<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
SCHEDULE 13E-4
ISSUER TENDER OFFER STATEMENT
(PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(e)(1) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934)
------------------------
CONECTIV
(NAME OF ISSUER)
CONECTIV
(NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING STATEMENT)
------------------------
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE
(TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
206829 103
(CUSIP NUMBER OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
CONECTIV
800 KING STREET
P.O. BOX 231
WILMINGTON, DE 19899
(NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE NOTICES AND
COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE PERSONS(S) FILING STATEMENT)
PETER F. CLARK, ESQUIRE
CONECTIV
800 KING STREET, P.O. BOX 231
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19899
(302) 429-3311
------------------------
COPY TO:
MICHAEL P. ROGAN, ESQUIRE
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
1440 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-2111
(202) 371-7000
------------------------
MAY 11, 1999
(DATE TENDER OFFER FIRST PUBLISHED, SENT OR
GIVEN TO SECURITY HOLDERS)
------------------------
CALCULATION OF FILING FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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TRANSACTION VALUATION* AMOUNT OF FILING FEE
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$357,000,000 $71,400
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* Calculated solely for purposes of determining the filing fee, based upon the
purchase of 14,000,000 shares at the maximum tender offer price per share of
$25.50
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid.
Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form
or schedule and the date of its filing.
Amount Previously Paid: N/A Filing Party: N/A
Form or Registration No.: N/A Date File: N/A
<PAGE> 2
This Issuer Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 13E-4 (the "Statement")
relates to the tender offer by Conectiv, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
to purchase up to 14,000,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Shares") (including the associated preferred stock purchase rights
(the "Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 23,
1998, between the Company and Conectiv Resource Partners, Inc., as the Rights
Agent), at a price not greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50 per Share, net
to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
the Offer to Purchase, dated May 11, 1999 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and the
related Letter of Transmittal (which are herein collectively referred to as the
"Offer"). Tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer will include a tender of the
associated Rights, and no separate consideration will be paid for such Rights.
Copies of the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal are filed
as Exhibits (a)(1) and (a)(2), respectively, to this Statement.
ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER.
(a) The name of the issuer is Conectiv, a Delaware corporation. The address
of its principal executive offices is 800 King Street, P.O. Box 231, Wilmington,
Delaware 19899.
(b) The information set forth in the front cover page, the "Introduction,"
"Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration," "Section 2. Background and Purpose of
the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer," and "Section 9. Interests of Directors
and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares" of
the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) The information set forth in "Section 8. Price Range of Shares and
Shares of Class A Common Stock; Dividends" of the Offer to Purchase is
incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Not applicable.
ITEM 2. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
(a)-(b) The information set forth in "Section 2. Background and Purpose of
the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer," "Section 10. Source and Amount of
Funds" of the Offer to Purchase, Exhibit (b)(1) hereto, Exhibit (b)(2) hereto
and Exhibit (b)(3) hereto is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 3. PURPOSE OF THE TENDER OFFER AND PLANS OR PROPOSALS OF THE ISSUER.
(a)-(j) The information set forth in the "Introduction" and "Section 2.
Background and Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer" of the Offer
to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
The information set forth in "Section 9. Interests of Directors and
Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares"; and
"Schedule I -- Certain Transactions Involving Shares" of the Offer to Purchase
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 5. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT
TO THE ISSUER'S SECURITIES.
The information set forth in the "Introduction," "Section 2. Background and
Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer," "Section 9. Interests of
Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the
Shares," and "Section 15. Fees and Expenses" of the Offer to Purchase is
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 6. PERSONS RETAINED, EMPLOYED OR TO BE COMPENSATED.
The information set forth in the "Introduction" and "Section 15. Fees and
Expenses" of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
2
<PAGE> 3
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
(a) The information set forth in "Section 11. Certain Information About the
Company" of the Offer to Purchase, Exhibit (g)(1) hereto, Exhibit (g)(2) hereto
and Exhibit (g)(3) hereto is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) The information set forth in "Section 11. Certain Information About the
Company" of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
(a) None.
(b) The information set forth in "Section 13. Certain Legal Matters;
Regulatory Approvals" of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by
reference.
(c) The information set forth in "Section 12. Effects of the Offer on the
Market for Shares; Registration Under the Exchange Act" of the Offer to Purchase
is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) None.
(e) The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the related
Letter of Transmittal, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits (a)(1)
and (a)(2), respectively, is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
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(a)(1) Offer to Purchase dated May 11, 1999.
(a)(2) Letter of Transmittal.
(a)(3) Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
(a)(4) Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust
Companies and Other Nominees.
(a)(5) Letter to Clients for use by Brokers, Dealers, Commercial
Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.
(a)(6) Letter to Stockholders from the Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company dated
May 11, 1999.
(a)(7) Instruction and Transmittal Form for Plan B Participants.
(a)(8) Letter to Former Stockholders of Predecessors dated May 11,
1999.
(a)(9) Press Release issued by the Company dated May 11, 1999
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May
11, 1999).
(a)(10) Summary Advertisement dated May 11, 1999.
(a)(11) Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification
Number on Substitute Form W-9.
(b)(1) Form of Indenture between the Company and First Union Trust
Company, National Association, Trustee (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Amendment No. 1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (file no.
333-72251) filed with the Commission on May 11, 1999).
(b)(2) Credit Agreement, dated as of February 4, 1998, among the
Company and the several lenders party thereto (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10-B to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 10,
1999).
(b)(3) Credit Agreement, dated as of February 19, 1999, among the
Company and the several lenders party thereto (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10-A to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 10,
1999).
(g)(1) Pages 1 through 13, inclusive, of the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1998
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 13, 1998).
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3
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(g)(2) Pages II-17 through II-55, inclusive, of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998 (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Commission on March 26, 1999).
(g)(3) Pages 1 through 12, inclusive, of the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1999
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 10, 1999).
</TABLE>
4
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SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
CONECTIV
By: /s/ JOHN C. VAN RODEN
--------------------------------------
John C. van Roden
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: May 11, 1999
5
<PAGE> 6
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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ITEM DESCRIPTION PAGE
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(a)(1) Offer to Purchase dated May 11, 1999.
(a)(2) Letter of Transmittal.
(a)(3) Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
(a)(4) Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust
Companies and Other Nominees.
(a)(5) Letter to Clients for use by Brokers, Dealers, Commercial
Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.
(a)(6) Letter to Stockholders from the Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company dated
May 11, 1999.
(a)(7) Instruction and Transmittal Form for Plan B Participants.
(a)(8) Letter to Former Stockholders of Predecessors dated May 11,
1999.
(a)(9) Press Release issued by the Company dated May 11, 1999
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May
11, 1999).
(a)(10) Summary Advertisement dated May 11, 1999.
(a)(11) Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification
Number on Substitute Form W-9.
(b)(1) Form of Indenture between the Company and First Union Trust
Company, National Association, Trustee (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Amendment No. 1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (file no.
333-72251) filed with the Commission on May 11, 1999.
(b)(2) Credit Agreement, dated as of February 4, 1998, among the
Company and the several lenders party thereto (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10-B to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 10,
1999).
(b)(3) Credit Agreement, dated as of February 19, 1999, among the
Company and the several lenders party thereto (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10-A to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 10,
1999).
(g)(1) Pages 1 through 13, inclusive, of the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1998
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 13, 1998).
(g)(2) Pages II-17 through II-55, inclusive, of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998 (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Commission on March 26, 1999).
(g)(3) Pages 1 through 12, inclusive, of the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1999
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 10, 1999).
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
[CONECTIV LOGO]
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH UP TO
14,000,000 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
AT A PURCHASE PRICE NOT GREATER THAN $25.50
NOR LESS THAN $23.50 PER SHARE
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW
YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1999, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
Conectiv, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), invites holders of shares
of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares") (including the
associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to the
Rights Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1998 (the "Rights Agreement"), between
the Company and Conectiv Resource Partners, Inc., as the Rights Agent), to
tender such Shares to the Company at a price not greater than $25.50 nor less
than $23.50 per Share in cash, as specified by tendering stockholders, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase and the
related Letter of Transmittal (which, as amended from time to time, together
constitute the "Offer"). Unless the context otherwise requires, all references
to Shares shall include the associated Rights.
The Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer,
determine a single per Share price (not greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50
per Share), net to the seller in cash (the "Purchase Price"), that it will pay
for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer, taking into
account the number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering
stockholders. The Company will select the lowest Purchase Price that will allow
it to purchase 14,000,000 Shares (or such lesser number of Shares as are validly
tendered and not withdrawn) at a price not greater than $25.50 nor less than
$23.50 per Share. All Shares validly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase
Price and not withdrawn will be purchased at the Purchase Price, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the proration provisions
contained herein. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to
purchase more than 14,000,000 Shares pursuant to the Offer. Shares tendered at
prices in excess of the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because of
proration will be returned.
Although the Company is not offering to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock ("Class A Common Stock"), as a result of the Offer, holders of Class A
Common Stock may elect, in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company (the "Restated Certificate") and the Rights
Agreement, to convert each share of Class A Common Stock (and associated
preferred stock purchase rights (the "Class A Rights") issued pursuant to the
Rights Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares (and 1.59997 associated Rights) and to
tender such Shares (and associated Rights) pursuant to the Offer; provided,
however, that any such election and conversion will be effective only with
respect to such Shares (and associated Rights) as are actually accepted for
purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer. See Section 3.
THE OFFER IS NOT CONDITIONED ON ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES BEING TENDERED.
THE OFFER IS, HOWEVER, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER CONDITIONS. SEE SECTION 6.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MAKING OF
THE OFFER. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY
RECOMMENDATION TO ANY STOCKHOLDER AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM
TENDERING SHARES. EACH STOCKHOLDER MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION WHETHER TO
TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND THE PRICE OR PRICES AT
WHICH SHARES SHOULD BE TENDERED. THE COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT NONE OF ITS
DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS INTENDS TO TENDER ANY SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER.
------------------------
The Dealer Manager for the Offer is:
[Blackstone Logo]
The Date of this Offer to Purchase is May 11, 1999.
<PAGE> 2
IMPORTANT
THE COMPANY IS NOT OFFERING TO PURCHASE ANY SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK.
NONETHELESS, THE COMPANY IS SENDING THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE RELATED
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO RECORD HOLDERS OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND
HAS INCLUDED HEREIN CERTAIN REFERENCES TO SUCH HOLDERS AND TO SHARES OF CLASS A
COMMON STOCK FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
IN ADDITION, THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
CONTAIN CERTAIN REFERENCES TO THE PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OF
SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING
PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ACCOUNT FOR THE BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK WHICH, UPON AN ELECTION TO CONVERT,
WOULD EVIDENCE SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION. SUCH PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN
ESTABLISHED BY THE COMPANY AND ARE SET FORTH HEREIN SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF
REDUCING THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON HOLDERS OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
AND THE COMPANY.
INCLUSION OF SUCH REFERENCES TO CLASS A COMMON STOCK IS NOT INTENDED AND
SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN OFFER BY THE COMPANY TO PURCHASE ANY SHARES OF
CLASS A COMMON STOCK.
Any stockholder desiring to tender all or any portion of such stockholder's
Shares should either (1) complete and sign the Letter of Transmittal or a copy
thereof in accordance with the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal and
either mail or deliver it with any required signature guarantee and any other
required documents to The Bank of New York (the "Depositary"), and either mail
or deliver the stock certificates for such Shares or, in the case of Shares
issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock, the certificates for
such shares of Class A Common Stock to the Depositary (with all such other
documents) or tender such Shares pursuant to the procedures for book-entry
transfer or procedures applicable to Direct Registration Shares ("DRS"), in each
case, set forth in Section 3, or (2) request such stockholder's broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to effect the transaction for
such stockholder. Only stockholders of record may tender Shares. A stockholder
having Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock registered in the name of a
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee must contact
that broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee if such
stockholder desires to tender. Stockholders who desire to tender Shares and
whose certificates for such Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock are not
immediately available or who cannot comply with the procedure for book-entry
transfer on a timely basis or whose other required documentation cannot be
delivered to the Depositary, in any case, by the expiration of the Offer should
tender such Shares by following the procedures for guaranteed delivery set forth
in Section 3. IN ORDER TO EFFECT A VALID TENDER OF THEIR SHARES, STOCKHOLDERS
MUST PROPERLY COMPLETE THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING THE SECTION RELATING
TO THE PRICE AT WHICH THEY ARE TENDERING SHARES.
------------------------
QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS
OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION AGENT AT (800) 207-3156 OR AT ITS
ADDRESS SET FORTH ON THE BACK COVER OF THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE OR TO BROKERS,
DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS OR TRUST COMPANIES.
2
<PAGE> 3
SUMMARY
This general summary is provided solely for the convenience of the
Company's stockholders and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full
text of and more specific details contained in this Offer to Purchase and the
related Letter of Transmittal and any amendments hereto and thereto. Each of the
capitalized terms used in this Summary and not defined herein has the meaning
ascribed to such term in this Offer to Purchase.
The Company....................Conectiv, a Delaware corporation with principal
executive offices located at 800 King Street,
P.O. Box 231, Wilmington, Delaware 19899.
The Shares.....................Outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share (including the
associated Rights).
Number of Shares to be
Purchased......................14,000,000 Shares (or such lesser number of
Shares as are validly tendered and not
withdrawn). The Company reserves the right, in
its sole discretion, to purchase pursuant to
the Offer additional Shares up to 2% of the
outstanding Shares without prior notice and
without extending the Expiration Date. See
Section 7.
Purchase Price.................The Company will determine a single per Share
price, not greater than $25.50 nor less than
$23.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash,
that it will pay for Shares validly tendered
and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer. All
Shares purchased by the Company in the Offer
will be purchased at the Purchase Price even if
tendered below the Purchase Price. Each
stockholder desiring to tender Shares must (1)
specify in the Letter of Transmittal the
minimum price (not greater than $25.50 nor less
than $23.50 per Share) at which such
stockholder is willing to have Shares purchased
by the Company, which could result in no Shares
being purchased at that price, or (2) elect to
have such stockholder's Shares purchased at a
price determined by the Company in accordance
with the terms of the Offer, which could result
in such Shares being purchased at the minimum
price of $23.50 per Share.
How to Tender Shares...........Shares can be tendered by following the
instructions in the enclosed "Letter of
Transmittal" and returning it in accordance
with those instructions. See Section 3 for
further details or, for additional information,
call the Information Agent at (800) 207-3156 or
consult your broker for assistance.
Dividend Policy for Shares.....The Company's Board of Directors intends to
reduce the per share dividend on the Shares to
an amount equal to 40% to 60% of the Company's
earnings per share, which is expected to result
in a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per Share, as
compared to the previous quarterly dividend
level of $0.385 per Share, subject to
declaration by the Company's Board of Directors
and evaluation from time to time based on the
results of operations, financial condition,
capital requirements and other relevant
considerations; and also subject to the
limitations under applicable law and the
provisions of the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation. There has been no
change in the dividend policy for Class A
Common Stock. See Section 2.
Stock Transfer Tax.............None, if payment is made to the registered
holder. See Section 5.
3
<PAGE> 4
Expiration and Proration
Dates..........................Tuesday, June 8, 1999, at 12:00 Midnight, New
York City time, unless extended by the Company.
Payment Date...................As soon as practicable after the Expiration Date.
Position of the Company and its
Directors....................Neither the Company nor its Board of Directors
makes any recommendation to any stockholder as
to whether to tender or refrain from tendering
Shares. The Company has been advised that none
of its directors or executive officers intends
to tender any Shares pursuant to the Offer.
Withdrawal Rights..............Tendered Shares may be withdrawn at any time
until 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on
Tuesday, June 8, 1999, unless the Offer is
extended by the Company and, unless accepted
for payment by the Company, after 12:00
Midnight, New York City time, on Wednesday,
July 7, 1999. See Section 4. Any withdrawal of
Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of
Class A Common Stock will also be deemed to
constitute the revocation of the related
election to convert.
Proration......................If more than 14,000,000 Shares or such increased
amount of Shares that the Company elects to
purchase have been validly tendered at prices
at or below the Purchase Price and not
withdrawn, the Company will purchase validly
tendered Shares on a pro rata basis (with
adjustments to avoid purchases of fractional
Shares). See Section 1.
ConectivDirect(TM).............Participants in ConectivDirect(TM) may instruct
the administrator of such plan to tender all or
part of the Shares credited to such
participant's account in ConectivDirect(TM) by
following the instructions in the enclosed
Letter of Transmittal and returning it in
accordance with those instructions.
Savings and Investment Plan....Actuarial Sciences Associates, Inc. (the
"Independent Fiduciary") has been engaged as a
special independent fiduciary and investment
manager with respect to the Shares held in the
Conectiv Savings and Investment Plan (the
"Savings Plan"), with the authority to
determine whether the Savings Plan's Shares
will be tendered and, if so, at what price or
prices they will be tendered. Those
participants in the Atlantic City Electric
Company Savings and Investment Plan B ("Plan
B") who have chosen to invest their Plan B
accounts in Shares may elect to instruct the
custodian of Plan B to tender all or part of
the Shares held in their Plan B accounts by
following the instructions in the letter to
participants provided directly to them by the
custodian. In the event that the Independent
Fiduciary or any Plan B participant elects to
tender Shares, neither the Savings Plan nor
Plan B may sell any Shares to the Company at a
price that is less than the fair market value
of the Shares as of the Expiration Date, so
that the price specified in the Letter of
Transmittal relating to such Savings Plan
Shares will be adjusted accordingly by the
trustee of the Savings Plan or the custodian of
Plan B.
4
<PAGE> 5
Further Developments Regarding
the Offer......................Contact the Information Agent or consult your
broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust
company.
Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Consequences........An exchange of Shares for cash pursuant to the
Offer by a United States Holder will be a
taxable transaction for United States federal
income tax purposes. In general, an exchanging
stockholder will, depending on such holder's
particular circumstances, be treated as having
sold such holder's Shares or as having received
a dividend distribution from the Company. See
Section 14.
Fees and Expenses..............The Company will pay the fees of the Dealer
Manager, the Information Agent and the
Depositary in connection with the Offer. In
addition, the Company has agreed to reimburse
the Dealer Manager, the Information Agent and
the Depositary for out-of-pocket expenses,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, in
connection with the Offer.
Class A Common Stock...........Although the Company is not offering to purchase
shares of Class A Common Stock, as a result of
the Offer, holders of Class A Common Stock may
elect, in accordance with the terms of the
Restated Certificate of the Company and the
Rights Agreement, to convert each share of
Class A Common Stock (and associated Class A
Rights) issued pursuant to the Rights
Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares (and 1.59997
associated Rights) and to tender such Shares
(and associated Rights) pursuant to the Offer;
provided, however, that any such election and
conversion will be effective only with respect
to such Shares (and associated Rights) as are
actually accepted for purchase by the Company
pursuant to the Offer. See Section 3.
Dividend Policy for Class A
Common Stock...................The Company's Board of Directors intends that the
quarterly dividend on shares of Class A Common
Stock will remain $0.80 per share ($3.20
annualized rate) until March 31, 2001, subject
to declaration by the Company's Board of
Directors and the obligation of the Company's
Board of Directors to consider the financial
condition and regulatory environment of the
Company and the results of its operations; and
also subject to the limitations under
applicable law and the provisions of the
Company's Restated Certificate as well as
dividend payments during the Initial Period (as
defined below). See Section 2.
5
<PAGE> 6
THE COMPANY HAS NOT AUTHORIZED ANY PERSON TO MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATION ON
BEHALF OF THE COMPANY AS TO WHETHER STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM
TENDERING SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. THE COMPANY HAS NOT AUTHORIZED ANY
PERSON TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION WITH
THE OFFER ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS OFFER TO
PURCHASE OR IN THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. IF GIVEN OR MADE, ANY SUCH
RECOMMENDATION OR ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON
AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION
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INTRODUCTION............................................ 8
1. NUMBER OF SHARES; PRORATION............................. 11
2. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; CERTAIN EFFECTS OF
THE OFFER............................................... 12
3. PROCEDURE FOR TENDERING SHARES.......................... 21
4. WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS....................................... 27
5. PURCHASE OF SHARES AND PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE........ 27
6. CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER......................... 29
7. EXTENSION OF THE OFFER; TERMINATION; AMENDMENTS......... 30
8. PRICE RANGE OF SHARES AND SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON
STOCK; DIVIDENDS........................................ 31
9. INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS;
TRANSACTIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS
CONCERNING THE SHARES................................... 33
10. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS.............................. 33
11. CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY................... 34
12. EFFECTS OF THE OFFER ON THE MARKET FOR SHARES;
REGISTRATION UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT..................... 45
13. CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS; REGULATORY APPROVALS............. 45
14. CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES... 46
15. FEES AND EXPENSES....................................... 48
16. MISCELLANEOUS........................................... 48
Schedule I -- Certain Transactions Involving Shares..... 50
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 7
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Litigation
Reform Act") provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements to
encourage such disclosures without the threat of litigation, provided those
statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful,
cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause the actual
results to differ materially from those projected in the statement.
Forward-looking statements have been made in this Offer to Purchase, including
in Section 2, Background and Purpose of the Offer, and Section 11, Certain
Information about the Company. Such statements are based on beliefs of the
Company's management ("Management") as well as assumptions made by and
information currently available to Management. When used herein, the words
"will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "objective," and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition to any
assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such
forward-looking statements, factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements include,
among others, the following: deregulation of energy supply and the unbundling of
delivery services; an increasingly competitive marketplace; results of any asset
dispositions; sales retention and growth; federal and state regulatory actions;
future litigation results; costs of construction; operating restrictions;
increased costs and construction delays attributable to environmental
regulations; nuclear decommissioning and the availability of reprocessing and
storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel; and credit market concerns. The
Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. The foregoing list of factors pursuant to the Litigation
Reform Act should not be construed as exhaustive or as admission regarding the
adequacy of disclosures made by the Company prior to the effective date of the
Litigation Reform Act.
7
<PAGE> 8
TO THE HOLDERS OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK OF CONECTIV:
INTRODUCTION
Conectiv, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), invites holders of shares
of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares") (including the
associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to the
Rights Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1998 (the "Rights Agreement"), between
the Company and Conectiv Resource Partners, Inc., as the Rights Agent), to
tender such Shares to the Company at a price not greater than $25.50 nor less
than $23.50 per Share in cash, as specified by tendering stockholders, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase and the
related Letter of Transmittal (which, as amended from time to time, together
constitute the "Offer"). Unless the context otherwise requires, all references
in this Offer to Purchase to Shares shall include the associated Rights.
The Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, determine a single per Share price (not greater than $25.50 nor less than
$23.50 per Share), net to the seller in cash (the "Purchase Price"), that it
will pay for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer,
taking into account the number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by
tendering stockholders. The Company will select the lowest Purchase Price that
will allow it to purchase 14,000,000 Shares (or such lesser number of Shares as
are validly tendered and not withdrawn) at a price not greater than $25.50 nor
less than $23.50 per Share. The Company will pay the Purchase Price for all
Shares validly tendered prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in Section 1)
at prices at or below the Purchase Price and not withdrawn upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the proration provisions
described below. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to
purchase more than 14,000,000 Shares pursuant to the Offer.
Although the Company is not offering to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock, as a result of the Offer, holders of Class A Common Stock may elect, in
accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate of the Company (the
"Restated Certificate") and the Rights Agreement, to convert each share of Class
A Common Stock (and associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Class A
Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares (and
1.59997 associated Rights) and to tender such Shares (and associated Rights)
pursuant to the Offer; provided, however, that any such election and conversion
will be effective only with respect to such Shares (and associated Rights) as
are actually accepted for purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer. See
Section 3.
WHEN USED IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,
ANY REFERENCE TO THE TENDER OF SHARES (OR WITHDRAWAL THEREOF) SHALL BE DEEMED
FOR ALL PURPOSES, UNLESS THE CONTEXT SHALL OTHERWISE REQUIRE, TO REFER TO BOTH
THE (1) TENDER OF SHARES BY HOLDERS OF SUCH SHARES (OR WITHDRAWAL THEREOF) AND
(2) ELECTION BY HOLDERS OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK, PURSUANT TO THE
RESTATED CERTIFICATE, TO CONVERT SUCH SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK INTO SHARES
AND TO TENDER SUCH SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER (OR TO WITHDRAW SUCH TENDER).
THE OFFER IS NOT CONDITIONED ON ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES BEING
TENDERED. THE OFFER IS, HOWEVER, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER CONDITIONS. SEE
SECTION 6.
If, before the Expiration Date, more than 14,000,000 Shares (or such
greater number of Shares as the Company may elect to purchase) are validly
tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not withdrawn, the Company will,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, purchase Shares on a
pro rata basis from all stockholders whose Shares were validly tendered at
prices at or below the Purchase Price and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration
Date. See Section 1. All Shares not purchased pursuant to the Offer, including
Shares tendered at prices greater than the Purchase Price and Shares not
purchased because of proration, will be returned to the tendering stockholders,
at the Company's expense, as promptly as practicable following the Expiration
Date. In the event that Shares issuable to holders of Class A Common Stock upon
conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock are not purchased, including as a
result of such Shares being tendered at prices greater than the Purchase Price
or due to proration, the Company will return to such holders as promptly as
practicable after the Expiration Date, at its expense, the shares of Class A
Common Stock
8
<PAGE> 9
submitted for conversion that were not converted in the Offer; provided that the
Company will deliver to such holders cash in lieu of any fractional Shares of
Class A Common Stock.
The Purchase Price will be paid net to the tendering stockholder in cash
for all Shares purchased. Tendering stockholders will not be obligated to pay
brokerage commissions, solicitation fees or, subject to Instruction 8 of the
Letter of Transmittal, stock transfer taxes on the Company's purchase of Shares
pursuant to the Offer. HOWEVER, ANY TENDERING STOCKHOLDER OR OTHER PAYEE WHO
FAILS TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN TO THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED BELOW) THE
SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 THAT IS INCLUDED AS PART OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE
SUBJECT TO REQUIRED BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF THE GROSS
PROCEEDS PAYABLE TO SUCH STOCKHOLDER OR OTHER PAYEE PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. SEE
SECTION 3. In addition, the Company will pay all fees and expenses of The
Blackstone Group L.P. (the "Dealer Manager"), D. F. King & Co., Inc. (the
"Information Agent") and The Bank of New York (the "Depositary") in connection
with the Offer. See Section 15.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MAKING
OF THE OFFER. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY
RECOMMENDATION TO ANY STOCKHOLDER AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM
TENDERING SHARES. EACH STOCKHOLDER MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION WHETHER TO
TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND THE PRICE OR PRICES AT
WHICH SHARES SHOULD BE TENDERED. THE COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT NONE OF ITS
DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS INTENDS TO TENDER ANY SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER.
Stockholders who participate in ConectivDirect(TM), the Company's dividend
reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan, may tender part or all of the
Shares attributed to such participant's account and in each case must specify
the price or prices at which such Shares are to be tendered. See Section 3.
Shares held in a ConectivDirect(TM) account as to which the Depositary has not
received timely instructions will not be tendered. See Section 1.
