
(b) The Company shall use best efforts to obtain, as soon as possible
following the Stock Acquisition Date (to the extent not theretofore obtained),
such regulatory approvals and take such other actions as may be necessary for it
to issue and/or sell the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the time that
a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and other
securities) issuable upon the exercise of the Rights.
(c) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the time
that a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and other
securities) issuable upon the exercise of Rights may be listed or admitted to
trading on the New York Stock Exchange or listed on any other national
securities exchange or quotation system, the
15
<PAGE>
Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the
Rights become exercisable, all shares reserved for such issuance to be listed or
admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or listed on any other
exchange or quotation system upon official notice of issuance upon such
exercise.
(d) From and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, the
Company shall use its best efforts, if then necessary to permit the issuance of
shares of Preferred Stock (and following the time that a Person first becomes an
Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and other securities) upon the exercise
of Rights, to register and qualify such shares of Preferred Stock (and following
the time that a Person first becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock
and other securities) under the Securities Act and any applicable state
securities or "Blue Sky" laws (to the extent exemptions therefrom are not
available), cause such registration statement and qualifications to become
effective as soon as possible after such filing and keep such registration and
qualifications effective until the earlier of the date as of which the Rights
are no longer exercisable for such securities and the Final Expiration Date.
The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed 90 days,
the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file a registration
statement under the Securities Act and permit it to become effective. 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 any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights
shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction unless the requisite qualification
in such jurisdiction shall have been obtained and until a registration statement
under the Securities Act (if required) shall have been declared effective.
16
<PAGE>
(e) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action
as may be necessary to ensure that all shares of Preferred Stock (and, following
the time that a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and
other securities) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of
delivery of the certificates therefor (subject to payment of the Purchase
Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
nonassessable shares.
(f) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due
and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may
be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or
of any shares of Preferred Stock (or shares of Common Stock or other securities)
upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay
any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of
Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of
certificates or depositary receipts for the Preferred Stock (or shares of Common
Stock or other securities) in a name other than that of, the registered holder
of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue
or deliver any certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred Stock (or
shares of Common Stock or other securities) upon the exercise of any Rights
until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by that
holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been
established to the Company's reasonable satisfaction that no such tax is due.
Section 10. Preferred Stock Record Date. Each Person in whose name
---------------------------
any certificate for Preferred Stock is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall
for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares of
Preferred Stock represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the
date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly
surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and any
17
<PAGE>
applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such
surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Stock transfer books of
the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record
holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next
succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Stock transfer books of the
Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the
holder of a Right Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of
Preferred Stock for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without
limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends or other distributions,
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 of Shares and 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.
(a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of
this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Stock payable
in shares of Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred
Stock, (C) combine the outstanding Preferred Stock into a smaller
number of Preferred Stock or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock
in a reclassification of the 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, and the
number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date,
shall be proportionately adjusted so that
18
<PAGE>
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 Preferred Stock transfer books of the Company
were open, the holder would have owned upon such exercise and been
entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision,
combination or reclassification; provided, however, that in no event
shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be
less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of
the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right.
(ii) Subject to Section 24 of this Agreement and except as
otherwise provided in this Section 11(a)(ii), in the event 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 multiplied by the number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is then
exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in
lieu of shares of Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Common
Stock (or at the option of the Company, such number of one one-
hundredths of shares of Preferred Stock) as shall equal the result
obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the
number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a
Right is then exercisable and dividing that product by (y) 50% of the
then current per share market price of the Company's Common Stock
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of the
occurrence of such event; provided, however, that the Purchase Price
and the number of shares of Common Stock so
19
<PAGE>
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 (x) any Acquiring Person (or any Affiliate or
Associate of any Acquiring Person), (y) a transferee of any Acquiring
Person (or any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a transferee
after the invalidation time or (z) 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
(I) 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 regarding the transferred Rights or (II)
a transfer which the Board of Directors has determined is part of a
plan, arrangement or understanding 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 shall use all 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 Right Certificates or other Person as a
result of its 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 Certificate
shall be issued pursuant to Section 3 or Section 6 hereof that
represents Rights that are or have
20
<PAGE>
become void pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph, and any
Right Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent that represents Rights
that are or have become void pursuant to the provisions of this
paragraph shall be cancelled. From and after the occurrence of an
event specified in Section 13(a) hereof, any Rights that theretofore
have not been exercised pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii) shall
thereafter be exercisable only in accordance with Section 13 and not
pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii).
(iii) The Company may at its option substitute for a share of
Common Stock 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 Common Stock. In the
event that there shall not be sufficient shares of Common Stock issued
but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit the exercise
in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph
(ii), or, if any regulatory approvals necessary for the issuance of
the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the foregoing paragraph
(ii) have not been obtained by the Company, the Board of Directors
shall, 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 (1) 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 (2) the then current
Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-hundredths of
shares of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to the time that the Acquiring Person became such
(such
21
<PAGE>
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 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 the 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 Common Stock, are deemed in good
faith by the Board of Directors to have substantially the same value
as the shares of Common Stock (such shares of Preferred Stock and
shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock are hereinafter
referred to as "Common Stock equivalents"), except to the extent the
Company has not obtained any necessary regulatory approval for such
issuance, (4) debt securities of the Company, except to the extent the
Company has not obtained any necessary regulatory approval for such
issuance, (5) other assets, or (6) any combination of the foregoing,
having a value which, when added to the value of the shares of 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 the Purchase Price), where such aggregate value has been
determined by the Board of Directors upon the advice of a nationally
recognized investment banking firm selected in good faith by the Board
of Directors; 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
22
<PAGE>
Acquiring Person became such (the "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date"),
then the Company shall be obligated to 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
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
an aggregate value equal to the Spread. If, upon the date any Person
becomes an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors shall determine in
good faith that it is likely that sufficient additional shares of
Common Stock could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of
the Rights, then, if the Board of Directors so elects, the thirty (30)
day period set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary,
but not more than ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger
Date, in order that the Company may seek stockholder and/or regulatory
approval, as the case may be, for the authorization of such additional
shares (such thirty (30) day period, as it may be extended, is herein
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
23
<PAGE>
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. For purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value
of the shares of Common Stock shall be the current per share market
price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i)) on the Section
11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the per share or fractional value of any
"Common Stock equivalent" shall be deemed to equal the current per
share market price of the Common Stock. The Board of Directors of the
Company may, but shall not be required to, establish procedures to
allocate the right to receive shares of Common Stock upon the exercise
of the Rights among holders of Rights pursuant to this Section
11(a)(iii).
