MATRIA HEALTHCARE INC
PRE 14A, 2000-10-10
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                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

           Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

                              Exchange Act of 1934

[x]      Filed by the registrant
[_]      Filed by a party other than the registrant

Check the appropriate box:

[x]      Preliminary Proxy Statement

[_]      Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
         14a-6(e)(2))
[_]      Definitive Proxy Statement
[_]      Definitive Additional Materials
[_]      Soliciting Material Pursuant toss.240.14a - 11(c) orss.240.14a-12


                             MATRIA HEALTHCARE, INC.
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                                       N/A
       (Name of Person(s) filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)

Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):

[x]      No fee required.

[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

         (1)      Title of each class of securities to which transaction
                  applies:_____________________

         (2)      Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
                  applies:_____________________

         (3)      Per  unit  price  or other  underlying  value  of  transaction
                  computed  pursuant  to  Exchange  Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
                  amount on which the filing fee is calculated  and state how it
                  was determined):_____________________________________________

         (4)      Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:_____________

         (5)      Total fee paid: _____________________

[_]      Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[_]      Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
         Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting Fee
         was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
         statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

         (1)      Amount Previously Paid: __________________________________
         (2)      Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:_____________
         (3)      Filing party:_____________________________________________
         (4)      Date Filed:_______________________________________________

<PAGE>




                             MATRIA HEALTHCARE, INC.

                               1850 Parkway Place

                             Marietta, Georgia 30067

                    NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                         To be Held on December 5, 2000

         NOTICE IS HEREBY  GIVEN  THAT a Special  Meeting of  Stockholders  (the
"Special Meeting") of Matria  Healthcare,  Inc. (the "Company" or "Matria") will
be held on December 5, 2000,  at 10:00 a.m.  local time at 1850  Parkway  Place,
Suite 320, Marietta, Georgia 30067, for the following purposes:

         (1)      To  approve  an  amendment  of the  Company's  Certificate  of
                  Incorporation  to effect a reverse  stock  split  whereby  the
                  Company  would issue one new share of Common Stock in exchange
                  for  not  less  than  three  nor  more  than  five  shares  of
                  outstanding  Common  Stock and to reduce  proportionately  the
                  number of authorized shares of Common Stock; and

         (2)      To transact such other business as properly may come before
                  the Special  Meeting and any  adjournment or postponement
                  thereof.

         Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. Each
stockholder,  even though he or she now plans to attend the Special Meeting,  is
requested to sign,  date and return the enclosed proxy card without delay in the
enclosed postage-paid  envelope.  You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to
its exercise.  Any stockholder present at the Special Meeting or any adjournment
or postponement  thereof may revoke his or her proxy and vote personally on each
matter brought before the meeting.

         I look forward to welcoming you at the meeting.

                                Very truly yours,




                                Roberta L. McCaw
                                Secretary

Marietta, Georgia
October __, 2000


<PAGE>
                             MATRIA HEALTHCARE, INC.
                               1850 Parkway Place
                             Marietta, Georgia 30067

                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                         SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                           To Be Held December 5, 2000

                               GENERAL INFORMATION

         This  proxy  statement  and  the  accompanying  proxy  card  are  being
furnished to stockholders in connection with the  solicitation of proxies by the
Board of  Directors of Matria  Healthcare,  Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation  (the
"Company"),  for  use at the  Special  Meeting  of  Stockholders  (the  "Special
Meeting")  to be held on  December  5,  2000 at 10:00  a.m.  local  time at 1850
Parkway Place,  Suite 320,  Marietta,  Georgia 30067,  and at any adjournment or
postponement  thereof for the purposes set forth in the  accompanying  Notice of
Special Meeting of Stockholders and in this Proxy Statement.

         It is anticipated that this proxy statement and the accompanying  proxy
will first be mailed to the Company's stockholders on or about October __, 2000.

Record Date

         The Board of  Directors  has fixed the close of business on October 18,
2000  as  the  record  date  (the  "Record  Date")  for  the   determination  of
stockholders  entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special  Meeting and at
any adjournment or postponement  thereof. At the close of business on the Record
Date, __________ shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding.