As of May 7, 1999, the Company's Savings Plan (which includes the former
Delmarva Power & Light Company Payroll-Based Stock Ownership Plan and former
Atlantic Energy, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan) held 3,218,994 Shares and
38,681 shares of Class A Common Stock. Shares held by the Savings Plan, and
Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock held in the
Savings Plan, will be tendered (or not tendered) by Vanguard Fiduciary Trust
Company (the trustee under the Savings Plan) according to instructions provided
to it by Actuarial Sciences Associates, Inc., a special Independent Fiduciary
engaged as investment manager to make this determination on behalf of the
Savings Plan. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), prohibits the sale of such Shares for less than adequate
consideration, which the Independent Fiduciary will determine based on the
closing market price of the Shares on or about the Expiration Date. Under the
terms of the Savings Plan, the proceeds (if any) from Shares tendered by the
Savings Plan must be reinvested in Shares. SHARES HELD IN THE SAVINGS PLAN, AND
SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK HELD IN THE
SAVINGS PLAN, AS TO WHICH THE SAVINGS PLAN TRUSTEE HAS NOT RECEIVED TIMELY
INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE INDEPENDENT FIDUCIARY WILL NOT BE TENDERED.
As of May 7, 1999, the Atlantic City Electric Company 401(k) Savings and
Investment Plan B held 5,383 Shares and 1,420 shares of Class A Common Stock,
all of which are attributable to individual accounts of Plan B participants who
have elected to invest a portion of their Plan B accounts in such securities.
Such Shares, and Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common
Stock held in Plan B, will be tendered (or not tendered) by T. Rowe Price, the
custodian of Plan B, according to the instructions received from participants.
In order to ensure that the Purchase Price constitutes adequate consideration
within the meaning of ERISA, however, the custodian will adjust the price at
which the Shares are tendered to be not less than the then-current market price
of the Shares on or about the Expiration Date, which may result in such Shares
not being purchased pursuant to the Offer. The proceeds (if any) from tendered
Shares held in Plan B participant accounts will be reinvested in the Plan B
investment option selected by the participants. SHARES HELD IN A PARTICIPANT'S
PLAN B ACCOUNT, AND SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON
STOCK HELD IN SUCH AN ACCOUNT, AS TO WHICH THE CUSTODIAN HAS NOT RECEIVED TIMELY
INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE PARTICIPANT WILL NOT BE TENDERED.
9
<PAGE> 10
As of the close of business on May 10, 1999, there were 100,589,287 Shares
outstanding, 10,496,783 Shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of
Class A Common Stock and 1,559,950 Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding
stock options ("Options"). The 14,000,000 Shares that the Company is offering to
purchase represent approximately 13.9% of the outstanding Shares (or
approximately 12.4%, assuming the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class
A Common Stock and the exercise of all outstanding Options).
A tender of Shares pursuant to the Offer will include a tender of the
associated Rights. No separate consideration will be paid for such Rights. For a
description of the Rights, see Section 8.
The Shares are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the
"NYSE") under the symbol "CIV" and the Class A Common Stock is listed and traded
on the NYSE under the symbol "CIV.A." On May 10, 1999, the last full trading day
on the NYSE prior to the announcement of the Offer, the closing per Share sales
price was $23 5/16 and the closing per share sales price for Class A Common
Stock was $34 7/8, each as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape. As a result of
the Offer, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock may elect, in accordance
with the terms of the Restated Certificate, to convert each share of Class A
Common Stock into 1.59997 Shares and tender such Shares pursuant to the Offer;
provided, however, that any such election and conversion will be effective only
with respect to such Shares as are actually accepted for purchase by the Company
pursuant to the Offer. THE COMPANY URGES STOCKHOLDERS TO OBTAIN CURRENT
QUOTATIONS ON THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SHARES AND THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK.
THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE
WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER.
10
<PAGE> 11
THE OFFER
1. NUMBER OF SHARES; PRORATION.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the Company will
accept for payment (and thereby purchase) 14,000,000 Shares or such lesser
number of Shares as are validly tendered before the Expiration Date (and not
withdrawn in accordance with Section 4) at a price (determined in the manner set
forth below) not greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50 per Share, net to the
seller in cash. The term "Expiration Date" means 12:00 Midnight, New York City
time, on Tuesday, June 8, 1999, unless and until the Company in its sole
discretion shall have extended the period of time during which the Offer is
open, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall refer to the latest time
and date at which the Offer, as so extended by the Company, shall expire. See
Section 7 for a description of the Company's right to extend the time during
which the Offer is open and to delay, terminate or amend the Offer. The Company
reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to purchase more than 14,000,000
Shares pursuant to the Offer, but does not currently plan to do so. The Offer is
not conditioned on any minimum number of Shares being tendered. In accordance
with applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), the Company may purchase pursuant to the Offer an additional
amount of Shares not to exceed 2% of the outstanding Shares without amending or
extending the Offer. If the Offer is oversubscribed, Shares tendered at or below
the Purchase Price and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date will be
purchased on a pro rata basis (with adjustments to avoid purchases of fractional
Shares). The proration period also expires on the Expiration Date.
If (1) the Company (A) increases or decreases the price to be paid for
Shares, (B) increases or decreases the Dealer Manager's fee, (C) increases the
number of Shares being sought and such increase in the number of Shares being
sought exceeds 2% of the outstanding Shares or (D) decreases the number of
Shares being sought and (2) the Offer is scheduled to expire at any time earlier
than the expiration of a period ending on the tenth business day from, and
including, the date that notice of such increase or decrease is first published,
sent or given in the manner specified in Section 7, the Offer will be extended
until the expiration of such period of ten business days. For purposes of the
Offer, a "business day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or federal
holiday and consists of the time period from 12:01 A.M. through 12:00 Midnight,
New York City time.
THE OFFER IS NOT CONDITIONED ON ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES BEING
TENDERED. THE OFFER IS, HOWEVER, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER CONDITIONS. SEE
SECTION 6.
In accordance with Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal, each
stockholder desiring to tender Shares must (1) specify the price (not greater
than $25.50 nor less than $23.50 per Share) at which such stockholder is willing
to sell his or her Shares to the Company, which could result in no Shares being
purchased at that price, or (2) elect to have such stockholder's Shares
purchased at a price determined by the Company in accordance with the terms of
the Offer, which could result in such Shares being purchased at the minimum
price of $23.50 per Share. As promptly as practicable following the Expiration
Date, the Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, determine the Purchase Price (not greater than $25.50 nor less than
$23.50 per Share) that it will pay for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn
pursuant to the Offer, taking into account the number of Shares so tendered and
the prices specified by tendering stockholders. The Company will select the
lowest Purchase Price (not greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50 per Share),
that will allow it to purchase 14,000,000 Shares (or such lesser number of
Shares as are properly tendered and not withdrawn) pursuant to the Offer. Shares
properly tendered pursuant to the Offer at or below the Purchase Price and not
withdrawn will be purchased at the Purchase Price, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Offer, including the proration provisions. All Shares not
purchased pursuant to the Offer, including Shares tendered at prices greater
than the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because of proration, will be
returned to the tendering stockholders at the Company's expense as promptly as
practicable following the Expiration Date. In the event that Shares issuable to
holders of Class A Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Class A Common
Stock are not purchased, including as a result of such Shares being tendered at
prices greater than the Purchase Price or due to proration, the Company will
return to such holders as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date, at
its expense, the shares of Class A Common Stock submitted for conversion that
were not converted in the Offer; provided that the Company will deliver to such
holders cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Class A Common Stock.
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<PAGE> 12
If the number of Shares validly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and
not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date is less than or equal to 14,000,000
Shares (or such greater number of Shares as the Company may elect to purchase
pursuant to the Offer), the Company will, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Offer, purchase at the Purchase Price all Shares so tendered.
Proration. In the event that proration of tendered Shares is required, the
Company will determine the final proration factor as promptly as practicable
after the Expiration Date. In determining the final proration factor, Shares
issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock and tendered pursuant
to the Offer will be aggregated with all other tendered Shares. Proration for
each stockholder tendering Shares shall be based on the ratio of the number of
Shares tendered by such stockholder at or below the Purchase Price to the total
number of Shares tendered by all stockholders at or below the Purchase Price
(with adjustments to avoid purchases of fractional Shares). This ratio will be
applied to stockholders tendering Shares to determine the number of Shares that
will be purchased from each such stockholder pursuant to the Offer. Although the
Company does not expect to be able to announce the final results of such
proration until approximately seven business days after the Expiration Date, it
will announce preliminary results of proration by press release as promptly as
practicable after the Expiration Date. Stockholders can obtain such preliminary
information from the Information Agent and may be able to obtain such
information from their brokers.
As described in Section 14, the number of Shares that the Company will
purchase from a stockholder may affect the United States federal income tax
consequences to the stockholder of such purchase and therefore may be relevant
to a stockholder's decision whether to tender Shares. The Letter of Transmittal
affords each tendering stockholder the opportunity to designate the order of
priority in which Shares tendered by such stockholder are to be purchased in the
event of proration.
This Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal will be mailed
to record holders of Shares and record holders of Class A Common Stock and to
Plan B participants for whom Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock are held
as of May 10, 1999, and will be furnished to brokers, banks and similar persons
whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the Company's stockholder
list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing agency's
security position listing for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of
Shares and beneficial owners of Class A Common Stock.
Odd Lots. The Company also reserves the right, but will not be obligated,
to purchase all Shares duly tendered by any stockholder who tendered all such
Shares owned, beneficially or of record, at or below the Purchase Price and who,
as a result of proration, would then own, beneficially or of record, an
aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares (including Shares held in a
ConectivDirect(TM) account and Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of
Class A Common Stock). If the Company exercises this right, it will increase the
number of Shares that it is offering to purchase in the Offer by the number of
Shares purchased through the exercise of such right.
2. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER.
General. Utility companies, including Delmarva Power & Light Company
("DPL") and Atlantic City Electric Company ("ACE"), the utility subsidiaries of
the Company, have experienced and will continue to experience a significant
increase in the level of competition in the energy supply market. A steady move
away from a regulated monopoly energy supply structure toward a more competitive
structure has affected the utility industry for nearly two decades. Since 1992,
various federal and state regulatory changes have occurred and a significant
number of states have begun to implement legislative initiatives to provide for
retail electric customers to choose their electric supply provider. See
"-- Legislation and Regulatory Environment."
The Merger (as defined below) involving DPL and ACE, which was effective on
March 1, 1998, was the beginning of a series of strategic actions taken by the
Company to position itself to succeed in the increasingly competitive utility
and energy services marketplace. The Merger provided increased scale to the
Company's overall business, cost savings through the elimination or reduction of
duplicative activities, operating efficiencies and increased financial
flexibility. It is in the context of such a progression to competition that the
Company's Board of Directors approved on May 10, 1999, a strategic restructuring
of the Company's businesses that is
12
<PAGE> 13
intended to maximize stockholder value and further position the Company for the
expected future competitive environment.
The Company's new financial strategy includes: (1) a recapitalization of
the Company through the Offer and a change in the dividend policy for the
Shares; (2) consideration of the potential sale of certain generating plants of
the Company's subsidiaries; and (3) the implementation of a productivity
improvement and cost reduction program designed to improve overall
profitability. In addition, the Company intends to continue to focus on growth
opportunities in order to expand its customer relationships, while developing
and implementing a capital spending strategy aimed at growing its regulated
electric and gas delivery, energy and telecommunications businesses.
Legislation and Regulatory Environment
RECENT LEGISLATION AND REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS.
General. As discussed below, deregulation of the electric utility industry
is under way in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Generally, with
restructuring, the supply component of the price charged to a customer for
electricity would be deregulated, and electricity suppliers would compete to
supply electricity to customers. Customers would continue to pay the local
utility a regulated price for the delivery of the electricity over the
transmission and distribution system.
New Jersey. The "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act" (the "New
Jersey Act") provides for retail choice of electricity suppliers beginning
August 1, 1999; deregulation of electric supply rates and other competitive
services, such as metering and billing; separation of competitive and regulated
services; unbundling of rates for electric service; and licensing of electric
and gas suppliers.
The New Jersey Act requires each electric utility to reduce its rates by at
least 5% at the start of retail choice and by a total of 10% within 36 months of
the start of retail choice, unless the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (the
"NJBPU") determines that a rate decrease of more than 10% is warranted, and
requires that such rate reduction be sustained through the end of the 48th month
after the start of retail choice. The New Jersey Act does permit electric public
utilities to recover the full amount of their stranded costs, as calculated by
the NJBPU, through a non-bypassable market transition charge, as long as the
mandated rate reductions are achieved. Stranded costs are costs that may not be
recoverable in a competitive energy supply market due to lower prices or
customers choosing a different supplier. Stranded costs generally include above-
market costs associated with generation facilities and long-term purchased power
agreements, and regulatory assets.
In addition, the New Jersey Act establishes the current incumbent utility
as the provider of "default service" or Basic Generation Service ("BGS") for a
period of three years and provides for future proceedings to determine if the
provision of BGS should be made competitive. The New Jersey Act also contains
numerous provisions regarding the providing of competitive services by each
utility designed to ensure that there is no cross-subsidization from the utility
to competitive entities. The New Jersey Act also requires the NJBPU to develop
fair competition standards and conduct an audit to determine that the utilities
are in compliance with those standards.
The New Jersey Act gives the NJBPU the authority to order a utility to
divest its generating assets if it is determined through a hearing that
competition or customers are being adversely affected by plant location, market
power or non-competitive rates. The NJBPU may require that the generation
function be separated from a utility's non-competitive functions. The NJBPU is
also authorized to establish standards for the licensing of energy suppliers,
standards for switching customers from one supplier to another, and standards
for issues such as credit and collections.
The New Jersey Act also allows electric public utilities to issue
transition bonds to finance a portion of their stranded costs, as determined by
the NJBPU. Depending on the timing of the sale of ACE-owned generating plants,
the conclusion of renegotiations with the non-utility generation contract owners
and the approval of the NJBPU, Management of the Company anticipates that ACE
may issue between $1 billion and $2 billion in transition bonds authorized by
the New Jersey Act in 2000. Net savings generated through the use
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<PAGE> 14
of such transition bonds are to be passed through to ACE's customers through the
rate reductions discussed above. There can be no assurances, however, that the
NJBPU will approve the issuance of transition bonds in an amount sufficient to
finance the Company's stranded costs or that ACE will be able to issue and sell
any such bonds.
Electric utilities in New Jersey, including ACE, previously filed stranded
cost estimates and unbundled rates, as required by the NJBPU. On August 19,
1998, an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") from the New Jersey Office of
Administrative Law issued an initial decision on ACE's stranded costs and
unbundled rate filing. The ALJ, in reviewing ACE's filing, recognized that ACE's
stranded costs were $812 million for non-utility generation contracts and $397
million for generation. The ALJ made no specific recommendations on rate issues.
Settlement discussions in the NJBPU restructuring proceeding for ACE are
ongoing. The Company expects a decision from the NJBPU in that proceeding,
including a decision on any proposed settlement submitted by ACE, to be issued
by the NJBPU by June 30, 1999.
ACE has four NJBPU-approved long-term power purchase contracts with
independent power producers. ACE continues to negotiate buyouts and buydowns of
these contracts, which would be subject to NJBPU and other approvals, including
NJBPU authorization to recover any contract buyout and buydown costs through the
issuance of transition bonds, as permitted by the New Jersey Act. The financial
commitments associated with such buyouts and buydowns could be substantial.
Management cannot currently predict the outcome of contract buyout and buydown
negotiations or the costs associated with such efforts. There can be no
assurances, moreover, that the NJBPU will approve the issuance of transition
bonds for such costs or that ACE will be able to issue and sell any such bonds.
On May 7, 1999, ACE and an independent power producer, with which ACE has a
long-term power purchase contract, signed a letter of intent ("LOI") relating to
a transaction which could ultimately result in the termination of such existing
contract. The LOI calls for the negotiation of a definitive agreement and the
establishment of necessary arrangements associated with the termination. Upon
receipt of corporate and regulatory approvals (including NJBPU approvals), the
LOI would require, among other things, a substantial payment to the independent
power producer (estimated to be in excess of $100 million). Management cannot
predict whether the LOI will result in the negotiation of a definitive agreement
or if such an agreement would receive the necessary approvals.
Delaware. The "Electric Utility Restructuring Act of 1999" (the "Delaware
Act") allows DPL's Delaware customers to choose their electricity suppliers
beginning on October 1, 1999 (for customers with peak demands of 1,000 kilowatts
or more), January 15, 2000 (for customers with peak demands of 300 kilowatts or
more), and September 30, 2000 (for all other customers). The Delaware Act also
provides for a residential rate reduction of 7.5% beginning October 1, 1999. The
Delaware Act provides that, except in certain circumstances, residential rates
may not be changed for four years and commercial and industrial rates may not be
changed for three years. Under the Delaware Act, certain low-income energy
assistance and environmental programs are funded at an annual level of about
$1.6 million by a charge in electric rates.
The Delaware Act makes DPL the provider of default service to customers who
do not choose an alternative supplier for a period of three or four years for
non-residential and residential customers, respectively. Thereafter, the
Delaware Public Service Commission ("DPSC") may conduct a bidding process to
select the default supplier(s) for such customers. The DPSC also has the
authority under the Delaware Act to order DPL to divest its generating assets,
as a last resort, to remedy any adverse effects of electricity supply market
power. The DPSC also is authorized to establish licensing standards for
electricity suppliers. Unless DPL asks the DPSC to make these functions
competitive earlier, and the DPSC so orders, metering functions will be
performed by DPL for non-residential customers and residential customers for
three and four years, respectively, after such customers are permitted to choose
their electricity suppliers.
Among other matters, unbundled rates to be charged by DPL during the "rate
freeze" periods prescribed by the Delaware Act have been agreed upon by a number
of the participants in the restructuring proceeding contemplated by the Delaware
Act. Included within the agreement on unbundled rates, DPL would recover $16
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million (Delaware retail basis) of stranded costs, and electric rates would not
be changed in the event DPL sells or transfers generating assets. The DPSC has
docketed a restructuring proceeding for DPL and other related proceedings. A
DPSC decision in that proceeding, including a decision on the proposed
settlement, is expected by August 31, 1999.
Maryland. On April 2, 1999, the Maryland General Assembly passed
legislation to restructure the electric utility industry (the "Maryland Act").
On April 8, 1999, the Governor of Maryland signed the Maryland Act. The major
elements of the Maryland Act affecting the Company include: (1) phase-in of
retail choice beginning in July 2000, with full choice for all customers by July
2003; (2) rate reductions of 3% to 7.5% for residential customers, with rates
then "frozen" for four years; (3) the deregulation of generation assets sold to
a non-affiliate or transferred to an affiliate prior to January 1, 2001; (4)
recovery of stranded costs and other costs associated with the transition to
retail choice through a method to be determined by the Maryland Public Service
Commission ("MPSC"); and (5) imposition by the MPSC of an environmental
surcharge on each kilowatt-hour distributed in the State.
On May 5, 1999, DPL filed a proposed settlement with the MPSC in DPL's
pending restructuring proceeding. The proposed settlement is with some parties,
including the MPSC Staff and the Office of People's Counsel, but not all parties
to the proceeding. Included in the proposed settlement are the following
provisions: (i) effective July 1, 2000, all of DPL's Maryland retail customers
will be eligible to select an alternative electricity supplier; (ii) for a
period of at least three years thereafter, DPL will remain the supplier of
"standard offer service" for customers who do not select an alternative
electricity supplier; (iii) agreed-upon unbundled rates (including nuclear
decommissioning costs and funding for low income energy assistance programs at
an estimated level of between $2 and $3 million per year); (iv) the deregulation
of DPL's generating facilities, such that electric rates would not be changed in
the event DPL sells or transfers generating assets; (v) authorization to
transfer DPL generating assets to one or more affiliates at net book value; (vi)
the recovery of an estimated $8 million (Maryland retail basis) in stranded
costs from non-residential customers; (vii) a 7.5% reduction in residential
rates effective July 1, 2000 (representing a revenue reduction of approximately
$12.5 million, assuming fiscal year 1998 revenue without giving effect to
potential offsets); and (viii) effective July 1, 2000, "rate freezes" for four
years for residential customers and three years for non-residential customers,
subject to certain adjustments. In addition, under the proposed settlement,
effective July 1, 2000, DPL customers with loads in excess of 300 kilowatts (kW)
may elect to have meters installed and read by an alternative supplier. Prior to
that date, another MPSC proceeding will be initiated to determine the level of
and recovery mechanism for any DPL stranded metering costs. Other DPL customers
will be eligible for competitive metering on April 1, 2002 as set forth in the
Maryland Act.
The MPSC is expected to issue an order with respect to the proposed
settlement by October 1, 1999.
Virginia. The "Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act" (the "Virginia
Act") provides for: (1) phase-in of retail electric competition beginning
January 1, 2002; (2) rates in effect on January 1, 2001 to become capped rates
to continue in effect through July 1, 2007, except for adjustments for changes
in fuel costs and state tax rates; (3) customers choosing an electricity
supplier other than their incumbent utility continuing to pay capped
transmission and distribution rates but, instead of the capped generation rate,
paying a wires charge equal to the difference between the capped generation rate
and projected market prices for electricity; and (4) recovery of just and
reasonable net stranded costs through capped rates and wires charges during the
period January 1, 2001 through July 1, 2007.
CERTAIN EFFECTS OF RECENT LEGISLATION. Assuming that the legislation
described above had been effective as of January 1, 1998, Management estimates
that the impact on the revenue of the Company resulting from the initial rate
reductions would have been to decrease revenue during the Company's fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 by the following approximate amounts: $38 million in New
Jersey, $17 million in Delaware and, assuming a 7.5% reduction, $12.5 million in
Maryland. The foregoing does not purport to be indicative of the results that
would have actually been obtained or results that may be obtained in the future.
Management anticipates that certain of these revenue losses will be offset by
continued achievement of Merger-related synergies and the productivity
improvements and cost reductions discussed below. There can be no assurances,
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<PAGE> 16
however, that such synergies (beyond those already achieved), improvements or
reductions will be realized by the Company.
In addition, DPL and ACE are subject to the requirements of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain
Types of Regulation" ("SFAS No. 71"). Regulatory commissions occasionally
provide for future recovery from customers of current period expenses. When this
happens, the expenses are deferred as regulatory assets and subsequently
recognized in the consolidated statement of income during the period the
expenses are recovered from customers. Similarly, regulatory liabilities may
also be created due to the economic impact of an action taken by regulatory
commissions.
When a specific plan that deregulates electricity supply becomes final, ACE
or DPL, as appropriate, would cease applying SFAS No. 71 to its electricity
supply business in the regulatory jurisdiction to which the plan applies. To the
extent that a deregulation plan provides for recovery of stranded costs through
cash flows from the regulated transmission and distribution business, then the
stranded costs would continue to be recognized as assets under SFAS No. 71. Any
stranded costs (including regulatory assets) for which cost recovery is not
provided would be expensed.
The amount of stranded costs ultimately recovered from utility customers,
if any, and the full impact of legislation deregulating the electric utility
industry in any of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates cannot be
predicted with specificity at this time in the absence of final orders
implementing that legislation in those jurisdictions. Moreover, Management
expects that any stranded costs that cannot be recovered could be offset in part
by proceeds from the sale of certain generating plants of its subsidiaries. See
"-- Asset Sale." There can be no assurances, however, that the Company will
elect to sell any such assets, that the Company will be able to sell any such
assets or that the proceeds from any such sale will be sufficient to offset the
additional expense incurred as the result of the inability of the Company to
recover stranded costs.
Due to these considerations, market conditions, timing and other factors,
including the terms of final orders of regulatory agencies in jurisdictions in
which the Company operates, Management of the Company cannot predict with
specificity at this time the ultimate effects that electric utility industry
deregulation may have on the financial statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries, although deregulation may have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position.
Management has made a preliminary estimate of the amount of stranded costs
not expected to be recovered through regulated electricity delivery rates after
the restructuring of the electric utility industry in the states in which ACE
and DPL operate. The New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland public utility
regulatory commissions are expected to issue restructuring orders for ACE and
DPL which specify the amount and timing of stranded cost recovery by the
following expected dates: New Jersey by June 30, 1999, Delaware by August 31,
1999 and Maryland by October 1, 1999. After the orders are received, the
financial impact of the restructurings, including charges to earnings, will be
finalized and recorded. When the restructuring orders become effective, the
electricity supply businesses will no longer be subject to the requirements of
SFAS No. 71. The discussion below describes the primary immediate expected
effect on the results of operations of discontinuing the application of SFAS No.
71 to these electricity supply businesses.
To estimate the impairment of electric generating plants of ACE and DPL in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the book value of each
generating plant is first compared to the estimated future net operating cash
flows from each plant. Any electric generating plant with undiscounted future
net cash flows less than book value is considered impaired, and the plant's net
future cash flows are discounted. The amount by which the book value of the
impaired electric generating plants exceeds their discounted cash flows (or
other estimate of fair value) is the estimated impairment amount.
DPL has purchased power contracts expected to be uneconomic when customer
choice begins, and the stranded cost amount is estimated to be the net present
value of the contracts' costs less the forecasted revenues from sales of the
related purchased power. ACE's purchased power contracts with independent power
producers are not expected to result in stranded costs because management
expects the NJBPU restructuring order will provide for recovery of costs
incurred under these contracts.
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The total amount that could be charged to earnings, on a consolidated
basis, includes (1) the impairment amount for the electrical generating plants
of DPL and ACE, (2) the stranded cost amount for DPL's purchased power contracts
and (3) regulatory assets of DPL and ACE related to their electric generation
businesses. The charge to earnings is reduced by the estimated cost recovery
through regulated electricity delivery rates. Based on this methodology (giving
effect to estimated cost recoveries), Management currently estimates future
charges to earnings, after taxes, as a result of electric utility industry
restructuring could be as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
DPL........................ $300 million to $425 million
ACE........................ $50 million to $75 million
------------------------------
Consolidated Conectiv...... $350 million to $500 million
------------------------------
------------------------------
</TABLE>
Management expects to sell some or all of the electric generating plants of
ACE and DPL. After electric generating plants that are impaired as a result of
electric utility industry restructuring are written down to fair value, any
sales of the impaired electric generating plants are not expected to result in
significant gains or losses. Some of the electric generating plants which are
not impaired may be sold at a gain. Under generally accepted accounting
principles, the write-down of impaired assets is not reduced by expected future
gains on sales of assets which are not impaired by electric utility industry
restructuring, and the gain on the sale of an asset is recognized when the sale
occurs.
Under the New Jersey Act, any gains on sales of ACE's electric generating
plants reduce stranded cost recovery, which results in no earnings effect when
the gain is realized. DPL's agreements with some participants in restructuring
proceedings that are expected to be conducted by the DPSC and with some of the
participants in the proceedings being conducted by the MPSC provide that
electric rates will not be changed in the event DPL sells or transfers assets.
Accordingly, subject to DPSC and MPSC approval of these agreements, the Delaware
and Maryland portions of any gains or losses realized on the sale of DPL
electric generating plants would affect future earnings. There can be no
assurances, however, that ACE or DPL will elect or be able to sell any such
electric generating plants, or that any gains will be realized from such sales
of electric generating plants.
After the sale of electric generating plants is completed, Management
estimates that the net impact on retained earnings of asset impairment, stranded
costs and asset sales to be a charge of approximately $300 million to $400
million.