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of
rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Stock entitling
them (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date)
to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Stock (or shares having the same
rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred Stock ("equivalent
preferred shares")) or securities convertible into Preferred Stock or
equivalent preferred shares at a price per share of Preferred Stock or
equivalent preferred shares (or having a conversion price per share, if a
security convertible into shares of Preferred Stock or equivalent preferred
shares) less than the then current per share market price of the Preferred
Stock (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) 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 shall be
24
<PAGE>
the number of shares of Preferred Stock and equivalent preferred shares
outstanding on such record date plus the number of shares of Preferred
Stock and equivalent preferred shares which the aggregate offering price of
the total number of shares of Preferred Stock and/or equivalent preferred
shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of
the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current
market price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of
Preferred Stock and equivalent preferred shares 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); provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration
to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par
value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise
of one Right. In case such subscription price may be paid in a
consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the
value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described
in a statement filed with the Rights Agent. Shares of Preferred Stock and
equivalent 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 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.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making of a
distribution to all holders of the Preferred Stock (including any such
distribution made
25
<PAGE>
in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the
continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness or assets
(other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in
Preferred Stock) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those
referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), 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 shall be the then current per share market price of the
Preferred Stock (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on such
record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company whose determination shall be described in
a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the assets or
evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription
rights or warrants applicable to one share of Preferred Stock, and the
denominator of which shall be such current per share market price
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) of the Preferred Stock;
provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon
the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the
shares of capital stock of the Company to be issued upon exercise of one
Right. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record
date is fixed; and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the
Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would
then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(d) (i) Except as otherwise provided herein, for the purpose of any
computation hereunder, the "current per share market price" of any security
(a "Security" for the purpose of this Section 11(d)(i)) on any date shall
be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such
Security for the 30
26
<PAGE>
consecutive Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) immediately
prior to such date; provided, however, that in the event that the current
per share market price of the Security is determined during a period
following the announcement by the issuer of such Security of (A) a dividend
or distribution on such Security payable in shares of such Security or
securities convertible into such shares, or (B) any subdivision,
combination or reclassification of such Security, and prior to the
expiration of 30 Trading Days after the ex-dividend date for such dividend
or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or
reclassification, then, and in each such case, the current per share market
price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price
per share equivalent of such Security. The closing price for each day
shall be the last sale price, regular way, 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 by the principal consolidated transaction
reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading
on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the 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
the Security is listed or admitted to trading or, if the 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 by NASDAQ or such
other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Security is not
quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the
Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. The term
"Trading
27
<PAGE>
Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange
on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is open for the
transaction of business or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, if the Preferred
Stock is publicly traded, the "current per share market price" of the
Preferred Stock shall be determined in accordance with the method set forth
in Section 11(d)(i). If the Preferred Stock is not publicly traded but the
Common Stock is publicly traded, the "current per share market price" of
the Preferred Stock shall be conclusively deemed to be the current per
share market price of the Common Stock as determined pursuant to Section
11(d)(i) multiplied by one hundred (appropriately adjusted to reflect any
stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date
hereof). If neither the Common Stock nor the Preferred Stock is publicly
traded, "current per share market price" shall mean the fair value per
share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company,
whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights
Agent.
(e) No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such
adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the
Purchase Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of
this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward 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
ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock or share of Common Stock or
other share or security as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first
sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11
shall be made no
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later than the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the transaction
which requires such adjustment or (ii) the date of the expiration of the
right to exercise any Rights.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a)
hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled
to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than the
Preferred Stock, thereafter the Purchase Price and the number of such other
shares so receivable upon exercise of a 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 the Preferred Stock
contained in Sections 11(a), 11(b), 11(c), 11(e), 11(h), 11(i) and 11(m),
and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to
the Preferred Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-hundredths
of a share of Preferred Stock 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), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of
the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding
immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter
evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number
of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the
nearest one ten- thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) obtained by (i)
multiplying (x) the number of one one-hundredths of a share covered by a
Right immediately prior to such adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in
effect
29
<PAGE>
immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii)
dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of
the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in substitution for any
adjustment in the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock 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 one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock 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 ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in
effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the
Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase
Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to
adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment,
and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This
record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any
day thereafter, but, if the Right Certificates have been issued, shall be
at least 10 days later than the date of the public announcement. If Right
Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights
pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Company may, as promptly as
practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Right
Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing, 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,
shall cause to be
30
<PAGE>
distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for
the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of
adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new
Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be
entitled after such adjustment. Right Certificates so to be distributed
shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for
herein 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 Purchase Price or
the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable
upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and
thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price and the number
of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock which were expressed in
the initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing
the Purchase Price below the then par value, if any, of the Preferred Stock
or other shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the
Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its
counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally
issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Preferred Stock or other such
shares at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase 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 issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such
record date of the Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of
the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the
Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if
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<PAGE>
any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in
effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company shall
deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument
evidencing 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 reductions in the Purchase Price, in
addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and
to the extent that it in its sole discretion shall determine to be
advisable in order that any consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred
Stock, issuance wholly for cash of any shares of Preferred Stock at less
than the current market price, issuance wholly for cash or Preferred Stock
or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for
Preferred Stock, dividends on Preferred Stock payable in shares of
Preferred Stock or issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to
hereinabove in Section 11(b), hereafter made by the Company to holders of
its Preferred Stock shall not be taxable to such stockholders.