Proxies

         When a proxy card is returned,  properly  signed and dated,  the shares
represented  thereby will be voted in accordance  with the  instructions  on the
proxy card.  If a stockholder  does not attend the Special  Meeting and does not
return the signed proxy card, such stockholder's  shares will not be voted. If a
stockholder  returns a signed  proxy card but does not  indicate  how his or her
shares are to be voted,  such shares will be voted FOR approval of the amendment
of the Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation  to effect a reverse stock split
whereby the Company  would issue one new share of Common  Stock in exchange  for
not less than three nor more than five shares of outstanding Common Stock and to
reduce  proportionately  the number of authorized  shares of Common Stock. As of
the date of this proxy  statement,  the Board of Directors  does not know of any
other matters that are to come before the Special Meeting.  If any other matters
are properly  presented at the Special  Meeting for  consideration,  the persons
named in the enclosed form of proxy and acting  thereunder  will have discretion
to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

         Any proxy  given may be  revoked  by the  person  giving it at any time
before it is voted.  Proxies may be revoked by (i) filing with the  Secretary of
the  Company,  at or before the  taking of the vote at the  Special  Meeting,  a
written  notice of  revocation  bearing a later date than the  proxy,  (ii) duly
executing a later dated  proxy  relating to the same shares of Common  Stock and
delivering  it to the  Secretary  of the  Company at or before the taking of the
vote at the Special Meeting or (iii) attending the Special Meeting and voting in
person  (although  attendance  at the Special  Meeting will not in and of itself
constitute  a  revocation  of a proxy).  Any  written  notice of  revocation  or
subsequent  proxy  should be sent so as to be  delivered  to Matria  Healthcare,
Inc., 1850 Parkway Place, Marietta, Georgia 30067, Attention: Secretary, or hand
delivered to the Secretary of the Company at or before the taking of the vote at
the Special Meeting.
<PAGE>

     The  Company  will bear the cost of the  solicitation  of proxies  from its
stockholders.  In addition to solicitation  by use of the mails,  proxies may be
solicited by  directors,  officers and  employees of the Company in person or by
telephone  or  other  means  of  communication.  Such  directors,  officers  and
employees  will  not be  additionally  compensated,  but may be  reimbursed  for
out-of-pocket   expenses   incurred  in  connection   with  such   solicitation.
Arrangements also will be made with custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the
forwarding of proxy  solicitation  materials to beneficial owners of shares held
of record by such  custodians,  nominees and  fiduciaries,  and the Company will
reimburse such  custodians,  nominees and  fiduciaries  for reasonable  expenses
incurred in connection  therewith.  In addition,  D.F.  King & Co., Inc.  ("D.F.
King")  will assist in the  solicitation  of proxies by the Company for a fee of
$5,500, plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

Quorum

         The presence,  either in person or by properly executed proxies, of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock is
necessary to  constitute a quorum at the Special  Meeting.  Abstentions  will be
treated as present for quorum purposes.

Vote Required

         The  Company's  stockholders  are  entitled  to one vote at the Special
Meeting  for each  share of Common  Stock  held of record by them on the  Record
Date. The  affirmative  vote of a majority of the  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock is required to approve  the  amendment  of the  Company's  Certificate  of
Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split and to reduce  proportionately the
number of authorized shares of Common Stock. Votes may be cast for or against or
to abstain  from  approval of the  amendment  of the  Company's  Certificate  of
Incorporation.  Under applicable Delaware law,  abstentions will have the effect
of a vote against  approval of the  amendment of the  Company's  Certificate  of
Incorporation.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

         The following table sets forth certain information as to the beneficial
ownership of shares of the  Company's  Common Stock as of October 1, 2000 by (i)
all stockholders  known by the Company to be the beneficial  owners of more than
five percent of its Common Stock,  (ii) each director of the Company,  (iii) the
Chief  Executive  Officer  and each of the  Company's  four  other  most  highly
compensated  executive  officers serving at the end of the 1999 fiscal year, and
(iv)  all  executive  officers  and  directors  as  a  group.  Unless  otherwise
indicated,  the holders listed below have sole voting and investment  power with
respect to all shares beneficially owned by them.
<TABLE>

                                                                 Amount and Nature              Percent
Name of Beneficial Owner                                     of Beneficial Ownership (1)       of Class (2)

<S>                                                          <C>                                <C>


Gainor Medical Management, L.L.C. (3)                                6,222,222                  14.4%
Lord, Abbett & Co. (4)                                               4,714,825                  12.7%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. (5)                                  2,224,200                   6.0%
Wellington Management Company, LLP (6)                               2,025,000                   5.4%
Vanguard Explorer Fund (7)                                           2,025,000                   5.4%
Parker H. Petit (8)                                                  1,541,081                   4.1%
Donald R. Millard (9)                                                  417,057                   1.1%
Frank D. Powers (10)                                                   381,723                   1.0%
Thornton A. Kuntz, Jr. (11)                                             58,985                    -
Roberta L. McCaw (12)                                                   37,271                    -
Yvonne V. Scoggins (13)                                                 56,468                    -
Mark J. Gainor (14)                                                  6,223,472                  14.4%
Jeffrey D. Koepsell                                                        -0-                    -
Richard F. Levy (15)                                                       833                    -
Carl E. Sanders (16)                                                   124,500                    -
Thomas S. Stribling (17)                                                 7,500                    -
Jackie M. Ward (18)                                                     55,004                    -
Donald W. Weber (19)                                                    12,500                    -
Morris S. Weeden (20)                                                   75,000                    -
Frederick P. Zuspan (21)                                                84,019                    -
All executive officers and directors
as a group (17 persons)                                              9,204,749                  20.7%
--------------------------------------------------

-- Less than 1%
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

     (1)  Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"),
          a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if he or she
          has or  shares  the  power to vote or to  direct  the  voting  of such
          security  ("voting  power")  or the power to  dispose or to direct the
          disposition of such security  ("investment  power").  A person is also
          deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person
          has the right to acquire  beneficial  ownership within 60 days as well
          as any securities owned by such person's spouse, children or relatives
          living in the same  house.  Accordingly,  more than one  person may be
          deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities.