Dividend Reduction and Share Repurchase.
DIVIDEND POLICY FOR SHARES. As the utility industry transitions to a
competitive environment due to these legislative and regulatory initiatives, the
Company could potentially achieve long-term returns on stockholder capital that
exceed historical returns in a fully regulated business environment. At the same
time, the Company's business risks are expected to increase, resulting in an
increase in the potential volatility in revenue and income streams. As such, a
dividend payout ratio that is significantly lower than the historical payout
ratio of 80% or more by the Company and the electric utility industry in general
is required to better position the Company to more effectively compete in the
energy markets by increasing the Company's future financing flexibility.
Accordingly, the Company's Board of Directors intends to reduce per share
dividends on the Shares to an amount equal to 40% to 60% of the Company's
earnings per share, which is expected to result in a quarterly dividend of $0.22
per Share, as compared to the previous quarterly dividend level of $0.385 per
Share, subject to declaration by the Company's Board of Directors and evaluation
from time to time based on the results of operations, financial condition,
capital requirements and other relevant considerations; and also subject to the
limitations under applicable law and the provisions of the Company's Restated
Certificate.
In addition to providing an increase in the Company's future financing
flexibility, this dividend action positions the Shares for potential increased
growth in market value by retaining a proportionately higher level of earnings
in the business for reinvestment.
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Moreover, the dividend action also positions the Shares for market value
growth and a lower income orientation than in the past. This means that a higher
proportion of the total return to holders of Shares will need to come from
capital gains as compared to dividend income. From the standpoint of most
individual investors, current United States federal tax law makes capital gains
more attractive than dividend income. In general, net capital gain recognized by
an individual investor upon a disposition of Shares held for more than 12 months
is subject to a maximum rate of 20%, while dividend income may be subject to tax
at a marginal United States federal income tax rate of 39.6%. However, capital
gains are not as predictable as dividend income and are dependent on factors
including, but not limited to, the Company's ability to increase its earnings
and cash flow. In addition, capital gains can be impacted by factors outside the
control of Management, such as the general level of inflation, interest rates
and stock market fluctuations.
SHARE REPURCHASE. Purchasing Shares at a 0.8% to 9.4% premium above their
market value on the trading day immediately prior to announcement of the Offer
also enables the Company to increase and accelerate the receipt of cash by
holders of Shares. The price range established for the Offer allows those
holders of Shares seeking a more income-oriented investment the opportunity to
exit their investment in the Company on potentially more favorable terms than
would otherwise be available. However, holders of Shares who choose not to
tender their Shares are also in a position potentially to benefit from this
transaction. Non-tendering holders of Shares will own a greater interest in a
Company with a potentially stronger earnings per share growth rate, subject to
the Company's right to issue additional Shares and other equity securities in
the future.
The Offer will afford to holders of Shares who are considering the sale of
all or a portion of their Shares the opportunity to determine the price at which
they are willing to sell their Shares and, in the event the Company accepts such
Shares for purchase, to dispose of Shares without the usual transaction costs
associated with an open market sale, including brokerage commissions.
Simultaneously, a reduction in the Company's permanent capitalization, as
well as a temporary increase in leverage, is being effected through the Offer
which will be financed by the Company through the issuance of $250 million of
medium term notes and the balance through the issuance of commercial paper
borrowings supported by the Company's revolving credit facilities. See Section
10.
In considering the Offer, the Board of Directors also took into account the
expected financial impact of the Offer, including the Company's increased debt
as a result of the Offer and the resulting increased interest expense. See the
information under the caption "Summary Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma
Financial Statements" in Section 11. The Company believes that, following
completion of the Offer, its anticipated cash flow from operations, access to
credit facilities, its cash and short-term investments will, taken together, be
adequate for its needs for the foreseeable future. However, the Company's actual
experience may differ from the expectations set forth in the preceding sentence.
Future events, such as regulatory developments, adverse effects on operations,
or levels of capital or other expenditures, might have the effect of reducing
the Company's available cash or might reduce or eliminate the availability of
external financial resources.
Although the Company has no current plans to acquire additional Shares
other than through the Offer, the Company may in the future purchase additional
Shares in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, through tender
offers or otherwise. Any such purchase may be on the same terms or on terms
which are more or less favorable to stockholders than the terms of the Offer.
However, Rule 13e-4(f)(6) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), prohibits the Company and its affiliates from purchasing
any Shares, other than pursuant to the Offer, until at least ten business days
after the Expiration Date. Any possible future purchases by the Company will
depend on many factors, including the market price of the Shares, the results of
the Offer, the Company's business and financial position and general economic
and market conditions.
Shares the Company acquires pursuant to the Offer will be retained as
treasury shares and shares of Class A Common Stock that are converted into
Shares will be cancelled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued
shares. Both Shares retained by the Company as treasury shares and authorized
but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock will be available for the Company to
reissue without further stockholder action (except as required by applicable law
or the rules of the NYSE or any other securities exchange on which the Shares or
shares of Class A Common Stock are listed) for purposes including, but not
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limited to, the acquisition of other businesses, the raising of additional
capital for use in the Company's business and the satisfaction of obligations
under existing or future employee or director benefit plans. Except for the
issuance of Shares under ConectivDirect(TM) or employee or director benefit
plans, the Company has no current plans for the reissuance of the Shares
repurchased pursuant to the Offer or for the issuance of any other authorized
but unissued shares of Common Stock or Class A Common Stock.
DIVIDEND POLICY FOR CLASS A COMMON STOCK. Although the Company is not
offering to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock, as a result of the Offer,
holders of Class A Common Stock may elect, in accordance with the terms of the
Restated Certificate and the Rights Agreement, to convert each share of Class A
Common Stock (and associated Class A Rights issued pursuant to the Rights
Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares (and 1.59997 associated Rights) and to tender
such Shares (and associated Rights) pursuant to the Offer; provided, however,
that any such election and conversion will be effective only with respect to
such Shares (and associated Rights) as are actually accepted for purchase by the
Company pursuant to the Offer. See Section 3.
The Company's Board of Directors intends that the quarterly dividend on
shares of Class A Common Stock will remain $0.80 per share ($3.20 annualized
rate) until March 31, 2001 (the "Initial Period"), subject to declaration by the
Company's Board of Directors and the obligations of the Company's Board of
Directors to consider the financial condition and regulatory environment of the
Company and the results of its operations; and also subject to the limitations
under applicable law and the provisions of the Company's Restated Certificate.
It is anticipated that, following expiration of the Initial Period, the annual
dividend on the Class A Common Stock will be based on the proportion of earnings
of the Atlantic Utility Group (as defined in the Restated Certificate)
attributable to the Class A Common Stock. Specifically, it is the intention of
the Company, following the Initial Period, subject to declaration by the Board
of Directors of the Company and the obligation of the Board of Directors to
consider the financial condition and regulatory environment of the Company and
the results of its operations, to pay annual dividends on the Class A Common
Stock in an aggregate amount equal to (1) 90% of the Company Net Income (Loss)
Attributable to the Atlantic Utility Group (as defined in the Restated
Certificate) multiplied by (2) the Outstanding Atlantic Utility Fraction. The
Outstanding Atlantic Utility Fraction, as defined in the Restated Certificate,
represents the proportionate interest of the Class A Common Stock in the equity
value of the Atlantic Utility Group. Notwithstanding the Company's intention
with respect to dividends on the Class A Common Stock following the Initial
Period, if and to the extent that the annual dividends paid on the Class A
Common Stock during the Initial Period exceed 100% of the earnings of the
Atlantic Utility Group that were allocable to the Class A Common Stock during
such period, the Board of Directors of the Company may consider such fact in
determining the appropriate annual dividend rate on the Class A Common Stock
following the Initial Period. There can be no assurance that the Company's
earnings attributable to the Atlantic Utility Group that are allocable to the
shares of Class A Common Stock will be sufficient to cover dividends on the
Class A Common Stock during the Initial Period. As reported in the Company's
consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this Offer to
Purchase, earnings per share of Class A Common Stock attributable to the
proportion of the interest in the Atlantic Utility Group allocated to the Class
A Common Stock for the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and the
three-month period ended March 31, 1999 were $1.82 and $0.20, respectively,
while the dividend paid to holders was $3.20 and $0.80, respectively, per share
of Class A Common Stock for the same periods.
If holders of Class A Common Stock elect to convert shares of Class A
Common Stock into Shares in connection with the Offer, the acceptance for
purchase by the Company of Shares issuable upon such conversion would impact the
determination of the amount of annual dividends payable on the Class A Common
Stock pursuant to the dividend policy described above. In the event that the
Company accepts for purchase any Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of
Class A Common Stock, the Outstanding Atlantic Utility Fraction (i.e. the
percentage of equity value of the Atlantic Utility Group attributable to the
outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock) would decrease. Even though the
Outstanding Atlantic Utility Fraction would decrease under such circumstances,
the earnings per share of Class A Common Stock attributable to the proportion of
the interest in the Atlantic Utility Group allocated to the Class A Common Stock
would increase (assuming earnings remained constant) because fewer shares of
Class A Common Stock would be outstanding. The precise impact of the purchase of
Shares in the Offer on the Outstanding Atlantic Utility Fraction and the
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earnings per share with respect to the Class A Common Stock will depend upon the
number of shares of Class A Common Stock that are converted to Shares and
purchased in the Offer.
Asset Sale. The Company expects that it will continue to be an energy
provider as part of its overall focus on providing vital services to homes and
businesses in the mid-Atlantic region, both through the operation of electric
generation facilities and through trading of electricity and natural gas in the
evolving commodity energy markets.
It also believes that the financial returns on generating plants in a
competitive environment will change. The Company has concluded that it will not
be able to achieve the necessary economies of scale to continue to operate its
baseload generating plants in the deregulated market, and that certain of its
intermediate and peaking units could provide financial returns that are greater
than it currently achieves.
As a result, the Company has announced that it is considering the potential
sale of up to 2,200 megawatts of its subsidiaries' nonstrategic baseload
generating capacity, based upon its strategic direction of being an asset-
backed merchant energy provider. The Company plans on retaining 2,000 megawatts
of electric generating capacity and may invest in additional generating units,
which will have operating and fuel flexibility and will be less capital
intensive. Pursuing this asset-backed merchant energy provider strategy also may
involve the Company in joint ventures or other arrangements with others who have
complementary business strategies or would provide other valuable contributions
to this business.
Assets to be disposed of would include the Company's interest in five
jointly owned nuclear and fossil plants (Keystone, Conemaugh, Peach Bottom,
Salem and Hope Creek) as well as two (Indian River and B.L. England), and
possibly two additional (Vienna and Deepwater), wholly owned fossil plants. The
Company plans to conduct an auction process which could lead to the sale of
these generating plants and has retained financial advisors to assist with that
process.
Management of the Company cannot estimate with specificity at this time the
magnitude of the proceeds which could be generated upon the sale of all or a
portion of these assets but anticipates that such proceeds, in the event of the
sale of all such assets, would be significant. There can be no assurances,
however, that the Company will elect to sell any such generating plants, that
the Company will be able to sell any such assets, or with respect to the amount
of the proceeds received in any such sale.
Productivity Improvements and Cost Reductions. The Company has
simultaneously initiated a comprehensive productivity improvement and cost
reduction program aimed at positioning the Company to have a more competitive
cost structure. Assets and properties, business processes and expenses are being
evaluated by Management for improvements and savings during the next two fiscal
years, with immediate focus on the remainder of 1999. The program being
implemented could include the sale of non-core assets as well as outsourcing
non-core functions in an effort to reduce operating expenses without impairing
customer service. In addition, Management is developing productivity targets in
an effort to maximize its return on retained assets.
Except as disclosed in this Offer to Purchase, the Company currently has no
plans or proposals that relate to or would result in (1) the acquisition by any
person of additional securities of the Company or the disposition of securities
of the Company; (2) an extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger,
reorganization or liquidation, involving the Company or any or all of its
subsidiaries; (3) a sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries; (4) any change in the present Board of
Directors or Management of the Company; (5) any material change in the present
dividend rate or policy, or indebtedness or capitalization of the Company; (6)
any other material change in the Company's corporate structure or business; (7)
any change in the Company's Restated Certificate or By-Laws or any actions which
may impede the acquisition of control of the Company by any person; (8) a class
of equity security of the Company being delisted from a national securities
exchange; (9) a class of equity security of the Company becoming eligible for
termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Exchange Act; or
(10) the suspension of the Company's obligation to file reports pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MAKING
OF THE OFFER. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY
RECOMMENDATION TO ANY STOCKHOLDER AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM
TENDERING SHARES. EACH STOCKHOLDER MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION WHETHER TO
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TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND THE PRICE OR PRICES AT
WHICH SHARES SHOULD BE TENDERED. THE COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT NONE OF ITS
DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS INTENDS TO TENDER ANY SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER.
3. PROCEDURE FOR TENDERING SHARES.
WHEN USED IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,
ANY REFERENCE TO THE TENDER OF SHARES (OR WITHDRAWAL THEREOF) SHALL BE DEEMED
FOR ALL PURPOSES, UNLESS THE CONTEXT SHALL OTHERWISE REQUIRE, TO REFER TO BOTH
THE (1) TENDER OF SHARES BY HOLDERS OF SUCH SHARES (OR WITHDRAWAL THEREOF) AND
(2) ELECTION BY HOLDERS OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK, PURSUANT TO THE
RESTATED CERTIFICATE, TO CONVERT SUCH SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK INTO SHARES
AND TO TENDER SUCH SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER (OR TO WITHDRAW SUCH TENDER).
Proper Tender of Shares. For Shares to be validly tendered pursuant to the
Offer:
(1) the certificates for such Shares (or confirmation of receipt of
such Shares pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth
below or, in the case of Shares held in the DRS, by completing the
appropriate portion of the Letter of Transmittal relating to such Shares),
together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal
(or manually signed copy thereof) with any required signature guarantees,
or an Agent's Message with a book-entry transfer, and any other documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal, must be received prior to 12:00
Midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date by the Depositary at
its address set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase; or
(2) the tendering stockholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery
procedure set forth below; and
in each case, the tendering stockholder must complete the Section entitled
"Description of Shares Tendered" in the Letter of Transmittal.
In addition, in the case of Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of
Class A Common Stock, for such Shares to be validly tendered pursuant to the
Offer:
(1) the certificates representing such shares of Class A Common Stock
(or confirmation of receipt of such shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant
to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth below), together with a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or manually
signed copy thereof) with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's
Message with a book-entry transfer, and any other documents required by the
Letter of Transmittal, must be received prior to 12:00 Midnight, New York
City time, on the Expiration Date by the Depositary at its address set
forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase; or
(2) the tendering stockholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery
procedure set forth below; and
in each case, the tendering holder must complete the Section entitled
"Description of Class A Common Stock For Which Election to Convert and Tender Is
Being Made" in the Letter of Transmittal.
AS SPECIFIED IN INSTRUCTION 6 OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, EACH
STOCKHOLDER DESIRING TO TENDER SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER MUST EITHER (1)
CHECK THE BOX IN THE SECTION OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAPTIONED "SHARES
TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER" OR (2) CHECK ONE OF THE
BOXES IN THE SECTION OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAPTIONED "SHARES, INCLUDING
CONVERTED SHARES, TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED BY STOCKHOLDER."
A STOCKHOLDER WHO WISHES TO MAXIMIZE THE CHANCE THAT HIS OR HER SHARES WILL
BE PURCHASED AT THE RELEVANT PURCHASE PRICE SHOULD CHECK THE BOX ON THE LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL MARKED "SHARES TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER." NOTE THAT THIS ELECTION COULD RESULT IN SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S SHARES BEING
PURCHASED AT THE MINIMUM PRICE OF $23.50 PER SHARE. A STOCKHOLDER WHO WISHES TO
INDICATE A SPECIFIC PRICE (IN MULTIPLES OF $0.125) AT WHICH HIS OR HER SHARES
ARE BEING TENDERED MUST CHECK A BOX UNDER THE SECTION CAPTIONED "SHARES,
INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES, TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED BY STOCKHOLDER" OF THE
LETTER
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OF TRANSMITTAL IN THE TABLE LABELED "PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT WHICH
SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES, ARE BEING TENDERED." NOTE THAT THIS ELECTION
COULD RESULT IN NO SHARES BEING PURCHASED AT THAT PRICE. A STOCKHOLDER WHO
WISHES TO TENDER SHARES AT MORE THAN ONE PRICE MUST COMPLETE SEPARATE LETTERS OF
TRANSMITTAL FOR EACH PRICE AT WHICH SUCH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED. THE SAME
SHARES CANNOT BE TENDERED (UNLESS PREVIOUSLY PROPERLY WITHDRAWN IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE TERMS OF THE OFFER) AT MORE THAN ONE PRICE.
A TENDER OF SHARES WILL BE PROPER IF, AND ONLY IF, ON THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL EITHER THE BOX IN THE SECTION CAPTIONED "SHARES TENDERED AT PRICE
DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER" OR ONE OF THE BOXES IN THE SECTION CAPTIONED
"SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES, TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED BY
STOCKHOLDER" IS CHECKED.
Signature Guarantees and Method of Delivery. No signature guarantee is
required on the Letter of Transmittal if (1) the Letter of Transmittal is signed
by the registered holder of the Shares, or in the case of Shares issuable upon
conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock, the registered holder of the Class
A Common Stock (which term, for purposes of this Section, in each case, includes
any participant in The Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer
Facility") whose name appears on a security position listing as the holder of
the Shares or the shares of Class A Common Stock) tendered therewith and such
holder has not completed either the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions"
or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal
or (2) if Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution.
An "Eligible Institution" means (1) banks (as defined in Section 3(a) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act); (2) brokers, dealers, municipal securities
dealers, municipal securities brokers, government securities dealers and
government securities brokers (as defined in the Exchange Act); (3) credit
unions (as defined in Section 19B(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act); (4)
national securities exchanges, registered securities associations and clearing
agencies (as these terms are defined in the Exchange Act); and (5) savings
associations (as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act).
In all other cases, all signatures on the Letter of Transmittal must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction l of the Letter of
Transmittal. If a certificate representing Shares or Class A Common Stock is
registered in the name of a person other than the person executing the Letter of
Transmittal, or if payment is to be made, or Shares or Class A Common Stock not
purchased or tendered are to be returned, to a person other than the registered
holder, the certificate for such Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock must
be endorsed or accompanied by an appropriate stock power, in either case signed
exactly as the name of the registered holder appears on such certificate, with
the signature on the certificate or stock power guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution.
In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant
to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of
certificates for such Shares or Class A Common Stock (or a timely confirmation
of a book-entry transfer of such Shares or Class A Common Stock into the
Depositary's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as described below, or,
in the case of Shares held in the DRS, completion of the appropriate portion of
the Letter of Transmittal), a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or manually signed copy thereof), or an Agent's Message with a
book-entry transfer, and any other documents required by the Letter of
Transmittal.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING SHARE CERTIFICATES,
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING
STOCKHOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
Book-Entry Transfer. The Depositary will establish an account with respect
to the Shares at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility for purposes of the Offer
within two business days after the date of this Offer to Purchase. Any financial
institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's system
may make book-entry delivery of the Shares by causing the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility to transfer such Shares into the Depositary's account in accordance
with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for such transfer. Although
delivery of Shares may be effected through book-entry transfer into the
Depositary's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a properly completed
and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed copy thereof), with
any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message, and any other required
documents must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by the Depositary at
one of its addresses set forth on the back
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cover of this Offer to Purchase prior to the Expiration Date, or the guaranteed
delivery procedure set forth below must be followed.
In addition, solely for purposes of reducing the administrative burden on
holders of shares of Class A Common Stock who desire to tender the Shares
issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock and the Company, the
Depositary will establish an account with respect to the shares of Class A
Common Stock for which an election to convert and tender is made (the "Electing
Class A Shares") at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility for purposes of the Offer
within two business days after the date of this Offer to Purchase. Any financial
institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's system
may make book-entry delivery of the Electing Class A Shares by causing the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Electing Class A Shares into the
Depositary's account in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's
procedure for such transfer. Although delivery of Electing Class A Shares may be
effected through book-entry transfer into the Depositary's account at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or manually signed copy thereof), with any required signature
guarantees, or an Agent's Message, and any other required documents must, in any
case, be transmitted to and received by the Depositary at one of its addresses
set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase prior to the Expiration
Date, or the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth below must be followed.
The confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Shares or Electing Class A
Shares into the Depositary's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as
described above is referred to herein as a "Book-Entry Confirmation." DELIVERY
OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
The term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of a
Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has
received an express acknowledgment from the participant in the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility tendering the Shares that such participant has received and
agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that the
Company may enforce such agreement against the participant.
Guaranteed Delivery. If a stockholder desires to tender Shares pursuant to
the Offer and such stockholder's Share certificates or certificates for Class A
Common Stock cannot be delivered to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date
(or the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely
basis), or time will not permit all required documents to reach the Depositary
before the Expiration Date, such Shares may nevertheless be tendered provided
that all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) such tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution;
(2) the Depositary receives (by hand, mail, overnight courier,
telegram or facsimile transmission), on or prior to the Expiration Date, a
properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
substantially in the form the Company has provided with this Offer to
Purchase, including (where required) a signature guarantee by an Eligible
Institution in the form set forth in such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery;
and
(3) the certificates for all tendered Shares, including Shares
issuable upon the conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock, as the case
may be, in proper form for transfer (or Book-Entry Confirmation), together
with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or
manually signed copy thereof) and any required signature guarantees, or an
Agent's Message with a book-entry transfer, and any other documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Depositary no
later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third NYSE trading day
after the date the Depositary receives such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
Return of Unpurchased Shares. If any tendered Shares are not purchased, or
if less than all Shares evidenced by a stockholder's certificates are tendered,
such unpurchased Shares will be returned as promptly as practicable after the
expiration or termination of the Offer by crediting such Shares as DRS in an
account maintained by or established for such stockholder or, in the case of
Shares tendered by book-entry transfer at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, such
Shares will be credited to the appropriate account maintained by the tendering
stockholder at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, in each case, without expense
to such stockholder.
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A DRS Transaction Advice will be delivered to the stockholder, at which time the
stockholder may, by completing the DRS Transaction Advice, choose to have a
certificate issued representing the Shares not accepted into the Offer.
Return of Shares of Class A Common Stock Not Converted in the Offer. In
the event that any Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common
Stock are not purchased, or if an election to convert is made for fewer than all
such shares of Class A Common Stock evidenced by a holder's certificates,
certificates for shares of Class A Common Stock not converted will be returned
as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Offer or,
in the case of such Shares tendered by book-entry transfer at the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility, shares of Class A Common Stock will be credited to the
appropriate account maintained by such holder at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility, in each case, without expense to such holder; provided that the
Company will pay to such holders cash in lieu of any fractional Shares of Class
A Common Stock to be returned to such holder.
Fractional Shares of Class A Common Stock. As promptly as practicable
following the Expiration Date, the Depositary will aggregate the number of
fractional shares of Class A Common Stock to be returned to holders of Class A
Common Stock (the "Fractional Class A Shares"). The Depositary will sell the
Fractional Class A Shares at their prevailing prices on the NYSE. As soon as
practicable after the sale of the Fractional Class A Shares, the Depositary will
distribute to holders of Class A Common Stock, in lieu of the fractional share
otherwise to be returned to such holder, cash in an amount equal to the product
of (1) such fractional share multiplied by (2) the average per share amount
received by the Depositary upon the sale of the Fractional Class A Shares,
without interest thereon.
IN NO EVENT WILL ANY SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SHARES OF CLASS A
COMMON STOCK THAT ARE NOT PURCHASED BY THE COMPANY IN THE OFFER BE ISSUED TO
HOLDERS OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
Backup Federal Income Tax Withholding. Under the United States federal
income tax backup withholding rules, unless an exemption applies under the
applicable law and regulations, 31% of the gross proceeds payable to a
stockholder or other payee pursuant to the Offer must be withheld and remitted
to the United States Treasury, unless the stockholder or other payee provides
such person's taxpayer identification number (employer identification number or
social security number) to the Depositary and certifies under penalties of
perjury (1) that such number is correct and (2) as to no loss of exemption from
backup withholding, and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of
the backup withholding rules. Therefore, each tendering stockholder should
complete and sign the Substitute Form W-9 included as part of the Letter of
Transmittal so as to provide the information and certification necessary to
avoid backup withholding, unless such stockholder otherwise establishes to the
satisfaction of the Depositary that the stockholder is not subject to backup
withholding. Certain stockholders (including, among others, all corporations and
certain foreign stockholders (in addition to foreign corporations)) are not
subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order for a
foreign stockholder to qualify as an exempt recipient, that stockholder must
submit an IRS Form W-8 or a Substitute Form W-8, signed under penalties of
perjury, attesting to that stockholder's exempt status. Such statements can be
obtained from the Depositary. See Instructions 16 and 17 of the Letter of
Transmittal. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; any amounts so
withheld may be credited against the United States federal income tax liability
of the beneficial holder subject to the withholding.
TO PREVENT BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING EQUAL TO 31% OF THE GROSS
PAYMENTS MADE TO STOCKHOLDERS FOR SHARES PURCHASED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER, EACH
STOCKHOLDER WHO DOES NOT OTHERWISE ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH WITHHOLDING
MUST PROVIDE THE DEPOSITARY WITH THE STOCKHOLDER'S CORRECT TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND PROVIDE CERTAIN OTHER INFORMATION BY COMPLETING THE
SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 INCLUDED AS PART OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
For a discussion of certain United States federal income tax consequences
to tendering stockholders, see Section 14.
Withholding For Foreign Stockholders. Even if a foreign stockholder has
provided the required certification to avoid backup withholding, the Depositary
will withhold United States federal income taxes equal
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to 30% of the gross payments payable to a foreign stockholder or his or her
agent unless the Depositary determines that a reduced rate of withholding is
available pursuant to a tax treaty or that an exemption from withholding is
applicable because such gross proceeds are effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business within the United States. For this purpose, a
foreign stockholder is any stockholder that is not (1) a citizen or resident of
the United States, (2) a corporation, partnership, or other entity (other than
an estate or a trust) created or organized in or under the laws of the United
States, any State or any political subdivision thereof, (3) an estate the income
of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of the
source of such income, or (4) a trust (A) whose administration is subject to the
primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United
States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of
the trust or (B) that has a valid election in effect under applicable United
States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person. In order to
obtain a reduced rate of withholding pursuant to a tax treaty, a foreign
stockholder must deliver to the Depositary before the payment a properly
completed and executed IRS Form 1001. In order to obtain an exemption from
withholding on the grounds that the gross proceeds paid pursuant to the Offer
are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
United States, a foreign stockholder must deliver to the Depositary a properly
completed and executed IRS Form 4224. The Depositary will determine a
stockholder's status as a foreign stockholder and eligibility for a reduced rate
of, or exemption from, withholding by reference to any outstanding certificates
or statements concerning eligibility for a reduced rate of, or exemption from,
withholding (e.g., IRS Form 1001 or IRS Form 4224) unless facts and
circumstances indicate that such reliance is not warranted. A foreign
stockholder may be eligible to obtain a refund of all or a portion of any tax
withheld if such stockholder meets the "complete redemption," "substantially
disproportionate" or "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" test described
in Section 14 or is otherwise able to establish that no tax or a reduced amount
of tax is due. Backup withholding generally will not apply to amounts subject to
the 30% or a treaty-reduced rate of withholding. FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED
TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF UNITED STATES
FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING, INCLUDING ELIGIBILITY FOR A WITHHOLDING TAX
REDUCTION OR EXEMPTION, AND THE REFUND PROCEDURE. See Instructions 14 and 15 of
the Letter of Transmittal.