(n) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event that at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the
Distribution Date, the Company shall (i) declare or pay any dividend on the
Common Stock payable in Common Stock or (ii) effect a subdivision,
combination or consolidation of the Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise than by payment of a dividend payable in Common Stock) into a
greater or lesser number of Common Stock, then in any such case, the number
of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock then outstanding, or
issued or delivered thereafter, shall be proportionately adjusted so that
the number of Rights thereafter associated with each share of Common Stock
32
<PAGE>
following any such event shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the
number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock immediately
prior to such event by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the total
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
occurrence of the event and the denominator of which shall be the total
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately following the
occurrence of such event.
(o) The Company agrees that, after the earlier of the Distribution
Date or the Stock Acquisition Date, it will not, except as permitted by
Sections 23, 24 or 27 hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any
action if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable
that such action will diminish substantially or eliminate the benefits
intended to be afforded by the Rights.
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of
---------------------------------------------------
Shares. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or 13 hereof,
- ------
the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such
adjustment, and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment,
(b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Stock
or the Preferred Stock a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary
thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 25
hereof (if so required under Section 25 hereof). The Rights Agent shall be
fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein
contained and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment
unless and until it shall have received such certificate.
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Power. (a) In the event, directly or indirectly, at any time after
- --------------
any Person has become an Acquiring Person, (i) the Company shall merge with and
into any other Person, (ii) any
33
<PAGE>
Person shall consolidate with the Company, or any Person shall merge with and
into the Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation of such merger and, in connection with such merger, all or part of
the Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other
securities of any other Person (or of the Company) or cash or any other
property, or (iii) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more
of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more
transactions, assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or
earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any
other Person (other than the Company or one or more of its wholly-owned
Subsidiaries), then upon the first occurrence of such event, proper provision
shall be made so that: (A) each holder of record of a Right (other than Rights
which have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)) shall thereafter have the
right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current
Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable (whether or not such Right was
then exercisable) immediately prior to the time that any Person first became an
Acquiring Person (each as subsequently adjusted thereafter pursuant to Sections
11(a)(i), 11(b), 11(c), 11(h), 11(i) and 11(m)), in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Stock, such number of validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable and freely tradeable shares of Common Stock of the
Principal Party (as defined herein) not subject to any liens, encumbrances,
rights of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall be equal to the result
obtained by (1) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to the time that any Person first became an Acquiring Person
(as subsequently adjusted thereafter pursuant to Sections 11(a)(i), 11(b),
11(c), 11(h), 11(i) and 11(m)) and (2) dividing that product by 50% of the then
current
34
<PAGE>
per share market price of the Common Stock of such Principal Party (determined
pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) on the date of consummation of such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; provided that the Purchase Price and
the number of shares of Common Stock of such Principal Party issuable upon
exercise of each Right shall be further adjusted as provided in Section 11(f) of
this Agreement to reflect any events occurring in respect of such Principal
Party after the date of the such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; (B)
such Principal Party 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; (C) the term "Company" shall
thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party; and (D) such Principal
Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a
sufficient number of its shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 9
hereof) in connection with such consummation of any such transaction as may be
necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable,
as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to the shares of its Common Stock
thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights; provided that, upon the
subsequent occurrence of any consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets
or other extraordinary transaction in respect of such Principal Party, each
holder of a Right shall thereupon be entitled to receive, upon exercise of a
Right and payment of the Purchase Price as provided in this Section 13(a), such
cash, shares, rights, warrants and other property which such holder would have
been entitled to receive had such holder, at the time of such transaction, owned
the Common Stock of the Principal Party receivable upon the exercise of a Right
pursuant to this Section 13(a), and such Principal Party shall take such steps
(including, but not limited to, reservation of shares of stock) as may be
necessary to permit the subsequent exercise of the Rights in accordance with the
terms hereof for such cash, shares, rights, warrants and other property.
35
<PAGE>
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean
(i) in the case of any transaction described in (i) or (ii) of
the first sentence of Section 13(a) hereof: (A) the Person that is the
issuer of the securities into which the shares of Common Stock are
converted in such merger or consolidation, or, if there is more than one
such issuer, the issuer the shares of Common Stock of which have the
greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding, or (B) if no
securities are so issued, (x) the Person that is the other party to the
merger, if such Person survives said merger, or, if there is more than one
such Person, the Person the shares of Common Stock of which have the
greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding or (y) if the Person
that is the other party to the merger does not survive the merger, the
Person that does survive the merger (including the Company if it survives)
or (z) the Person resulting from the consolidation; and
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in (iii) of the
first sentence in Section 13(a) hereof, the Person that is the party
receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred
pursuant to such transaction or transactions, or, if each Person that is a
party to such transaction or transactions receives the same portion of the
assets or earning power so transferred or if the Person receiving the
greatest portion of the assets or earning power cannot be determined,
whichever of such Persons as is the issuer of Common Stock having the
greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding;
provided, however, that in any such case described in the foregoing clause
(b)(i) or (b)(ii), if the Common Stock of such Person is not at such time or has
not been continuously over the preceding 12-month period registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act, then (1) if such Person is a direct or indirect
Subsidiary of another Person the Common Stock of which is and
36
<PAGE>
has been so registered, the term "Principal Party" shall refer to such other
Person, or (2) if such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more
than one Person, the Common Stock of all of which is and has been so registered,
the term "Principal Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the
issuer of Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market value of shares
outstanding, or (3) if such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint
venture formed by two or more Persons that are not owned, directly or
indirectly, by the same Person, the rules set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above
shall apply to each of the owners having an interest in the venture as if the
Person owned by the joint venture was a Subsidiary of both or all of such joint
venturers, and the Principal Party in each such case shall bear the obligations
set forth in this Section 13 in the same ratio as its interest in such Person
bears to the total of such interests.