     (2)  Based on 36,911,558  shares of Common Stock  outstanding on October 1,
          2000. With respect to each person or group in the table,  assumes that
          such person or group has  exercised  all  options,  warrants and other
          rights to purchase Common Stock which he or she beneficially  owns and
          which  are  exercisable  within 60 days and that no other  person  has
          exercised any such rights.

     (3)  Gainor Medical Management,  L.L.C. does not actually own any shares of
          Common  Stock.  The  number  of shares  benefically  owned is based on
          information  contained  in a report  on  Schedule  13D filed by Gainor
          Medical  Management,  L.L.C., Mark J. Gainor and Gainor Medical U.S.A.
          Inc.  (the  "Acquirers")  with  the  SEC  on  January  27,  1999.  The
          Acquirers'  principal  business  address is at 2205  Highway 42 North,
          P.O. Box 353,  McDonough,  Georgia 30253.  Gainor Medical  Management,
          L.L.C. sold substantially all of its assets to Matria in exchange for,
          among  other  things,  a  currently  exercisable  warrant to  purchase
          4,000,000  shares of Matria's Common Stock and 10,000 shares of Series
          A  convertible  preferred  stock that is  currently  convertible  into
          2,222,222  shares of Matria's  Common Stock.  The  aggregate  exercise
          price of the warrants is  $12,000,000  and the  aggregate  liquidation
          preference of the Series A convertible  preferred  stock that would be
          surrendered  upon  conversion to Common Stock is  $10,000,000.  Gainor
          Medical U.S.A.,  Inc.  beneficially owns 6,222,222 shares by virtue of
          the fact that it is the majority member of Gainor Medical  Management,
          L.L.C. Gainor Medical U.S.A., Inc. disclaims  beneficial  ownership of
          2,811,822  shares,  the  ownership of which is  attributable  to other
          members of Gainor Medical  Management,  L.L.C. Mr. Gainor beneficially
          owns  6,222,222  shares of Matria  Common  Stock by virtue of the fact
          that he owns,  either  directly  or through  his  ownership  of Gainor
          Medical  U.S.A.,  Inc.  common  stock,  a majority  of Gainor  Medical
          Management,  L.L.C.  See footnote 15 below for a description of shares
          of stock disclaimed by Mr. Gainor.

     (4)  The  number of shares  owned is based on  information  contained  in a
          report on Schedule  13G filed with the SEC on  February  2, 2000.  The
          address of Lord,  Abbett & Co. is 90 Hudson  Street,  Jersey City, New
          Jersey 07302.

     (5)  The  number of shares  owned is based on  information  contained  in a
          report on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February  11,  2000.  The
          address of Dimensional Fund Advisors,  Inc. is 1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th
          Floor, Santa Monica, California 90401.
<PAGE>



     (6)  The  number of shares  owned is based on  information  contained  in a
          report on Schedule  13G filed with the SEC on  February  9, 2000.  The
          address of  Wellington  Management  Company,  LLP  ("WMC") is 75 State
          Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02109.  According to its Schedule 13G,
          WMC,  in  its  capacity  as  investment  adviser,  may  be  deemed  to
          beneficially  own 2,025,000  shares of the Company's Common Stock that
          are held of record by clients of WMC. WMC reports that it has no power
          to vote or direct the vote of such shares and shared  power to dispose
          or direct the  disposition of such shares,  while its clients have the
          right to  receive,  or direct  the  receipt  of,  dividends  from,  or
          proceeds from the sale of, such shares. The shares reported by WMC are
          also  beneficially  owned by Vanguard  Explorer  Fund (See  footnote 7
          below).



     (7)  The  number of shares  owned is based on  information  contained  in a
          report  on  Schedule  13G  filed  with the SEC on  February  8,  2000.
          According to its Schedule  13G,  Vanguard  Explorer  Fund has the sole
          power to vote or direct the vote of such  shares  and shared  power to
          dispose or direct  the  disposition  of such  shares.  The  address of
          Vanguard  Explorer  Fund  is  Post  Office  Box  2600,  Valley  Forge,
          Pennsylvania 19482.


