UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR (G) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 05-0376157
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(State of Incorporation or Organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
260 Lake Road Dayville Connecticut 06241
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
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 Shares Purchase Right NASDQ National Market
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If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities and is
effective upon filing pursuant to General Instruction A.(c)(1), please check the
following box. |_|
If this form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities and is to
become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of a concurrent
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to General
Instruction A.(c)(2), please check the following box. |_|
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
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(Title of Class)
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(Title of Class)
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Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered.
On February, 22, 2000, the Board of Directors of United Natural
Foods, Inc. (the "Corporation") declared a dividend distribution of one
preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Shares"), of the Corporation. The
dividend is payable to the stockholders of record on March 3, 2000 (the "Record
Date"), and with respect to Common Shares issued thereafter until the
Distribution Date (as hereinafter defined) and, in certain circumstances, with
respect to Common Shares issued after the Distribution Date. Except as set forth
below, each Right, when it becomes exercisable, entitles the registered holder
to purchase from the Corporation one one-thousandth of a share of Series A
Preferred Stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share (the "Preferred Shares"),
of the Corporation at a price of $55 per one one-thousandth of a Preferred
Share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The description and terms
of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement")
between the Corporation and Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as
Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"), dated as of February 22, 2000.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all certificates
representing Common Shares then outstanding, and no separate Right Certificates
will be distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common Shares upon the
earliest to occur of (i) a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
having acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding Common
Shares (except pursuant to a Permitted Offer, as hereinafter defined); or (ii)
10 days (or such later date as the Board may determine) following the
commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or
exchange offer the consummation of which would result in a person or group
becoming an Acquiring Person (as hereinafter defined) (the earliest of such
dates being called the "Distribution Date"). A person or group whose acquisition
of Common Shares causes a Distribution Date pursuant to clause (i) above is an
"Acquiring Person. The date that a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person
is the "Shares Acquisition Date."
The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date, the
Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Shares. Until the
Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights) new Common
Share certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuance of
Common Shares 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 Shares
outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such notation or a copy of this
Summary of Rights being attached thereto, will also constitute the transfer of
the Rights associated with the Common Shares 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 Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date (and
to each initial record holder of certain Common Shares issued after the
Distribution Date), and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the
Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on the tenth anniversary of the date of the
Agreement unless earlier redeemed by the Corporation as described below.
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In the event that any person becomes an Acquiring Person (except
pursuant to a tender or exchange offer which is for all outstanding Common
Shares at a price and on terms which a majority of certain members of the Board
of Directors determines to be adequate and in the best interests of the
Corporation, its stockholders and other relevant constituencies, other than such
Acquiring Person, its affiliates and associates (a "Permitted Offer")), each
holder of a Right will thereafter have the right (the "Flip-In Right") to
receive upon exercise the number of Common Shares or of one one-thousandth of a
share of Preferred Shares (or, in certain circumstances, other securities of the
Corporation) having a value (immediately prior to such triggering event) equal
to two times the exercise price of the Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
following the occurrence of the event described above, all Rights that are, or
(under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were,
beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person or any affiliate or associate thereof
will be null and void.
In the event (a "Flip-Over Event") that, at any time following the
Shares Acquisition Date, (i) the Corporation is acquired in a merger or other
business combination transaction in which the holders of all of the outstanding
Common Shares immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction are not
the holders of all of the surviving corporation's voting power, or (ii) more
than 50% of the Corporation's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, in
either case with or to an Acquiring Person or any affiliate or associate or any
other person in which such Acquiring Person, affiliate or associate has an
interest or any person acting on behalf of or in concert with such Acquiring
Person, affiliate or associate, or, if in such transaction all holders of Common
Shares are not treated alike, any other person, then each holder of a Right
(except Rights which previously have been voided as set forth above) shall
thereafter have the right (the "Flip-Over Right") to receive, upon exercise,
common shares of the acquiring company having a value equal to two times the
exercise price of the Right. The holder of a Right will continue to have the
Flip-Over Right whether or not such holder exercises or surrenders the Flip-in
Right.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares,
Common Shares or other securities 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 quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights
or warrants (other than those referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right are
also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or
a stock dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or subdivisions,
consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares 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 $0.01 per share but, if greater, will be entitled
to an aggregate dividend per share of 1,000-times the dividend declared per
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Common Share. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Shares
will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $1,000 per
share; thereafter, and after the holders of the Common Shares receive a
liquidation payment of $1 per share, the holders of the Preferred Shares and the
holders of the Common Shares will share the remaining assets in the ratio of
1,000 to 1 (as adjusted) for each Preferred Share and Common Share so held,
respectively. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other
transaction in which Common Shares are exchanged, each Preferred Share will be
entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount received per Common Share. These
rights are protected by customary antidilution provisions. In the event that the
amount of accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Shares is equivalent to
six full quarterly dividends or more, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall
have the right, voting as a class, to elect two directors in addition to the
directors elected by the holders of the Common Shares until all cumulative
dividends on the Preferred Shares have been paid through the last quarterly
dividend payment date or until non-cumulative dividends have been paid regularly
for at least one year.
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 one one-thousandth or integral multiples of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the
Corporation, 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 earlier to occur of (i) a person becoming
an Acquiring Person or (ii) the expiration of the Rights, and under certain
other circumstances, the Corporation may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in
part, at a price of $0.01 per Right (the "Redemption Price") which redemption
shall be effective upon the action of the Board of Directors. Additionally,
following the expiration of the Flip-In Right, but prior to a Flip-Over Event,
the Corporation may redeem the then outstanding Rights in whole, but not in
part, at the Redemption Price, provided that such redemption is in connection
with a merger or other business combination transaction or series of
transactions involving the Corporation in which all holders of Common Shares are
treated alike but not involving an Acquiring Person or its affiliates or
associates.
All of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation prior to the Distribution Date. After the
Distribution Date, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board in order to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to make changes
which do not adversely affect the interests of holders of Rights (excluding the
interests of any Acquiring Person), or, subject to certain limitations, to
shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have
no rights as a stockholder of the Corporation, including, without limitation,
the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights
will not be taxable to stockholders of the Corporation, stockholders may,
depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income should the Rights
become exercisable or upon the occurrence of certain events thereafter.
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The Rights Agreement between the Corporation and the Rights Agent
specifying the terms of the Rights (which includes as exhibits thereto the Form
of Certificate of Designation of Preferences and Rights, the Form of Rights
Certificate and the Summary of Rights) and the press release announcing the
declaration of the Rights are attached hereto as exhibits and are incorporated
herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Rights does not purport to
be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the such exhibits.
Item 2. Exhibits
1. Rights Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2000, between
United Natural Foods, Inc., and Continental Stock Transfer and
Trust Company, as Rights Agent, including the form of
Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of the
Series A Preferred Stock setting forth the terms of the Series
A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, as Exhibit A,
the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B, and the Summary
of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C. Pursuant
to the Rights Agreement, printed Rights Certificates will not
be mailed until after the Distribution Date (as such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement).
2. Press Release of the Corporation, dated February 22, 2000.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto
duly authorized.
Date: March 2, 2000 UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
By:/s/ Kevin T. Michel
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KEVIN T. MICHEL
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number Description
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1 Rights Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2000, between
United Natural Foods, Inc., and Continental Stock Transfer and
Trust Company, as Rights Agent, including the form of
Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of the
Series A Preferred Stock setting forth the terms of the Series
A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, as Exhibit A,
the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B, and the Summary
of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C. Pursuant
to the Rights Agreement, printed Rights Certificates will not
be mailed until after the Distribution Date (as such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement).
2 Press Release of the Corporation, dated February 22, 2000.
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RIGHTS AGREEMENT
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of February 22, 2000 (the "Agreement"),
between United Natural Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"),
and Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company (the "Rights Agent").
The Board of Directors of the Corporation has authorized and
declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each
Common Share (as hereinafter defined) of the Corporation outstanding at the
close of business on March 3, 2000 (the "Record Date"), each Right representing
the right to purchase one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (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 with respect to each
Common Share that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the
earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration
Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined); provided, however, that Rights may
be issued with respect to Common Shares that shall become outstanding after the
Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Final
Expiration Date in accordance with the provisions of Section 22 of this
Agreement.
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
following terms have the meanings indicated:
(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which, together
with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner
of 15% or more of the then outstanding Common Shares (other than as a result of
a Permitted Offer (as hereinafter defined)) or was such a Beneficial Owner at
any time after the date hereof, whether or not such person continues to be the
Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the then outstanding Common Shares.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the term "Acquiring Person" shall not include
(i) the Corporation, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Corporation, (iii) any employee
benefit plan of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary of the Corporation
(including without limitation any Employee Stock Ownership Plan of the
Corporation), (iv) any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by
the Corporation for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan, (v) any Person,
who or which together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person becomes
the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the then outstanding Common Shares solely
as a result of the acquisition of Common Shares directly from the Corporation
until such time thereafter as such Person, together with all Affiliates and
Associates of such Person, shall become the Beneficial Owner (other than by
means of a stock dividend or stock split) of any additional Common Shares, or
(vi) any Grandfathered Stockholder, and (B) no Person shall be deemed to be an
"Acquiring Person" either (X) as a result of the acquisition of Common Shares by
the Corporation which, by reducing the number of Common Shares outstanding,
increases the proportional number of shares beneficially owned by such Person
together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person; except that if (i) a
Person would become an Acquiring Person (but for the operation of this subclause
X) as a result of the acquisition of Common Shares by the Corporation, and (ii)
after such share acquisition by the Corporation, such Person, or an Affiliate or
Associate of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common
Shares, then such Person shall be deemed an Acquiring Person, or (Y) if (i)
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within 8 days after such Person would otherwise have become an Acquiring Person
(but for the operation of this subclause Y), such Person notifies the Board of
Directors that such Person did so inadvertently and (ii) within 2 days after
such notification, such Person is the Beneficial Owner of less than 15% of the
outstanding Common Shares.