(c) The Company shall not consummate any consolidation, merger, sale
or transfer referred to in Section 13(a) hereof unless prior thereto the Company
and the Principal Party involved therein shall have executed and delivered to
the Rights Agent an agreement confirming that the requirements of Sections 13(a)
and (b) hereof shall promptly be performed in accordance with their terms and
that such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets shall not result in
a default by the Principal Party under this Agreement as the same shall have
been assumed by the Principal Party pursuant to Sections 13(a) and (b) hereof
and providing that, as soon as practicable after executing such agreement
pursuant to this Section 13, the Principal Party will:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the
Securities Act, if necessary, 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 and use its best
37
<PAGE>
efforts to cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a
prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act)
until the Final Expiration Date, and similarly comply with applicable state
securities laws;
(ii) use its best efforts to obtain any necessary regulatory
approvals in respect of the Common Stock of the Principal Party subject to
purchase upon exercise of outstanding Rights;
(iii) use its best efforts, if the Common Stock of the
Principal Party shall be listed or admitted to trading on the New York
Stock Exchange or on another national securities exchange, to list or admit
to trading (or continue the listing of) the Rights and the securities
purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on the New York Stock Exchange or
such securities exchange, or, if the Common Stock of the Principal Party
shall not be listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange
or a national securities exchange, to cause the Rights and the securities
receivable upon exercise of the Rights to be reported by such other system
then in use;
(iv) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial
statements for the Principal Party which comply in all respects with the
requirements for registration on Form 10 (or any successor form) under the
Exchange Act; and
(v) obtain waivers of any rights of first refusal or preemptive
rights in respect of the Common Stock of the Principal Party subject to
purchase upon exercise of outstanding Rights.
(d) In case the Principal Party has provision in any of its authorized
securities or in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other instrument
governing its corporate affairs, which provision would have the effect of (i)
causing such Principal Party to issue (other than to holders of Rights pursuant
to this Section 13), in connection with, or as a
38
<PAGE>
consequence of, the consummation of a transaction referred to in this Section
13, shares of Common Stock of such Principal Party at less than the then current
market price per share thereof (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) or
securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock of such Principal
Party at less than such then current market price, or (ii) providing for any
special payment, tax or similar provision in connection with the issuance of the
Common Stock of such Principal Party pursuant to the provisions of Section 13,
then, in such event, the Company hereby agrees with each holder of Rights that
it shall not consummate any such transaction unless prior thereto the Company
and such Principal Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a
supplemental agreement providing that the provision in question of such
Principal Party shall have been cancelled, waived or amended, or that the
authorized securities shall be redeemed, so that the applicable provision will
have no effect in connection with, or as a consequence of, the consummation of
the proposed transaction.
(e) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time
after a Person first becomes an Acquiring Person, enter into any transaction of
the type contemplated by (i) - (iii) of Section 13(a) hereof if (x) at the time
of or immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or other
transaction there are any rights, warrants or other instruments or securities
outstanding or agreements in effect which would substantially diminish or
otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights, (y)
prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such consolidation, merger,
sale, transfer of other transaction, the stockholders of the Person who
constitutes, or would constitute, the Principal Party for purposes of Section
13(a) hereof shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by
such Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates or (z) the form or
39
<PAGE>
nature of organization of the Principal Party would preclude or limit the
exercisability of the Rights.
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares. (a) The
---------------------------------------
Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute
Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional
Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Right Certificates
with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an
amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole
Right. For the purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market value of a
whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day
immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been
otherwise issuable. The closing price for any day shall be the last sale price,
regular way, 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 the Rights
are 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 the
Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights are 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 by NASDAQ or such other system then in use
or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional
market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of Directors of
the Company. If on any such date no such
40
<PAGE>
market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on
such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company
shall be used.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred
Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of
a share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute
certificates which evidence fractional shares of Preferred Stock (other than
fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of
Preferred Stock). Interests in fractions of Preferred Stock in integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock may, at the
election of the Company, be evidenced 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 the Preferred Stock represented by such
depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional shares of Preferred Stock that are
not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, the
Company shall pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time
such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same
fraction of the current market value of one share of Preferred Stock. For the
purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of a share of Preferred
Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Preferred Stock (as determined
pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to
the date of such exercise.
(c) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly
waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon
exercise of a Right (except as provided above).
41
<PAGE>
Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of
----------------
this Agreement, excepting 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, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the
Common Stock); and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), without the consent of the Rights
Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the
Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), on his own behalf and for his own
benefit, may enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or
proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his
right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, such Common Stock) in the manner provided in such Right
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 will be entitled to specific performance of the
obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations
of, the obligations of any Person subject to 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 with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable
only in connection with the transfer of the Common Stock;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered
at the office or agency of the
42
<PAGE>
Rights Agent designated for such purpose, 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 (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the
Common Stock certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and
of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership
or writing on the Right Certificates or the Common Stock certificate made
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.
Section 17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder. No
-------------------------------------------------
holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Stock or any
other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on 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
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, 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 this Agreement), or to receive dividends or
subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Rights evidenced 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 in a timely manner to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation 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 other disbursements
incurred in the administration and execution of this
43
<PAGE>
Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder, which shall
include, but not be limited to, reasonable compensation for services rendered by
officers and employees of the Rights Agent which are in addition to the
ministerial and administrative services performed by the Rights Agent under this
Agreement. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent, its officers,
employees, agents and directors for, and to hold them harmless against, any
loss, liability, expense, consequential or special damages incurred without
gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights
Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the
acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and
expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly
or indirectly against the Rights Agent, its officers, employees, agents and
directors.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected by the Company 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 the Preferred Stock or Common Stock or for
other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of
attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent,
certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by
the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set
forth in Section 20 hereof.