     (8)  Represents  1,328,581 shares owned by Mr. Petit, 52,500 shares held by
          Petit  Investments  Limited  Partnership,  10,000 shares held by Petit
          Grantor  Trust and 150,000  shares  that are subject to purchase  upon
          exercise of options exercisable within 60 days.


     (9)  Represents 92,427 shares owned by Mr. Millard,  10,000 shares owned by
          his adult son who resides at home,  312,590 shares that are subject to
          purchase  upon  exercise of options  exercisable  within 60 days,  and
          2,040 shares issuable upon  conversion of 8% Convertible  Subordinated
          Debentures owned by Mr. Millard. Effective October 4, 2000, Mr. Parker
          H. Petit,  Chairman of the Board,  succeeded Mr.  Millard as President
          and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  Also effective October 4,
          2000, Mr. Millard  resigned from the Company's  Board of Directors and
          Mr. Guy W.  Millner,  who is neither  an  officer or  employee  of the
          Company,  was elected by the Board of  Directors as a director to fill
          the vacancy created by Mr. Millard's resignation.

<PAGE>

     (10) Represents  81,103 shares owned by Mr. Powers and 300,620  shares that
          are subject to purchase upon exercise of options exercisable within 60
          days.

     (11) Represents 14,537 shares owned by Mr. Kuntz and 44,448 shares that are
          subject to purchase  upon  exercise of options  exercisable  within 60
          days.

     (12) Represents 13,687 shares owned by Ms. McCaw and 23,584 shares that are
          subject to purchase  upon  exercise of options  exercisable  within 60
          days.

     13)  Represents  17,395 shares owned by Ms. Scoggins and 39,073 shares that
          are subject to purchase upon exercise of options exercisable within 60
          days.

(14) Mr. Gainor does not actually own any shares of Common Stock.  The number of
     shares  beneficially  owned  consists  of 1,250  shares that are subject to
     purchase  upon  exercise of an option  exercisable  within 60 days that was
     granted to Mr. Gainor as a member of the Company's  Board of Directors . In
     addition,  Gainor Medical Management,  L.L.C. owns a currently  exercisable
     warrant  to  purchase  4,000,000  shares  and  10,000  shares  of  Series A
     convertible  preferred stock that is currently  convertible  into 2,222,222
     shares of Common  Stock.  The aggregate  exercise  price of the warrants is
     $12,000,000  and the  aggregate  liquidation  preference  of the  Series  A
     convertible  preferred  stock that would be surrendered  upon conversion to
     Common  Stock  is  $10,000,000.  Because  Mr.  Gainor  is a  member  of the
     Management Committee of Gainor Medical Management,  L.L.C. and owns, either
     directly or through his ownership of Gainor  Medical  U.S.A.,  Inc.  common
     stock, a controlling  interest in Gainor Medical Management,  L.L.C., he is
     deemed to be the  beneficial  owner of the shares of Common Stock  issuable
     upon  exercise of the warrants and  conversion  of the Series A convertible
     preferred stock. Mr. Gainor, however, disclaims ownership of 849,440 shares
     of the stock related to the warrant and 479,344 shares of the stock related
     to the Series A convertible  preferred  stock that are  attributable to the
     owners  of  Gainor  Medical  Management,  L.L.C.  other  than  himself  and
     companies that he controls.

     (15) Represents  833 shares that are subject to purchase  upon  exercise of
          options exercisable within 60 days.
<PAGE>

     (16) Represents  64,500 shares owned by Mr.  Sanders and 60,000 shares that
          are subject to purchase upon exercise of options exercisable within 60
          days.

     (17) Represents  5,000 shares owned by Mr.  Stribling and 2,500 shares that
          are subject to purchase upon exercise of an option  exercisable within
          60 days.

     (18) Represents  4  shares  issuable  upon  conversion  of  8%  Convertible
          Subordinated  Debentures  owned by Ms. Ward and 55,000 shares that are
          subject to purchase  upon  exercise of options  exercisable  within 60
          days.

     (19) Represents  10,000 shares owned by Mr. Weber and 2,500 shares that are
          subject to purchase upon exercise of an option  exercisable  within 60
          days.

     (20) Represents  15,000  shares owned by Mr.  Weeden and 60,000 shares that
          are subject to purchase upon exercise of options exercisable within 60
          days.

     (21) Represents  29,019  shares owned by Dr. Zuspan and 55,000 shares which
          are subject to purchase upon exercise of options exercisable within 60
          days.