(b) "Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and as
in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(c) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect on the date of
this Agreement (the "Exchange Act").
(d) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of and shall be
deemed to "beneficially own" any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly;
(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, or upon the exercise of conversion rights,
exchange rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or options, or
otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial
Owner of, or to beneficially own, securities tendered pursuant to a tender or
exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for
purchase or exchange; 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 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 (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such Person
(or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates) has 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 other agreement, arrangement or understanding approved
by the Board) relating to the acquisition, holding, voting (except to the extent
contemplated by the proviso to Section 1(d)(ii)(B)) or disposing of any
securities of the Corporation.
Notwithstanding anything in this definition of Beneficial Ownership
to the contrary, the phrase "then outstanding," when used with reference to a
Person's Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Corporation, shall mean the
number of such securities then issued and outstanding together with the number
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of such securities not then actually issued and outstanding which such Person
would be deemed to own beneficially hereunder.
(e) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday
or U.S. federal holiday.
(f) "Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., New
York time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business
Day it shall mean 5:00 PM., New York time, on the next succeeding Business Day.
(g) "Common Shares" when used with reference to the Corporation
shall mean the shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the
Corporation or, in the event of a subdivision, combination or consolidation with
respect to such shares of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock resulting
from such subdivision, combination or consolidation. "Common Shares" when used
with reference to any Person other than the Corporation shall mean the capital
stock (or 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.
(h) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3 hereof.
(i) "Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7 hereof.
(j) "Grandfathered Stockholder" shall mean that certain stockholder
of the Corporation Norman A. Cloutier, who is at the time in question the
Beneficial Owner solely of 3,020,792 Common Shares, including 249,759 Common
Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and 32,460 Common Shares held
by the Corporation's Stock Ownership Trust and allocable to Cloutier; provided,
however, that Cloutier shall not be a Grandfathered Stockholder if at any time
Cloutier acquires Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares (other than as a result
of the acquisition of Common Shares directly from the Corporation) resulting in
an increase in the number of Common Shares Beneficially Owned by Cloutier
compared to the number Beneficially Owned by him immediately prior to such
acquisition.
(k) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean any Acquiring Person or any
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any other Person in which any
such Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate has an interest, or any other
Person acting directly or indirectly on behalf of or in concert with any such
Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate.
(l) "Permitted Offer" shall mean a tender or exchange offer which is
for all outstanding Common Shares at a price and on terms determined, prior to
the purchase of shares under such tender or exchange offer, by at least a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are not officers of the
Corporation and who are not Acquiring Persons or Affiliates, Associates,
nominees or representatives of an Acquiring Person, to be adequate (taking into
account all factors that such Directors deem relevant including, without
limitation, prices that could reasonably be achieved if the Corporation or its
assets were sold on an orderly basis designed to realize maximum value) and
otherwise in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders (other
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than the Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof on whose basis the offer
is being made) taking into account all factors that such directors may deem
relevant.
(m) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, partnership,
corporation, trust association, joint venture or other entity, and shall include
any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
(n) "Preferred Shares" shall mean shares of Series A Preferred
Stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share of the Corporation having the
relative rights, preferences and limitations set forth in the Form of
Certificate of Amendment attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A.
(o) "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7
hereof.
(p) "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean any event described in
Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(q) "Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in clause (x),
(y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.
(r) "Shares Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public
announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without
limitation, a report filed pursuant to the Exchange Act) by the Corporation or
an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such; provided, that, if
such Person, is determined not to have become an Acquiring Person pursuant to
Section 1(b)(Y) hereof, then no Shares Acquisition Date shall be deemed to have
occurred.
(s) "Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean any corporation or other
Person of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities
or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.
(t) "Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event or any
Section 13 Event.
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Corporation hereby
appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Corporation 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 Shares) in accordance with the
terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such
appointment. The Corporation may from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents
as it may deem necessary or desirable.
Section 3. Issuance of Right Certificates. (a) Until the earlier of
(i) the Shares Acquisition Date or (ii) the close of business on the tenth day
(or such later date as may be determined by action of the Corporation's Board of
Directors) after the date that a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other
than the Corporation, any Subsidiary of the Corporation, any employee benefit
plan of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary of the Corporation or any Person or
entity organized, appointed or established by the Corporation for or pursuant to
the terms of any such plan) is first published or sent or given within the
meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations under the
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Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, if the consummation of which would
result in any Person becoming an Acquiring Person (including, in the case of
both (i) and (ii), 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 Shares registered in the names of the holders thereof (which certificates
shall also be deemed to be Right Certificates) and not by separate Right
Certificates, and (y) the right to receive Right Certificates will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying Common
Shares (including a transfer to the Corporation); provided, however, that if a
tender offer is terminated prior to the occurrence of a Distribution Date, then
no Distribution Date shall occur as a result of such tender offer. As soon as
practicable after the Distribution Date, the Corporation will prepare and
execute, the Rights Agent will countersign, and the Corporation will send or
cause to be sent by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of
Common Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, at the
address of such holder shown on the records of the Corporation, a Right
Certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (a "Right
Certificate"), evidencing one Right for each Common Share so held. As of and
after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right
Certificates.
(b) As promptly as practicable following the Record Date, the
Corporation will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred
Shares, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (the, "Summary of
Rights"), by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common
Shares as of the close of business on the Record Date, at the address of such
holder shown on the records of the Corporation. With respect to certificates for
Common Shares 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 a copy of the Summary of Rights attached thereto.
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
Shares outstanding on the Record Date, with or without a copy of the Summary of
Rights attached thereto, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights
associated with such Common Shares.
(c) Certificates for Common Shares which become outstanding
(including, without limitation, reacquired Common Shares referred to in the last
sentence of this paragraph (c)) after the Record Date but prior to the earliest
of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date,
shall be deemed also to be certificates for Rights, and shall bear the following
legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
certain rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between United
Natural Foods, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer and Trust
Company, dated as of February 22, 2000 (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
United Natural Foods, 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.
United Natural Foods, Inc. will mail to the holder of this
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certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after
receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances
set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, or held by, any
Person who is, was or becomes an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and certain
related persons, whether currently held by or on behalf of such
Person or by any subsequent holder, may become null and void.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by
such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone, and the
surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the
transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby. In
the event that the Corporation purchases or acquires any Common Shares after the
Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such
Common Shares shall be deemed cancelled and retired so that the Corporation
shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the Common Shares
which are no longer outstanding.
Section 4. Form of Right Certificate. (a) The Right Certificates
(and the forms of election to purchase and of assignment to be printed on the
reverse thereof) shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B
hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such
legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Corporation may deem
appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement,
or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or
regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock
exchange on which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to
usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 and Section 22 hereof, the Right
Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as shall be set forth therein at the price
per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share set forth therein (the "Purchase
Price"), but the amount and type of securities purchasable upon the exercise of
each Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment as
provided herein.
(b) Any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section
22 hereof that represents Rights which are null and void pursuant to Section
7(e) of this Agreement and any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or
Section 11 hereof upon transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any
other Right Certificate referred to in this sentence, shall contain (to the
extent feasible) the following legend:
The Rights represented by this Right Certificate are or were
beneficially owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring Person
or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms
are defined in the Rights Agreement). Accordingly, this Right
Certificate and the Rights represented hereby are null and void.
Provisions of Section 7(e) of this Rights Agreement shall be
operative whether or not the foregoing legend is contained on any such Right
Certificate.
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Section 5. Countersignature and Registration. The Right Certificates
shall be executed on behalf of the Corporation by its Chairman of the Board, its
Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents, or its
Treasurer, either manually or by facsimile signature, shall have affixed thereto
the Corporation's seal or a facsimile thereof, and shall be attested by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, either manually or by
facsimile signature. The Right Certificates shall be countersigned by the Rights
Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case
any officer of the Corporation who shall have signed any of the Right
Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Corporation before
countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the
Corporation, such Right Certificates may nevertheless be countersigned by the
Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Corporation with the same force and
effect as though the person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to
be such officer of the Corporation; and any Right Certificate may be signed on
behalf of the Corporation by any person who, at the actual date of the execution
of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Corporation to sign
such Right Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights
Agreement any such person was not such an officer.
Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause
to be kept, at its principal office or offices designated as the appropriate
place for surrender of such Right Certificate or transfer, 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 certificate number 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 Certificate. Subject to
the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14 hereof, at any time
after the close of business on the Distribution Date, and at or 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-thousandth
of a Preferred Share (or, following a Triggering Event, other securities, as the
case may be) as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then
entitled such holder (or former holder in the case of a transfer) to purchase.
Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any
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
principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose.
Neither the Rights Agent nor the Corporation shall be obligated to take any
action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Right
Certificate until the registered holder shall have completed and signed the
certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such
Right Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence of the
identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or
Associates thereof as the Corporation shall reasonably request. Thereupon the
Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14 hereof,
countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or
Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Corporation may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that
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may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or
exchange of Right Certificates.