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 the
stock transfer or corporate trust powers of the Rights Agent
44
<PAGE>
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. In case 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 in case 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 the Right Certificates
and in this Agreement.
(b) In case 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 in case 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 and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full
force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes the
----------------------
duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and
conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates,
by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
45
<PAGE>
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal
counsel for the Company), and the 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 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 of Directors, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, any
Vice President, the Treasurer, the Controller or the Secretary of the
Company 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 a loss which is a result of or caused by its own
gross negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct.
(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
46
<PAGE>
execution 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 the Rights becoming void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof)
or any adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner, method
or amount thereof) provided for in Sections 3, 11, 13, 23 and 24, or the
ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change
or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by
Right Certificates after receipt of a certificate furnished pursuant to
Section 12, describing such change or adjustment); nor shall it by any act
hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the
authorization or reservation of any shares of Preferred Stock or other
securities to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right Certificate
or as to whether any shares of Preferred Stock or other securities will,
when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
(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 person reasonably believed by the Rights Agent to be one of the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, the Chief Executive
Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary of
47
<PAGE>
the Company, 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 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 and/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 five 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 in response to such application specifying the action
to be taken or omitted.
(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 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
48
<PAGE>
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 reasonable care was exercised
in the selection and continued employment thereof.
(j) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the
Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate contained in the
form of assignment or the form of election to purchase set forth on the
reverse thereof, as the case may be, has not been completed to certify the
holder is not an Acquiring Person (or an Affiliate or Associate thereof), a
Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such
requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the Company.
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 Stock or Preferred Stock by registered or certified
mail, and, following the Distribution Date, 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 Stock or Preferred Stock by registered or certified mail, and,
following the Distribution Date, 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, 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
49
<PAGE>
Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such
notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then 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
any State thereof, which 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 which has at the time of its appointment as
Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. 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. 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 Stock or
Preferred Stock, and, following the Distribution Date, 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 Rights to the contrary, the
Company may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in
such forms as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any
adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number
50
<PAGE>
or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the
Right Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In
addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of Common Stock following the
Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Final
Expiration Date, the Company may with respect to shares of Common Stock so
issued or sold pursuant to (i) the exercise of stock options, (ii) under any
employee plan or arrangement, (iii) upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of
securities notes or debentures issued by the Company or (iv) a contractual
obligation of the Company in each case existing prior to the Distribution Date,
issue Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in
connection with such issuance or sale.
Section 23. Redemption. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company
----------
may, at any time prior to such time as any Person first becomes an Acquiring
Person, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a
redemption price of $.01 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock
split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof
(the redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price").
The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis
and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may
establish.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering the
redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 23 (or at
such later time as the Board of Directors may establish for the effectiveness of
such redemption), and without any further action and without any notice, the
right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the
holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price. The Company shall
promptly give public notice of any such redemption; provided, however, that the
failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the validity
of such
51
<PAGE>
redemption. Within 10 days after such action of the Board of Directors
ordering the redemption of the Rights (or such later time as the Board of
Directors may establish for the effectiveness of such redemption), the Company
shall mail a notice of redemption to all the holders of the then outstanding
Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the
Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the
transfer agent for the Common Stock. Any notice which is mailed in the manner
herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the
notice. Each such notice of redemption shall state the method by which the
payment of the Redemption Price will be made.
Section 24. Exchange. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company
--------
may, at its option, at any time after any Person first becomes an Acquiring
Person, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights
(which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions
of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) for shares of Common Stock at an exchange ratio of
one share of Common Stock per Right, (such exchange ratio being hereinafter
referred to as the "Exchange Ratio"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board
of Directors shall not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after
(1) any Person (other than an Exempt Person), together with all Affiliates and
Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of shares of Common
Stock aggregating 50% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding or
(2) the occurrence of an event specified in Section 13(a) hereof.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
Section 24 and without any further action and without any notice, the right to
exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder
of such Rights shall be to receive that number of
52
<PAGE>
shares of Common Stock equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder
multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice
of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect
in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. The Company
shall promptly mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of the
Rights so exchanged at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry
books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein
provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.
Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the
shares of Common Stock for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any
partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial
exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than
Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof) held by each holder of Rights.
(c) In the event that there shall not be sufficient shares of Common
Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit any
exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 24 or that
any regulatory actions or approvals are necessary in connection therewith, the
Company may, in its discretion, take such actions or seek such approvals as may
be necessary to authorize additional shares of Common Stock for issuance upon
exchange of the Rights. In the event that the Company shall determine not to
take such actions or seek such approvals or shall, after good faith effort, be
unable to take such actions or obtain such approvals as may be necessary to
authorize such additional shares of Common Stock, the Company shall substitute,
to the extent of such insufficiency, for each share of Common Stock that would
otherwise be issuable upon exchange of a Right, a number of shares of Preferred
Stock or fractions thereof (or equivalent preferred shares as such term is
defined in Section 11(b)) having an aggregate current per share market price
53
<PAGE>
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof), cash or other assets of the
Company equal to the current per share market price of one share of Common Stock
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) as of the date of issuance of such
shares of Preferred Stock or fractions thereof (or equivalent preferred shares).
(d) The Company shall not, in connection with any exchange pursuant to
this Section 24, be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock or to
distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Common Stock. In
lieu of such fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company shall pay to the
registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such
fractional shares of Common Stock would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash
equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole share of
Common Stock. For the purposes of this paragraph (d), the current market value
of a whole share of Common Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Common
Stock (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof)
for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of exchange pursuant to this
Section 24.