<PAGE>
                 PROPOSAL TO AMEND CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                          TO EFFECT REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

General

         On September 20, 2000, the Company's Board of Directors  approved,  and
recommended  that  stockholders  approve,  an  amendment  to  Article  IV of the
Company's  Restated  Certificate of Incorporation  (the "Amendment") to effect a
reverse  stock split (the  "Reverse  Split") of the  Company's  Common Stock (of
which ______ shares were issued and  outstanding  as of the close of business on
the Record Date),  whereby the Company would issue one new share of Common Stock
in  exchange  for not less than three nor more than five  shares of  outstanding
Common Stock.  The  Amendment  also would reduce  proportionately  the number of
authorized shares of Common Stock. If approved, the Amendment would be effective
on the date a Certificate of Amendment (the "Certificate of Amendment") is filed
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Effective Date").

         The complete text of the  Certificate  of Amendment that would be filed
in the office of the  Secretary  of State of the State of Delaware to effect the
Reverse  Split is set forth in  Appendix  A to this Proxy  Statement,  provided,
however,  that such text is subject to  amendment to include such changes as may
be required by the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and
as the Company's  Board of Directors deems necessary and advisable to effect the
Reverse Split in the range  described above and the  proportionate  reduction in
the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.

Effect of Reverse Split

         If the  Amendment  is  approved  by  the  stockholders  at the  Special
Meeting,  the  Board  of  Directors,  in  its  discretion,  will  determine  the
appropriate  number of  outstanding  shares of Common Stock (the "Reverse  Split
Number") to be  exchanged  for a single new share of Common Stock in the Reverse
Split.  The  Reverse  Split  Number will be from three to five,  inclusive.  The
actual  Reverse  Split  Number  will be  determined  in a manner that takes into
consideration items more fully discussed below.

         Upon the Effective Date, each fixed number of shares of Common Stock of
the Company  ("Old Common  Stock")  equal to the Reverse Split Number issued and
outstanding  will be combined,  reclassified and changed into one fully paid and
non-assessable share of Common Stock ("New Common Stock"). Each holder of record
of a  certificate  representing  shares of Old Common  Stock will be entitled to
receive,  upon surrender of such  certificate,  a certificate  representing  the
number of whole  shares of New  Common  Stock to which  the  holder is  entitled
pursuant to the Reverse Split.  Any  certificates for shares of Old Common Stock
not so  surrendered  shall be deemed to represent  one share of New Common Stock
for each such fixed  number of shares  equal to the Reverse  Split Number of Old
Common Stock previously represented by such certificate. No fractional shares of
Common Stock or scrip representing  fractional shares will be issued as a result
of the Reverse Split. Although the number of each stockholder's shares of Common
Stock will be  reduced  as a result of the  Reverse  Split,  such  stockholder's
voting  rights and pro rata  equity  interest  in the  Company and its shares of
outstanding  Common Stock will not be reduced,  except for  possible  immaterial
changes due to the Company's purchase of fractional shares as described below.
<PAGE>

         The Reverse Split also will effect a reduction in the aggregate  number
of shares of Common  Stock  reserved  for  issuance  upon  exercise of warrants,
options  and  other  rights  to  purchase  the  Company's  Common  Stock.   Each
outstanding  warrant,  option or other right will automatically become a warrant
or option to  purchase  the number of shares  subject  to the  warrant or option
immediately prior to the Reverse Split divided by the Reverse Split Number,  and
the  exercise  price will be  proportionately  adjusted  to reflect  the Reverse
Split. In addition,  the shares available for issuance under the Company's stock
option and stock  purchase  plans will be reduced to reflect the Reverse  Split,
and the other relevant  terms and  provisions of the Company's  stock option and
stock purchase plans will be appropriately adjusted.

     The Company  also has  outstanding  10,000  shares of Series A  Convertible
Preferred  Stock and $1,186,000 of 8% Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures (the
"Debentures"),  which are convertible  into shares of Common Stock at the option
of the preferred stock and debenture  holders at a conversion price of $4.50 and
$4.90 per share,  respectively.  The Reverse Split will increase the  conversion
price of the  Series A  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  and the  Debentures  by a
multiple  equal to the Reverse  Split  Number and the number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversions of the Series A Convertible  Preferred Stock and
the Debentures will be reduced proportionately.

         The  Reverse  Split will  reduce  the number of issued and  outstanding
shares of the Company's  Common  Stock.  Except for changes  resulting  from the
receipt of cash in lieu of  fractional  shares as described  below,  the Reverse
Split will not change the equity  interests of the  stockholders  in the Company
and will not  affect  the  relative  rights  of any  stockholder  or result in a
dilution  or  diminution  of any  stockholder's  proportionate  interest  in the
Company. Management does not believe, nor does it intend, that the Reverse Split
will result in a significant  number of stockholders  being cashed out by virtue
of holding less than one share after the Reverse Split.

         The  Amendment  to effect the Reverse  Split would reduce the number of
shares of Common Stock that the Company is authorized to issue to a number equal
to the  number  of shares of Common  Stock  currently  authorized  (100,000,000)
divided by the Reverse Split Number.