ConectivDirect(TM). The participants in ConectivDirect(TM) will receive
all documents furnished to stockholders generally in connection with the Offer.
A stockholder participating in ConectivDirect(TM) who wishes to tender Shares
held in such participant's account may use the Letter of Transmittal to instruct
the plan administrator regarding the Offer by completing the box entitled
"ConectivDirect(TM) Shares." Each participant may direct that all, some or none
of the Shares credited to such participant's account be tendered and the price
at which such Shares are to be tendered. Any ConectivDirect(TM) Shares tendered
but not purchased shall be returned to the participant's ConectivDirect(TM)
account. If a participant tenders all of his or her Shares held in a
ConectivDirect(TM) account and all such Shares are purchased by the Company
pursuant to the Offer, such tender will be deemed to be an authorization and
written notice to the plan administrator to terminate such stockholder's
participation in ConectivDirect(TM), subject to such stockholder's right to
recommence participation in accordance with the terms of ConectivDirect(TM).
PARTICIPANTS IN CONECTIVDIRECT(TM) ARE URGED TO READ THIS OFFER TO
PURCHASE, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE RELATED MATERIALS CAREFULLY.
Savings and Investment Plans. Participants in the Savings Plan will not
receive any documents furnished to stockholders generally in connection with the
Offer because they do not have the option of redirecting the investment of their
Savings Plan accounts that are currently invested in Shares. Actuarial Sciences
Associates, Inc., as Independent Fiduciary and investment manager with respect
to the Shares held in the Savings Plan, will receive the documents furnished to
stockholders generally in connection with the Offer, and will make the decision
on behalf of the Savings Plan to tender (or not to tender) the Shares, including
Shares issuable upon conversion of the shares of Class A Common Stock, and, if
so, at what price or prices. Participants in Plan B who have elected to invest
all or part of their Plan B accounts in Shares or in Class A Common Stock will
receive all documents furnished to stockholders generally in connection with the
Offer, but should not return the Letter of Transmittal. A participant in Plan B
who wishes to tender Shares held in such participant's account, or to convert
Class A Common Stock held in such participant's account to Shares and then to
tender such Shares, should use the Instruction and Transmittal Form supplied to
such participants with the documents to instruct
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the Plan B custodian regarding the Offer. Each Plan B participant may direct
that all, some or none of the Shares credited to such participant's account be
tendered and the price or prices at which such Shares are to be tendered. Each
participant may also direct that all, some or none of the shares of Class A
Common Stock held in such participant's account be converted to Shares and
tendered pursuant to the Offer. Shares tendered but not purchased will be
returned to the participant's Plan B account. Proceeds from purchased Shares
will be deposited in the participant's Plan B account and invested in the Plan B
investment option selected by the participant on the Instruction and Transmittal
Form.
PARTICIPANTS IN PLAN B ARE URGED TO READ THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL, THE INSTRUCTION AND TRANSMITTAL FORM AND THE RELATED MATERIALS
CAREFULLY.
Tendering Stockholder's Representation and Warranty; Company's Acceptance
Constitutes an Agreement. It is a violation of Rule 14e-4 promulgated under the
Exchange Act, for a person acting alone or in concert with others, directly or
indirectly, to tender Shares for such person's own account unless at the time of
tender and at the Expiration Date such person has a "net long position," within
the meaning of Rule 14e-4, equal to or greater than the amount tendered in (1)
Shares and will deliver or cause to be delivered such Shares for the purpose of
tender to the Company within the period specified in the Offer, or (2) other
securities immediately convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable into
Shares ("Equivalent Securities") and, upon the acceptance of such tender, will
acquire such Shares by conversion, exchange or exercise of such Equivalent
Securities to the extent required by the terms of the Offer and will deliver or
cause to be delivered such Shares so acquired for the purpose of tender to the
Company within the period specified in the Offer. Rule 14e-4 also provides a
similar restriction applicable to the tender or guarantee of a tender on behalf
of another person. A tender of Shares made pursuant to any method of delivery
set forth herein will constitute the tendering stockholder's representation and
warranty to the Company that (1) such stockholder has a "net long position,"
within the meaning of Rule 14e-4, in Shares or Equivalent Securities being
tendered, and (2) such tender of Shares complies with Rule 14e-4. The Company's
acceptance for payment of Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer will constitute
a binding agreement between the tendering stockholder and the Company upon the
terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
Determinations of Validity; Rejection of Shares; Waiver of Defects; No
Obligation to Give Notice of Defects. All questions as to the number of Shares
to be accepted, the Purchase Price to be paid for Shares accepted and the
validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for
payment of any tender of Shares will be determined by the Company, in its sole
discretion, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The
Company reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders it determines
not to be in proper form or the acceptance of or payment for which may, in the
opinion of the Company's counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the
absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the Offer and any defect or
irregularity in any tender of Shares, and the Company's interpretation of the
terms of the Offer (including the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal)
will be final and binding on all parties. No tender of Shares will be deemed to
be properly made until all defects or irregularities have been cured or waived.
None of the Company, the Dealer Manager, the Depositary, the Information Agent
or any other person shall be obligated to give notice of any defects or
irregularities in tenders, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure
to give any such notice.
Lost or Destroyed Certificates. Stockholders whose certificates for part
or all of their Shares or their shares of Class A Common Stock have been lost,
stolen, misplaced or destroyed must so indicate in the box entitled "Lost
Certificates" in the Letter of Transmittal. Alternatively, such stockholder may
contact the Depositary at (800) 507-9357 for instructions as to the documents
which will be required to be submitted together with the Letter of Transmittal
in order to receive stock certificate(s) representing the Shares or the Class A
Common Stock. SUCH STOCKHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE DEPOSITARY
IMMEDIATELY IN ORDER TO PERMIT TIMELY PROCESSING OF SUCH DOCUMENTATION.
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES OR ELECTING CLASS A SHARES, AS APPLICABLE (OR A
TIMELY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION OR, IN THE CASE OF SHARES HELD IN THE DRS,
COMPLETION OF THE APPROPRIATE PORTION OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL), TOGETHER
WITH A PROPERLY COMPLETED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR AN AGENT'S MESSAGE WITH A
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER), AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL, MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE DEPOSITARY AND NOT TO
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THE COMPANY. ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO THE COMPANY WILL NOT BE FORWARDED
TO THE DEPOSITARY AND THEREFORE WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE VALIDLY TENDERED.
4. WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS.
Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, tenders of Shares pursuant
to the Offer are irrevocable. Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be
withdrawn at any time before the Expiration Date and, unless accepted for
payment by the Company as provided in this Offer to Purchase, may also be
withdrawn after 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on Wednesday, July 7, 1999.
For a withdrawal to be effective, the Depositary must receive (at its
address set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase) a notice of
withdrawal in written, telegraphic or facsimile transmission form on a timely
basis. Such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who
tendered the Shares to be withdrawn, the name of the registered holder, if
different from that of the person who tendered such Shares, the number of Shares
tendered and the number of Shares to be withdrawn. If the certificates for
Shares or, in the case of Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A
Common Stock, certificates for shares of Class A Common Stock, to be withdrawn
have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Depositary, then, prior to
the release of such certificates, the tendering stockholder must also submit the
serial numbers shown on the particular certificates evidencing the Shares or the
shares of Class A Common Stock and the signature on the notice of withdrawal
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (except in the case of Shares
tendered by an Eligible Institution). If Shares have been tendered pursuant to
the procedure for book-entry transfer set forth in Section 3, the notice of
withdrawal must specify the name and the number of the account at the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility to be credited with the withdrawn Shares or, in the case of
Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock, the number of
the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the shares
of Class A Common Stock representing such withdrawn Shares and otherwise comply
with the procedures of such facility. Stockholders withdrawing Shares held in
the DRS should so specify on the notice of withdrawal. All questions as to the
form and validity, including time of receipt, of notices of withdrawal will be
determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, which determination shall be
final and binding on all parties. None of the Company, the Dealer Manager, the
Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person shall be obligated to give
any notice of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal, nor
shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice.
Withdrawals may not be rescinded, and any Shares properly withdrawn will
thereafter be deemed not tendered for purposes of the Offer. However, withdrawn
Shares may be re-tendered before the Expiration Date by again following any of
the procedures described in Section 3.
ANY WITHDRAWALS OF SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SHARES OF CLASS A
COMMON STOCK WILL ALSO BE DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE THE REVOCATION OF THE RELATED
ELECTION TO CONVERT.
If the Company extends the Offer, is delayed in its purchase of Shares or
is unable to purchase Shares pursuant to the Offer for any reason, then, without
prejudice to the Company's rights under the Offer, the Depositary may, subject
to applicable law, retain on behalf of the Company all tendered Shares, and such
Shares may not be withdrawn except to the extent tendering stockholders are
entitled to withdrawal rights as described in this Section 4.
5. PURCHASE OF SHARES AND PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE.
The Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, determine a single per Share Purchase Price (not greater than $25.50 nor
less than $23.50 per share), net to the seller in cash, that it will pay for
Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer, taking into
account the number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering
stockholders, and will accept for payment and pay for (and thereby purchase) up
to 14,000,000 Shares validly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not
withdrawn as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date (or such lesser
number of Shares as are validly tendered and not withdrawn). For purposes of the
Offer, the Company will be deemed to have accepted for payment (and therefore
purchased), subject to the proration provisions of the Offer, Shares that are
validly
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tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not withdrawn only when, as and if
it gives oral or written notice to the Depositary of its acceptance of such
Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the Company will
accept for payment and pay a single per Share Purchase Price for all of the
Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer as soon as practicable after
the Expiration Date. In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for
payment pursuant to the Offer will be made promptly (subject to possible delay
in the event of proration) but only after timely receipt by the Depositary of
certificates for Shares (or of a timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such Shares
into the Depositary's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility or, in the
case of Shares held in the DRS, completion of the appropriate portion of the
Letter of Transmittal), a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or manually signed copy thereof), and any other required documents.
Payment for the Shares issuable to holders of Electing Class A Shares and
tendered by the holder thereof and accepted for payment by the Company pursuant
to the Offer shall be made promptly (subject to possible delay in the event of
proration) but only after timely receipt by the Depositary of certificates for
Electing Class A Shares (or of a timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such Electing
Class A Shares into the Depositary's account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility) so submitted for conversion and tender, a properly completed and duly
executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed copy thereof), or an
Agent's Message with a book-entry transfer, and any other required documents.
Payment for Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer will be made by
depositing the aggregate Purchase Price therefor with the Depositary, which will
act as agent for tendering stockholders for the purpose of receiving payment
from the Company and transmitting payment to the tendering stockholders.
In the event of proration, the Company will determine the proration factor
and pay for those tendered Shares accepted for payment as soon as practicable
after the Expiration Date. In determining the proration factor, Shares issuable
upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock and tendered in the Offer will
be aggregated with all other tendered Shares. However, the Company does not
expect to be able to announce the final results of any such proration until
approximately seven business days after the Expiration Date. Under no
circumstances will the Company pay interest on the Purchase Price including,
without limitation, by reason of any delay in making payment. All Shares not
purchased, including all Shares tendered at prices greater than the Purchase
Price and Shares not purchased due to proration, will be returned to such
stockholder as DRS by crediting an account maintained by or established for such
stockholder (or, in the case of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer, such
Shares will be credited to the account maintained with the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility by the participant who so delivered such Shares) as promptly as
practicable following the Expiration Date or termination of the Offer, in each
case, without expense to the tendering stockholder. In the event that Shares
issuable upon conversion of Electing Class A Shares are not purchased,
certificates for Electing Class A Shares not converted in the Offer will be
returned as promptly as practicable following the Expiration Date or termination
of the Offer or, in the case of Electing Class A Shares tendered by book entry
transfer at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, such shares will be credited to
the appropriate account maintained by such holder at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility, in each case, without expense to such holder; provided that the
Company will pay to such holders cash in lieu of any fractional Shares of Class
A Common Stock to be returned to such holder. In addition, if certain events
occur, the Company may not be obligated to purchase Shares pursuant to the
Offer. See Section 6.
The Company will pay all stock transfer taxes, if any, payable on the
transfer to it of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer; provided, however,
that if payment of the Purchase Price is to be made to, or (in the circumstances
permitted by the Offer) if unpurchased Shares are to be registered in the name
of, any person other than the registered holder, or if tendered certificates are
registered in the name of any person other than the person signing the Letter of
Transmittal, the amount of all stock transfer taxes, if any (whether imposed on
the registered holder or such other person), payable on account of the transfer
to such person will be deducted from the Purchase Price unless evidence
satisfactory to the Company of the payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom
is submitted. See Instruction 8 of the Letter of Transmittal.
ANY TENDERING STOCKHOLDER OR OTHER PAYEE WHO FAILS TO COMPLETE FULLY, SIGN
AND RETURN TO THE DEPOSITARY THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 INCLUDED WITH THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL MAY BE SUBJECT TO REQUIRED BACKUP FEDERAL
28
<PAGE> 29
INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF THE GROSS PROCEEDS PAID TO SUCH STOCKHOLDER OR
OTHER PAYEE PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. SEE SECTION 3. ALSO SEE SECTION 3 REGARDING
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS.
6. CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, the Company shall not be
required to accept for payment, purchase or pay for any Shares tendered, and may
terminate or amend the Offer or may postpone the acceptance for payment of, or
the purchase of and the payment for Shares tendered, subject to the rules under
the Exchange Act, if at any time on or after May 11, 1999 and prior to the time
of payment for any such Shares (whether any Shares have theretofore been
accepted for payment, purchased or paid for pursuant to the Offer) any of the
following events shall have occurred (or shall have been determined by the
Company to have occurred) that, in the Company's judgment in any such case and
regardless of the circumstances giving rise thereto (including any action or
omission to act by the Company), makes it inadvisable to proceed with the Offer
or with such acceptance for payment or payment:
(1) the acceptance for payment of Shares by the Company (including
Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock and
tendered pursuant to the Offer) would be reasonably likely to result in (A)
either the Shares or the shares of Class A Common Stock being held of
record by less than 300 persons; or (B) either the Shares or the shares of
Class A Common Stock not being listed on any national securities exchange
(such as the NYSE) nor authorized to be quoted on an inter-dealer quotation
system of any registered national securities association; or
(2) there shall have been threatened, instituted or be pending before
any court, agency, authority or other tribunal any action, suit or
proceeding, including any settlement or proposed settlement, or other
development with respect to any of the foregoing if existing on the date
hereof, by any government or governmental, regulatory or administrative
agency or authority or by any other person, domestic, foreign or
supranational, or any judgment, order or injunction entered, enforced or
deemed applicable by any such court, authority, agency or tribunal,
including, in each case, the NJBPU in connection with proceedings pursuant
to the New Jersey Act or otherwise, which (A) challenges or seeks to make
illegal, or to delay or otherwise directly or indirectly to restrain,
prohibit or otherwise affect the making of the Offer, the acquisition of
Shares pursuant to the Offer or is otherwise related in any manner to, or
otherwise affects, the Offer; or (B) could, in the sole judgment of the
Company, materially affect the business, condition (financial or
otherwise), income, operations or prospects of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or otherwise materially impair in any way
the contemplated future conduct of the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or materially impair the Offer's
contemplated benefits to the Company; or
(3) there shall have been any action threatened or taken, including
any settlement, or any approval withheld, or any statute, rule or
regulation, judgment, order or injunction threatened, invoked, proposed,
sought, promulgated, enacted, entered, amended, enforced or deemed to be
applicable to the Offer or the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
including any settlement, by any court, government or governmental,
regulatory or administrative authority or agency or tribunal, domestic,
foreign or supranational, including the NJBPU, which, in the sole judgment
of the Company, would or might directly or indirectly result in any of the
consequences referred to in clause (A) or (B) of paragraph (2) above; or
(4) there shall have occurred (A) the declaration of any banking
moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United
States (whether or not mandatory); (B) any general suspension of trading
in, or limitation on prices for, securities on any United States national
securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (C) the commencement
of a war, armed hostilities or any other national or international crisis
directly or indirectly involving the United States; (D) any limitation
(whether or not mandatory) by any governmental, regulatory or
administrative agency or authority on, or any event which, in the sole
judgment of the Company, might materially affect, the extension of credit
by banks or other lending institutions in the United States; (E) any
significant decrease in the market price of the Shares or in the market
prices of equity securities generally in the United States or any change in
the general
29
<PAGE> 30
political, market, economic or financial conditions in the United States or
abroad that could have, in the sole judgment of the Company, a material
adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), income,
operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, or on the trading in the Shares or on the proposed financing of the
Offer; (F) in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the time of the
announcement of the Offer, a material acceleration or worsening thereof; or
(G) any decline in either the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500
Composite Index or the S&P Utilities Index by an amount in excess of 10%
measured from the close of business on May 10, 1999; or
(5) any change shall occur or be threatened in the business, condition
(financial or other), assets, income, operations, prospects or stock
ownership of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, which in
the sole judgment of the Company is or may be material to the Company and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole; or
(6) a tender or exchange offer with respect to some or all of the
Shares (other than the Offer), or a merger or acquisition proposal for the
Company, shall have been proposed, announced or made by another person or
shall have been publicly disclosed, or the Company shall have learned that
(A) any person or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act) has acquired or proposes to acquire beneficial ownership of
more than 5% of the outstanding Shares whether through the acquisition of
stock, the formation of a group, the grant of any option or right, or
otherwise (other than as disclosed in a Schedule 13D or 13G on file with
the Commission on May 10, 1999) or (B) any such person or group that on or
prior to May 10, 1999 had filed such a Schedule with the Commission
thereafter shall have acquired or shall propose to acquire whether through
the acquisition of stock, the formation of a group, the grant of any option
or right, or otherwise, beneficial ownership of additional Shares
representing 2% or more of the outstanding Shares; or
(7) any person or group shall have filed a Notification and Report
Form under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended, reflecting an intent to acquire the Company or any of its Shares.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition (including any action or inaction by the Company) or may be waived by
the Company in whole or in part. The Company's failure at any time to exercise
any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right, and
each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right that may be asserted at any
time and from time to time. In certain circumstances, if the Company waives any
of the foregoing conditions, it may be required to extend the Expiration Date.
Any determination by the Company concerning the events described above and any
related judgment or decision by the Company regarding the inadvisability of
proceeding with the purchase of or payment for any Shares tendered will be final
and binding on all parties.
7. EXTENSION OF THE OFFER; TERMINATION; AMENDMENTS.
The Company expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any
time and from time to time, and regardless of whether or not any of the events
set forth in Section 6 shall have occurred or shall be deemed by the Company to
have occurred, to extend the period of time during which the Offer is open and
thereby delay acceptance for payment of, and payment for, any Shares by giving
oral or written notice of such extension to the Depositary and making a public
announcement thereof. The Company also expressly reserves the right, in its sole
discretion, to terminate the Offer and not accept for payment or pay for any
Shares not theretofore accepted for payment or paid for or, subject to
applicable law, to postpone payment for Shares upon the occurrence of any of the
conditions specified in Section 6 hereof by giving oral or written notice of
such termination or postponement to the Depositary and making a public
announcement thereof. Additionally, in certain circumstances, if the Company
waives any of the conditions of the Offer set forth in Section 6, it may be
required to extend the Expiration Date of the Offer. The Company's reservation
of the right to delay payment for Shares that it has accepted for payment is
limited by Rule l3e-4(f)(5) promulgated under the Exchange Act, which requires
that the Company must pay the consideration offered or return the Shares
tendered promptly after termination or withdrawal of a tender offer. Subject to
compliance with applicable law, the
30
<PAGE> 31
Company further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, and regardless of
whether any of the events set forth in Section 6 shall have occurred or shall be
deemed by the Company to have occurred, to amend the Offer in any respect
(including, without limitation, by decreasing or increasing the consideration
offered in the Offer to holders of Shares or by decreasing or increasing the
number of Shares being sought in the Offer). Amendments to the Offer may be made
at any time and from time to time effected by public announcement thereof, such
announcement, in the case of an extension, to be issued no later than 9:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the next business day after the last previously scheduled
or announced Expiration Date. Any public announcement made pursuant to the Offer
will be disseminated promptly to stockholders in a manner reasonably designed to
inform stockholders of such change. Without limiting the manner in which the
Company may choose to make any public announcement, except as provided by
applicable law, the Company currently intends to make any such public
announcement by issuing a press release to the Dow Jones News Service.
If the Company makes a material change in the terms of the Offer or the
information concerning the Offer, or if it waives a material condition of the
Offer, the Company will extend the Offer to the extent required by Rules
13e-4(d)(2) and 13e-4(e)(2) promulgated under the Exchange Act, which require
that the minimum period during which an offer must remain open following
material changes in the terms of the offer or information concerning the offer
(other than a change in price or a change in percentage of securities sought)
will depend upon the facts and circumstances, including the relative materiality
of such terms or information. If (1) the Company (A) increases or decreases the
price to be paid for Shares, (B) increases or decreases the Dealer Manager's
fee, (C) increases the number of Shares being sought and such increase in the
number of Shares being sought exceeds 2% of the outstanding Shares, or (D)
decreases the number of Shares being sought, and (2) the Offer is scheduled to
expire at any time earlier than the expiration of a period ending on the tenth
business day from, and including, the date that notice of such increase or
decrease is first published, sent or given in the manner specified in this
Section 7, then in each case the Offer will be extended until the expiration of
such period of ten business days.
8. PRICE RANGE OF SHARES AND SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK; DIVIDENDS.
Shares. The Shares are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol
"CIV." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and
low closing sales prices per Share on the NYSE Composite Tape as compiled from
published financial sources and the cash dividends paid per Share in each such
fiscal quarter:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW DIVIDENDS
---- --- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1997(1)
First Quarter............................................. $20 3/8 $18 3/8 $.385
Second Quarter............................................ 19 3/8 16 7/8 .385
Third Quarter............................................. 19 17 3/16 .385
Fourth Quarter............................................ 23 7/16 18 9/16 .385
1998(2)
First Quarter............................................. $22 3/4 $20 7/8 $.385
Second Quarter............................................ 22 9/16 19 7/8 .385
Third Quarter............................................. 23 1/4 19 11/16 .385
Fourth Quarter............................................ 24 1/2 21 7/8 .385
1999
First Quarter............................................. $24 3/8 $19 3/8 $.385
Second Quarter (through May 10, 1999)..................... 24 3/16 19 3/8 --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The stock prices for 1997 are for DPL.
(2) The stock prices for January and February 1998 are for DPL, and for March
1998 through May 1999 are for the Company.
31
<PAGE> 32
The closing per Share sales price as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape on
May 10, 1999, the last full trading day before the announcement of the Offer,
was $23 5/16. THE COMPANY URGES STOCKHOLDERS TO OBTAIN CURRENT QUOTATIONS OF THE
MARKET PRICE OF THE SHARES.
Class A Common Stock. The shares of Class A Common Stock are listed and
traded on the NYSE under the symbol "CIV.A." The following table sets forth, for
the periods indicated, the high and low closing sales prices per share on the
NYSE Composite Tape as compiled from published financial sources and the cash
dividends paid per share in each such fiscal quarter:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW DIVIDENDS
---- --- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1998(1)
First Quarter................................. $34 1/2 $29 9/16 $.80
Second Quarter................................ 36 7/8 31 11/16 .80
Third Quarter................................. 37 3/8 34 .80
Fourth Quarter................................ 39 7/8 35 3/8 .80
1999
First Quarter................................. $40 $34 7/8 $.80
Second Quarter (through May 10, 1999)......... 36 15/16 34 9/16 --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The Class A Common Stock began trading on March 3, 1998.
The closing per share sales price for the Class A Common Stock as reported
on the NYSE Composite Tape on May 10, 1999, the last full trading day before the
announcement of the Offer, was $34 7/8. As a result of the Offer, holders of
shares of Class A Common Stock may elect, in accordance with the terms of the
Restated Certificate, to convert each share of Class A Common Stock into 1.59997
Shares and tender such Shares pursuant to the Offer; provided, however, that any
such election and conversion will be effective only with respect to such Shares
as are actually accepted for purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer. THE
COMPANY URGES STOCKHOLDERS TO OBTAIN CURRENT QUOTATIONS OF THE MARKET PRICE OF
THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK.
Rights. On April 23, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted
the Rights Agreement, pursuant to which the Rights and the Class A Rights were
distributed to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 11, 1998,
on the basis of one Right for each Share held and one Class A Right for each
share of Class A Common Stock held. In general, the Rights and the Class A
Rights become exercisable or transferable only upon the occurrence of certain
events relating to the acquisition by any person or group of beneficial
ownership of 15% or more of the aggregate voting power represented by the
Company's outstanding securities or the commencement of a tender offer to
acquire such beneficial ownership. Once exercisable, each Right entitles its
holder to purchase from the Company 1/100th of one share of Series 1 Junior
Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $65 per share, subject to adjustment, and
each Class A Right entitles its holder to purchase from the Company 1/100th of
one share of Series 2 Junior Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $65 per
share, subject to adjustment. The Rights and the Class A Rights expire on April
23, 2008, and, subject to certain conditions, may be redeemed by the Board of
Directors at any time at a price of $.01 per Right or Class A Right. The Rights
and the Class A Rights are not currently exercisable and trade together with the
Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock associated therewith. Absent
circumstances causing the Rights to become exercisable or separately tradable
prior to the Expiration Date, the tender of any Shares pursuant to the Offer
will include the tender of the associated Rights. No separate consideration will
be paid for such Rights. Upon the purchase of Shares by the Company pursuant to
the Offer, the sellers of the Shares so purchased will no longer own the Rights
associated with such Shares.
Although the Company is not offering to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock, as a result of the Offer, holders of Class A Common Stock may elect, in
accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate of the Company, to convert
each share of Class A Common Stock into 1.59997 Shares and to tender such Shares
pursuant to the Offer; provided, however, that any such election and conversion
will be effective only with respect to such Shares as are actually accepted for
purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement,
if shares of Class A Common Stock are converted to Shares in connection with the
32
<PAGE> 33
Offer, each Class A Right associated with a share of Class A Common Stock so
converted will be converted to 1.59997 Rights, and the tender of Shares issuable
upon conversion of such shares of Class A Common Stock will include the tender
of associated Rights issuable upon conversion of such Class A Rights.
The foregoing description of the Rights and Class A Rights is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, a copy of which has been
included as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the Commission on April 23, 1998. Such Form 8-K and the exhibit thereto may be
obtained from the Commission in the manner provided in Section 11.
9. INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS; TRANSACTIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS
CONCERNING THE SHARES.