Upon receipt by the Corporation 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 Corporation's request,
reimbursement to the Corporation 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 Corporation will make and deliver a new
Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and
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) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof, the registered holder of any Right
Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise
provided herein) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date
upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase
and the certificate on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights
Agent at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose, together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price for the total
number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (or other securities, as the
case may be) as to which such surrendered Rights are exercised, at or prior to
the earliest of (i) the close of business on the tenth anniversary of the date
of this Agreement (the "Final Expiration Date"), or (ii) the time at which the
Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the "Redemption Date").
(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-thousandth of a Preferred
Share pursuant to the exercise of a Right initially shall be Fifty-Five Dollars
($55), shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in the next
sentence and in Sections 11 and 13(a) hereof and shall be payable in accordance
with paragraph (c) below. 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 Corporation shall (i) declare or pay any
dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or (ii) effect a
subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares)
into a greater or lesser number of Common Shares, then in any such case, each
Common Share outstanding following such subdivision, combination or
consolidation shall continue to have a Right associated therewith and the
Purchase Price following any such event shall be proportionately adjusted to
equal the result obtained by multiplying the Purchase Price immediately prior to
such event by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the total number of
Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and
the denominator of which shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding
immediately following the occurrence of such event. The adjustment provided for
in the preceding sentence shall be made successively whenever such a dividend is
declared or paid or such a subdivision, combination or consolidation is
effected.
(c) Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable
Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate duly executed,
accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the Preferred Shares (or other
securities, as the case may be) to be purchased and an amount equal to any
applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right
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Certificate in accordance with Section 6 hereof by certified check, cashier's
check or money order payable to the order of the Corporation, the Rights Agent
shall thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the
Preferred Shares certificates for the number of Preferred Shares to be purchased
and the Corporation hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply
with all such requests, or (B) if the Corporation, in its sole discretion, shall
have elected to deposit the Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the
Rights hereunder into a depositary, requisition from the depositary agent
depositary receipts representing such number of one one-thousandth of a
Preferred Share as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for the
Preferred Shares represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer
agent with the depositary agent) and the Corporation will direct the depositary
agent to comply with such requests, (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the
Corporation the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional
shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) 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 thereof, deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered
holder of such Right Certificate. In the event that the Corporation is obligated
to issue other securities (including Common Shares) of the Corporation pursuant
to Section 11(a) hereof, the Corporation will make all arrangements necessary so
that such other securities are available for distribution by the Rights Agent,
if and when appropriate.
In addition, in the case of an exercise of the Rights by a holder
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii), the Rights Agent shall return such Right
Certificate to the registered holder thereof after imprinting, stamping or
otherwise indicating thereon that the rights represented by such Right
Certificate no longer include the rights provided by Section 11(a)(ii) of the
Rights Agreement and if less than all the Rights represented by such Right
Certificate where so exercised, the Rights Agent shall indicate on the Right
Certificate the number of Rights represented thereby which continue to include
the rights provided by Section 11(a)(ii).
(d) 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 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, or the
Rights Agent shall place an appropriate notation on the Rights Certificate with
respect to those Rights exercised.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from
and after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, any Rights
beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an
Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any Affiliate
or Associate thereof) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person
becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any Affiliate
or Associate thereof) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the
Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a
transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders
of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom the
Acquiring Person has a continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding
regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors
of the Corporation has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or
understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this
Section 7(e), shall become null and void without any further action and no
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<PAGE>
holder of such Rights shall have any rights whatsoever with respect to such
Rights, whether under any provision of this Agreement or otherwise. The
Corporation shall use all reasonable efforts to insure that the provisions of
this Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof 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.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Rights Agent nor the Corporation shall be obligated to undertake any
action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported
exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have
(i) completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of election to
purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Right Certificate surrendered for
such exercise, and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the
Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial owner) or Affiliates or Associates
thereof as the Corporation 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 Corporation 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 Rights Agreement. The Corporation shall deliver
to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall
so cancel and retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the
Corporation otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall
deliver all cancelled Right Certificates to the Corporation, or shall, at the
written request of the Corporation, destroy such cancelled Right Certificates,
and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the
Corporation.
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Preferred Shares. The
Corporation covenants and agrees that at all times prior to the occurrence of a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of
its authorized and unissued Preferred Shares, or any authorized and issued
Preferred Shares held in its treasury, the number of Preferred Shares that will
be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights and,
after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, shall, to the extent
reasonably practicable, so reserve and keep available a sufficient number of
Common Shares (and/or other securities) which may be required to permit the
exercise in full of the Rights pursuant to this Agreement.
So long as the Preferred shares (and, after the occurrence of a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event, Common Shares or any other securities) issuable upon
the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any national securities exchange,
the Corporation 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 on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.
The Corporation covenants and agrees that it will take all such
action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares (or Common Shares
and/or other securities, as the case may be) delivered upon exercise of Rights
shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such shares or other
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securities (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly
authorized and issued and fully paid and non-assessable shares or securities.
The Corporation further covenants and agrees that it will pay when
due and payable any and all U.S. 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 Preferred Shares ( or Common Shares and/or other
securities, as the case may be) upon the exercise of Rights. The Corporation
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 depository receipts for the
Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be)
in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Right Certificate
evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise, or to issue or to deliver any
certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred Shares (or Common Shares
and/or other securities, as the case may be) upon the exercise of any Rights,
until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the
holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been
established to the Corporation's reasonable satisfaction that no such tax is
due.
The Corporation shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon as
practicable following the Shares Acquisition Date, a registration statement
under the Act, with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise of the
Rights on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration statement to become
effective as soon as practicable after such filing, and (iii) cause such
registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder)
until the date of the expiration of the rights provided by Section 11(a)(ii).
The Corporation will also take such action as may be appropriate under the blue
sky laws of the various states.
Section 10. Preferred Shares Record Date. Each person in whose name
any certificate for Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities,
as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes
be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Preferred Shares (or Common
Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) 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 applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however, that, if the
date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Shares (or
Common Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the
Corporation 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 Shares (or Common Shares and/or
other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Corporation are
open.
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares
or Number of Rights. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares covered
by 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 Corporation shall at any time after the
date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in
Preferred Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine
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the outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of Preferred Shares or
(D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred
Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation
or merger in which the Corporation is the continuing or surviving corporation),
except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e) hereof, 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 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 Shares transfer books of the Corporation
were open, such 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 Corporation issuable upon exercise of one
Right. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under both Section
11(a)(i), and Section 11(a)(ii) the adjustment provided for in this Section
11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment
required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii).
(ii) In the event any Person, alone or together with its Affiliates
and Associates, shall become an Acquiring Person, then proper provision shall be
made so that each holder of a Right (except as provided below and in Section
7(e) hereof) shall, for a period of 60 days after the later of the occurrence of
any such event or the effective date of an appropriate registration statement
under the Act pursuant to Section 9 hereof, have a right to receive, upon
exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price, in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such number of Common Shares (or,
in the discretion of the Board of Directors, one one-thousandth of a Preferred
Share) as shall equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then current
Purchase Price by the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share for
which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event, and dividing that product by (y) 50% of the then
current per share market price of the Corporation's Common Shares (determined
pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of such first occurrence (such
number of shares being referred to as the "Adjustment Shares"); provided,
however, that if the transaction that would otherwise give rise to the foregoing
adjustment is also subject to the provisions of Section 13 hereof, then only the
provisions of Section 13 hereof shall apply and no adjustment shall be made
pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii);
(iii) In the event that there shall not be sufficient treasury
shares or authorized but unissued (and unreserved) Common Shares to permit the
exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph
(ii) and the Rights become so exercisable (and the Board has determined to make
the Rights exercisable into fractions of a Preferred Share), notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, to the extent necessary and permitted by
applicable law, each Right shall thereafter represent the right to receive, upon
exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement, (x) a number of (or fractions of) Common Shares (up to the
maximum number of Common Shares which may permissibly be issued) and (y)
one-one-thousandth of a Preferred Share or a number of, or fractions of other
equity securities of the Corporation (or, in the discretion of the Board of
Directors, debt) which the Board of Directors of the Corporation has determined
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to have the same aggregate current market value (determined pursuant to Section
11(d)(i) and (ii) hereof, to the extent applicable,) as one Common Share (such
number of, or fractions of, Preferred Shares, debt, or other equity securities
or debt of the Corporation) being referred to as a "capital stock equivalent,"
equal in the aggregate to the number of Adjustment Shares; provided, however, if
sufficient common Shares and/or capital stock equivalents are unavailable, then
the Corporation shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, take all such
action as may be necessary to authorize additional Common Shares or capital
stock equivalents for issuance upon exercise of the Rights, including the
calling of a meeting of stockholders; and provided, further, that if the
Corporation is unable to cause sufficient Common Shares and/or capital stock
equivalents to be available for issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights,
then each Right shall thereafter represent the right to receive the Adjusted
Number of Shares upon exercise at the Adjusted Purchase Price (as such terms are
hereinafter defined). As used herein, the term "Adjusted Number of Shares" shall
be equal to that number of (or fractions of) Common Shares (and/or capital stock
equivalents) equal to the product of (x) the number of Adjustment Shares and (y)
a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Common Shares (and/or
capital stock equivalents) available for issuance upon exercise of the Rights
and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of Adjustment Shares
otherwise issuable upon exercise in full of all Rights (assuming there were a
sufficient number of Common Shares available) (such fraction being referred to
as the "Proration Factor"). The "Adjusted Purchase Price" shall mean the product
of the Purchase Price and the Proration Factor. The Board of Directors may, but
shall not be required to, establish procedures to allocate the right to receive
Common Shares and capital stock equivalents upon exercise of the Rights among
holders of Rights.