     If  adopted,  the  Amendment  will  not  affect  the .01 par  value  of the
Company's Common Stock;  however,  an amount equal to the difference between the
aggregate  par value of the Old Common Stock and the  aggregate par value of the
New Common Stock will be transferred for financial  accounting purposes from the
Company's  Common Stock  account to the  Company's  additional  paid-in  capital
account.

Fractional Shares

         Stockholders  who  otherwise  would be entitled  to receive  fractional
shares  because  they hold a number of shares of Old  Common  Stock  that is not
evenly divisible by the Reverse Split Number will be entitled, upon surrender of
certificates  representing  such shares,  to a cash payment in lieu thereof at a
price equal to the fraction to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled
multiplied  by the closing  price of New Common Stock on the  Effective  Date as
reported on The Nasdaq National Market.  The ownership of a fractional  interest
will not give the holder thereof any voting, dividend or other rights, except to
receive payment therefor as described above.


<PAGE>

Purpose of the Proposed Reverse Split

         The Board of Directors  believes that the Reverse Split should  enhance
the  acceptability of the Company's Common Stock to the financial  community and
the investing  public.  Many leading  brokerage firms are reluctant to recommend
low-priced stocks to their clients.  Additionally,  because brokers' commissions
on low-priced stocks generally  represent a higher percentage of the stock price
than commissions on higher priced stocks,  the current share price of the Common
Stock can result in an individual  stockholder's  paying  transaction costs that
represent a higher percentage of total share value than would be the case if the
Company's share price were substantially  higher. This factor may also limit the
willingness of  institutions  to purchase the Company's  stock.  In addition,  a
variety of brokerage house policies and practices tend to discourage  individual
brokers  within those firms from  dealing in  low-priced  stocks.  Some of those
policies and  practices  pertain to the payment of brokers'  commissions  and to
time-consuming  procedures  that  function to make the  handling  of  low-priced
stocks unattractive to brokers from an economic standpoint.

     The  Common  Stock has been  trading at a price  below  $5.00 per share for
several months. With the shares trading in such a range, small moves in absolute
terms in the  price-per-share of Common Stock translate into  disproportionately
large swings in the price on a percentage  basis,  and these swings tend to bear
little  relationship to the financial  condition and results of the Company.  In
the Board's view, these factors have  contributed to an unjustified,  relatively
low level of interest in the Company on the part of investment analysts, brokers
and professionals,  and individual investors,  which tends to depress the market
for the Common  Stock.  The Board has thus proposed the Reverse Split as a means
of increasing  the  per-share  market price of the Common Stock in the hope that
these problems will thereby be addressed.

     Finally, in order for the Company's Common Stock to continue to be eligible
for quotation on The Nasdaq  National  Market,  the Common Stock must maintain a
minimum  bid  price  per  share  of  $5.00,   as  well  as  meet  certain  other
requirements.   Although  the  Company   currently   meets  all  other   listing
requirements,  the  Company's  Common  Stock  currently  does not meet the $5.00
minimum bid price requirement.  The Company's failure to comply with the minimum
price  requirement on or before December ___, 2000 will result in the removal of
the  Company's  Common  Stock  from The Nasdaq  National  Market.  Although  the
Company's  Common  Stock  would be eligible  for listing on The Nasdaq  SmallCap
Market,  management  believes  that  listing  on The Nasdaq  National  Market is
preferred.  Accordingly,  management  believes that, if required to maintain the
Company's  Nasdaq  National Market listing,  the  implementation  of the Reverse
Split  is in the  best  interests  of the  Company  and  its  stockholders.

         The decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding  as a
consequence of the proposed Reverse Split should increase the per share price of
the Common Stock, which should enable the Company to maintain its listing on The
Nasdaq  National Market and may encourage  greater  interest in the Common Stock
and possibly promote greater liquidity for the Company's stockholders.  However,
the increase in the per share price of the Common Stock as a consequence  of the
proposed  Reverse  Split may be  proportionately  less than the  decrease in the
number of shares  outstanding.  In addition,  any increased liquidity due to any
increased  per share price could be partially or entirely  offset by the reduced
number of shares  outstanding  after the proposed Reverse Split.  Moreover,  the
Reverse  Split is expected  to increase  the number of  "odd-lot"  Common  Stock
holdings  (i.e.,  holdings of a number of shares that are not divisible by 100),
which may be more  difficult  to sell and may also result in  increased  selling
costs.  Nevertheless,  the  proposed  Reverse  Split could result in a per share
price that  adequately  compensates for the adverse impact of the market factors
noted above.  There can,  however,  be no assurance that the market price of the
Common Stock after the proposed Reverse Split will increase in direct proportion
to the ratio of the Reverse  Split (e.g.,  a 1:3 Reverse Split may not result in
an increase in the  pre-Reverse  Split market price by a multiple of three),  or
that such price will  either  exceed or remain in excess of the  current  market
price or the  minimum  bid price for  continued  listing on The Nasdaq  National
Market.
<PAGE>