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events. (a) In case the Company shall
------------------------
at any time after the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Stock Acquisition
Date propose (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the
holders of its Preferred Stock or to make any other distribution to the holders
of its Preferred Stock (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to
offer to the holders of its Preferred Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for
or to purchase any additional shares of Preferred Stock or shares of stock of
any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any
reclassification of its Preferred Stock (other than a reclassification involving
only the subdivision of outstanding Preferred Stock), (iv) to effect the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or (v) to declare or pay
any dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock or to effect a
subdivision,
54
<PAGE>
combination or consolidation of the Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Stock), then, in each such
case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in
accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall
specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, or distribution
of rights or warrants, or the date on which such liquidation, dissolution or
winding up is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders
of the Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock, 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 10 days prior to the record date for determining holders of
the Preferred Stock for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such
other action, at least 10 days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed
action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Stock
and/or Preferred Stock, whichever shall be the earlier.
(b) In case any event described in Section 11(a)(ii) or Section 13
shall occur then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to
each holder of a Right Certificate (or if occurring prior to the Distribution
Date, the holders of the Common Stock) in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a
notice of the occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe such event
and the consequences of such event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii)
and Section 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:
AGL Resources Inc.
303 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
55
<PAGE>
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand authorized
by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any
Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made
if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address
is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A.
301 North Church Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27102
Attention: Darrell V. Milton
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. Except as provided in the
--------------------------
penultimate sentence of this Section 27, for so long as the Rights are then
redeemable, the Company may in its sole and absolute discretion, and the Rights
Agent shall if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this
Agreement in any respect without the approval of any holders of the Rights. At
any time when the Rights are no longer redeemable, except as provided in the
penultimate sentence of this Section 27, the Company may, and the Rights Agent
shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the
approval of any holders of Rights Certificates in order to (i) cure any
ambiguity, (ii) correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may
be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii) shorten or
lengthen any time period hereunder, or (iv) change or supplement the provisions
hereunder in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable;
provided that no such supplement or amendment
56
<PAGE>
shall adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights as such (other
than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person),
and no such amendment may cause the rights again to become redeemable or cause
the Agreement again to become amendable other than in accordance with this
sentence. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, no supplement or amendment shall be made which changes the Redemption
Price. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the
Company which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance
with the terms of this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall execute such
supplement or amendment.
Section 28. 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 29. 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 (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, the Common Stock) any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and
exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of
the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Stock).
Section 30. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or
------------
restriction of this Agreement or applicable to 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.
57
<PAGE>
Section 31. 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 Georgia and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and
performed entirely within such State.
Section 32. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
------------
number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be
deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute
but one and the same instrument.
Section 33. 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.
58
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
AGL RESOURCES INC.,
a Georgia corporation
By:
----------------------------------
David R. Jones
President and Chief Executive Officer
Attest:
By:
-------------------------------
Melanie McGee Platt
Secretary
WACHOVIA BANK OF NORTH
CAROLINA, N.A., a North Carolina
corporation
By:
----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest:
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
59
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
---------
Form of Right Certificate
Certificate No. R-__________ __________ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER MARCH 6, 2006 OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE
OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $.01 PER RIGHT AND TO
EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS OWNED BY OR
TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON WHO BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE
RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL BECOME NULL AND VOID
AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.
Right Certificate
AGL RESOURCES INC.
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 March 6, 1996, as the same may
be amended from time to time (the "Rights Agreement"), between AGL Resources
Inc., a Georgia corporation (the "Company"), and Wachovia Bank of North
Carolina, N.A., a North Carolina 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., New York City time, on
March 6, 2006 at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose, or of its successor as Rights Agent, one one-hundredth of a fully paid
non-assessable share of Class A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par
value per share (the "Preferred Stock"), of the Company, at a purchase price of
$60 per one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock (the "Purchase 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 one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the
Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of March
22, 1996, based on the Preferred Stock as constituted at such date. As provided
in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price, the number of one one-hundredths of
a share of Preferred Stock (or other securities or property) which may be
purchased upon the exercise of the Rights and the number of 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
A-1
<PAGE>
hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right
Certificates. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal
executive offices of the Company and the above-mentioned office or agency of the
Rights Agent. The Company will mail to the holder of this Right Certificate a
copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request
therefor.
This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon
surrender at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose, 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 shares of Preferred Stock 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 (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption
price of $.01 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for shares
of Preferred Stock or shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $5 per
share.
No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued upon the
exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are
integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, 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, as such, shall be entitled to
vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the
Preferred Stock or of any other securities of the Company which 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.
This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any
purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
A-2
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, proper officers duly authorized
to sign on behalf of the parties, have signed this certificate as of
___________________ ___, 199__.
AGL RESOURCES INC.,
a Georgia corporation
By:
----------------------------------
Name:
[Corporate Seal] Title:
ATTEST:
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Countersigned:
WACHOVIA BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA, N.A.,
a North Carolina corporation,
as Rights Agent
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
A-3
<PAGE>
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
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________ (name and address of
transferee) ____________________ Rights represented by this Right Certificate,
together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint ____________________________________ Attorney, to
transfer said Rights on the books of the within-named Company, with full power
of substitution.
Dated:
----------------------------
----------------------------------
Name:
Signature Guaranteed:
Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered
national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States.
------------------------------
(To be completed)
The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate are not beneficially owned by, were not acquired by the
undersigned from, and are not being assigned to, an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement).