As of May 10, 1999, there were 100,589,287 Shares outstanding, 10,496,783
Shares issuable upon conversion of all outstanding shares of Class A Common
Stock and 1,559,950 Shares issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding
Options. The 14,000,000 Shares that the Company is offering to purchase
represent approximately 13.9% of the Shares outstanding as of such date as of
such date (or 12.4% of such Shares assuming the conversion of all shares of
Class A Common Stock and the exercise of all outstanding Options, in each case,
as of the date hereof). As of May 10, 1999, the Company's directors and
executive officers as a group (19 persons) beneficially owned less than 1% of
the outstanding Shares on such date. Each of the Company's directors and
executive officers has advised the Company that he or she does not intend to
tender any Shares pursuant to the Offer. If the Company purchases 14,000,000
Shares pursuant to the Offer and no director or executive officer tenders Shares
pursuant to the Offer, then after the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer,
the Company's directors and executive officers as a group would beneficially own
less than 1% of the outstanding Shares immediately after the Offer.
Based upon the Company's records and upon information provided to the
Company by its directors, executive officers, associates and subsidiaries,
neither the Company nor any of its associates or subsidiaries or persons
controlling the Company (of which the Company believes there are none) nor, to
the best of the Company's knowledge, any of the directors or executive officers
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor any associates or subsidiaries of
such directors or executive officers, has effected any transactions involving
the Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock during the 40 business days prior
to May 11, 1999, other than transactions in Shares for the accounts of directors
and executive officers pursuant to ConectivDirect(TM), the Company's dividend
reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan. The Company expects that
ConectivDirect(TM) will, in accordance with the terms of such plan, elections in
effect and present patterns of contribution, continue to purchase Shares prior
to the expiration of the Offer.
Except as set forth in this Offer to Purchase, neither the Company or any
person controlling the Company (of which the Company believes there are none)
nor, to the Company's knowledge, any of its directors or executive officers, is
a party to any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with any
other person relating, directly or indirectly, to the Offer with respect to any
securities of the Company including, but not limited to, any contract,
arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the transfer or the voting
of any such securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or
calls, guarantees of loans, guarantees against loss or the giving or withholding
of proxies, consents or authorizations.
10. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS.
Assuming that the Company purchases 14,000,000 Shares pursuant to the Offer
at the maximum specified purchase price of $25.50 per Share, the Company expects
the maximum aggregate cost, including all fees and expenses applicable to the
Offer, to be approximately $360 million. The Company anticipates that
substantially all of the funds necessary to pay such amounts will be financed
with (A) net proceeds from the issuance and sale (the "Note Offering") of up to
$250 million aggregate principal amount of medium term notes of the Company (the
"Notes") and (B) borrowings under the (i) Credit Agreement (Five Year), dated as
of February 4, 1998 (the "Long-Term Agreement"), among the Company, the lenders
party thereto, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency, as
syndication agent, First Union National Bank ("FUNB"), as documentation agent,
and The First National Bank of Chicago ("FNBC"), as administrative agent, and
(ii) Credit Agreement (364-Day), dated as of February 19, 1999 (the "Short-Term
Agreement"), among the
33
<PAGE> 34
Company, the lenders party thereto, FUNB, as syndication agent, NationsBank,
N.A., as documentation agent, and FNBC, as administrative agent (together, the
"Credit Agreements").
The Notes will be issued under an Indenture from the Company to First Union
Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee. The Company has initially
designated First Union Trust Company, National Association as its paying agent
and security registrar for the Notes. Each Note will mature on a date from nine
months to 15 years from its date of issue. The Notes may also be subject to
redemption at the Company's option prior to their stated maturity date. Interest
on each Note will accrue from its date of issuance. Except as described in the
Company's Prospectus Supplement, dated May 11, 1999 or as otherwise specified in
the pricing supplement applicable to such Notes, interest on the Notes will be
payable semiannually, in arrears, on May 1 and December 1 of each year and at
maturity. The Notes will bear interest at a rate to be determined on the date of
issue of such Notes by the proper officers of the Company, as authorized by
resolution of the Board of Directors, which rate will not exceed 300 basis
points above that of U.S. Treasury securities of comparable maturities. Interest
rates on the Notes may differ depending upon, among other factors, the aggregate
principal amount of Notes purchased in any single transaction. The Company may
offer Notes with different variable terms to different investors concurrently or
may change interest rates and other terms of Notes from time to time, however,
no change will affect any Note previously issued or for which an offer to
purchase has been accepted. The Notes will be issued in fully registered form
only in denominations of $1,000 and any larger amount that is an integral
multiple of $1,000. The net proceeds of the Note Offering will be used to repay
outstanding principal under the Credit Agreements. A copy of the form of
indenture governing the Notes to be issued in the Note Offering has been filed
with the Commission as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-3 filed with the Commission on May 11, 1999.
Pursuant to the Long-Term Agreement and the Short-Term Agreement, which
mature in February 2003 and February 2000, respectively, unless extended
pursuant to the terms thereof, the Company may borrow, on an unsecured basis, up
to an aggregate of $800 million under the revolving credit facilities provided
for therein. Outstanding principal under the Credit Agreements bears interest at
either (1) the ABR Rate (defined as the higher of the weighted average of the
then-current overnight federal funds rate plus 1/2% per annum, or the average
of the corporate base or prime rates announced by certain lenders under the
Credit Agreements), (2) the C/D Rate (defined as the average rate bid by lenders
under the Credit Agreements on the first day of the applicable interest period,
over 1.00 minus the percentage prescribed by the Federal Reserve for determining
the maximum reserve requirement for a depositary institution, plus the annual
assessment rate then in effect which is payable by members of the Bank Insurance
Fund maintained by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") to the
FDIC for the FDIC's insuring time deposits), or (3) the Eurodollar Rate (defined
as the Telerate Service rate determined two business days prior to the beginning
of the applicable interest period, over 1.00 minus the aggregate of the rates of
reserve requirements in effect on such day dealing with reserve requirements
prescribed for eurocurrency funding maintained by member banks of that system),
as the case may be, plus an applicable margin based on the lowest rating of
either ACE's or DPL's senior, long-term, secured, non credit-enhanced debt, as
rated by Moody's Investment Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation. The
Credit Agreements include representations and warranties, covenants, events of
default and other terms that are customary in such agreements. Copies of the
Credit Agreements have been filed with the Commission as exhibits to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 10,
1999.
The Company expects to repay this additional indebtedness with a
combination of funds generated by its operations, the proceeds of asset
dispositions and increased cash flows resulting from the dividend reduction.
11. CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY.
General. On March 1, 1998, the Company became a holding company after a
series of merger transactions among DPL, Atlantic Energy, Inc. ("Atlantic"), the
Company and DS Sub, Inc. (the "Merger"). As a result of the Merger, Atlantic
ceased to exist and DPL, ACE and the non-utility subsidiaries formerly held
separately by DPL and Atlantic became wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.
DPL and ACE are regulated public utilities which supply and deliver electricity
to their customers; DPL also supplies and delivers
34
<PAGE> 35
natural gas to its customers. DPL and ACE hold the franchises necessary to
provide regulated utility services in their service territories.
The Company is a registered holding company under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended ("PUHCA"). PUHCA imposes certain
restrictions on the operations of registered holding companies and their
subsidiaries. Pursuant to PUHCA regulations, the Company formed a subsidiary
service company, Conectiv Resource Partners, Inc. ("CRP"). CRP provides a
variety of support services to the Company's subsidiaries, and its employees are
primarily former DPL and ACE employees. The costs of CRP are directly assigned,
distributed and allocated to the Company's subsidiaries using CRP's services,
including DPL and ACE.
The principal executive office of the Company is located at 800 King
Street, P.O. Box 231, Wilmington, Delaware 19899.
Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information. The following table
sets forth summary historical consolidated financial information of the Company
and its subsidiaries. The historical financial information for fiscal years 1997
and 1998 has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the
audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as reported in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, which is incorporated herein by reference. The historical financial
information for the three-month periods ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 and as of
March 31, 1999 and March 31, 1998 has been derived from, and should be read in
conjunction with, the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company
as reported in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three-month
periods ended March 31, 1999 and March 31, 1998, respectively, which are
incorporated herein by reference. The summary historical financial information
should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the audited and unaudited financial statements and the related
notes thereto from which it has been derived. Copies of reports filed by the
Company may be inspected or obtained from the Commission in the manner specified
in "-- Additional Information" below.
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<PAGE> 36
CONECTIV AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
---------------------- ----------------------------
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1999 1998 1998 1997
--------- --------- ------------ ------------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income Statement Data(1)
Operating Revenue.............................. $946,585 $503,591 $3,071,606 $1,415,367
Operating Income(2)............................ $102,538 $ 22,163 $ 386,915 $ 226,294
Extraordinary Items (net of taxes)............. -- -- -- --
Net income (loss)(2)(3)........................ $ 48,695 $ (3,978) $ 153,201 $ 101,218
Earnings (loss) per share of Common Stock:
Income (loss) before extraordinary
items(2)(3)............................... $ 0.47 $ (0.06) $ 1.50 $ 1.66
Net income (loss)(2)(3)..................... $ 0.47 $ (0.06) $ 1.50 $ 1.66
Net income on a fully diluted basis
(loss)(2)(3).............................. $ 0.47 $ (0.06) $ 1.50 $ 1.66
Average number of Shares outstanding........... 100,532 74,684 94,338 61,122
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(4).......... 2.71(a) 2.10(b) 2.38 2.63
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) For the twelve months ended March 31, 1999.
(b) For the twelve months ended March 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT
--------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1999 1998 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance Sheet Data(1)
Working capital............................. $ (393,573) $ (169,326) $ (357,919) $ 6,477
Total assets................................ $6,134,583 $5,857,027 $6,087,674 $3,015,481
Total assets less goodwill.................. $5,732,665 $5,513,084 $5,684,838 $2,922,879
Total indebtedness.......................... $2,326,830 $2,194,971 $2,328,545 $1,111,744
Common stockholders' equity................. $1,848,210 $1,830,116 $1,843,161 $ 954,496
Book value per common share(5).............. $ 17.25 $ 17.02 $ 17.21 $ 15.59
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE> 37
CONECTIV AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(1) The Merger was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, with
DPL as the acquirer. Based on the Merger date of March 1, 1998, the Income
Statement Data included in the Summary Historical Consolidated Financial
Information for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the three months
ended March 31, 1998, include ten months and one month, respectively, of
results of operations for ACE and the non-utility subsidiaries formerly
owned by Atlantic Energy, Inc. The 1997 Income Statement Data included in
the Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information includes DPL and
its subsidiaries during 1997. The Balance Sheet Data included in the Summary
Historical Consolidated Financial Information as of March 31, 1999, March
31, 1998 and December 31, 1998 include DPL, ACE and the pre-Merger
subsidiaries of DPL and Atlantic Energy, Inc. The Balance Sheet Data
included in the Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information as of
December 31, 1997 include DPL and the pre-Merger subsidiaries of DPL.
(2) For the twelve months ended December 31, 1998, DPL's employee separation and
other Merger-related costs decreased operating income, net income and
earnings per common share by $27.7 million, $16.8 million and $0.18,
respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 1998, DPL's employee
separation and other Merger-related costs decreased operating income, net
income and earnings per common share by $40.6 million, $24.6 million and
$0.33, respectively. Employee separation, relocation and other Merger-
related costs for Atlantic Energy, Inc. and its former subsidiaries were
capitalized as costs of the Merger.
(3) In 1997, a subsidiary of DPL realized a gain on the sale of a landfill and a
waste-hauling company, which increased net income and earnings per common
share by $13.7 million and $0.22, respectively.
(4) The Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges have been computed in accordance
with the method prescribed by the Commission. Under the Commission method,
earnings, including Allowance For Funds Used During Construction, have been
computed by adding income taxes and fixed charges to net income. Fixed
charges include gross interest expense, the estimated interest component of
rentals, and preferred stock dividend requirements of subsidiaries.
Preferred stock dividend requirements for purposes of computing the ratio
have been increased to an amount representing the pre-tax earnings which
would be required to cover such dividend requirements.
(5) Book value per common share as of March 31, 1999, March 31, 1998, December
31, 1998 and December 31, 1997 was computed by dividing total common
stockholders' equity by the number of common shares outstanding on those
respective dates, including the number of Shares, the number of shares of
Class A Common Stock and, with respect to periods prior to March 1, 1998,
the number of shares of DPL common stock.
37
<PAGE> 38
Summary Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements. The
following summary unaudited consolidated pro forma financial statements give
effect to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer, including the related
incurrence of indebtedness, and the reduction in the dividend on the Shares,
based on certain assumptions described below and in the related Notes below. The
Summary Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma Balance Sheets give effect to the
purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer, including the related incurrence of
indebtedness, as though such events occurred as of the respective dates of such
balance sheets. The Summary Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma Statements of
Income for the three-month period ended March 31, 1999 and for the year ended
December 31, 1998 give effect to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer,
including the related incurrence of indebtedness, and the reduction in the
dividend on the Shares as though such events occurred on January 1, 1999 and
March 1, 1998, respectively. The summary unaudited consolidated pro forma
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Summary Historical
Consolidated Financial Information included herein and the historical
consolidated financial information incorporated by reference herein and does not
purport to be indicative of the operating results that would actually have been
obtained, or operating results that may be obtained in the future, or the
financial position that would have resulted had the purchase of the Shares
pursuant to the Offer, including the related incurrence of indebtedness, and the
reduction in the dividend on the Shares been completed at the dates indicated.
The pro forma adjustments assume the following:
(A) The issuance by the Company of $357.0 million of debt at an average
interest rate of 7%, including (a) $250 million of Notes having an
average life of 5 years, and (b) $107.0 million of commercial paper;
and the payment by the Company of $1.7 million in fees and expenses
relating to the issuance of the Notes.
(B) The realization of an income tax benefit resulting from interest
expense on the debt and amortization of debt issuance expenses, based
on an effective income tax rate of 40.85%.
(C) The use by the Company of proceeds from the debt issuance to purchase
14,000,000 Shares at $25 1/2 per Share in the Offer, including Shares
purchased as the result of the conversion of shares of Class A Common
Stock; and the payment by the Company of $3.0 million of related Offer
expenses.
(D) The payment of dividends on Shares at $0.22 per Share per quarter, or
$0.88 per Share per year.
(E) A decrease in the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock
due to the conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock to Shares and
purchase of Shares by the Company in the Offer, assuming each share of
Class A Common Stock was converted to 1.59997 Shares. A reduction in
the Class A Common Stock's percentage of earnings from the Atlantic
Utility Group that exceed $40 million per year from 30% to 27.2% for
the three months ended March 31, 1999 and 27.3% for the twelve months
ended December 31, 1998.
(F) The number of Shares purchased from holders of Class A Common Stock who
elect to convert shares of Class A Common Stock to Shares was assumed
to be equal to the quotient of (a) the number of shares of Class A
Common Stock outstanding multiplied by the Class A Common Stock
conversion ratio, divided by (b) (i) the number of Shares outstanding
as of the date Shares are assumed to be purchased under the Offer, and
(ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding
multiplied by the Class A Common Stock conversion ratio, multiplied by
(c) the 14,000,000 Shares purchased in the Offer. The balance of the
14,000,000 Shares purchased is assumed to be from holders of Shares
other than the Shares attributed to the conversion of Class A Common
Stock.
38
<PAGE> 39
CONECTIV AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 1999
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
---------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets............................................ $ 765,956 $ (4,700)(1) $ 761,256
Investments............................................... 405,653 -- 405,653
Property, plant and equipment............................. 4,475,390 -- 4,475,390
Deferred charges and other assets......................... 487,584 1,700(2) 489,284
---------- -------- ----------
Total assets.............................................. $6,134,583 $ (3,000) $6,131,583
========== ======== ==========
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Current liabilities....................................... $1,159,529 $107,000(3) $1,266,529
Deferred credits and other liabilities.................... 1,141,330 -- 1,141,330
Capitalization............................................ --
Common stockholders' equity............................. 1,848,210 (360,000)(4) 1,488,210
Preferred stock of subsidiaries......................... 284,883 -- 284,883
Long-term debt.......................................... 1,700,631 250,000(5) 1,950,631
---------- -------- ----------
3,833,724 (110,000) 3,723,724
---------- -------- ----------
Total capitalization and liabilities...................... $6,134,583 $ (3,000) $6,131,583
========== ======== ==========
Common shares outstanding (000)
Shares.................................................. 100,589 (12,677)(6) 87,912
Class A common stock.................................... 6,561 (827)(7) 5,734
Book value per common share............................... $ 17.25 (8) $ 15.89
</TABLE>
The Notes to Summary Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements
are an integral part of this statement.
39
<PAGE> 40
CONECTIV AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1999
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND RATIOS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
---------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues........................................ $946,585 $946,585
Operating expenses........................................ 844,047 844,047
-------- --------
Operating income.......................................... 102,538 102,538
-------- --------
Other income.............................................. 23,113 23,113
-------- --------
Interest expense.......................................... 38,694 6,333(9) 45,027
-------- -------- --------
Preferred stock dividend requirements of subsidiaries..... 4,948 4,948
-------- --------
Income before income taxes................................ 82,009 (6,333) 75,676
-------- -------- --------
Income taxes.............................................. 33,314 (2,587)(10) 30,727
-------- -------- --------
Net income................................................ $ 48,695 $ (3,746) $ 44,949
======== ======== ========
Earnings applicable to common stock
Shares.................................................. $ 47,358 $ (3,621)(11) $ 43,737
Class A common stock.................................... 1,337 (125)(11)(b) 1,212
-------- -------- --------
$ 48,695 $ (3,746) $ 44,949
======== ======== ========
Average shares outstanding (000)
Shares.................................................. 100,532 (12,677)(12) 87,855
-------- -------- --------
Class A common stock.................................... 6,561 (827)(13) 5,734
-------- -------- --------
Earnings per average share -- basic and diluted
Shares.................................................. $ 0.47 $ 0.03(14) $ 0.50
-------- -------- --------
Class A common stock.................................... $ 0.20 $ 0.01(14) $ 0.21
-------- -------- --------
Dividends declared per share
Shares.................................................. $ 0.385 $ (0.165)(15) $ 0.22
-------- -------- --------
Class A common stock.................................... $ 0.80 $ -- $ 0.80
-------- -------- --------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(a)..................... 2.71 (16) 2.40
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) For the twelve months ended March 31, 1999.
The Notes to Summary Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements
are an integral part of this statement.
40
<PAGE> 41
CONECTIV AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
---------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets............................................ $ 723,872 $ (4,700)(1) $ 719,172
Investments............................................... 387,678 -- 387,678
Property, plant and equipment............................. 4,480,387 -- 4,480,387
Deferred charges and other assets......................... 495,737 1,700(2) 497,437
---------- --------- ----------
Total assets.............................................. $6,087,674 $ (3,000) $6,084,674
========== ========= ==========
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Current liabilities....................................... $1,081,791 $ 107,000(3) $1,188,791
Deferred credits and other liabilities.................... 1,131,277 -- 1,131,277
Capitalization
Common stockholders' equity............................. 1,843,161 (360,000)(4) 1,483,161
Preferred stock of subsidiaries......................... 284,883 -- 284,883
Long-term debt.......................................... 1,746,562 250,000(5) 1,996,562
---------- --------- ----------
3,874,606 (110,000) 3,764,606
---------- --------- ----------
Total capitalization and liabilities...................... $6,087,674 $ (3,000) $6,084,674
========== ========= ==========
Common shares outstanding (000)
Shares.................................................. 100,517 (12,682)(6) 87,835
Class A common stock.................................... 6,561 (824)(7) 5,737
Book value per common share............................... $ 17.21 --(8) $ 15.85
</TABLE>
The Notes to Summary Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements
are an integral part of this statement.
41
<PAGE> 42
CONECTIV AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND RATIOS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
---------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues................................ $3,071,606 $3,071,606
Operating expenses................................ 2,684,691 2,684,691
---------- ----------
Operating income.................................. 386,915 386,915
---------- ----------
Other income...................................... 36,860 36,860
---------- ----------
Interest expense.................................. 149,431 $ 21,108(17) 170,539
---------- -------- ----------
Preferred stock dividend requirements of
subsidiaries.................................... 15,326 15,326
---------- ----------
Income before income taxes........................ 259,018 (21,108) 237,910
---------- -------- ----------
Income taxes...................................... 105,817 (8,623)(10) 97,194
---------- -------- ----------
Net income........................................ $ 153,201 $(12,485) $ 140,716
========== ======== ==========
Earnings applicable to common stock
Shares.......................................... $ 141,292 $(11,413)(18) $ 129,879
Class A common stock............................ 11,909 (1,072)(18)(b) 10,837
---------- -------- ----------
$ 153,201 $(12,485) $ 140,716
========== ======== ==========
Average shares outstanding (000)
Shares.......................................... 94,338 (10,568)(12) 83,770
---------- -------- ----------
Class A common stock............................ 6,561 (824)(13) 5,737
---------- -------- ----------
Earnings per average share-basic and diluted
Shares.......................................... $ 1.50 $ 0.05(14) $ 1.55
---------- -------- ----------
Class A common stock............................ $ 1.82 $ 0.07(14) $ 1.89
---------- -------- ----------
Dividends declared per share
Shares.......................................... $ 1.54 $ (0.66)(15) $ 0.88
---------- -------- ----------
Class A common stock............................ $ 3.20 $ -- $ 3.20
---------- -------- ----------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges................ 2.38 (16) 2.09
</TABLE>
The Notes to Summary Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
42
<PAGE> 43
NOTES TO SUMMARY UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(1) Represents the effects on cash of the following:
(a) Proceeds from issuance of debt: $250 million of Notes and $107
million of commercial paper. $ 357,000
(b) Debt issuance costs paid. (1,700)
(c) 14,000,000 Shares redeemed at $25 1/2 per Share. (357,000)
(d) Represents assumed costs of Offer. (3,000)
---------
$ (4,700)
=========
(2) Represents assumed costs of issuing $250 million of Notes with a
five-year average life.
(3) Represents assumed amount of funds used to purchase
Shares which are raised from issuing commercial paper.
(4) (a) 14,000,000 Shares are assumed to be repurchased at $25 1/2 per
Share. $(357,000)
(b) Represents assumed costs of Offer. (3,000)
---------
$(360,000)
=========
(5) Represents the assumed amount of funds used to purchase Shares
which are raised from issuing Notes with a five-year average life.
(6) Represents the assumed purchase of Shares excluding the Shares
purchased due to the conversion of Class A Common Stock.
(7) Represents the assumed number of shares of Class A Common Stock
which are converted to Shares.
(8) The book value per common share is equal to total common
stockholders' equity divided by the number of total Shares and
shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding.
(9) (a) Quarterly interest expense on $357 million of 7.0% debt issued
on January 1, 1999. $ 6,248
(b) Quarterly amortization of the assumed debt issuance costs of
$1.7 million amortized over the five-year average life of the
Notes. 85
---------
$ 6,333
=========
(10) Income tax benefit of debt interest expense and amortization of
debt issuance expenses based on an effective income tax rate of
40.85%.
(11) (a) Represents the pro forma effect on net income of the debt
issuance. $ (3,746)
(b) Represents assumed increase in earnings available for Shares,
(and decrease in earnings available for Class A Common Stock)
due to the decrease in percentage allocable to shares of
Class A Common Stock of earnings from the Atlantic Utility
Group in excess of $40 million per year from 30% to 27.2%,
due to fewer shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding. 125
---------
$ (3,621)
=========
(12) Represents the decrease in the number of average Shares
outstanding due to the purchase of Shares in the Offer other than
Shares attributed to conversion of Class A Common Stock.
(13) Represents the decrease in the number of average shares of Class A
Common Stock outstanding due to the shares of Class A Common Stock
which are converted to Shares in the Offer.
(14) Pro forma earnings per average share were computed based on pro
forma earnings and pro forma average shares outstanding.
(15) The quarterly dividend rate is assumed to decrease from $0.385 per
Share to $0.22 per Share. The annual dividend rate is assumed to
decrease from $1.54 per Share to $0.88 per Share.
</TABLE>
43
<PAGE> 44
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(16) The pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges is based on the
historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges adjusted for the pro
forma increase in annual interest expense. See Note 4 to the
Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information for
information concerning the computation of the historical ratio of
earnings to fixed charges.
(17) (a) Ten-twelfths of annual interest expense on $357 million of
7.0% debt assumed to have been issued on March 1, 1998, the
Merger date. $ 20,825
(b) Ten-twelfths of annual amortization of the assumed debt
issuance costs of $1.7 million amortized over the five-year
average life of the debt. 283
---------
$ 21,108
=========
(18) (a) Represents the pro forma effect on net income of the debt
issuance. $ (12,485)
(b) Represents assumed increase in earnings available for Shares
(and decrease in earnings available for Class A Common Stock)
due to the decrease in percentage allocable to shares of
Class A Common Stock of earnings from the Atlantic Utility
Group in excess of $40 million per year from 30% to 27.3%,
due to fewer shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding. 1,072
---------
$ (11,413)
=========
</TABLE>
44
<PAGE> 45
Additional Information. The Company is subject to the informational filing
requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, is obligated to
file reports, statements and other information with the Commission relating to
its business, financial condition and other matters. The Company also has filed
an Issuer Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 13E-4 (the "Schedule 13E-4") with
the Commission, which includes certain additional information relating to the
Offer. Such reports, statements and other information can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549; at its regional offices
located at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511;
and 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. The Schedule
13E-4 will not be available at the Commission's Regional Offices. Copies of such
material may also be obtained by mail, upon payment of the Commission's
customary charges, from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission
also maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports,
statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically
with the Commission. Such reports, statements and other information concerning
the Company also can be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10005, on which the Shares are listed.
12. EFFECTS OF THE OFFER ON THE MARKET FOR SHARES; REGISTRATION UNDER THE
EXCHANGE ACT.
The Company's purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will reduce the
number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly and is likely to reduce the
number of stockholders of Shares. In addition, the Company's purchase of Shares
issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock will reduce the
number of shares of Class A Common Stock that might otherwise trade publicly and
is likely to reduce the number of stockholders of Class A Common Stock.
Nonetheless, the Company believes that there will still be a sufficient number
of Shares and shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding and publicly traded
following the Offer to ensure a continued trading market in the Shares and
shares of Class A Common Stock. Based on the published guidelines of the NYSE,
the Company does not believe that its purchase of Shares (including Shares
issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock) pursuant to the
Offer will cause its remaining Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock to be
delisted from the NYSE.
The Shares and shares of Class A Common Stock are currently "margin
securities" under the rules of the Federal Reserve Board. This has the effect,
among other things, of allowing brokers to extend credit to their customers
using such Shares as collateral. The Company believes that, following the
purchase of Shares (including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class
A Common Stock) pursuant to the Offer, the Shares and shares of Class A Common
Stock will continue to be "margin securities" for purposes of the Federal
Reserve Board's margin regulations.
The Shares and shares of Class A Common Stock are registered under the
Exchange Act, which requires, among other things, that the Company furnish
certain information to its stockholders and to the Commission and comply with
the Commission's proxy rules in connection with meetings of the Company's
stockholders. The Company believes that its purchase of Shares (including Shares
issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock) pursuant to the
Offer will not result in the Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock becoming
eligible for deregistration under the Exchange Act.
13. CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS; REGULATORY APPROVALS.
The Company is not aware of any license or regulatory permit that appears
to be material to its business that might be adversely affected by its
acquisition of Shares as contemplated in the Offer or of any approval or other
action by any government or governmental, administrative or regulatory authority
or agency, domestic, foreign or supranational that would be required for the
Company's acquisition or ownership of Shares as contemplated by the Offer.