Procedure for Implementing the Reverse Split

     If the Amendment is approved by the  stockholders  at the Special  Meeting,
the Board, in its discretion,  will determine as soon as practicable the Reverse
Split Number. The Certificate of Amendment will become effective upon the filing
with the  Secretary  of State of the State of  Delaware.  Currently,  management
intends  to  effect  the  Reverse  Split as soon as  practicable  subsequent  to
receiving the requisite stockholder approval.  The Board expects that the filing
will be made on or about  December  6,  2000.  The  Company  expects  to  notify
stockholders  of the  effectiveness  of the Reverse  Split and the Reverse Split
Number by a press release.

         Each stockholder of record as of the close of business on the Effective
Date will be entitled to receive,  upon  surrender of a certificate of shares of
Old  Common  Stock,  a new stock  certificate  representing  the number of whole
shares of the  Company's  New Common Stock to which the holder shall be entitled
pursuant  to the  Reverse  Split.  For  example,  if the  Reverse  Split  Number
determined  by the Board is three  and a  stockholder  owned  300  shares of the
Company's  Old  Common  Stock  on the  Effective  Date,  upon  surrender  of the
certificate  for 300 shares,  the Company would mail to the  stockholder a share
certificate for 100 shares of the Company's New Common Stock.  Any  certificates
for shares of Old Common Stock not so surrendered after the Effective Date shall
be deemed to represent  one share of New Common Stock for each such fixed number
equal to the Reverse Split Number of Old Common Stock previously  represented by
such  certificate.  Holders of fractional  share  interests  will be entitled to
receive cash in lieu of fractional shares as described above.

     The Company expects that its transfer agent will act as exchange agent (the
"Exchange   Agent")  for  purposes  of   implementing   the  exchange  of  stock
certificates.  Shortly after the Effective  Date,  each holder of an outstanding
certificate  theretofore  representing  shares of Old Common  Stock will receive
from the Exchange Agent  instructions  for the surrender of such  certificate to
the Exchange  Agent. No new  certificates  or cash in lieu of fractional  shares
will be issued to a stockholder  until such  stockholder  has surrendered to the
Exchange  Agent such  stockholder's  outstanding  certificates  together  with a
properly completed and executed letter of transmittal.  Stockholders  should not
destroy  any stock  certificate  and should not  submit  any  certificate  until
requested to do so by the Company or the Exchange Agent.

No Appraisal Rights

         Under  Delaware  law,  stockholders  of the Company are not entitled to
appraisal rights with respect to the proposed Reverse Split.
<PAGE>

Federal Income Tax Consequences

     The following  discussion  generally  describes  certain federal income tax
consequences of the proposed  Reverse Split to stockholders of the Company.  The
following  does not address any foreign,  state,  local tax or minimum income or
other federal tax  consequences  of the proposed  Reverse Split.  Moreover,  the
federal  income  tax   consequences   of  the  Reverse  Split  will  vary  among
stockholders.  In addition, the actual consequences for each stockholder will be
governed  by  the  specific   facts  and   circumstances   pertaining   to  such
stockholder's acquisition and ownership of the Common Stock.

     Thus, the Company makes no representations  concerning the tax consequences
for any of its stockholders  and recommends that each  stockholder  consult with
his own tax  advisor  concerning  the tax  consequences  of the  Reverse  Split,
including federal, state and local or other income tax.

     The  Company  has not  sought  and will not seek an opinion of counsel or a
ruling from the  Internal  Revenue  Service  regarding  the  federal  income tax
consequences of the proposed Reverse Split.  However, the Company believes that,
because  the  Reverse  Split is not part of a plan to  periodically  increase  a
stockholder's  proportionate  interest in the assets or earnings  and profits of
the  Company,  the proposed  Reverse  Split will have the  following  income tax
effects:

         1. A stockholder will not recognize taxable gain or loss as a result of
the Reverse Split,  except to the extent a stockholder  receives cash in lieu of
fractional  shares.  Cash  payments in lieu of a fractional  share of New Common
Stock  should  be  treated  as if  the  fractional  share  were  issued  to  the
stockholder and then redeemed by the Company for cash. Generally,  a stockholder
receiving such payment should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if
any,  between the amount of cash  received  and the  stockholder's  basis in the
fractional share. Such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss.

         2. In the aggregate,  the stockholder's  basis in New Common Stock will
equal his basis in the shares of Old Common Stock  exchanged  therefor  (but not
including the basis allocated to a fractional share for which the stockholder is
entitled to receive cash), and such stockholder's  holding period for New Common
Stock will include the holding period for Old Common Stock exchanged therefor if
the  shares  of Old  Common  Stock  were  capital  assets  in the  hands of such
stockholder.