(b) In case the Corporation shall fix a record date for the
issuance of rights (other than the Rights), options or warrants to all holders
of Preferred Shares entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 calendar
days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares (or
shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred
Shares ("equivalent preferred shares")) or securities convertible into Preferred
Shares or equivalent preferred shares at a price per Preferred Share or
equivalent preferred share (or having a conversion price per share, if a
security convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares) less
than the then current per share market price of the Preferred Shares (as
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 the number of Preferred Shares
outstanding on such record date plus the number of Preferred Shares which the
aggregate offering price of the total number of Preferred Shares 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 per share market price, and the denominator of which shall be
the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number
of additional Preferred Shares 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 Corporation 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 determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation, whose determination shall be described in a
statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent.
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Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account of the Corporation 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 Corporation shall fix a record date for the making
of a distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares (including any such
distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Corporation 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 Shares) 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 (as
determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) of the Preferred Shares on such
record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation, whose determination shall be described in
a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on 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
Preferred Share and the denominator of which shall be such current share market
price of the Preferred Shares; 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 Corporation to be
issued upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be made successively
when 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) 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 thirty (30) 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 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 thirty (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 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 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 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
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bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System
("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 Corporation. If on any
such date no such market maker is making market in the Security, the fair value
of the Security on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation shall be used. The term "Trading Day" shall mean a
day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is
listed or admitted 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, the
"current per share market price" of the Preferred Shares shall be determined in
accordance with the method set forth in Section 11(d)(i). If the Preferred
Shares are not publicly traded, the "current per share market price" of the
Preferred Shares shall be conclusively deemed to be the current per share market
price of the Common Shares as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i)
(appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the date hereof), multiplied by 1,000. If neither
the Common Shares nor the Preferred Shares are publicly held or so listed or
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 Corporation, whose
determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and
shall be binding on the Rights Agent.
(e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, 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 one-thousandth of a Preferred Share or one ten
thousandth of any 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 later than earlier of (i) three (3) years from the
date of the transaction which mandates such adjustment or (ii) the Final
Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section
11(a)(ii) or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised
shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Corporation
other than Preferred Shares, thereafter the number of other shares so receivable
upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a
manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with
respect to the Preferred Shares contained in Section 11(a) through (c),
inclusive, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 with respect to
the Preferred Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Corporation 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-thousandth of a
Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the
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Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
(h) The Corporation may elect on or after the date of any adjustment
of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in lieu of any adjustment
in the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share 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-thousandths of a
Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such
adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of
Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one
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 Corporation 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 ten (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(h), the Corporation shall, 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 Corporation, shall
cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and
replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of
adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Corporation, 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.
(i) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price
or the number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share 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-thousandths
of a Preferred Share which were expressed in the initial Right Certificates
issued hereunder.
(j) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing
the Purchase Price below the then par value, if any, of the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share, Common Shares or other securities issuable
upon exercise of the Rights, the Corporation shall take any corporate action
which may, in the opinion of its counsel be necessary in order that the
Corporation may validly and legally issue such number of fully paid and
non-assessable one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share, Common Shares or other
securities at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(k) 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 Corporation elect to defer until the occurrence of such
event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date
the Preferred Shares, Common Shares or other securities of the Corporation, if
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any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the Preferred Shares Common
Shares or other securities of the Corporation, if any, issuable upon exercise on
the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided,
however, that the Corporation 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.
(l) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Corporation 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 (i) any consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Shares, (ii)
issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares at less than the current market
price, (iii) issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares or securities which by
their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Shares, (iv)
stock dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in
this Section 11, hereafter made by the Corporation to holders of its Preferred
Shares shall not be taxable to such stockholders.
(m) The Corporation covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any
time after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other
than a Subsidiary of the Corporation in a transaction which does not violate
Section 11(n) hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other than a
Subsidiary of the Corporation in a transaction which does not violate Section
1l(n) hereof), or (iii) sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or
transfer), in one transaction, or a series of related transactions, assets or
earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or
Persons (other than the Corporation and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or
more transactions each of which does not violate Section 11(n) hereof), if (x)
at the time of or immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer
there are any charter or bylaw provisions or any rights, warrants or other
instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect or other actions
taken, which would materially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits
intended to be afforded by the Rights or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or
immediately after such consolidation, merger or sale, 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 and Associates. The Corporation
shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer unless
prior thereto the Corporation and such other Person shall have executed and
delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement evidencing compliance
with this Section 11(m).
(n) The Corporation covenants and agrees that, after the
Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 27
hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action the purpose of which
is to, or if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that
the effect of such action is to, materially diminish or otherwise eliminate the
benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.
(o) The exercise of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) shall only result
in the loss of rights under Section 11(a)(ii) to the extent so exercised and
shall not otherwise affect the rights represented by the Rights under this
Rights Agreement, including the rights represented by Section 13.
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Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of
Shares. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Sections 11 or 13 hereof,
the Corporation 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
Shares and the Preferred Shares a copy of such certificate, and (c) mail a brief
summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section
26 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 such adjustment unless and until it shall have received such
certificate.
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
Earning Power. (a) In the event that, on or following the Shares Acquisition
Date directly or indirectly, (x) the Corporation shall consolidate with, or
merge with and into, any Interested Stockholder or, if in such consolidation or
merger all holders of Common Stock are not treated alike, any other Person, (y)
the Corporation shall merge with any Interested Stockholder or, if in such
merger all holders of Common Stock are not treated alike, any other Person, and
the Corporation shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger
(other than, in a case of any transaction described in (x) or (y), a merger
which would result in all of the securities generally entitled to vote in the
election of directors ("voting securities') of the Corporation outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or by being converted into securities of the surviving entity) all
of the voting securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger and the holders of such securities not having
changed as a result of such merger or consolidation), or (z) the Corporation
shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell
or otherwise transfer), in one transaction or a series of related transactions,
assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power
of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Interested
Stockholder or Stockholders or, if in such transaction all holders of Common
Stock are not treated alike, any other Person (other than the Corporation or any
Subsidiary of the Corporation in one or more transactions each of which does not
violate Section 11(n) hereof`), then, and in each such case (except as provided
in Section 13(d) hereof), proper provision shall be made so that (i) each holder
of a Right, except as provided in Section 7(e) hereof, shall thereafter have the
right to receive upon the exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current
Purchase Price, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of
Preferred Shares, such number of freely tradeable Common Shares of the Principal
Party (as hereinafter defined), not subject to any liens, encumbrances, rights
of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall equal the result obtained by
(A) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable
(without taking into account any adjustment previously made pursuant to Section
11(a)(ii)) and dividing that product by (B) 50% of the then current per share
market price of the Common Shares of such Principal Party (determined pursuant
to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of consummation of such Section 13 Event;
(ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by
virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the obligations and duties of the
corporation pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term "Corporation" shall
thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party, it being specifically
intended that the provisions of Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such
Principal Party following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event; and (iv)
such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the
reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares) in connection with the
consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to assure that the
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provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may
be, in relation to the Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of
the Rights.
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean
(i) in the case of any transaction described in clause (x) or
(y) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the issuer of any
securities into which Common Shares of the Corporation are converted in such
merger or consolidation, and if no securities are so issued, the Person that is
the other party to such merger or consolidation (including if applicable, the
Corporation if it is the surviving corporation); and
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause (z) of
the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the party receiving the
greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such
transaction or transactions; provided, however, that in any of the foregoing
cases, (1) if the Common Shares of such Person are not at such time and have not
been continuously over the preceding twelve (12) month period registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and such Person is a direct or indirect
Subsidiary of another Person the Common Shares of which are and have been so
registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to such other Person; (2) in case such
Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one Person, the
Common Shares of two or more of which are and have been so registered,
"Principal Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the issuer of the
Common Shares having the greatest aggregate market value; and (3) in case 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 (1) and (2) above shall apply to each of the chains of
ownership having an interest in such joint venture as if such party were a
"Subsidiary" of both or all of such joint ventures and the Principal Parties in
each such chain shall bear the obligations set forth in this Section 13 in the
same ratio as their direct or indirect interests in such Person bear to the
total of such interests.
(c) The Corporation shall not consummate any such consolidation,
merger, sale or transfer unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient
number of its authorized Common Shares which have not been issued or reserved
for issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with
this Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Corporation and such Principal
Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental
agreement providing for the terms set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
Section 13 and further providing that, as soon as practicable after the date of
any consolidation, merger, sale or transfer mentioned in paragraph (a) of this
Section 13, the Principal Party at its own expense shall:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Act
with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the
Rights on an appropriate form, and will use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to (A) become effective as soon as practicable after such
filing and (B) remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the
requirements of the Act) until the Final Expiration Date;
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(ii) use its best efforts to qualify or register the Rights
and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights under the blue sky
laws of such jurisdictions as may be necessary or appropriate; and
(iii) 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 under the Exchange Act.