Should any such approval or other action be required, the Company currently
contemplates that it will seek such approval or other action. The Company cannot
predict whether it may determine that it is required to delay the acceptance for
payment of, or payment for, Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer pending the
outcome of any such matter. There can be no assurance that any such approval or
other action, if needed, would be obtained or would be obtained without
substantial conditions or that the failure to obtain any such approval or other
action might not result in adverse consequences to the Company's business.
45
<PAGE> 46
The Company's obligations under the Offer to accept for payment and pay for
Shares are subject to certain conditions. See Section 6.
14. CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.
The following summary describes certain United States federal income tax
consequences of the Offer to stockholders that exchange Shares (including Shares
issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock) for cash pursuant to
the Offer. The discussion contained in this summary is based upon the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date hereof (the "Code"), existing and
proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, rulings, administrative
pronouncements and judicial decisions, changes to which could materially affect
the tax consequences described herein and could be made on a retroactive basis.
This summary discusses only Shares held as capital assets, within the
meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, and does not address all of the tax
consequences that may be relevant to particular stockholders in light of their
personal circumstances, or to certain types of stockholders (such as certain
financial institutions, dealers in securities or commodities, insurance
companies, tax-exempt organizations or persons who hold Shares as a position in
a "straddle" or as a part of a "hedging" or "conversion" transaction for United
States federal income tax purposes). In particular, the discussion of the
consequences of an exchange of Shares for cash pursuant to the Offer applies
only to a United States Holder. For purposes of this summary, a "United States
Holder" is a holder of Shares that is (1) a citizen or resident of the United
States, (2) a corporation, partnership or other entity (other than an estate or
a trust) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any
state or any political subdivision thereof, (3) an estate the income of which is
subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or
(4) a trust (A) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a
United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has a
valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to
be treated as a United States person. This discussion does not address the tax
consequences to foreign stockholders who will be subject to United States
federal income tax on a net basis on the proceeds of their exchange of Shares
pursuant to the Offer because such income is effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Such stockholders are
generally taxed in a manner similar to United States Holders; however, certain
special rules apply. Foreign stockholders who are not subject to United States
federal income tax on a net basis should see Section 3 for a discussion of the
applicable United States withholding rules and the potential for obtaining a
refund of all or a portion of the tax withheld. The summary may not be
applicable with respect to Shares acquired as compensation (including Shares
acquired upon the exercise of options or which were or are subject to forfeiture
restrictions). The summary also does not address the state, local or foreign tax
consequences of participating in the Offer. EACH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT SUCH
STOCKHOLDER'S TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE PARTICULAR CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN
THE OFFER.
United States Holders Who Receive Cash Pursuant to the Offer. An exchange
of Shares (including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common
Stock) or a sale of a fractional share of Class A Common Stock for cash pursuant
to the Offer by a United States Holder will be a taxable transaction for United
States federal income tax purposes. In general an exchanging United States
Holder will, depending on such holder's particular circumstances, be treated
either as having sold such holder's Shares or as having received a dividend
distribution from the Company, with the tax consequences described below.
Under Section 302 of the Code, a United States Holder whose Shares are
exchanged for cash pursuant to the Exchange will be treated as having sold such
holder's Shares, and thus will recognize gain or loss if the exchange (1)
results in a "complete termination" of such holder's equity interest in the
Company, (2) is "substantially disproportionate" with respect to such holder or
(3) is "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" with respect to the holder,
each as discussed below. In applying these tests, a United States Holder will be
treated as owning Shares actually or constructively owned by certain related
individuals and entities.
If a United States Holder sells Shares to persons other than the Company at
or about the time such holder also sells Shares to the Company pursuant to the
Offer, and the various sales effected by the holder are part of an overall plan
to reduce or terminate such holder's proportionate interest in the Company, then
the sales to
46
<PAGE> 47
persons other than the Company may, for United States federal income tax
purposes, be integrated with the holder's sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer
and, if integrated, should be taken into account in determining whether the
holder satisfies any of the three tests described below.
A United States Holder that exchanges all Shares actually or constructively
owned by such holder for cash pursuant to the Offer will be treated as having
completely terminated such holder's equity interest in the Company.
An exchange of Shares for cash will be "substantially disproportionate"
with respect to a United States Holder if the percentage of the then outstanding
Shares actually and constructively owned by such holder immediately after the
exchange is less than 80% of the percentage of the Shares actually and
constructively owned by such holder immediately before the exchange.
A United States Holder will satisfy the "not essentially equivalent to a
dividend" test if the reduction in such holder's proportionate interest in the
Company constitutes a "meaningful reduction" given such holder's particular
facts and circumstances. The IRS has indicated in published rulings that any
reduction in the percentage interest of a stockholder whose relative stock
interest in a publicly held corporation is minimal and who exercises no control
over corporate affairs should constitute such a "meaningful reduction."
If a United States Holder is treated as having sold such holder's Shares
under the tests described above, such holder will recognize gain or loss equal
to the difference between the amount of cash received and such holder's tax
basis in the Shares exchanged therefor. Any such gain or loss will be capital
gain or loss. In the case of a United States Holder that is an individual,
estate or trust, the maximum tax rate for such gain generally will be lower if
the United States Holder's holding period exceeds one year. Limitations apply to
the deductibility of capital losses by corporate and non-corporate United States
Holders.
If a United States Holder who exchanges Shares pursuant to the Offer is not
treated under Section 302 as having sold such holder's Shares for cash, the
entire amount of cash received by such holder in exchange for such holder's
Shares will be treated as a dividend to the extent of the Company's current and
accumulated earnings and profits, and will be includible in the holder's gross
income as ordinary income in its entirety, without reduction for the tax basis
of the Shares exchanged. No loss will be recognized. The United States Holder's
tax basis in the Shares exchanged generally will be added to such holder's tax
basis in such holder's remaining Shares. To the extent that cash received in
exchange for Shares is treated as a dividend to a corporate United States
Holder, such holder may be (1) eligible for a dividends-received deduction
(subject to applicable limitations) and (2) subject to the "extraordinary
dividend" provisions of the Code. To the extent, if any, that the cash received
by a United States Holder exceeds the Company's current and accumulated earnings
and profits, it will be treated first as a tax-free return of such holder's tax
basis in the Shares and thereafter as capital gain.
The Company cannot predict whether or to what extent the Offer will be
oversubscribed. If the Offer is oversubscribed, proration of tenders pursuant to
the Offer will cause the Company to accept fewer Shares than are tendered.
Therefore, a holder can be given no assurance that a sufficient number of such
holder's Shares will be exchanged pursuant to the Offer to ensure that such
exchange will be treated as a sale, rather than as a dividend, for United States
federal income tax purposes pursuant to the rules discussed above.
If a United States Holder receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of
Class A Common Stock, such holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount of cash received and such holder's tax basis in
the fractional share exchanged therefore. Any such gain or loss will be capital
gain or loss. In the case of a United States Holder that is an individual,
estate or trust, the maximum tax rate for such gain generally will be lower if
the United States Holder's holding period exceeds one year. Limitations apply to
the deductibility of capital losses by corporate and non-corporate United States
Holders.
See Section 3 with respect to the application of United States federal
income tax withholding to payments made to foreign stockholders and backup
withholding.
47
<PAGE> 48
THE TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
ONLY. EACH STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT SUCH HOLDER'S OWN TAX ADVISOR TO
DETERMINE THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF THE OFFER, INCLUDING
THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
15. FEES AND EXPENSES.
The Company has retained The Blackstone Group L.P. ("Blackstone") to act as
the Dealer Manager in connection with the Offer. Blackstone will receive, for
its services as Dealer Manager, a fee of $0.075 for each Share purchased by the
Company pursuant to the Offer and an advisory fee of $400,000. The Company also
has agreed to reimburse Blackstone for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with the Offer, including reasonable attorneys' fees, and
to indemnify Blackstone against certain liabilities in connection with the
Offer, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Blackstone may render various investment banking and other advisory services to
the Company in the future.
The Company also has retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. as Information Agent
and The Bank of New York as Depositary in connection with the Offer. The
Information Agent and the Depositary will receive reasonable and customary
compensation for their services. The Company will also reimburse the Information
Agent and the Depositary for out-of-pocket expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, and has agreed to indemnify the Information Agent and the
Depositary against certain liabilities in connection with the Offer, including
certain liabilities under the federal securities laws. The Dealer Manager and
Information Agent may contact stockholders by mail, telephone, telex, telegraph
and personal interviews, and may request brokers, dealers and other nominee
stockholders to forward materials relating to the Offer to beneficial owners.
Neither the Information Agent nor the Depositary has been retained to make
solicitations or recommendations in connection with the Offer.
The Company will not pay fees or commissions to any broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other person (other than the Dealer Manager,
the Information Agent and the Depositary as described above) for soliciting any
Shares pursuant to the Offer. The Company will, however, on request, reimburse
such persons for customary handling and mailing expenses incurred in forwarding
materials in respect of the Offer to the beneficial owners for which they act as
nominees. No such broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company has been
authorized to act as the agent of the Company, the Dealer Manager, the
Information Agent or the Depositary for purposes of the Offer. The Company will
pay (or cause to be paid) any stock transfer taxes on its purchase of Shares,
except as otherwise provided in Instruction 8 of the Letter of Transmittal.
16. MISCELLANEOUS.
The Company is not aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer
is not in compliance with applicable law. If the Company becomes aware of any
jurisdiction where the making of the Offer is not in compliance with any valid
applicable law, the Company will make a good faith effort to comply with such
law. If, after such good faith effort, the Company cannot comply with such law,
the Offer will not be made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf
of) the owners of Shares residing in such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction the
securities or blue sky laws of which require the Offer to be made by a broker or
dealer that is registered in such jurisdictions and, subject to the availability
of an exclusion from the broker or dealer definition or an exemption from broker
or dealer registration, the Offer is being made on the Company's behalf by the
Dealer Manager or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the
laws of such jurisdiction.
Pursuant to Rule 13e-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Company has
filed with the Commission the Schedule 13E-4, which contains additional
information with respect to the Offer. The Schedule 13E-4, including the
exhibits and any amendments thereto, may be examined, and copies may be
obtained, at the same places and in the same manner as is set forth in Section
11 with respect to information concerning the Company.
48
<PAGE> 49
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY OR THE DEALER MANAGER IN CONNECTION WITH
THE OFFER OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE OR IN THE RELATED
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE DEALER
MANAGER.
May 11, 1999 CONECTIV
49
<PAGE> 50
SCHEDULE I
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING SHARES
Based upon the Company's records and upon information provided to the
Company by its directors, executive officers, associates and subsidiaries,
neither the Company nor any of its associates or subsidiaries or persons
controlling the Company (of which the Company believes there are none) nor, to
the best of the Company's knowledge, any of the directors or executive officers
of the Company, nor any associates or subsidiaries of such directors or
executive officers, has effected any transactions in the Shares or shares of
Class A Common Stock during the 40 business days prior to May 11, 1999, other
than transactions in Shares for the accounts of directors and executive officers
pursuant to ConectivDirect(TM), the Company's dividend reinvestment and direct
stock purchase plan. The Company expects that ConectivDirect(TM) will, in
accordance with the terms of such plan, elections in effect and present patterns
of contribution, continue to purchase Shares prior to the expiration of the
Offer.
50
<PAGE> 51
Manually signed copies of the Letter of Transmittal will be accepted. The
Letter of Transmittal and certificates for the Shares and any other required
documents should be sent or delivered by each stockholder or such stockholder's
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the
Depositary at its address set forth below:
The Depositary for the Offer is:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
By Mail: By Facsimile Transmission By Hand or Overnight Courier:
(212) 815-6213
Reorganization Services Reorganization Services
Department Confirm Facsimile Department
P.O. Box 10 Transmission by 101 Barclay Street
Newark, New Jersey 07101-0010 Telephone: (212) 815-6173 Receive and Deliver Window
New York, New York 10286
</TABLE>
Any questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of this
Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery may be directed to the Information Agent, at the telephone number and
address below. Stockholders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial
bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
D.F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
BANKS AND BROKERS CALL COLLECT: (212) 269-5550
ALL OTHERS CALL TOLL FREE: (800) 207-3156
The Dealer Manager for the Offer is:
[Blackstone Logo]
345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, New York 10154
(800) 275-5008 (Toll Free)
<PAGE> 1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO TENDER
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
OF
CONECTIV
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE
DATED MAY 11, 1999
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE
AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1999,
UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
By Mail: The Depositary for the Offer is: By Hand or Overnight Courier:
REORGANIZATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT THE BANK OF NEW YORK REORGANIZATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT
P.O. BOX 10 101 BARCLAY STREET
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07101-0010 RECEIVE AND DELIVER WINDOW
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10286
</TABLE>
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE
WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. DELIVERIES TO THE COMPANY WILL NOT BE
FORWARDED TO THE DEPOSITARY AND THEREFORE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE VALID DELIVERY.
DELIVERIES TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY WILL NOT CONSTITUTE VALID
DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING THE ACCOMPANYING
INSTRUCTIONS, CAREFULLY BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TENDERED
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3, 4 AND 5)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME(S) AND ADDRESSES OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)
PLEASE FILL IN EXACTLY AS NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TENDERED
CERTIFICATE(S) (ATTACH ADDITIONAL SIGNED LIST IF NECESSARY)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
TOTAL NUMBER
OF SHARES OF NUMBER OF
COMMON STOCK SHARES OF
CERTIFICATE REPRESENTED COMMON STOCK
NUMBER(S)(1) BY CERTIFICATE(S) TENDERED(2)
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SHARES:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicate in this box the order (by certificate number) in which Shares (as defined below) are to be purchased in
the event of proration.(3) (Attach additional signed list if necessary.) See Instruction 11.
1st: ____ 2nd: ____ 3rd: ____ 4th: ____ 5th: ____
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Need not be completed by stockholders tendering Shares by book-entry
transfer or stockholders holding such Shares as Direct Registration Shares.
(2) If you desire to tender fewer than all Shares evidenced by any certificates
listed above, please indicate in this column the number of such Shares you
wish to tender. Otherwise, all Shares evidenced by such certificates will
be deemed to have been tendered. See Instruction 5.
(3) If you do not designate an order, then in the event less than all Shares
tendered are purchased due to proration, such Shares will be selected for
purchase by the Depositary. See Instruction 11.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
DIRECT REGISTRATION SHARES
If you hold Direct Registration Shares, check the appropriate box below to
tender your Direct Registration Shares.
[ ] Check here to tender ALL Direct Registration Shares.
[ ] Check here to tender only ________ Direct Registration Shares.
CONECTIVDIRECT(TM) SHARES
(SEE INSTRUCTION 13.)
This section is to be completed ONLY by participants in ConectivDirect(TM) who
wish to tender shares of common stock held in ConectivDirect(TM).
[ ] Check here to instruct the Depositary to tender on behalf of the
undersigned ALL the shares of common stock credited to the
ConectivDirect(TM) account of the undersigned (including any shares of
common stock purchased after May 7, 1999 and credited to such account,
which are not reflected on the pre-addressed label).
[ ] Check here to instruct the Depositary to tender on behalf of the
undersigned the following number of shares of common stock credited to the
ConectivDirect(TM) account of the undersigned:
Shares:
----------------
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only if certificates are to be
forwarded herewith or if delivery of Shares (as defined below), including
Converted Shares (as defined below), is to be made by book-entry transfer to the
Depositary's account at The Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer
Facility") pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to
Purchase (as defined below) or if Shares are held in ConectivDirect(TM) or are
Direct Registration Shares ("DRS"). See Instruction 3.
2
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
FOR WHICH ELECTION TO CONVERT AND TENDER IS BEING MADE
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 3, 4 AND 5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS SECTION IS ONLY TO BE COMPLETED IF SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF
CLASS A COMMON STOCK ARE BEING TENDERED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
- --------------------- --------------------------------- -------- -------------------------- -------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK ISSUABLE UPON NUMBER OF SHARES OF
TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF CLASS A CONVERSION COMMON STOCK IN
CERTIFICATE COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED BY CONVERSION (MULTIPLY COLUMN B BY COLUMN D
NUMBER(S) CERTIFICATE(S) RATIO(1) COLUMN C)(2) TENDERED(3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.59997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.59997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.59997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.59997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.59997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL
SHARES:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicate in this box the order (by certificate number) in which Shares issuable upon conversion of Class A
Common Stock are to be purchased in the event of proration.(4) (Attach additional signed list if necessary.)
See Instruction 11.
1st: ________ 2nd: ________ 3rd: ________ 4th: ________ 5th: ________
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) In accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Conectiv, each share of Class
A Common Stock is convertible in the Offer into 1.59997 Shares.
(2) Represents the aggregate number of Shares issuable upon the conversion of Class A Common Stock in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Conectiv. See
Instruction 2.
(3) If you desire to tender fewer than all Shares issuable upon conversion of Class A Common Stock, please
indicate in this column the number of such Shares you wish to tender. Otherwise, all Shares evidenced by
such certificates will be deemed to have been tendered. See Instruction 5.
(4) If you do not designate an order, then in the event less than all Shares tendered are purchased due to
proration, such Shares will be selected for purchase by the Depositary. See Instruction 11.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE> 4
LOST CERTIFICATES
(SEE INSTRUCTION 12.)
[ ] Please check here if certificates for part or all of your Shares or shares
of Class A Common Stock have been lost, stolen, misplaced or destroyed.
Upon receipt of this Letter of Transmittal, the Depositary will contact you
directly with replacement instructions.
------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 7, 8 AND 9)
To be completed ONLY if the check for the aggregate Purchase Price of
Shares, including Converted Shares, purchased and/or certificates for
Shares, including Converted Shares, not tendered or not purchased, or
certificates for shares of Class A Common Stock not converted, are to be
issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned.
Issue: [ ] check and/or
[ ] certificate(s) to:
Names
---------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address
--------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
------------------------------------------------------------
(TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR
SOCIAL SECURITY NO.)
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 7 AND 9)
To be completed ONLY if the check for the Purchase Price of Shares,
including Converted Shares, purchased and/or certificates for Shares,
including Converted Shares, not tendered or not purchased, or certificates
for shares of Class A Common Stock not converted, are to be mailed to
someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address
other than that shown below the undersigned's signature(s).
Mail: [ ] check and/or
[ ] certificate(s) to:
Names
---------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address
--------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
------------------------------------------------------------
4
<PAGE> 5
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW. PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH
IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Conectiv, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), the above-described shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Shares"), (including the associated preferred stock purchase rights
(the "Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 23,
1998 (the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and Conectiv Resource
Partners, Inc., as the Rights Agent), at the price per Share indicated in this
Letter of Transmittal, net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated May 11, 1999 (the
"Offer to Purchase"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this
Letter of Transmittal (which, as amended from time to time, together constitute
the "Offer"). Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to Shares
shall include the associated Rights.
Although the Company is not offering to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock ("Class A Common Stock"), as a result of the Offer, holders of Class A
Common Stock may elect, in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company and the Rights Agreement, to convert each share
of Class A Common Stock (and associated preferred stock purchase rights (the
"Class A Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares
(and 1.59997 associated Rights) and to tender such Shares (and associated
Rights) pursuant to the Offer; provided, however, that any such election and
conversion will be effective only with respect to such Shares (and associated
Rights) as are actually accepted for purchase by the Company pursuant to the
Offer. See Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.
The undersigned acknowledges that completion and execution of this Letter
of Transmittal by a holder of shares of Class A Common Stock shall constitute an
election by such holder to convert such shares of Class A Common Stock into
Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company.
AS USED IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE TERM "ELECTING CLASS A SHARES"
MEANS SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK FOR WHICH THE HOLDER HAS ELECTED TO CONVERT
SUCH SHARES FOR PURPOSES OF THE OFFER; AND THE TERM "CONVERTED SHARES" MEANS THE
SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF ELECTING CLASS A SHARES.
Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of and payment for
the Shares tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the
terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the undersigned hereby
sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right,
title and interest in and to all the Shares, including Converted Shares, that
are being tendered hereby or orders the registration of such Shares, including
Converted Shares tendered by book-entry transfer or as DRS, that are purchased
pursuant to the Offer to or upon the order of the Company, and hereby
irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Depositary the true and lawful agent
and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares, including
Converted Shares, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being
deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to:
(i) deliver certificates for such Shares or certificates for Electing
Class A Shares, or transfer ownership of Shares, including Converted
Shares, on the account books maintained by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
or as DRS, together in either such case with all accompanying evidences of
transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of the Company upon receipt
by the Depositary, as the undersigned's agent, of the Purchase Price (as
defined below) with respect to such Shares;
(ii) present certificates for such Shares or certificates for Electing
Class A Shares for cancellation and transfer on the books of the Company;
and
(iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of
beneficial ownership of such Shares, including Converted Shares, all in
accordance with the terms of the Offer.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Company that: (i) the
undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer
the Shares, including Converted Shares, tendered hereby; (ii) when and to the
extent such Shares, including Converted Shares, are accepted for purchase by the
Company, the Company will acquire good, valid and unencumbered title thereto,
free and clear of all security interests, liens, restrictions, charges,
encumbrances, conditional sales agreements or other obligations relating to the
sale or transfer thereof, and the same will not be subject to any adverse
claims; (iii) on request, the undersigned will execute and deliver any
additional documents deemed by the Depositary or the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Shares, including
Converted Shares, tendered hereby; and (iv) the undersigned has read and agrees
to all of the terms of the Offer.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Shares, including Converted
Shares, pursuant to any one of the procedures described in Section 3 of the
Offer to Purchase and in the Instructions hereto will constitute the
undersigned's acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer, including the
undersigned's representation and warranty to the Company that (i) the
undersigned has a "net long position," within the meaning of Rule l4e-4
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), in the Shares or equivalent securities being tendered, including
Converted Shares, and (ii) the tender of such Shares, including Converted
Shares, complies with Rule 14e-4.
5
<PAGE> 6
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of
Transmittal shall not be affected by, and shall survive the death or incapacity
of the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be
binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, assigns, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of the
undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer, this tender is irrevocable.
The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) should be printed
above, if they are not already preprinted above, exactly as they appear on the
certificate(s) representing Shares or on the certificates for the shares of
Class A Common Stock representing the Converted Shares tendered hereby. The
certificate number(s), the number of Shares represented by such certificate(s)
and the number of Shares that the undersigned wishes to tender should be set
forth in the box captioned "Description of Shares of Common Stock Tendered"
above. In the case of shares of Class A Common Stock, the certificate number(s),
the number of shares of Class A Common Stock represented by such certificate(s),
the number of Shares into which such shares of Class A Common Stock are
convertible in the Offer and the number of such Shares that the undersigned
wishes to tender should be set forth in the box captioned "Description of Shares
of Class A Common Stock For Which Election to Convert and Tender Is Being Made"
above. In each case, the price at which such Shares, including Converted Shares,
are being tendered should be indicated by either (i) checking ONE of the boxes
listed under the item "Shares Tendered at Price Determined by Stockholder" or
(ii) checking the box under the item "Shares Tendered at Price Determined
Pursuant to the Offer."
The undersigned understands that the Company will, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Offer, determine a single per Share price (not
greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50 per Share), net to the Seller in cash,
that it will pay for Shares, including Converted Shares, validly tendered and
not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the "Purchase Price"), taking into account
the number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering
stockholders. The undersigned understands that the Company will select the
lowest Purchase Price that will allow it to purchase 14,000,000 Shares (or such
lesser number of Shares as are validly tendered and not withdrawn) at a price
not greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50 per Share. The undersigned
understands that all Shares validly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase
Price and not withdrawn will be purchased at the Purchase Price, net to the
seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer,
including the proration provisions. The Company will return, at its expense, all
Shares not purchased pursuant to the Offer, including Shares tendered at prices
greater than the Purchase Price and not withdrawn and Shares not purchased
because of proration. In the event that any Converted Shares are not purchased,
including as a result of such shares being tendered at prices greater than the
Purchase Price or due to proration, the Company will return to the holders of
the Electing Class A Shares underlying such Converted Shares as promptly as
practicable after the Expiration Date, at its expense, shares of Class A Common
Stock submitted for conversion; provided that the Company will deliver to such
holders cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Class A Common Stock.
The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in
the Offer to Purchase, the Company may terminate or amend the Offer or may
postpone the acceptance for payment of, or the payment for, Shares, including
Converted Shares, tendered or may not be required to purchase any such Shares
tendered hereby or may accept for payment fewer than all such Shares tendered
hereby.
Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Payment Instructions," please
issue the check for the Purchase Price of any Shares, including Converted
Shares, purchased, and/or return any Shares not tendered or not purchased by
crediting such unpurchased Shares as DRS in an account maintained or established
for such stockholder, or in the case of shares of Class A Common Stock not
converted certificates for shares of Class A Common Stock, in the name(s) of the
undersigned (and, in the case of Shares, including Converted Shares, tendered by
book-entry transfer, by credit to the account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility of Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock, as the case may be).
Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions,"
please mail the check for the Purchase Price of any Shares purchased and/or any
certificates for shares of Class A Common Stock not converted, (and accompanying
documents, as appropriate) to the undersigned at the address shown above in the
box captioned "Description of Shares Tendered." In the event that both "Special
Payment Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are completed, please
issue the check for the Purchase Price of any Shares purchased and/or return any
shares of Class A Common Stock not converted, in the name(s) of, and/or mail
such check and/or any certificates to, the person(s) so indicated. The
undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation, pursuant to the
"Special Payment Instructions," to transfer any Shares, including shares of
Class A Common Stock, from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if the
Company does not accept for payment any of the Shares, including Converted
Shares, so tendered.
The undersigned understands that a tender of Shares, including Converted
Shares, pursuant to the Offer will include a tender of the associated Rights and
that no separate consideration will be paid for such Rights. For a description
of the Rights, see Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase.
The undersigned understands that acceptance of Shares, including Converted
Shares, by the Company for payment will constitute a binding agreement between
the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
the Offer.
6
<PAGE> 7
PLEASE SIGN HERE
(TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL STOCKHOLDERS)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER(S)
Dated:
- --------------------------- , 1999
Name(s) ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(PLEASE PRINT)
Capacity (full title)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Address-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone No.
--------------------------------------------------------
(Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share
certificate(s) or on certificate(s) for Electing Class A Shares or on a security
position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by
certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee,
executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or
other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth
full title and see Instruction 7.)
If a holder holds Direct Registration Shares, the person(s) signing above hereby
directs The Bank of New York, as the Company's transfer agent (the "Transfer
Agent"), to place a stop against the aforementioned number of Shares held as
Direct Registration Shares pending expiration of the Offer. Upon expiration of
the Offer, the Transfer Agent is further directed to follow the directions for
delivery to the Depositary.
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 7. TO
BE COMPLETED ONLY IF REQUIRED
BY SUCH INSTRUCTIONS.)
Name of Firm
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorized Signature
----------------------------------------------------------------
Name --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(PLEASE PRINT)
Title---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone No.
--------------------------------------------------------
Dated:
- --------------------------- , 1999
7
<PAGE> 8
Stockholders who cannot deliver their certificates for Shares and/or
certificates for Electing Class A Shares and any other required documents to the
Depositary by the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) must
tender their Shares, including Converted Shares, using the guaranteed delivery
procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 3.