         3. The proposed Reverse Split will constitute a  reorganization  within
the meaning of Section  368(a)(1)(E)  of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as
amended (the  "Code"),  and the Company will not recognize any gain or loss as a
result of the Reverse Split.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY'S  CERTIFICATE OF  INCORPORATION  TO EFFECT THE REVERSE
SPLIT AND TO REDUCE  PROPORTIONATELY  THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED  SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK.

                     STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AT THE COMPANY'S
                       NEXT ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

         The 2001 Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  ("2001  Annual  Meeting") is
anticipated  to be held in June 2001.  Under the Company's  Amended and Restated
bylaws,  a notice of intent of a stockholder  to bring a proposal  (other than a
director  nomination)  before  the 2001  Annual  Meeting  must  comply  with the
requirements  of the  Company's  Bylaws and must be  received  by the Company no
later than  December 19, 2000 in order for the  proposal to be  presented  for a
vote at the meeting.  However, if the 2001 Annual Meeting is held on a date more
than 30 days  before or after May 18,  2001,  notice of a  stockholder  proposal
(other  than a director  nomination),  to be  timely,  must be  received  by the
Company  within a  reasonable  time before the Company  begins to print and mail
proxy  materials.  If timely  delivered to the  Secretary  of the Company,  such
proposals may be included in the Company's  Proxy  Statement for the 2001 Annual
Meeting,  provided  the  proponent(s)  satisfies  all  applicable  rules  of the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  relating to  stockholder  proposals.  The
Company  will  furnish  copies  of the  Bylaw  provisions  that  set  forth  the
requirements  of the notice of intent by a stockholder  upon written  request to
the Secretary of the Company at the address set forth below.
<PAGE>

     Notices of  intention to present  proposals  at the 2001 Annual  Meeting or
requests in connection therewith should be addressed to Matria Healthcare, Inc.,
1850 Parkway Place, Marietta, Georgia 30067, Attention: Corporate Secretary.


                                  OTHER MATTERS

         Management  does not know of any  other  business  to come  before  the
Special Meeting. If, however,  other matters do properly come before the Special
Meeting,  it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying  proxy to
vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

                                Roberta L. McCaw
                                Secretary

____________, 2000


<PAGE>



                                   APPENDIX A

                           CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF

                    RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

                             MATRIA HEALTHCARE, INC.

     It is hereby certified that:

     1. The name of the Corporation  (hereinafter  called the  "Corporation") is
Matria Healthcare, Inc.

     2. The Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby
amended by striking out Article IV thereof and by  substituting  in lieu of said
Article the following new Article:

                                  "ARTICLE IV.

                  The   Corporation   shall   have   the   authority   to  issue
         _____________  shares  of stock,  consisting  of  __________  shares of
         Common  Stock,  par value  $.01 per  share,  and  50,000,000  shares of
         Preferred  Stock,  par value $.01 per share.  Effective  at the time of
         filing  this  Certificate  of  Amendment  of  Restated  Certificate  of
         Incorporation  with the  Secretary  of State of the State of  Delaware,
         each ___________ (___) share of the  Corporation's  Common Stock issued
         and outstanding shall, automatically and without any action on the part
         of the  respective  holders  thereof,  be  converted  into one share of
         Common Stock of the Corporation  (the "Reverse  Split").  No fractional
         shares shall be issued, and, in lieu thereof, the Corporation shall pay
         in cash the  fair  value of  fractions  of a share as of the time  when
         those  entitled to receive such  fractions are determined in accordance
         with  Section 155 of the Delaware  General  Corporation  Law.  From and
         after the  filing  of this  Certificate  of  Amendment,  the  amount of
         capital  represented  by the shares of Common Stock which remain issued
         and outstanding after the Reverse Split shall be the same as the amount
         of  capital  represented  by the  shares of  Common  Stock  issued  and
         outstanding  immediately  prior to the Reverse Split,  until thereafter
         reduced or increased in accordance with applicable law."

     3. Pursuant to Section 242 of the General  Corporation  Law of the State of
Delaware, the proposed amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation as
set forth in  paragraph 2  hereinabove  was adopted by the Board of Directors of
the  Corporation  on September 20, 2000 declaring said amendment to be advisable
and calling a meeting of the stockholders for consideration thereof. Thereafter,
a special meeting of the  stockholders  of said  Corporation was duly called and
held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General  Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware  at which  meeting  the  necessary  number of shares as
required by statute were voted in favor of the amendment.

     4. The effective time of the amendment  herein  certified shall be _______,
____.


<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this  Amendment  to the Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation has been its authorized officer this ____ day of _________, ____.

                                 MATRIA HEALTHCARE, INC.

                                 By:_____________________________________
                                    Roberta L. McCaw, Vice President-Legal,
                                    General Counsel and Secretary






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