The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to
successive mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers. The rights
under this Section 13 shall be in addition to the rights to exercise Rights and
adjustments under Section 11(a)(iii) and shall survive any exercise thereof.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
Section 13 shall not be applicable to a transaction described in subparagraphs
(x) and (y) of Section 13(a) if: (i) such transaction is consummated with a
Person or Persons who acquired Common Shares pursuant to a Permitted Offer (or a
wholly owned Subsidiary of any such Person or Persons); (ii) the price per
Common Share offered in such transaction is not less than the price per Common
Share paid to all holders of Common Shares whose shares were purchased pursuant
to such Permitted Offer; and (iii) the form of consideration offered in such
transaction is the same as the form of consideration paid pursuant to such
Permitted Offer. Upon consummation of any such transaction contemplated by this
Section 13(d), all Rights hereunder shall expire.
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares. (a) The
Corporation 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 Corporation. If on any such date no such market maker is making a market in
the Rights, the fair value of Rights on such date as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be used.
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(b) The Corporation shall not be required to issue fractions of
Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are one one-thousandth or integral
multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred share) upon exercise of the
Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Preferred shares
(other than fractions which are one one-thousandth or integral multiples of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share). Fractions of Preferred shares in integral
multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share may, at the election of the
Corporation, be evidenced by depositary receipts, pursuant to an appropriate
agreement between the Corporation and a depositary selected by it; provided that
such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary receipts shall
have the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as
beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares represented by such depositary
receipts. In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares that are not one one-thousandth
or integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, the
Corporation 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 Preferred Share. For the
purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of a Preferred Share
shall be the closing price of a Preferred Share (as determined pursuant to
Section 11(d)(ii) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of
such exercise.
(c) Following the occurrence of one of the transactions or events
specified in Section 11 giving rise to the right to receive Common Shares,
capital stock equivalents (other than Preferred Shares) or other securities upon
the exercise of a Right, the Corporation shall not be required to issue
fractions of shares or units of such Common Shares, capital stock equivalents or
other securities upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which
evidence fractions of such Common Shares, capital stock equivalents or other
securities. In lieu of fractional shares or units of such Common Shares, capital
stock equivalents or other securities, the Corporation may 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 a share or unit of such Common Shares, capital stock equivalents or
other securities. For purposes of this Section 14(c), the current market value
shall be determined in the manner set forth in Section 11(d) hereof for the
Trading day immediately prior to the date of such exercise and, if such capital
stock equivalent is not traded, each such capital stock equivalent shall have
the value of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share.
(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly
waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional share upon
exercise of a Right (except as provided above).
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 Shares); and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), 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 Shares), may, in his own behalf and for his own
benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding
against the Corporation to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to
exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate 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
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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 Corporation 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 Shares;
(b) after the Distribution Date; the Right Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at
the principal office or office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose,
duly endorsed or accompanied by proper instrument of transfer and with the
appropriate form fully executed;
(c) subject to Section 6 and Section 7(f) hereof, the Corporation
and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name the Right
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Shares
certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights
evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the
Right Certificate or the associated Common Shares certificate made by anyone
other than the Corporation or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and
neither the Corporation nor the Rights Agent, subject to the last sentence of
Section 7(e) hereof, shall be required to be affected by any notice to the
contrary; and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Corporation nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any
holder of a Right or a beneficial interest in a Right or other Person as a
result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement
by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order; decree or
ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental,
regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule,
regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental
authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation;
provided, however, the Corporation must use its best efforts to have any such
order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as possible.
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 Shares or any
other securities of the Corporation 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 Corporation 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 Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends
or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive or subscription rights, or
otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall
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have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent. The Corporation agrees to
pay 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 Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties
hereunder. The Corporation also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to
hold it harmless against any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without
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 in the premises. The indemnity provided
for herein shall survive the expiration of the Rights and the termination of
this Agreement.
The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability
for, or in respect of, any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection
with, its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right
Certificate or certificate for Common Shares or for other securities of the
Corporation, 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.
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights
Agent. 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 all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the
Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights
Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any
further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such
corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under
the provisions of Section 21 hereof. 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 a 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 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.
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
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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 only
those duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms
and conditions, by all of which the Corporation and the holders of Right
Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be
legal counsel for the Corporation), 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
(including, without limitation, the identity of an Acquiring Person and the
determination of the current market price of any Security) be proved or
established by the Corporation 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, the
Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the
Secretary of the Corporation 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 only for its own
negligence, bad faith or willful 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 on such Right Certificates) or be
required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall
be deemed to have been made by the Corporation 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 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 Corporation of any
covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate;
nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights
(including the Rights becoming void pursuant to Section 7(e) hereof) or any
adjustment required under the provisions of Section 11 or Section 13 hereof or
responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the
ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment
(except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates
after receipt of the certificate described in Section 12 hereof); nor shall it
by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the
authorization or reservation of any Preferred Shares or Common Shares to be
issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any
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Preferred Shares or Common Shares will, when issued, be validly authorized and
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(f) The Corporation agrees that it will perform, execute,
acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and
delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may
reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by
the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any
one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Corporation, and to
apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties,
and shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by it in good faith or
lack of action 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 Corporation 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 Rights Agreement and the date on or after
which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Rights
Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Rights
Agent in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after
the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five
Business Days after the date any officer of the Corporation 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
instruction 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 Corporation or become pecuniarily interested in any
transaction in which the corporation may be interested, or contract with or lend
money to the Corporation 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 Corporation or for any other
legal entity.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or
through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the Corporation resulting from any such act, default,
neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection
and continued employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if
there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it.
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(k) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the
Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of
assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has not been
completed, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to
such requested exercise of transfer without first consulting with the
Corporation.
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 thirty (30) days' notice in writing mailed to the Corporation and
to each transfer agent of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares by registered or
certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class
mail. The Corporation may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent
upon sixty (60) days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor
Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common
Shares or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to 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 Corporation shall
appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Corporation shall fail to make
such appointment within a period of sixty (60) days after giving notice of such
removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or
incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a
Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for
inspection by the Corporation), 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
Corporation or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States,
in good standing, which is authorized to do business as a banking institution in
such state, 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 $100,000,000. After appointment, the
successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and
responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without
further act or deed, but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer
to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and
execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for
the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment the
Corporation shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights
Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares, and mail
a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates.
Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any
defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or
removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as
the case may be.
Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates. Notwithstanding any
of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the
Corporation may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights
in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any
adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number 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.
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In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of Common
Shares following the Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the
Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date, the Corporation (a) shall with
respect to Common Shares so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock
options or under any employee plan or arrangement, or upon the exercise,
conversion or exchange of securities, notes or debentures issued by the
Corporation, and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, issue Right Certificates
representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance
or sale; provided, however, that (i) the Corporation shall not be obligated to
issue any such Right Certificates if, and to the extent that, the Corporation
shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk
of material adverse tax consequences to the Corporation or the Person to whom
such Right Certificate would be issued, and (ii) no Right Certificate shall be
issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have
been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.
Section 23. Redemption and Termination.
(a) (i) The Board of Directors of the Corporation may, at its
option, redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at a
redemption price of $0.01 per Right, as such amount may be appropriately
adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction
occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter
referred to as the "Redemption Price"), at any time prior to the earlier of (x)
the Shares Acquisition Date, or (y) the Final Expiration Date. The Corporation
may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price either in Common Shares (based on
the "current per share market price," as defined in Section 11(d) hereof, of the
Common Share at the time of redemption) or cash; provided that if the
Corporation elects to pay the Redemption Price in Common Shares, the Corporation
shall not be required to issue any fractional Common Shares and the number of
Common Shares issuable to each holder of Rights shall be rounded down to the
next whole share.
(ii) In addition, the Board of Directors of the Corporation
may, at its option, at anytime following the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii)
Event and the expiration of any period during which the holder of Rights may
exercise the rights under Section 11(a)(ii) but prior to any Section 13 Event
redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at the
Redemption Price (x) in connection with any merger, consolidation or sale or
other transfer (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) of
assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the earning power of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) in which all holders of
Common Shares are treated alike and not involving (other than as a holder of
Common Shares being treated like all other such holders) an Interested
Stockholder or (y)(aa) if and for so long as the Acquiring Person is not
thereafter the Beneficial Owner of 25% of the Common Shares, and (bb) at the
time of redemption no other Persons are Acquiring Persons.
(b) In the case of a redemption permitted under Section 23(a)(i),
immediately upon the date for redemption set forth (or determined in the manner
specified in) in a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation
ordering the redemption of the Rights, evidence of which shall have been filed
with the Rights Agent, 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 for each Right so
held. In the case of a redemption permitted only under Section 23(a)(ii),
evidence of which shall have been filed with the Rights Agent, the right to
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<PAGE>
exercise the Rights will terminate and represent only the right to receive the
Redemption Price upon the later of ten Business Days following the giving of
such notice or the expiration of any period during which the rights under
Section 11(a)(ii) may be exercised. The Corporation 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 redemption.
Within ten (10) days after such date for redemption set forth in a resolutiory
of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Corporation
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 Shares. 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 will state the method by which the
payment of the Redemption Price will be made. Neither the Corporation nor any of
its Affiliates or Associates may redeem, acquire or purchase for value any
Rights at any time in any manner other than that specifically set forth in this
Section 23 and other than in connection with the purchase of Common Shares prior
to the Distribution Date.