----------------------------------
Name:
A-4
<PAGE>
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate (continued)
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
----------------------------
(To be executed if holder desires to exercise
Rights represented by the Rights Certificate)
To AGL RESOURCES INC.:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise
________________________________ Rights represented by this Right Certificate to
purchase the shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities or property)
issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for
such shares of Preferred Stock (or such other securities) be issued in the name
of:
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
(Name and address)
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 delivery to:
---------------------------------------------
(Social security or other identifying number)
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
(Name and address)
Dated:
----------------------------
----------------------------------
Name:
(Signature must conform to holder specified on Right Certificate)
Signature Guaranteed
A-5
<PAGE>
Signature must be guaranteed by a member of firm of a registered
national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States.
A-6
<PAGE>
Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate (continued)
(To be completed)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The undersigned certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate are not beneficially owned by, and were not acquired by the
undersigned from, an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as
defined in the Rights Agreement)
----------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------------------------
NOTICE
------
The signature in the Form of Assignment or Form of Election to
Purchase, as the case may be, must conform 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 Form of
Assignment or the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not
completed, such Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.
A-7
<PAGE>
Exhibit B
---------
UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS
OWNED BY OR TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON WHO BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS
DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL BECOME
NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
Shares of Preferred Stock
On March 6, 1996, the Board of Directors of AGL Resources Inc. (the
"Company") declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right")
for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $5 per share, of the
Company (the "Common Stock"). The dividend is payable on March 22, 1996 (the
"Record Date") to the stockholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles
the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share
of Class A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value per share (the
"Preferred Stock") of the Company at a price of $60 per one one-hundredth of a
share of Preferred Stock (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The
description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as
of March 6, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Rights
Agreement"), between the Company and Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A., a
North Carolina corporation, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
Until the earlier to occur of (i) 10 days following a public
announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an
"Acquiring Person") have acquired beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date
as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as
any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following
the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or
exchange offer the consummation of which would result in the beneficial
ownership by a person or group of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock (the earlier of such dates being called the "Distribution Date"),
the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any of the Common Stock
certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such Common Stock certificate
together with a copy of this Summary of Rights.
The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or
earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferred
with and only with the Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier
redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Stock certificates issued
after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuances of Common Stock will
contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the
Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the
surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of Common Stock
outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such notation or a copy of this
Summary of Rights, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated
with the shares of Common Stock represented by such certificate. As soon as
practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing
the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to holders of record of the
Common Stock as of the close of
B-1
<PAGE>
business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone
will evidence the Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The
Rights will expire on March 6, 2006 (the "Final Expiration Date"), unless the
Final Expiration Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or
exchanged by the Company, in each case as described below.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Preferred
Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of
a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the
Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Stock of
certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Stock at a
price, or securities convertible into Preferred Stock with a conversion price,
less than the then-current market price of the Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the
distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or
assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends or dividends payable in
Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those
referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights are also subject to adjustment in the
event of a stock split of the Common Stock or a stock dividend on the Common
Stock payable in shares of Common Stock or subdivisions, consolidations or
combinations of the Common Stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the
Distribution Date.
Shares of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will
not be redeemable. Each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and
if declared, to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1 per
share but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend
declared per share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of
the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation
payment of $100 per share (plus any accrued but unpaid dividends) but will be
entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per share of
Common Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock will have 100 votes, voting
together with the Common Stock. Finally, in the event of any merger,
consolidation or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock are converted
or exchanged, each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 100
times the amount received per share of Common Stock. These rights are protected
by customary antidilution provisions.
Because of the nature of the Preferred Stock's dividend, liquidation
and voting rights, the value of the one one-hundredth interest in a share of
Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the
value of one share of Common Stock.
In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated
persons becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right, other than Rights
beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereupon become void),
will thereafter have the right to receive
B-2
<PAGE>
upon exercise of a Right at the then current exercise price of the Right, that
number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two times the exercise
price of the Right.
In the event that, after a person or group has become an Acquiring
Person, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold,
proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than Rights
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person which will have become void) will
thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then
current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of
the person with whom the Company has engaged in the foregoing transaction (or
its parent), which number of shares at the time of such transaction will have a
market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and
prior to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock or the occurrence of an event described in
the prior paragraph, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the
Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become
void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock,
or one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or
series of the Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences
and privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in
such Purchase Price. No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued
(other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a
share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the Company, be
evidenced by depositary receipts) and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash
will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the last
trading day prior to the date of exercise.
At any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such, the
Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in
part, at a price of $.01 per Right (the "Redemption Price"). The redemption of
the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish.
Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights
will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive
the Redemption Price.
For so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may, except
with respect to the redemption price, amend the Rights in any manner. After the
Rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the
redemption price, amend the Rights in any manner that does not adversely affect
the interests of holders of the Rights.
B-3
<PAGE>
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends.
A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated
March 6, 1996. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from
the Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement,
as the same may be amended from time to time, which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
B-4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 2
[News Release Letterhead of AGL Resources Inc.]
Contacts
J. Michael Riley, Vice President
(404) 584-3954
Joe P. Heffron, Investor Relations Specialist
(404) 584-3976
AGL RESOURCES INC. ADOPTS SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, March 6, 1996 -- AGL Resources Inc. (NYSE - ATG), the new
holding company of Atlanta Gas Light Company, today announced that it has
adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan.
"The plan is similar to ones adopted by many public companies and should
provide a sound and reasonable approach to safeguarding the interests of all
shareholders," said David R. Jones, president and chief executive officer. "The
plan was not in response to any pending takeover, but was adopted to protect
shareholders' interests in the event of an unfavorable attempt to acquire the
company."
Provisions of the plan establish nontaxable rights that will trade with and
be represented by each share of common stock. A summary of the plan's
provisions will be mailed to all company shareholders on March 22.
AGL Resources Inc. is the holding company for Atlanta Gas Light Company,
which provides natural gas distribution services to 1.35 million customers in
Georgia and the Chattanooga, Tenn., area, and other subsidiaries engaged in
energy-related businesses, including natural gas marketing and propane sales.