(BOXES BELOW FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES, ARE BEING
DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE DEPOSITARY'S ACCOUNT AT THE BOOK-
ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution:
Account No.:
Transaction Code No.:
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES, ARE BEING
DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO
THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery:
IF DELIVERY IS BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER:
Name of Tendering Institution:
Account No.: ____________
Transaction Code No.: ____________
8
<PAGE> 9
PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE
AT WHICH SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES,
ARE BEING TENDERED
(SEE INSTRUCTION 6.)
CHECK ONLY ONE BOX. IF MORE THAN ONE BOX IS CHECKED,
OR IF NO BOX IS CHECKED,
THERE IS NO PROPER TENDER OF SHARES,
INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER
[ ] The undersigned wants to maximize the chance of having Conectiv purchase
all the Shares, including Converted Shares, the undersigned is tendering
(subject to the possibility of proration). Accordingly, by checking this
ONE box INSTEAD OF ONE OF THE PRICE BOXES BELOW, the undersigned hereby
tenders Shares, including Converted Shares, and is willing to accept the
Purchase Price determined by the Company in accordance with the terms of
the Offer. This action will result in receiving a price per Share as low as
$23.50 and as high as $25.50.
---------------------------------------------------
OR
---------------------------------------------------
SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES,
TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED BY STOCKHOLDER
(SEE INSTRUCTION 6.)
By checking ONE of the boxes below INSTEAD OF THE BOX UNDER "SHARES TENDERED AT
PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER" ABOVE, the undersigned hereby tenders
Shares, including Converted Shares, at the price checked. This action could
result in none of such Shares being purchased if the Purchase Price for such
Shares is less than the price checked. A stockholder who desires to tender
Shares, including Converted Shares, at more than one price must complete a
separate Letter of Transmittal for each price at which Shares are tendered. THE
SAME SUCH SHARES CANNOT BE TENDERED AT MORE THAN ONE PRICE. If more than one box
is checked, or if no box is checked, there is no valid tender of such Shares.
PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES, ARE
BEING TENDERED:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
[ ] $23.50 [ ] $24.00 [ ] $24.50 [ ] $25.00 [ ] $25.50
[ ] $23.625 [ ] $24.125 [ ] $24.625 [ ] $25.125
[ ] $23.75 [ ] $24.25 [ ] $24.75 [ ] $25.25
[ ] $23.875 [ ] $24.375 [ ] $24.875 [ ] $25.375
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE> 10
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
l. Guarantee of Signatures. All signatures on this Letter of Transmittal
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined below), unless (i)
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares
and/or Electing Class A Shares (which term, for purposes of this document, shall
include any participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose name appears
on a security position listing as the owner of such shares) tendered herewith
and such holder(s) have not completed the box entitled "Special Payment
Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on this Letter
of Transmittal, or (ii) such Shares and/or Electing Class A Shares are tendered
for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 7. An "Eligible
Institution" means (i) banks (as defined in Section 3(a) of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act); (ii) brokers, dealers, municipal securities dealers, municipal
securities brokers, government securities dealers and government securities
brokers (as defined in the Exchange Act); (iii) credit unions (as defined in
Section 19B(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act); (iv) national securities
exchanges, registered securities associations and clearing agencies (as these
terms are defined in the Exchange Act); and (v) savings associations (as defined
in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) (each an "Eligible
Institution").
2. Class A Common Stock. Although the Company is not offering to purchase
shares of Class A Common Stock, as a result of the Offer, holders of shares of
Class A Common Stock may elect, in accordance with the terms of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the Rights Agreement, to convert
each share of Class A Common Stock (and associated Class A Rights issued
pursuant to the Rights Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares (and 1.59997 associated
Rights) and tender such Shares (including the associated Rights) pursuant to the
Offer; provided, however, that any such election and conversion will be
effective only with respect to such Shares (including the associated Rights) as
are actually accepted for purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer. See
Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.
If a holder of Class A Common Stock desires to effect a conversion of
shares of Class A Common Stock and to tender Shares issuable upon such
conversion, the box entitled "Description of Shares of Class A Common Stock For
Which Election to Convert and Tender Is Being Made" should be completed.
In the event that Converted Shares are not purchased, including as a result
of such Converted Shares being tendered at prices greater than the Purchase
Price or due to proration, the Company will return to the holders of the
Electing Class A Shares underlying such Converted Shares as promptly as
practicable after the Expiration Date, at its expense, such shares of Class A
Common Stock submitted for conversion; provided that the Company will deliver to
such holders cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Class A Common Stock.
3. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Share Certificates; Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures. This Letter of Transmittal is to be used either if
certificates for Shares or certificates for Electing Class A Shares are to be
forwarded herewith or if delivery of Shares or Electing Class A Shares is to be
made by book-entry transfer pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 of
the Offer to Purchase or if the Shares are DRS. Certificates for all physically
delivered Shares or Electing Class A Shares, or a confirmation of a book-entry
transfer into the Depositary's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility of
all Shares or Electing Class A Shares delivered electronically, or completion of
the box entitled "Direct Registration Shares," as well as a properly completed
and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed copy thereof) with
any required signature guarantees (or an Agent's Message with a book-entry
transfer) and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must
be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the front
page of this Letter of Transmittal prior to the Expiration Date. If certificates
for Shares or certificates for Electing Class A Shares are forwarded to the
Depositary in multiple deliveries, a properly completed and duly executed Letter
of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery. Delivery of documents to the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.
Stockholders whose certificates for Shares or certificates for Electing
Class A Shares are not immediately available, who cannot deliver their Shares,
or Electing Class A Shares and all other required documents to the Depositary or
who cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer prior to
the Expiration Date may tender Shares, including Converted Shares, pursuant to
the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to
Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (1) such tender must be made by or through
an Eligible Institution, (2) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the form provided by the Company (with any
required signature guarantees) must be received by the Depositary prior to the
Expiration Date, and (3) the certificates for all physically delivered Shares or
certificates for Electing Class A Shares in proper form for transfer by
delivery, or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the Depositary's
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility of all Shares or Electing Class A
Shares delivered electronically, in each case together with a properly completed
and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed copy thereof) with
any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message with a book-entry
transfer, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must
be received by the Depositary within three New York Stock Exchange, Inc. trading
days after the date the Depositary receives such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
all as provided in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.
10
<PAGE> 11
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted
by telegram, facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary and must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES
OR CERTIFICATES FOR ELECTING CLASS A SHARES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ANY
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING
STOCKHOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
No alternative or contingent tenders will be accepted. By executing this
Letter of Transmittal (or copy thereof), the tendering stockholder waives any
right to receive any notice of the acceptance for payment of the Shares.
4. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the
certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares or Electing Class A Shares
should be listed on a separate signed schedule and attached to this Letter of
Transmittal.
5. Partial Tenders (Not Applicable to Stockholders Who Tender by
Book-Entry Transfer). If fewer than all the Shares represented by any
certificate delivered to the Depositary are to be tendered or fewer than all the
shares of Class A Common Stock represented by any certificate delivered to the
Depositary for conversion are to be converted, stockholders should fill in, as
applicable, the number of Shares that are to be tendered in the box entitled
"Number of Shares of Common Stock Tendered" or the number of Converted Shares
that are to be tendered in the box entitled "Number of Shares of Common Stock in
Column D Tendered." In such case, if any tendered Shares are not purchased,
Shares will be returned as promptly as practicable after the expiration or
termination of the Offer by crediting such unpurchased Shares as DRS in an
account maintained or established for such stockholder, or, in the case of
shares of Class A Common Stock (other than fractional shares), a new certificate
for shares of Class A Common Stock will be issued and sent to the person(s)
signing this Letter of Transmittal, unless otherwise provided under either the
"Special Payment Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" boxes on this
Letter of Transmittal, as promptly as practicable following the expiration or
termination of the Offer. Unless otherwise indicated, all Shares represented by
certificates for Shares, including certificates for Class A Common Stock,
delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered.
6. Indication of Price at Which Shares Are Being Tendered. For Shares,
including Converted Shares, to be validly tendered by this Letter of
Transmittal, the stockholder must either:
(a) check the box under "Shares Tendered at Price Determined Pursuant
to the Offer"; or
(b) check the box indicating the price per Share at which such Shares
are being tendered under "Shares, Including Converted Shares, Tendered at
Price Determined by Stockholder."
By checking the box under "Shares Tendered at Price Determined Pursuant to the
Offer" you agree to accept the Purchase Price determined by the Company in
accordance with the terms of the Offer, which may be as low as $23.50 or as high
as $25.50 per Share. By checking a box under "Shares, Including Converted
Shares, Tendered at Price Determined by Stockholder," you acknowledge that doing
so could result in none of such Shares being purchased if the Purchase Price for
the Shares is less than the price represented by the box you check. ONLY ONE BOX
MAY BE CHECKED. IF MORE THAN ONE BOX IS CHECKED, OR IF NO BOX IS CHECKED, THERE
IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES. A stockholder wishing to tender portions of such
stockholder's Share holdings at different prices must complete a separate Letter
of Transmittal for each price at which such stockholder wishes to tender each
such portion of such stockholder's Shares. The same Shares cannot be tendered
(unless previously validly withdrawn as provided in Section 4 of the Offer to
Purchase) at more than one price.
7. Signatures On Letter Of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements. If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares
tendered hereby, and/or Electing Class A Shares, the signatures must correspond
exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificates for Shares
or certificates for Electing Class A Shares, as the case may be, without
alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If any of the Shares tendered hereby, or Electing Class A Shares, are held
of record by two or more persons, all such persons must sign this Letter of
Transmittal.
If any of the Shares tendered hereby or Electing Class A Shares, are
registered in different names on different certificates for Shares, it will be
necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal
(or copies thereof) as there are different registrations of certificates for
Shares or Electing Class A Shares, as the case may be.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the
Shares tendered hereby, or Electing Class A Shares, no endorsements of
certificates for Shares or Electing Class A Shares, or separate stock powers are
required unless payment of the Purchase Price is to be made to, or Shares not
tendered or not purchased, or shares of Class A Common Stock not converted, are
to be registered in the name of, any person other than the registered holder(s),
in which case the certificate(s) for Shares or Electing Class A Shares, as the
case may be, must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in
either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered
11
<PAGE> 12
holder(s) appear(s) on such certificates. Signature(s) on any such certificates
for Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock or stock powers must be guaranteed
by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, or Electing Class A Shares,
certificates for such Shares or Electing Class A Shares must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the
name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on such certificate(s).
Signature(s) on any such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificate for Shares or Electing
Class A Shares or stock power is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator,
guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when
signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of the authority of
such person so to act must be submitted.
8. Stock Transfer Taxes. Except as provided in this Instruction 8, no
stock transfer tax stamps or funds to cover such stamps need accompany this
Letter of Transmittal. The Company will pay or cause to be paid any stock
transfer taxes with respect to the sale and transfer of any Shares to it or its
order pursuant to the Offer, including upon the conversion of Electing Class A
Shares. If, however, payment of the aggregate Purchase Price is to be made to,
or Shares not tendered or not purchased, or shares of Class A Common Stock not
converted, are to be registered in the name of, any person other than the
registered holder(s), or if such shares are registered in the name of any person
other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any
stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s), such other
person or otherwise) payable on account of the transfer to such person will be
deducted from the Purchase Price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of
such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted. See Section 5 of the Offer to
Purchase.
9. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If a check for the Purchase
Price of any Shares tendered hereby is to be issued in the name of, and/or any
Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be credited as DRS to an account
other than an account maintained by, and/or any shares of Class A Common Stock
not converted are to be returned to, a person other than the person(s) signing
this Letter of Transmittal, or if the check and/or any certificates for such
shares of Class A Common Stock are to be mailed to someone other than the
person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that
shown above in the box captioned "Description of Shares of Common Stock
Tendered," and/or in the box captioned "Description of Shares of Class A Common
Stock For Which Election To Convert and Tender Is Being Made" then the boxes
captioned "Special Payment Instructions" and/or "Special Delivery Instructions"
on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed and such signature(s) must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1. Stockholders tendering
Shares, including Converted Shares, by book-entry transfer will have any Shares
not accepted for purchase, or in the case of Converted Shares not accepted for
purchase, shares of Class A Common Stock (other than fractional shares),
returned by crediting the account maintained by such stockholder at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility. Stockholders tendering Shares as DRS will have any
Shares not accepted for payment, returned by crediting the appropriate DRS
account.
10. Irregularities. All questions as to the number of Shares, including
Converted Shares, to be accepted, the price to be paid therefor and the
validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for
payment of any tender of such Shares will be determined by the Company, in its
sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders it
determines not to be in proper form or the acceptance of or payment for which
may, in the opinion of the Company's counsel be unlawful. The Company also
reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the Offer and any
defect or irregularity in the tender of any particular Shares, including
Converted Shares, or any particular stockholder. No tender of Shares, including
Converted Shares, will be deemed to be validly made until all defects or
irregularities have been cured or waived. None of the Company, the Dealer
Manager, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person shall be
obligated to give notice of any defects or irregularities in tenders, nor will
any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice.
11. Order of Purchase in Event of Proration. As described in Section 1 of
the Offer to Purchase, stockholders may designate the order in which their
Shares, including Converted Shares, are to be purchased in the event of
proration. The order of purchase may affect whether any capital gain or loss
recognized on such Shares purchased is long-term or short-term (depending on the
holding period for such Shares) and the amount of gain or loss recognized for
federal income tax purposes. See Sections 1 and 14 of the Offer to Purchase.
12. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. If your certificate(s)
representing Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, so indicate on the front of this Letter of Transmittal. The
Depositary will send you additional documentation that will need to be completed
to effectively surrender such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates.
13. ConectivDirect(TM). If a stockholder desires to tender Shares
credited to the stockholder's account under ConectivDirect(TM), the box entitled
"ConectivDirect(TM) Shares" should be completed. A participant in
ConectivDirect(TM) may complete such box on only one Letter of Transmittal
submitted by such participant. If a
12
<PAGE> 13
participant submits more than one Letter of Transmittal and completes such box
on more than one Letter of Transmittal, the participant will be deemed to have
elected to tender all Shares credited to the stockholder's account under
ConectivDirect(TM) at the lowest price specified in such Letters of Transmittal.
If a stockholder tenders Shares held in ConectivDirect(TM), all such Shares
credited to such stockholder's accounts(s) (including any Shares purchased after
May 7, 1999 and credited to such accounts(s), which are not reflected on the
pre-addressed label included herewith) will be tendered, unless otherwise
specified above in the box entitled "ConectivDirect(TM) Shares." In the event
that the box captioned "ConectivDirect(TM) Shares" is not completed, no Shares
held in the tendering stockholder's ConectivDirect(TM) account will be tendered.
14. Substitute Form W-9 and Form W-8. Under the United States federal
income tax backup withholding rules, unless an exemption applies under the
applicable law and regulations, 31% of the gross proceeds payable to a
stockholder or other payee pursuant to the Offer must be withheld and remitted
to the United States Treasury, unless the stockholder or other payee provides
such person's taxpayer identification number (employer identification number or
social security number) to the Depositary and certifies that such number is
correct. Therefore, each tendering stockholder should complete and sign the
Substitute Form W-9 included as part of the Letter of Transmittal so as to
provide the information and certification necessary to avoid backup withholding,
unless such stockholder otherwise establishes to the satisfaction of the
Depositary that it is not subject to backup withholding. Certain stockholders
(including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign stockholders (in
addition to foreign corporations)) are not subject to these backup withholding
and reporting requirements. In order for a foreign stockholder to qualify as an
exempt recipient, that stockholder must submit an IRS Form W-8 or a Substitute
Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that stockholder's
exempt status. Such statements may be obtained from the Depositary.
13
<PAGE> 14
PAYOR'S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART 1 -- PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TAXPAYER TIN ---------------------------------------
SUBSTITUTE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ("TIN") IN THE BOX AT (SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
FORM W-9 RIGHT AND CERTIFY THAT IT IS CORRECT BY OR EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
SIGNING AND DATING BELOW.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART 2 -- CHECK THE BOX IF YOU ARE NOT SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING BECAUSE EITHER (1) YOU
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY ARE EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING, (2) YOU HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT YOU ARE SUBJECT TO
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE BACKUP WITHHOLDING AS A RESULT OF FAILURE TO REPORT ALL INTEREST OR DIVIDENDS OR (3) THE
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE HAS NOTIFIED YOU THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER SUBJECT TO BACKUP
WITHHOLDING. [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATION -- UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT PART 3
PAYOR'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS FORM IS TRUE, CORRECT AND AWAITING TIN [ ]
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER COMPLETE.
SIGNATURE ---------------------------------------------------
DATE---------------------------------------------------- , 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (2)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of the
exchange, 31% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld
until I provide a number.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
Signature Date
</TABLE>
CERTIFICATE INSTRUCTIONS: You must not check the box in Part 2 above if you
have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because
of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after
being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you
received another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject to
backup withholding, then you may check the box in Part 2 above.
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP
WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY CASH PAYMENTS.
THE IRS DOES NOT REQUIRE YOUR CONSENT TO ANY PROVISION OF THIS
DOCUMENT OTHER THAN THE CERTIFICATION REQUIRED TO AVOID BACKUP
WITHHOLDING.
PLEASE REVIEW ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
15. Withholding On Foreign Stockholders. Even if a foreign stockholder
has provided the required certification to avoid backup withholding, the
Depositary will withhold United States federal income taxes equal to 30% of the
gross payments payable to a foreign stockholder or his or her agent unless the
Depositary determines that an exemption from or a reduced rate of withholding is
available pursuant to a tax treaty or that an exemption from withholding is
applicable because such gross proceeds are effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business in the United States. For this purpose, a foreign
stockholder is a stockholder that is not (i) a citizen or resident of the United
States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in
or under the laws of the United States, any state or any political subdivision
thereof or (iii) any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United
States federal income taxation regardless of the source of such income. In order
to obtain a reduced
14
<PAGE> 15
rate of withholding pursuant to a tax treaty, a foreign stockholder must deliver
to the Depositary a properly completed IRS Form 1001. In order to obtain an
exemption from withholding on the grounds that the gross proceeds paid pursuant
to the Offer are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business
within the United States, a foreign stockholder must deliver to the Depositary a
properly completed IRS Form 4224. The Depositary will determine a stockholder's
status as a foreign stockholder and eligibility for a reduced rate of, or an
exemption from, withholding by reference to outstanding certificates or
statements concerning eligibility for a reduced rate of, or exemption from,
withholding (e.g., IRS Form 1001 or IRS Form 4224) unless facts and
circumstances indicate that such reliance is not warranted. A foreign
stockholder may be eligible to obtain a refund of all or a portion of any tax
withheld if such stockholder meets the "complete redemption," "substantially
disproportionate" or "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" test described
in Section 14 of the Offer to Purchase or is otherwise able to establish that no
tax or a reduced amount of tax is due. Backup withholding generally will not
apply to amounts subject to the 30% or treaty-reduced rate of withholding.
Foreign stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the
application of United States federal income tax withholding, including
eligibility for a withholding tax reduction or exemption and refund procedures.
16. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Any questions or
requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at the
telephone number and address listed below. Requests for additional copies of the
Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal or other tender offer materials
may be directed to the Information Agent, and such copies will be furnished
promptly at the Company's expense. Stockholders may also contact their local
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for documents
relating to, or assistance concerning, the Offer.
15
<PAGE> 1
[CONECTIV LOGO]
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
FOR
TENDER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
(NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEES)
This form, or a form substantially equivalent to this form, must be used to
accept the Offer (as defined below) set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated
May 11, 1999 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and the related Letter of Transmittal
(which, as amended from time to time, together constitute the "Offer") by
Conectiv, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to purchase up to 14,000,000
shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares") (including
the associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to
the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1998 (the "Rights Agreement"),
between the Company and Conectiv Resource Partners, Inc., as the Rights Agent),
at a price not greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50 per Share, net to the
seller in cash, specified by tendering stockholders, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase.
Although the Company is not offering to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock ("Class A Common Stock"), as a result of the Offer, holders of Class A
Common Stock may elect, in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company and the Rights Agreement, to convert each share
of Class A Common Stock (and associated preferred stock purchase rights issued
pursuant to the Rights Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares (and 1.59997 associated
Rights) and to tender such Shares (and associated Rights) pursuant to the Offer;
provided, however, that any such election and conversion will be effective only
with respect to such Shares (and associated Rights) as are actually accepted for
purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer.
The Offer will expire at 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday,
June 8, 1999, unless the Offer is extended (as it may be extended, the
"Expiration Date"). As described in the Offer to Purchase, if you desire to
tender Shares, including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A
Common Stock and (1) certificates for your Shares or certificates for Class A
Common Stock cannot be delivered to the Depositary (as defined below) prior to
the Expiration Date; or (2) the procedure for book-entry transfer (set forth in
Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase) cannot be completed on a timely basis; or
(3) the Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents cannot be
delivered to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date, you may effect a
tender of your Shares by following the procedures described in Section 3 of the
Offer to Purchase, including completion of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
See Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.
IF TENDER IS NOT BEING MADE IN THE METHOD SET FORTH ABOVE, THEN THIS FORM
NEED NOT BE COMPLETED.
The Depositary for the Offer is:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
By Mail: By Facsimile Transmission: By Hand or Overnight Courier:
(212) 815-6213
Reorganization Services Department Reorganization Services Department
P.O. Box 10 Confirm Facsimile 101 Barclay Street
Newark, New Jersey 07101-0010 Transmission by Receive and Deliver Window
Telephone: (212) 815-6173 New York, New York 10286
</TABLE>
DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS, OR
TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THIS FORM IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE SIGNATURES. IF A SIGNATURE ON A
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION
(AS DEFINED IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE) UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO, SUCH
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE SPACE PROVIDED IN THE SIGNATURE BOX ON
THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
THE ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION THAT COMPLETES THIS FORM MUST COMMUNICATE THE
GUARANTEE TO THE DEPOSITARY AND MUST DELIVER THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES TO THE DEPOSITARY WITHIN THE TIME SHOWN HEREIN. FAILURE
TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN A FINANCIAL LOSS TO SUCH ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.
<PAGE> 2
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to the Company, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of
Transmittal, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the number of Shares,
including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock of
the Company, listed below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set
forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. The undersigned understands that a
tender of Shares will include a tender of the associated Rights and that no
separate consideration will be paid for such Rights. For a description of the
Rights, see Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase. Unless the context otherwise
requires, all references to Shares shall include the associated Rights.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
NUMBER OF SHARES: Name(s) (Please Print):
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Address(es):
-----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
CERTIFICATE NOS: (IF AVAILABLE)
------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------
(SIGNATURE(S))
[ ] Check here if Shares will be tendered by book-entry transfer and complete the following:
Name of Tendering Institution:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(AREA CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER)
Account No.: ---------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
NUMBER OF SHARES OF Name(s) (Please Print):
CLASS A COMMON STOCK: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Address(es):
-----------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES ISSUABLE UPON
CONVERSION OF SHARES OF CLASS A ----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCK ----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------
(INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
CERTIFICATE NOS: (IF AVAILABLE)
------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------
(SIGNATURE(S))
[ ] Check here if Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock will be tendered by book-
entry transfer and complete the following:
Name of Tendering Institution:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(AREA CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER)
Account No.: ---------------------
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE> 3
PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES,
INCLUDING SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SHARES OF
CLASS A COMMON STOCK, ARE BEING TENDERED
CHECK ONLY ONE BOX. IF MORE THAN ONE BOX IS CHECKED, OR IF NO BOX IS
CHECKED, THERE IS NO PROPER TENDER OF SHARES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER
[ ] The undersigned wants to maximize the chance of having Conectiv purchase
all the Shares, including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of
Class A Common Stock, the undersigned is tendering (subject to the
possibility of proration). Accordingly, by checking this ONE box INSTEAD OF
ONE OF THE PRICE BOXES BELOW, the undersigned hereby tenders Shares,
including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common
Stock, and is willing to accept the Purchase Price determined by the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Offer. This action will result
in receiving a price per Share as low as $23.50 or as high as $25.50.
---------------------------------------------------
OR
---------------------------------------------------
SHARES, INCLUDING SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SHARES OF
CLASS A COMMON STOCK, TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED BY STOCKHOLDER
By checking ONE of the boxes below INSTEAD OF THE BOX UNDER "SHARES TENDERED AT
PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER" ABOVE, the undersigned hereby tenders
Shares, including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common
Stock, at the price checked. This action could result in none of such Shares
being purchased if the Purchase Price for such Shares is less than the price
checked. A stockholder who desires to tender Shares, including Shares issuable
upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock, at more than one price must
complete a separate Letter of Transmittal for each price at which Shares are
tendered. THE SAME SUCH SHARES CANNOT BE TENDERED AT MORE THAN ONE PRICE. If
more than one box is checked, or if no box is checked, there is no valid tender
of such Shares.
PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES, INCLUDING SHARES ISSUABLE UPON
CONVERSION OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK, ARE BEING TENDERED:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
[ ] $23.50 [ ] $24.00 [ ] $24.50 [ ] $25.00 [ ] $ 25.50
[ ] $23.625 [ ] $24.125 [ ] $24.625 [ ] $25.125
[ ] $23.75 [ ] $24.25 [ ] $24.75 [ ] $25.25
[ ] $23.875 [ ] $24.375 [ ] $24.875 [ ] $25.375
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE> 4
GUARANTEE (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
The undersigned, an Eligible Institution (as defined in the Offer to
Purchase), hereby guarantees (i) that the above-named person(s) has a "net long
position," within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in the Shares, including Shares issuable upon
conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock, being tendered, (ii) that such
tender of Shares, including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A
Common Stock, complies with Rule 14e-4, and (iii) to deliver to the Depositary
at one of its addresses set forth above the certificates for all tendered
Shares, including Shares issuable upon the conversion of Shares of Class A
Common Stock, tendered hereby, in proper form for transfer (or Book Entry
Confirmation (as defined in the Offer to Purchase)), together with a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed copy
thereof) and any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message (as
defined in the Offer to Purchase) with a book-entry transfer, and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, all within three New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. trading days after the date hereof. Holders whose Shares,
including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock, are
Direct Registration Shares need not deliver certificates for such Shares or
comply with the procedures for book-entry transfer; however, such holders must
complete the box captioned "Direct Registration Shares" in the Letter of
Transmittal.
The Eligible Institution that completes this form must communicate the
guarantee to the Depositary and must deliver the Letter of Transmittal and
certificates for shares to the Depositary within the time shown herein. Failure
to do so could result in a financial loss to such Eligible Institution.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Name of Firm Authorized Signature
- ----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Address Name
- ----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
City, State, Zip Code Title
- -----------------------------------------------
Area Code and Telephone Number
Dated:
- ----------------------------------------- ,
1999
</TABLE>
NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES OR SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK WITH
THIS FORM.