(c) The Corporation may, at its option, discharge all of its
obligations with respect to the Rights by (i) issuing a press release announcing
the manner of redemption of the Rights in accordance with this Agreement and
(ii) mailing payment of the Redemption Price to the registered holders of the
Rights at their last addresses as they appear on the registry books of the
Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the
Transfer Agent of the Common Shares, and upon such action, all outstanding
Rights and Right Certificates shall be null and void without any further action
by the Corporation.
Section 24. Exchange. (a) The Board of Directors of the Corporation
may, at its option, at any time after any Person 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 Common Shares of the Corporation at an exchange ratio of
one Common Share per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split,
stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (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 any Person (other than the Corporation,
any Subsidiary of the Corporation, any employee benefit plan of the Corporation,
or any such Subsidiary, any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the
terms of any such a plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates of such
Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the Common Shares then
outstanding.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (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 Common Shares equal to
the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio.
The Corporation 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 Corporation shall promptly mail a
notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their last
addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice
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<PAGE>
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 Common Shares 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 any exchange pursuant to this Section 24, the Corporation, at
its option, may substitute Preferred Shares (or equivalent preferred shares, as
such term is defined in Section 11(b) hereof) for some or all of the Common
Shares exchangeable for Rights, at the initial rate of one one-thousandth of a
Preferred Share (or equivalent preferred share) for each Common Share, as
appropriately adjusted to reflect adjustments in the voting rights of the
Preferred Shares pursuant to the terms thereof, so that the fraction of a
Preferred Share delivered in lieu of each Common Share shall have, the same
voting rights as one Common Share.
(d) In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares or
Preferred Shares issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit
any exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 24, the
Corporation shall take all such action as may be necessary to authorize
additional Common Shares or Preferred Shares for issuance upon exchange of the
Rights.
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events. (a) In case the Corporation
shall propose (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the
holders of its Preferred Shares or to make any other distribution to the holders
of its Preferred Shares (other than a regularly quarterly cash dividend), (ii)
to offer to the holders of its Preferred Shares rights or warrants to subscribe
for or to purchase any additional Preferred Shares or shares of stock of any
class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any
reclassification of its Preferred Shares (other than a reclassification
involving only the subdivision of outstanding Preferred Shares), (iv) to effect
any consolidation or merger into or with any other Person (other than a
Subsidiary of the Corporation in a transaction which does not violate Section
11(n) hereof), or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more
of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer) in one or more
transactions, of 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Corporation
and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other
than the Corporation and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions
each of which does not violate Section 11(n) hereof), or (v) to effect the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, then, in each such
case, the Corporation shall give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in
accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action to the
extent feasible and file a certificate with the Rights Agent to that effect,
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 reclassification,
consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up
is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the
Preferred Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so
given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least
twenty (20) days prior to the record date for determining holders of the
Preferred Shares for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other
action, at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the taking of such
proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the
Preferred Shares, whichever shall be the earlier.
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(b) In case of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, then (i) the Corporation
shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Right
Certificate, 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) hereof, and (ii) all
references in the preceding paragraph (a) to Preferred Shares shall be deemed
thereafter to refer also to Common Shares and/or, if appropriate, other
securities of the Corporation.
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 Corporation 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:
United Natural Foods, Inc.
260 Lake Road
Dayville, Connecticut 06241
Attention: Kevin Michel
Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand
authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the corporation 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 Corporation) as follows:
Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company
Two Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Attention: Compliance Department
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made
by the Corporation or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate
or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates
representing Common Shares 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 Corporation.
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments. Prior to the Distribution
Date, the Corporation and the Rights Agent shall, if the Corporation so directs,
supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement without the approval of any
holders of certificates representing Common Shares. From and after the
Distribution Date, the Corporation and the Rights Agent shall, if the
Corporation so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval
of any holders of Right Certificates in order (i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to
correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii) to shorten or lengthen any
time period hereunder or (iv) to change or supplement the provisions hereunder
in any manner which the Corporation may deem necessary or desirable and which
shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Right Certificates
(other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring
Person); provided, however, that this Agreement may not be supplement or amended
to lengthen, pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence, (A) a time period
relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at such time as the Rights are not
30
<PAGE>
then redeemable, or (B) any other time period unless such lengthening is for the
purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the
benefits to, the holders of Rights. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an
appropriate officer of the Corporation 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, provided that such supplement
or amendment does not adversely affect the rights or obligations of the Rights
Agent under Section 18 or Section 20 of this Agreement. Prior to the
Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed
coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Shares.
Section 28. Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors,
etc. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the exclusive power
and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers
specifically granted to the Board, or the Corporation, or as may be necessary or
advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this
Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for
the administration of this Agreement (including, without limitation, a
determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend the Agreement and
whether any proposed amendment adversely affects the interests of the holders of
Right Certificates). For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the
number of Common Shares or other securities outstanding at any particular time,
including for purposes of determining the particular percentage of such
outstanding Common Shares or any other securities of which any Person is the
Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule
13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in
effect on the date of this Agreement. All such actions, calculations,
interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below,
all omissions with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board
in good faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Corporation,
the Rights Agent, the holders of the Right Certificates and all other parties,
and (y) not subject the Board to any liability to the holders of the Right
Certificates.
Section 29. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Corporation or the Rights Agent shall
bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns
hereunder.
Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement
shall be construed to give to any person or corporation other than the
Corporation, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares) any legal
or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement
shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Corporation, the Rights Agent
and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, the Common Shares).
Section 31. Severability. If any term, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority
to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
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Section 32. Governing Law. This Agreement, each Right and each Right
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to
be made and performed entirely within such State.
Section 33. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
nubmer 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 34. Descriptive Headings. Description 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and attested, all as of the date and year first above written.
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
Attest:
By /s/ Daniel V. Atwood By /s/ Thomas B. Simone
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Name: Daniel V. Atwood Name: Thomas B. Simone
Title: Vice-President and Secretary Title: Chairman of the Board
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER AND TRUST
COMPANY
Attest:
By: By: /s/ Roger T. Bernhammer
----------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Name: Name: Roger T. Bernhammer
Title: Title: Vice President
32
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EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF
PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
OF
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
Pursuant to Section 151 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
The undersigned DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that the following resolution
was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of United Natural Foods, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Corporation"), with the
preferences and rights set forth therein relating to dividends, conversion,
redemption, dissolution and distribution of assets of the Corporation having
been fixed by the Board of Directors pursuant to authority granted to it under
Article Fourth of the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation and in
accordance with the provisions of Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware:
RESOLVED: That, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of
Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, the Board of
Directors hereby authorizes the issuance of 20,000 shares of Series A Preferred
Stock of the Corporation, and hereby fixes the designations, powers, preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such shares, in addition
to those set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as
follows:
Section 1. Designation, Par Value and Amount. The shares of such
series shall be designated as "Series A Preferred Stock" (hereinafter referred
to as "Series A Preferred Stock"), the shares of such series shall be with par
value of $0.01 per share, and the number of shares constituting such series
shall be 20,000; provided, however, that, if more than a total of 20,000 shares
of Series A Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon the exercise of Rights (the
"Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of February 22,
2000, between the Corporation and Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company,
as Rights Agent (as amended from time to time) (the "Rights Agreement"), the
Board of Directors of the Corporation, pursuant to Pursuant to Section 151 of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, shall direct by resolution
or resolutions that a certificate be properly executed, acknowledged and filed
providing for the total number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock authorized
to be issued to be increased (to the extent that the Certificate of
Incorporation then permits) to the largest number of whole shares (rounded up to
the nearest whole number) issuable upon exercise of the Rights.
Section 2. Dividends and Distributions.
(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any
shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the shares
of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of
Exhibit A
Page 1
<PAGE>
Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared
by the Board of Directors out of assets legally available for the purpose,
quarterly dividends payable in cash on the first business day of October,
January, April, and July in each year (each such date being referred to herein
as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share
of Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest
cent) equal to the greater of (a) $0.01 or (b) subject to the provision for
adjustment hereinafter set forth, 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of
all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in
kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend
payable in shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation
(the "Common Stock") or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the
immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the
first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or
fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock.
(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the
Series A Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) above immediately after it
declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend
payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the event no dividend or
distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock during the period
between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $0.01 per share on the Series A Preferred
Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent quarterly Dividend
Payment Date.
(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next
preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, unless
the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall
begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of
issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date
for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled
to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payments
Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be
cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid
dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the
time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a
share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of
Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or
distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be not more than 30 days
prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.
Section 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:
(A) Except as provided in paragraph C of this Section 3 and subject
to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each share of Series A
Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters
Exhibit A
Page 2
<PAGE>
submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.
(B) Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock
shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of
stockholders of the Corporation.
(C) (i) If, on the date used to determine stockholders of record for
any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, a default in
preference dividends (as defined in subparagraph (v) below) on the Series A
Preferred Stock shall exist, the holders of the Series A Preferred Sock shall
have the right, voting as a class as described in subparagraph (ii) below, to
elect two directors (in addition to the directors elected by holders of Common
Stock of the Corporation). Such right may be exercised (a) at any meeting of
stockholders for the election of directors or (b) at a meeting of the holders of
shares of Voting Preferred Stock (as hereinafter defined), call for the purpose
in accordance with the By-laws of the Corporation, until all such cumulative
dividends (referred to above) shall have been paid in full or until
non-cumulative dividends have been paid regularly for at least one year.