# # #
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3
[Letterhead of AGL Resources Inc.]
March 22, 1996
Dear Shareholder:
On March 6, 1996, your Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan for
AGL Resources Inc. I would like to explain why the Board adopted the plan and
provide a brief description of it. For additional details, you may want to
refer to the enclosed "Summary of Rights."
Many publicly traded companies have adopted plans similar to this one. It is
designed to protect AGL Resources Inc. shareholders from unfavorable takeover
attempts that are not negotiated by the Board of Directors. However, the plan
was not recommended in response to any effort to acquire control of the Company,
and the Board is not aware of any effort to do so. The plan is not intended to
prevent, and will not prevent, a well-financed and adequate takeover of the
Company.
Generally, the plan works like this. Registered shareholders will receive one
right for each share of common stock they own, although no certificates actually
will be distributed. The rights will trade with and be represented by the
common stock certificate. One right entitles the shareholder to purchase one
one-hundredth of a share of Class A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from
the Company. The rights will expire on March 6, 2006.
Shareholders may exercise their rights only when one of the following events
occur: A person or group of persons has acquired 10 percent or more ownership
of the outstanding shares of the Company; or a person or group of persons makes
a tender offer to acquire 10 percent or more ownership of the outstanding shares
of the Company. If one of those events occurs, and you exercise your rights,
the plan will protect you from being deprived of your rightful share in the
Company's long-term potential.
The rights may be redeemed by the Board under certain circumstances should a
merger or other business combination be approved by the Board. The rights will
not weaken the financial strength of the Company in any way or interfere with
management's business plans. The rights will not affect earnings per share,
will not be taxable to you or the Company, and will not change the manner in
which you can trade the Company's shares.
<PAGE>
2
In conclusion, if certain acquisition proposals are ever made, your Board
believes the rights plan will maximize shareholder value. The Board also
believes the plan represents a sound and reasonable way to address complex
issues of corporate policy. In adopting this plan, your Board has expressed its
confidence in the Company's bright future and its determination that you, our
shareholders, be given every opportunity to participate fully in that future.
Sincerely,
David R. Jones
President
2
<PAGE>
UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS
OWNED BY OR TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON WHO BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS
DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL
BECOME NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK
-------------------------
On March 6, 1996, the Board of Directors of AGL Resources Inc. (the
"Company") declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right")
for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $5 per share, of the
Company (the "Common Stock"). The dividend is payable on March 22, 1996 (the
"Record Date") to the shareholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles
the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share
of Class A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value per share (the
"Preferred Stock") of the Company at a price of $60 per one one-hundredth of a
share of Preferred Stock (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The
description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as
of March 6, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Rights
Agreement"), between the Company and Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A., as
Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
Until the earlier to occur of (i) 10 days following a public
announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an
"Acquiring Person") have acquired beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date
as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as
any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following
the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or
exchange offer the consummation of which would result in the beneficial
ownership by a person or group of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock (the earlier of such dates being called the "Distribution Date"),
the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any of the Common Stock
certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such Common Stock certificate
together with a copy of this Summary of Rights.
The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or
earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferred
with and only with the Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier
redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Stock certificates issued
after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuances of Common Stock will
contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the
Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the
surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of Common Stock
outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such notation or a copy of this
Summary of Rights, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated
with the shares of Common Stock represented by such certificate. As soon as
practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing
the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to holders of record of the
Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such
separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The
Rights will expire on March 6, 2006 (the "Final Expiration Date"), unless the
Final Expiration Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or
exchanged by the Company, in each case as described below.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Preferred
Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of
a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the
Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Stock of
certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Stock at a
price, or securities convertible into Preferred Stock with a conversion price,
less than the then-current market price of the Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the
distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or
assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends or dividends payable in
Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those
referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights are also subject to adjustment in the
event of a stock split of the Common Stock or a stock dividend on the Common
Stock payable in shares of Common Stock or subdivisions, consolidations or
combinations of the Common Stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the
Distribution Date.
Shares of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will
not be redeemable. Each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and
if declared, to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1 per
share but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend
declared per share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of
the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation
payment of $100 per share (plus any accrued but unpaid dividends) but will be
entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per share of
Common Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock will have 100 votes, voting
together with the Common Stock. Finally, in the
1
<PAGE>
event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of
Common Stock are converted or exchanged, each share of Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive 100 times the amount received per share of Common Stock.
These rights are protected by customary antidilution provisions.
Because of the nature of the Preferred Stock's dividend, liquidation
and voting rights, the value of the one one-hundredth interest in a share of
Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the
value of one share of Common Stock.
In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated
persons becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right, other than Rights
beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereupon become void),
will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a Right at the then
current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of Common Stock
having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
In the event that, after a person or group has become an Acquiring
Person, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold,
proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than Rights
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person which will have become void) will
thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then
current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of
the person with whom the Company has engaged in the foregoing transaction (or
its parent), which number of shares at the time of such transaction will have a
market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and
prior to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock or the occurrence of an event described in
the prior paragraph, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the
Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become
void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock,
or one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or
series of the Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences
and privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in
such Purchase Price. No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued
(other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a
share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the Company, be
evidenced by depositary receipts) and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash
will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the last
trading day prior to the date of exercise.
At any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such, the
Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in
part, at a price of $.01 per Right (the "Redemption Price"). The redemption of
the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish.
Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights
will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive
the Redemption Price.
For so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may, except
with respect to the redemption price, amend the Rights in any manner. After the
Rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the
redemption price, amend the Rights in any manner that does not adversely affect
the interests of holders of the Rights.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends.
A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated
March 6, 1996. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from
the Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement,
as the same may be amended from time to time, which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
2