(ii) The right of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock to
elect two directors, as described above, shall be exercised as a class
concurrently with the rights of holders of any other series of Preferred Stock
upon which voting rights to elect such directors have been conferred and are
then exercisable. The Series A Preferred Stock and any additional series of
Preferred Stock which the Corporation may issue and which may provide for the
right to vote with the foregoing series of Preferred Stock are collectively
referred to herein as "Voting Preferred Stock."
(iii) Each director elected by the holders of shares of Voting
Preferred stock shall be referred to herein as a "Preferred Director." A
Preferred Director so elected shall continue to serve as such director for a
term of one year, except that upon any termination of the right of all of such
holders to vote as a class for Preferred Directors, the term of office of such
directors shall terminate. Any Preferred Director may be removed by, and shall
not be removed except by, the vote of the holders of record of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Voting Preferred Stock then entitled to vote for the
election of directors, present (in person or by proxy) and voting together as a
single class (a) at a meeting of the stockholders, or (b) at a meeting of the
holders of shares of such Voting Preferred Stock, called for the purpose in
accordance with the By-laws of the Corporation, or (c) by written consent signed
by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Voting Preferred
Stock then entitled to vote for the election of directors, taken together as a
single class.
(iv) So long as a default in any preference dividends on the
Series A Preferred Stock shall exist or the holders of any other series of
Voting Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect Preferred Directors (a) any
vacancy in the office of a Preferred Director may be filled (except as provided
in the following clause (b)) by an instrument in writing signed by the remaining
Preferred Director and filed with the Corporation and (b) in the case of the
removal of any Preferred Director, the vacancy may be filled by the vote or
written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Voting
Preferred Stock then entitled to vote for the election of directors, present (in
person or by proxy) and voting together as a single class, at such time as the
Exhibit A
Page 3
<PAGE>
removal shall be effected. Each director appointed as aforesaid by the remaining
Preferred Director shall be deemed, for all purposes hereof, to be a Preferred
Director. Whenever (x) no default in preference dividends on the Series A
Preferred Stock shall exist and (y) the holders of other series of Voting
Preferred Stock shall no longer be entitled to elect such Preferred Directors,
then the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors of the
Corporation shall be reduced by two.
(v) For purposes hereof, a "default in preference dividends"
on the Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have occurred whenever the
amount of cumulative and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall
be equivalent to six full quarterly dividends or more (whether or not
consecutive), and, having so occurred, such default shall be deemed to exist
thereafter, but only until, all cumulative dividends on all shares of the Series
A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have been paid through the last
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or until, but only until, non-cumulative
dividends have been paid regularly for at least one year.
(D) Except as set forth herein (or as otherwise required by
applicable law), holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no general or
special voting rights and their consent shall not be required for taking any
corporate action.
Section 4. Certain Restrictions.
(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions
payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears,
thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether
or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall have
been paid in full, the Corporation shall not
(i) declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions,
on any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to he Series A Preferred Stock;
(ii) declare or pay dividends, or make any other
distributions, on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to
dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A
Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock
and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in
proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then
entitled;
(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration (except as provided in (iv) below) shares of any stock ranking
junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
to the Series A Preferred Stock, provided that the Corporation may at any time
redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such junior stock in
exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to
dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A
Preferred Stock;
(iv) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a
parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
with the Series A Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer
made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to
Exhibit A
Page 4
<PAGE>
all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after
consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights
and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good
faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or
classes.
(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the
Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of
this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in
such manner.
Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock
purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever
shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such
shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of
Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock
subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein, in the
Certificate of Incorporation, in any other Certificate of Amendment creating a
series of Preferred Stock or as otherwise required by law.
Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of holders of any
shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the shares
of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to rights upon liquidation, dissolution
or winding up (voluntary or otherwise), no distribution shall be made to the
holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends, or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock unless,
prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have
received $1,000 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends
and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment
(the "Series Liquidation Preference"). Following the payment of the full amount
of the Series A Liquidation Preference, no additional distributions shall be
made to the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto,
the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have received an amount per share
(the "Capital Adjustment") equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the
Series A Liquidation Preference by (ii) 1,000 (as appropriately adjusted as set
forth in subparagraph (C) below to reflect such events as stock splits, stock
dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock (such number in
clause (ii), the "Adjustment Number"). Following the payment of the full amount
of Series A Liquidation Preference and the Capital Adjustment in respect of all
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Common Stock, respectively,
holders of Series A Preferred Stock and holders of Common Stock shall receive
their ratable and proportionate share of the remaining assets to be distributed
in the ratio of the Adjustment Number to 1 with respect to such Preferred Stock
and Common Stock, on a per share basis, respectively.
(B) In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets
available to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and
the liquidation preferences of all other series of preferred stock, if any,
which rank on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, then such remaining
assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock
and the holders of such parity shares in proportion to their respective
liquidation preferences. In the event, however, that there are not sufficient
Exhibit A
Page 5
<PAGE>
assets available to permit payment in full of the capital Adjustment, then such
remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of Common Stock.
(C) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after March 3,
2000 (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock,
(ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the
Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by
multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and
the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall
enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which
the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or
changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment
hereinafter set forth) equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of stock,
securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may
be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.
Section 8. No Redemption. the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall not be redeemable.
Section 9. Ranking. The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank junior
to all other series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as to the payment of
dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of any such series
shall provide otherwise.
Section 10. Amendment. The Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation shall not be further amended in any manner which would materially
alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A
Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority or more of the outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, if any, voting separately as a class.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Amendment is executed on
behalf of the Corporation by its Chairman of the Board and attested by its
Secretary this ____ day of February, 2000.
Attest:
By By
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name: Name:
Title Title:
Exhibit A
Page 6
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
Form of Right Certificate
Certificate
No. R- ________ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER FEBRUARY 22, 2010, OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED BY THE
CORPORATION. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $0.01 PER RIGHT ON
THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.
Right Certificate
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
This certifies that _____________, or registered assigns, is the
registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entities
the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights
Agreement, dated as of February, 22, 2000 (the "Rights Agreement"), between
United Natural Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), and
Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase
from the Corporation 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 time, on
February 22, 2010, unless the Rights evidenced hereby shall have been previously
redeemed by the Corporation, at the principal office or offices of the Rights
Agent designated for such purpose, or at the office of its successor as Rights
Agent, one one-thousandth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series A
Preferred Stock, without par value (the "Preferred Shares"), of the Corporation,
at a purchase price of $55 per one one-thousandth of Preferred Share (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-thousandths of a
Preferred Share 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 3, 2000, based on the Preferred Shares as constituted at such date.
Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Right
Certificate are beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights
Agreement), (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or
Affiliate who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person be-comes such, or
(iii) under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, a
transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate who becomes a
transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such,
such Rights shall become null and void and no holder hereof shall have any right
with respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence of such Section
11(a)(ii) Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the
number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share or other securities which may
be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate
are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events,
Exhibit B
Page 1
<PAGE>
including Triggering Events (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement).
This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions
and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions
are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Corporation and the holders of the Right Certificates, which
limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exerciseability of
such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of
the Corporation and the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent.
This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates,
upon surrender at the principal office of the Rights Agent, may be exchanged for
another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and date
evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of
Preferred Shares or other securities as the Rights evidenced by the Right
Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to
purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall
be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right
Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights
evidenced by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Corporation at a redemption
price of $0.01 per Right (subject to adjustment as provided in the Rights
Agreement) payable in cash.
No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of
any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are one
one-thousandth or integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share,
which may, at the election of the Corporation, be evidenced by depositary
receipts), but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the
Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred
Shares or of any other securities of the Corporation 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 Corporation 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 other
distributions or to exercise any preemptive 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.
Exhibit B
Page 2
<PAGE>
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the
Corporation and its corporate seal. Dated as of
[SEAL] UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
ATTEST
By
- ------------------------ ----------------------
Name:
Title:
Countersigned:
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER AND
TRUST COMPANY
By:
--------------------------
Authorized Signatory
Name:
Title:
------------------------------------
Exhibit B
Page 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:
________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address of transferee)
this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and
does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _________________________________
Attorney, to transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the
within-named Corporation, with full power of substitution.
Dated:
----------------
------------------------------
Signature
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.
The undersigned hereby certifies that (1) the Rights evidenced by
this Right Certificate are not being sold, assigned or transferred by or on
behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Right Agreement) and (2)
after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, the undersigned
did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person
who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such
terms are defined in the Rights Agreement).
------------------------------
Signature
Exhibit B
Page 4
<PAGE>
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed by the registered holder
if such holder desires to exercise Rights
represented by the Right Certificate.)
To the Rights Agent:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ____ Rights
represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares, Common
Shares or other securities issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and
requests that certificates for such Preferred Shares, Common Shares or other
securities be issued in the name of:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number:
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Please print 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 delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number:
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Please print name and address:
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Dated:
------------------------------
Signature
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.
Exhibit B
Page 5
<PAGE>
The undersigned hereby certifies that (1) the Rights evidenced by
this Right Certificate are not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who
is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such
terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) and (2) after due inquiry and to the
best knowledge of the undersigned, the undersigned did not acquire the Rights
evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is or was an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the
Rights Agreement).
------------------------------
Signature
Exhibit B
Page 6
<PAGE>
FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE - Continued
NOTICE
The signature on the foregoing Forms of Assignment and Election and
certificates 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, the Corporation and the Rights Agent will deem the Beneficial Owner
of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or
an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights
Agreement) and such Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.
------------------------------------
Exhibit B
Page 7
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
PREFERRED SHARES
On February, 22, 2000, the Board of Directors of United Natural
Foods, Inc. (the "Corporation") declared a dividend distribution of one
preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Shares"), of the Corporation. The
dividend is payable to the stockholders of record on March 3, 2000 (the "Record
Date"), and with respect to Common Shares issued thereafter until the
Distribution Date (as hereinafter defined) and, in certain circumstances, with
respect to Common Shares issued after the Distribution Date. Except as set forth
below, each Right, when it becomes exercisable, entitles the registered holder
to purchase from the Corporation one one-thousandth of a share of Series A
Preferred Stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share (the "Preferred Shares"),
of the Corporation at a price of $55 per one one-thousandth of a Preferred
Share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The description and terms
of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement")
between the Corporation and Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as
Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"), dated as of February 22, 2000.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all certificates
representing Common Shares then outstanding, and no separate Right Certificates
will be distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common Shares upon the
earliest to occur of (i) a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
having acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding Common
Shares (except pursuant to a Permitted Offer, as hereinafter defined); or (ii)
10 days (or such later date as the Board may determine) following the
commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or
exchange offer the consummation of which would result in a person or group
becoming an Acquiring Person (as hereinafter defined) (the earliest of such
dates being called the "Distribution Date"). A person or group whose acquisition
of Common Shares causes a Distribution Date pursuant to clause (i) above is an
"Acquiring Person. The date that a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person
is the "Shares Acquisition Date."
The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date, the
Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Shares. Until the
Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights) new Common
Share certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuance of
Common Shares 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 Shares
outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such notation or a copy of this
Summary of Rights being attached thereto, will also constitute the transfer of
the Rights associated with the Common Shares 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 Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date (and
to each initial record holder of certain Common Shares issued after the
Distribution Date), and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the
Rights.
Exhibit C
Page 1
<PAGE>
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on the tenth anniversary of the date of the
Agreement unless earlier redeemed by the Corporation as described below.
In the event that any person becomes an Acquiring Person (except
pursuant to a tender or exchange offer which is for all outstanding Common
Shares at a price and on terms which a majority of certain members of the Board
of Directors determines to be adequate and in the best interests of the
Corporation, its stockholders and other relevant constituencies, other than such
Acquiring Person, its affiliates and associates (a "Permitted Offer")), each
holder of a Right will thereafter have the right (the "Flip-In Right") to
receive upon exercise the number of Common Shares or of one one-thousandth of a
share of Preferred Shares (or, in certain circumstances, other securities of the
Corporation) having a value (immediately prior to such triggering event) equal
to two times the exercise price of the Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
following the occurrence of the event described above, all Rights that are, or
(under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were,
beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person or any affiliate or associate thereof
will be null and void.
In the event (a "Flip-Over Event") that, at any time following the
Shares Acquisition Date, (i) the Corporation is acquired in a merger or other
business combination transaction in which the holders of all of the outstanding
Common Shares immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction are not
the holders of all of the surviving corporation's voting power, or (ii) more
than 50% of the Corporation's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, in
either case with or to an Acquiring Person or any affiliate or associate or any
other person in which such Acquiring Person, affiliate or associate has an
interest or any person acting on behalf of or in concert with such Acquiring
Person, affiliate or associate, or, if in such transaction all holders of Common
Shares are not treated alike, any other person, then each holder of a Right
(except Rights which previously have been voided as set forth above) shall
thereafter have the right (the "Flip-Over Right") to receive, upon exercise,
common shares of the acquiring company having a value equal to two times the
exercise price of the Right. The holder of a Right will continue to have the
Flip-Over Right whether or not such holder exercises or surrenders the Flip-in
Right.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares,
Common Shares or other securities 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 quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights
or warrants (other than those referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right are
also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or
a stock dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or subdivisions,
consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such case,
prior to the Distribution Date.
Exhibit C
Page 2
<PAGE>
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 $0.01 per share but, if greater, will be entitled
to an aggregate dividend per share of 1,000-times the dividend declared per
Common Share. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Shares
will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $1,000 per
share; thereafter, and after the holders of the Common Shares receive a
liquidation payment of $1 per share, the holders of the Preferred Shares and the
holders of the Common Shares will share the remaining assets in the ratio of
1,000 to 1 (as adjusted) for each Preferred Share and Common Share so held,
respectively. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other
transaction in which Common Shares are exchanged, each Preferred Share will be
entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount received per Common Share. These
rights are protected by customary antidilution provisions. In the event that the
amount of accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Shares is equivalent to
six full quarterly dividends or more, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall
have the right, voting as a class, to elect two directors in addition to the
directors elected by the holders of the Common Shares until all cumulative
dividends on the Preferred Shares have been paid through the last quarterly
dividend payment date or until non-cumulative dividends have been paid regularly
for at least one year.
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 one one-thousandth or integral multiples of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the
Corporation, 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 earlier to occur of (i) a person becoming
an Acquiring Person or (ii) the expiration of the Rights, and under certain
other circumstances, the Corporation may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in
part, at a price of $0.01 per Right (the "Redemption Price") which redemption
shall be effective upon the action of the Board of Directors. Additionally,
following the expiration of the Flip-In Right, but prior to a Flip-Over Event,
the Corporation may redeem the then outstanding Rights in whole, but not in
part, at the Redemption Price, provided that such redemption is in connection
with a merger or other business combination transaction or series of
transactions involving the Corporation in which all holders of Common Shares are
treated alike but not involving an Acquiring Person or its affiliates or
associates.
All of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation prior to the Distribution Date. After the
Distribution Date, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board in order to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to make changes
which do not adversely affect the interests of holders of Rights (excluding the
interests of any Acquiring Person), or, subject to certain limitations, to
shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have
no rights as a stockholder of the Corporation, including, without limitation,
the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights
will not be taxable to stockholders of the Corporation, stockholders may,
Exhibit C
Page 3
<PAGE>
depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income should the Rights
become exercisable or upon the occurrence of certain events thereafter.
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 ____________, 2000. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of
charge from the Corporation. This summary description of the Rights does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Rights Agreement, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
-------------------------------
Exhibit C
Page 4
Company Press Release
DAYVILLE, Conn., Feb. 23 -- United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI - news)
announced today that its Board of Directors has adopted a Shareholder Rights
Plan (the "Rights Plan ") designed to protect shareholders in the event of any
proposed takeover of the Company or accumulation of its stock. The Board's
adoption of the Rights Plan was not taken in response to any known effort to
acquire control of the Company. The Board also set the size of the Board at
seven directors and intends to add a seventh director before the next annual
meeting.
The Company will make a distribution of one right for each outstanding share of
common stock of the Company to shareholders of record at the close of business
on March 3, 2000. The rights will become exercisable on economically
advantageous terms only in the event that, subject to certain exceptions stated
in the Rights Plan, a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or
more of the Company's common stock. Unless earlier redeemed, the rights will
expire on February 22, 2010. Each right will entitle the holder to purchase
1/1000 of a share of a new series of preferred stock of the Company at an
initial exercise price of $55.00 (the "Exercise Price").
Commenting on the Rights Plan, Thomas Simone, Chairman of the Company, said,
"The Board has concluded that this action represents a prudent step in
protecting the interests of our shareholders. We are not taking this step in
response to any effort to acquire control of the Company and we are not
currently aware of any such effort. We are encouraged by the Company's progress
in implementing its recovery plan and believe it will create increased
shareholder value."
Details of the Rights Plan
Under the Rights Plan, unless the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged, in
the event a person or group has acquired 15% or more of the Company's common
stock, each holder (other than such person or group, whose rights will upon such
acquisition become null and void) will have the right to receive, upon payment
of the Exercise Price, that number of shares of the Company having a market
value equal to two times the Exercise Price. In addition, unless the rights are
earlier redeemed or exchanged, if, after the time a person or group acquires 15%
or more of the Company's common stock, the Company is acquired in a merger or
other business combination transaction, each right will entitle its holder to
purchase (other than such person or group), for the Exercise Price, that number
of shares of the acquiring company's common stock that has a market value equal
to two times the Exercise Price.
United Natural Foods will be entitled to redeem the rights at $0.01 per right at
any time prior to the acquisition by a person or group of 15% of the Company's
common stock. The Rights Plan further provides that the Company may, at its
option, after a person or group has acquired ownership of 15% or more (but less
than 50%) of the Company's stock, exchange all or part of the rights (other than
the rights held by such person or group) for common stock of the Company at an
exchange ratio of one share per right.
The terms of the Rights Agreement will control all aspect of the Rights Plan.
<PAGE>
United Natural Foods, Inc. distributes over 26,000 products to more than 6,500
customers in 47 states. The Company serves a wide variety of retail formats
including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores and
independent retail operators.
For more information on United Natural Foods, Inc., via fax at no charge, please
dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter the Company's ticker symbol, UNFI.
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Company's
results of operations, and such statements involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could
cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking
statements is contained in the Company's SEC filings, including its periodic
reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (copies of
which are available upon request from the Company's investor relations
department).