YOUR CERTIFICATES MUST BE SENT WITH THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
4
<PAGE> 1
[Blackstone Logo]
CONECTIV
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
UP TO 14,000,000 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
AT A PURCHASE PRICE NOT GREATER THAN $25.50
NOR LESS THAN $23.50 PER SHARE
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL
EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1999, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
May 11, 1999
To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees:
In our capacity as Dealer Manager, we are enclosing the material listed
below relating to the offer of Conectiv, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
to purchase up to 14,000,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Shares") (including the associated preferred stock purchase rights
(the "Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 23,
1998 (the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and Conectiv Resource
Partners, Inc., as the Rights Agent), at a price not greater than $25.50 nor
less than $23.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash, specified by tendering
stockholders, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Offer to Purchase, dated May 11, 1999 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and in the
related Letter of Transmittal (which, as amended from time to time, together
constitute the "Offer"). Unless the context otherwise requires, all references
to Shares shall include the associated Rights.
The Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, determine a single price (not greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50
per Share), net to the seller in cash (the "Purchase Price"), that it will pay
for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer, taking into
account the number of Shares tendered and the prices specified by tendering
stockholders. The Company will select the lowest Purchase Price that will allow
it to purchase 14,000,000 Shares (or such lesser number of Shares as are validly
tendered and not withdrawn) at a price not greater than $25.50 nor less than
$23.50 per Share. All Shares validly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase
Price and not withdrawn will be purchased at the Purchase Price, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the proration provisions
described in the Offer to Purchase. See Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase.
Although the Company is not offering to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock ("Class A Common Stock"), as a result of the Offer, holders of Class A
Common Stock may elect, in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company and the Rights Agreement, to convert each share
of Class A Common Stock (and associated preferred stock purchase rights issued
pursuant to the Rights Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares (and 1.59997 associated
Rights) and to tender such Shares (and associated Rights) pursuant to the Offer;
provided, however, that any such election and conversion will be effective only
with respect to such Shares (and associated Rights) as are actually accepted for
purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer.
THE OFFER IS NOT CONDITIONED ON ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES BEING
TENDERED. THE OFFER IS, HOWEVER, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER CONDITIONS. SEE
SECTION 6 OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE.
<PAGE> 2
We are asking you to contact your clients for whom you hold Shares or
shares of Class A Common Stock registered in your name (or in the name of your
nominee) or who hold Shares or shares of Class A Common Stock registered in
their own names. Please bring the Offer to their attention as promptly as
possible. The Company will, upon request, reimburse you for reasonable and
customary handling and mailing expenses incurred by you in forwarding any of the
enclosed materials to your clients.
For your information and for forwarding to your clients, we are enclosing
the following documents:
1. The Offer to Purchase.
2. A letter to stockholders of the Company from the Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
3. The Letter of Transmittal for your use and for the information of your
clients.
4. The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to be used to accept the Offer if the
Shares, including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A
Common Stock, and all other required documents cannot be delivered to
the Depositary by the Expiration Date (each as defined in the Offer to
Purchase).
5. A letter that may be sent to your clients for whose accounts you hold
Shares registered in your name or in the name of your nominee, with
space for obtaining such clients' instructions with regard to the
Offer.
6. Guidelines for Certification for Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9.
7. A return envelope addressed to The Bank of New York, the Depositary.
WE URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE NOTE
THAT THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT,
NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1999, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
The Company will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker, dealer or
other person for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer (other than
the Dealer Manager and the Information Agent). The Company will, upon request,
reimburse brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees
for reasonable and customary handling and mailing expenses incurred by them in
forwarding materials relating to the Offer to their clients. The Company will
pay all stock transfer taxes applicable to its purchase of Shares pursuant to
the Offer, subject to Instruction 8 of the Letter of Transmittal.
In order to take advantage of the Offer, a stockholder must complete and
sign the Letter of Transmittal or a copy thereof in accordance with the
instructions in the Letter of Transmittal and either mail or deliver it with any
required signature guarantee or, in the case of book-entry transfer, deliver an
Agent's Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and any other required
documents to the Depositary, and either mail or deliver the stock certificates
for such Shares or, in the case of Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of
Class A Common Stock, the certificates for such shares of Class A Common Stock
to the Depositary (with all such other documents) or tender such Shares pursuant
to the procedures for book-entry transfer or procedures applicable to Direct
Registration Shares, in each case, as set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to
Purchase.
As described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase, tenders of Shares,
including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock, may
be made without the concurrent deposit of certificates for Shares or shares of
Class A Common Stock or concurrent compliance with the procedure for book-entry
transfer if all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) such tender is
made by or through an Eligible Institution (as defined in the Offer to
Purchase); (2) the Depositary receives (by hand, mail, overnight courier,
telegram or facsimile transmission), on or prior to the Expiration Date, a
properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially
in the form the Company has provided herewith (indicating the price at which the
Shares are being tendered), including (where required) a signature guarantee by
an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery; and (3) the certificates for all tendered Shares, including Shares
issuable upon the conversion of Shares of Class A Common Stock, as the case may
be, in proper form for transfer (or Book Entry Confirmation (as defined in the
Offer to Purchase)), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter
of Transmittal (or manually signed copy thereof) and any required
2
<PAGE> 3
signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message with a book-entry transfer, and any
other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the
Depositary no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third New York
Stock Exchange trading day after the date the Depositary receives such Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery.
Any questions or requests for assistance or additional copies of the
enclosed materials may be directed to the Information Agent at the address and
telephone number set forth on the back cover of the enclosed Offer to Purchase.
Very truly yours,
The Blackstone Group L.P.
(800) 275-5008 (Toll Free)
NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU
OR ANY OTHER PERSON THE AGENT OF THE COMPANY, THE DEALER MANAGER, THE
INFORMATION AGENT OR THE DEPOSITARY, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE
ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH
THE OFFER EXCEPT THE STATEMENTS EXPRESSLY MADE IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
3
<PAGE> 1
[CONECTIV LOGO]
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
UP TO 14,000,000 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
AT A PURCHASE PRICE NOT GREATER THAN $25.50
NOR LESS THAN $23.50 PER SHARE
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL
EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1999, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
To Our Clients:
Enclosed for your consideration are the Offer to Purchase, dated May 11,
1999 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and the related Letter of Transmittal (which, as
amended from time to time, together constitute the "Offer") setting forth the
Offer by Conectiv, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to purchase up to
14,000,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares")
(including the associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Rights") issued
pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1998 (the "Rights
Agreement"), between the Company and Conectiv Resource Partners, Inc., as the
Rights Agent), at a price not greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50 per
Share, net to the seller in cash, specified by tendering stockholders, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer. Unless the context otherwise
requires, all references to Shares shall include the associated Rights. Also
enclosed herewith is certain other material related to the Offer, including a
letter to stockholders from Howard E. Cosgrove, Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Although the Company is not offering to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ("Class A Common Stock"), as a
result of the Offer, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, may elect, in
accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company and the Rights Agreement, to convert each share of Class A Common Stock
(and the associated preferred stock purchase rights ("Class A Rights") issued
pursuant to the Rights Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares (and 1.59997 associated
Rights) and to tender such Shares (and associated Rights) pursuant to the Offer;
provided, however, that any such election and conversion will be effective only
with respect to such Shares (and associated Rights) as are actually accepted for
purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer.
AS USED IN THIS LETTER, THE TERM "ELECTING CLASS A SHARES" MEANS SHARES OF
CLASS A COMMON STOCK FOR WHICH THE HOLDER HAS ELECTED TO CONVERT SUCH SHARES FOR
PURPOSES OF THE OFFER; AND THE TERM "CONVERTED SHARES" MEANS THE SHARES ISSUABLE
UPON CONVERSION OF ELECTING CLASS A SHARES.
WE ARE THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF SHARES AND/OR SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
HELD FOR YOUR ACCOUNT. AS SUCH, A TENDER OF SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES,
CAN BE MADE ONLY BY US AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD AND PURSUANT TO YOUR
INSTRUCTIONS. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS FURNISHED TO YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION
ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED BY YOU TO TENDER SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES,
HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT.
We request instructions as to whether you wish us to tender any or all of
the Shares, including Converted Shares, held by us for your account, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the
Letter of Transmittal.
Your attention is invited to the following:
1. You may tender Shares, including Converted Shares at either the
price determined by you (in multiples of $.125), not greater than $25.50
nor less than $23.50 per Share, or the price determined by the Company in
accordance with the terms of the Offer as indicated in the attached
Instruction Form, net to you in cash.
2. The Offer is for up to 14,000,000 Shares, constituting
approximately 13.9% of the total Shares outstanding as of May 10, 1999,
including Shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common
Stock.
<PAGE> 2
The Offer is not conditioned on any minimum number of Shares being
tendered. The Offer is, however, subject to certain other conditions set
forth in the Offer to Purchase.
3. The Offer, proration period and withdrawal rights will expire at
12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday, June 8, 1999, unless the
Offer is extended (as it may be extended, the "Expiration Date"). Your
instructions to us should be forwarded to us in ample time to permit us to
submit a tender on your behalf.
4. As described in the Offer to Purchase, if more than 14,000,000
Shares, including Converted Shares, have been validly tendered at or below
the Purchase Price and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date, as
defined in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase, the Shares, including
Converted Shares, will be subject to proration (with adjustments to avoid
purchases of fractional Shares).
5. Tendering stockholders will not be obligated to pay any brokerage
commissions or solicitation fees on the Company's purchase of Shares,
including Converted Shares, in the Offer. Any stock transfer taxes
applicable to the purchase of Shares by the Company pursuant to the Offer
will be paid by the Company, except as otherwise provided in Instruction 8
of the Letter of Transmittal.
6. If you wish to tender portions of your Shares, including Converted
Shares, at different prices you must complete a separate Instruction Form
for each price at which you wish to tender each portion of your Shares,
including Converted Shares. We must submit separate Letters of Transmittal
on your behalf for each price you will accept. THE SAME SHARES CANNOT BE
TENDERED AT MORE THAN ONE PRICE.
If you wish to have us tender any or all of your Shares, including
Converted Shares, held by us for your account upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, please so instruct us by
completing, executing and returning to us the attached Instruction Form. An
envelope to return your instructions to us is enclosed. If you authorize the
tender of your Shares, including Converted Shares, all such Shares will be
tendered unless otherwise specified on the Instruction Form. YOUR INSTRUCTIONS
SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO US IN AMPLE TIME TO PERMIT US TO SUBMIT A TENDER ON YOUR
BEHALF PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER.
The Offer is being made to all holders of Shares. The Company is not aware
of any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer is not in compliance with
applicable law. If the Company becomes aware of any jurisdiction where the
making of the Offer is not in compliance with any valid applicable law, the
Company will make a good faith effort to comply with such law. If, after such
good faith effort, the Company cannot comply with such law, the Offer will not
be made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) the holders of
Shares residing in such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions whose laws require
the Offer to be made by a broker or dealer that is registered in such
jurisdictions and, subject to the availability of an exclusion from the broker
or dealer definition or an exemption from broker or dealer registration, the
Offer shall be deemed to be made on behalf of the Company by the Dealer Manager
or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such
jurisdiction.
INSTRUCTION FORM
Please tender to the Company, on behalf of the undersigned, the number of
Shares indicated below (or, if no number is indicated below, all Shares) that
are held by you for the account of the undersigned, at the price per Share
indicated below, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer,
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.
SHARES TENDERED
[ ] If fewer than all Shares are to be tendered, please check the box and
indicate below the aggregate number of Shares to be tendered by us.
------------------------------------ Shares
Unless otherwise indicated, all Shares held by us for your account will be
tendered.
With respect to shares of Class A Common Stock, this Instruction Form will
(1) constitute the election by the undersigned to convert such shares of Class A
Common Stock (and the associated Class A Rights) into Shares (and associated
Rights) in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company and the Rights Agreement and (2) instruct you to
tender to the Company, on behalf of the undersigned, the number of Converted
Shares indicated below (or, if no number is indicated below, all such shares)
that are issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock held by you
for the account of the undersigned, at the per Share price indicated below, upon
the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
2
<PAGE> 3
CONVERTED SHARES TENDERED
(A) No. of Electing Class A Shares owned: ------------
(B) Conversion Ratio: 1.59997
------------
(C) No. of Converted Shares (multiply A times B): ------------
[ ] If fewer than all Converted Shares are to be tendered, please
check the box and indicate below the aggregate number of such
shares as are to be tendered by us.
------------------------
Unless otherwise indicated, all Converted Shares issuable upon conversion
of shares of Class A Common Stock held by us for your account will be
tendered.
PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE
AT WHICH SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES,
ARE BEING TENDERED
IF SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED AT MORE THAN ONE PRICE,
A SEPARATE INSTRUCTION FORM FOR EACH PRICE SPECIFIED
MUST BE USED.
CHECK ONLY ONE BOX. IF MORE THAN ONE BOX IS CHECKED, OR
IF NO BOX IS CHECKED, THERE IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER
[ ] The undersigned wants to maximize the chance of having Conectiv purchase
all the Shares, including Converted Shares, the undersigned is tendering
(subject to the possibility of proration). Accordingly, by checking this
ONE box INSTEAD OF ONE OF THE PRICE BOXES BELOW, the undersigned hereby
tenders Shares, including Converted Shares, and is willing to accept the
Purchase Price determined by the Company in accordance with the terms of
the Offer. This action will result in receiving a price per Share as low
as $23.50 or as high as $25.50.
---------------------------------------------------
OR
---------------------------------------------------
SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES,
TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED BY STOCKHOLDER
By checking ONE of the boxes below INSTEAD OF THE BOX ABOVE, the undersigned
hereby tenders Shares, including Converted Shares, at the price checked. This
action could result in none of the Shares being purchased if the Purchase Price
for the Shares is less than the price checked. A stockholder who desires to
tender such Shares, including Converted Shares, at more than one price must
complete a separate Instruction Form for each price at which shares are
tendered. THE SAME SUCH SHARES CANNOT BE TENDERED AT MORE THAN ONE PRICE. If
more than one box is checked, or if no box is checked, there is no valid tender
of such Shares.
PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
[ ] $23.50 [ ] $24.00 [ ] $24.50 [ ] $25.00 [ ] $ 25.50
[ ] $23.625 [ ] $24.125 [ ] $24.625 [ ] $25.125
[ ] $23.75 [ ] $24.25 [ ] $24.75 [ ] $25.25
[ ] $23.875 [ ] $24.375 [ ] $24.875 [ ] $25.375
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Sign Here ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S)
Names(s) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(PLEASE PRINT NAME(S))
Address(es)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Dated: __________, 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER(S)
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE> 1
Conectiv
800 King Street
P.O. Box 231
Wilmington, DE 19899
[CONECTIV LOGO]
May 11, 1999
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
The Board of Directors of Conectiv has approved a new financial strategy
intended to maximize shareholder value and position your Company for an
increasingly competitive business environment.
The strategy includes:
- A recapitalization of Conectiv through a Common Stock buyback in order to
employ a more efficient capital structure appropriate for a competitive
environment;
- The Board of Directors' intent to reduce the quarterly Common Stock
dividend from $0.385 per share to $0.22 per share, effective with the
next quarterly dividend. This is designed to balance the focus on total
shareholder return between stock appreciation and dividend yield. The
dividend policy for Class A Common Stock remains unchanged, currently a
quarterly dividend of $0.80 ($3.20 annualized) per share;
- A realignment of Conectiv's generation business by pursuing the potential
sale of approximately 2,200 megawatts of nuclear and non-strategic
baseload fossil generation, with safeguards to assure continued energy
reliability;
- A focus on value creation through growth of Conectiv's regulated electric
and gas delivery business, the energy business and the telecommunications
business; and
- The implementation of a new productivity improvement and cost reduction
program aimed at positioning the Company to have a more competitive cost
structure without any reduction in quality and service.
In the share buyback, the Company is offering to purchase up to 14 million
shares of its Common Stock through a procedure known as a "Dutch Auction." This
procedure allows you to decide, first, whether to tender all, part or none of
the shares you own. If you decide to tender any shares, you are then allowed to
decide the price within the range of not less than $23.50 nor more than $25.50
per share at which you are willing to sell those shares to the Company. Based
upon the shares tendered and the prices specified by shareholders, the Company
will determine the single per share purchase price within the range that will
allow it to buy up to 14 million shares. ALL SHAREHOLDERS WHOSE SHARES ARE
PURCHASED WILL RECEIVE THE SAME PRICE PER SHARE. Class A Common Stock
shareholders are eligible to participate in the buyback through their conversion
rights as explained in the enclosed materials. Shares that have been tendered
and not purchased will be returned to the tendering shareholder.
<PAGE> 2
The change in dividend policy improves our financial flexibility going
forward. A targeted dividend payout ratio of 40 to 60 percent of prior year
earnings is more consistent with companies operating today in a competitive
environment. We believe this change in policy, coupled with the stock buyback,
will provide several significant shareholder advantages.
Management is confident that the Company's earnings prospects, combined
with the effect of reduced shares outstanding, positions the Company to achieve
growth in earnings per share, which should result in market value growth. In
addition, the share buyback should allow those shareholders desiring a more
income-oriented investment to exit their investment in the Company on more
favorable terms than might otherwise be the case. However, we believe that
shareholders that choose not to tender their shares also will benefit from this
transaction. They will own a greater interest in a highly competitive company
with substantial growth opportunities.
If you do not wish to participate in the offer, you do not need to take any
action. IF YOU WANT TO TENDER YOUR SHARES, THE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DO SO ARE
EXPLAINED IN THE ENCLOSED MATERIALS. I encourage you to read carefully these
materials, particularly the Offer to Purchase and Letter of Transmittal, before
making any decision with respect to the buyback. Please note that the tender
offer will expire at 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday, June 8,
1999, unless extended by the Company. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE
OFFER OR REQUIRE ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THE INFORMATION AGENT, D.F. KING &
CO., INC., TOLL-FREE AT 800-207-3156.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
/s/ Howard E. Cosgrove
Howard E. Cosgrove
Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE> 1
[CONECTIV LOGO]
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
UP TO 14,000,000 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
AT A PURCHASE PRICE NOT GREATER THAN $25.50
NOR LESS THAN $23.50 PER SHARE
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL
EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1999, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
Dear Plan B Participant:
Enclosed is a copy of information relating to an offer by Conectiv, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to purchase up to 14,000,000 shares of its
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares") (including the associated
preferred stock purchase rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights
Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1998 (the "Rights Agreement"), between the
Company and Conectiv Resource Partners, Inc., as the Rights Agent), at a price
not greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50 per Share, net to the seller in
cash (the "Purchase Price"), specified by tendering stockholders, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, dated May 11,
1999 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and the related Letter of Transmittal (which, as
amended from time to time, together constitute the "Offer").
Although the Company is not offering to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ("Class A Common Stock"), as a
result of the Offer, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock may elect, in
accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company and the Rights Agreement, to convert each share of Class A Common Stock
(and the associated preferred stock purchase rights ("Class A Rights") issued
pursuant to the Rights Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares (and 1.59997 associated
Rights) and to tender such Shares (and associated Rights) pursuant to the Offer;
provided, however, that any such election and conversion will be effective only
with respect to such Shares (and associated Rights) as are actually accepted for
purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer. See Section 3 of the Offer to
Purchase.
AS USED IN THIS LETTER, THE TERM "ELECTING CLASS A SHARES" MEANS SHARES OF
CLASS A COMMON STOCK FOR WHICH THE HOLDER HAS ELECTED TO CONVERT SUCH SHARES FOR
PURPOSES OF THE OFFER; AND THE TERM "CONVERTED SHARES" MEANS THE SHARES ISSUABLE
UPON CONVERSION OF ELECTING CLASS A SHARES.
Your account in the Atlantic City Electric Company 401(k) Savings and
Investment Plan B ("Plan B") includes Shares and/or shares of Class A Common
Stock. Because you control the investment of this account, you will have the
right to direct the Trustee of Plan B to tender (or not to tender) some or all
of the Shares, including Converted Shares, allocated to your account and, if so,
at what price. Please read the enclosed materials carefully before you make your
decision.
If you do choose to tender some or all of your Shares, including Converted
Shares, but the purchase price that you propose is lower than the market price
as of the date your tender must be transmitted, the Trustee of Plan B will
adjust your tender so that the price is not less than the market price as of
such date, because the Plan is not permitted to sell its Shares to the employer
for a price that is less than the market price. As a result of such adjustment,
it is possible that your offer to tender would not be accepted if the adjusted
price is higher than the price at which the Company purchases Shares from other
tendering stockholders.
If you choose to tender your Shares, including Converted Shares, pursuant
to the Offer, and if your tender is accepted, the proceeds will be reinvested in
the investment option you select. Inasmuch as Plan B is tax-exempt, neither the
decision to tender nor the reinvestment in one or more investment vehicles will
result in any income or loss being recognized by Plan B or any participant
therein.
<PAGE> 2
ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC COMPANY
401(K) SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN B
INSTRUCTION AND TRANSMITTAL FORM
TO TENDER SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
OF
CONECTIV
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE DATED MAY 11, 1999
AND INSTRUCTIONS FROM T. ROWE PRICE, CUSTODIAN OF PLAN B
IF YOU WISH TO TENDER ANY OR ALL OF YOUR SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES,
HELD IN YOUR CONECTIV STOCK ACCOUNT IN PLAN B, YOU MUST COMPLETE, IF APPLICABLE,
THE "DECISION TO TENDER" SECTION, THE "CONVERSION OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON
STOCK" SECTION, THE "PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES, INCLUDING
CONVERTED SHARES, ARE BEING TENDERED" SECTION AND THE "REINVESTMENT OF PROCEEDS"
SECTION, AND SIGN THE FORM AT THE END. YOUR INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO
T. ROWE PRICE IN AMPLE TIME TO PERMIT THEM TO SUBMIT A TENDER ON YOUR BEHALF
PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER. IF THE FORM IS NOT PROPERLY COMPLETED, OR
IF THE FORM IS NOT RECEIVED BY T. ROWE PRICE IN AMPLE TIME, THE SHARES,
INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES, ALLOCATED TO YOUR ACCOUNT IN PLAN B WILL NOT BE
TENDERED.
DECISION TO TENDER
[ ] Check here to instruct the Custodian to tender on your behalf ALL of the
Shares credited to your Conectiv Stock Account in Plan B.
[ ] Check here to instruct the Custodian to tender on your behalf a percentage
or specified number of the Shares credited to your Conectiv Stock Account
in Plan B, as follows (complete one line only):
Percentage of Shares to be tendered ------ % or
Number of Shares to be tendered ------
[ ] Check here if you DO NOT wish to tender any of the Shares credited to your
Conectiv Stock Account in Plan B. Do not complete the remainder of this
Form.
Complete the "Conversion of Shares of Class A Common Stock" box below to
direct the Custodian to convert shares of Class A Common Stock held in your
Conectiv Stock Account in Plan B to Shares of Conectiv, and then to tender such
Shares pursuant to the Offer.
For Shares, including Converted Shares, to be validly tendered by the
Custodian, complete either the box under "Shares Tendered at Price Determined
Pursuant to the Offer" or a box under "Shares Tendered at Price Determined by
Participant." By checking the box under "Shares Tendered at Price Determined
Pursuant to the Offer" you agree to accept the Purchase Price determined by the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Offer, which may be as low as $23.50
or as high as $25.50 per Share. By checking a box under "Shares Tendered at
Price Determined by Participant," you acknowledge that doing so could result in
none of such Shares being purchased if the Purchase Price for the Shares is less
than the price at which you tender such Shares. Also, regardless of your
selection, in order to comply with applicable laws, the Custodian will ensure
that the Shares, including Converted Shares, are tendered at a price that is no
less than the fair market value of the Shares on a national securities exchange
as of the expiration of the Offer. This action could result in none of the
Shares, including Converted Shares, being purchased.
<PAGE> 3
If you do not complete the box under "Conversion of Shares of Class A
Common Stock" below, none of the shares of Class A Common Stock held in your
account in Plan B will be converted.
You are urged to read carefully, complete and sign this Instruction and
Transmittal Form below, and return this entire Instruction and Transmittal Form
to the Custodian in the envelope provided.
CONVERSION OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
THIS SECTION IS ONLY TO BE COMPLETED IF SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF CLASS
A COMMON STOCK ARE BEING TENDERED.
[ ] Check here to instruct the Custodian to convert the shares of Class A
Common Stock held in your account in Plan B to Shares, and to tender those
shares pursuant to this election, in the same proportion as your Shares of
common stock.
[ ] Check here to instruct the Custodian to convert the following shares of
Class A Common Stock held in your account in Plan B, and then to tender
those Shares pursuant to this election:
Percentage of Class A Shares ____% Number of Class A Shares ________
2
<PAGE> 4
PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE
AT WHICH SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES,
ARE BEING TENDERED
CHECK ONLY ONE BOX. IF MORE THAN ONE BOX IS CHECKED,
OR IF NO BOX IS CHECKED,
THERE IS NO PROPER TENDER OF SHARES,
INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER
[ ] The participant wants to maximize the chance of having Conectiv purchase
all of the Shares, including Converted Shares, the participant is tendering
(subject to the possibility of proration). Accordingly, by checking this
ONE box INSTEAD OF ONE OF THE PRICE BOXES BELOW, the undersigned hereby
tenders Shares, including Converted Shares, and is willing to accept the
Purchase Price determined by the Company in accordance with the terms of
the Offer. This action will result in receiving a price per Share as low as
$23.50 and as high as $25.50.
----------------------------
OR
----------------------------
SHARES TENDERED AT PRICE DETERMINED BY PARTICIPANT
By checking ONE of the boxes below INSTEAD OF THE BOX UNDER "SHARES TENDERED AT
PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER" above, the undersigned hereby directs
the Custodian to tender Shares, including Converted Shares, at the price
checked. A participant who desires to direct the Custodian to tender different
portions of Shares at different prices must complete a separate Instruction and
Transmittal Form for each portion to be tendered at a different price. The total
of all Shares, including Converted Shares, directed in such separate Instruction
and Transmittal Forms for a single participant cannot exceed the total Shares,
including Converted Shares, held in that participant's account in Plan B. If
more than one box is checked, or if no box is checked, or if more than 100% of
the Shares, including Converted Shares, are directed in multiple transmittals,
the Custodian will not tender any of the Shares, including Converted Shares,
held in the participant's account.
PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES, INCLUDING CONVERTED SHARES, ARE
BEING TENDERED:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
[ ] $23.50 [ ] $24.00 [ ] $24.50 [ ] $25.00 [ ] $25.50
[ ] $23.625 [ ] $24.125 [ ] $24.625 [ ] $25.125
[ ] $23.75 [ ] $24.25 [ ] $24.75 [ ] $25.25
[ ] $23.875 [ ] $24.375 [ ] $24.875 [ ] $25.375
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE> 5
REINVESTMENT OF PROCEEDS
Select the investment option in which the proceeds from your purchased Shares,
including Converted Shares, are to be invested:
[ ] T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund
[ ] T. Rowe Price Equity Index Fund
[ ] T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund
[ ] T. Rowe Price Spectrum Growth Fund
[ ] T. Rowe Price Stable Value Fund
If you select more than one option, the proceeds will be divided evenly among
the selected options.
SIGNATURE OF PARTICIPANT
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Please sign here
Dated: ------, 1999.
PLEASE PRINT THE FOLLOWING:
Name: ------
Social Security Number: ------
Current Address: ------
- ------------------------------------------------------------ (Include Zip Code)
4
<PAGE> 1
[CONECTIV LOGO]
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
UP TO 14,000,000 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
AT A PURCHASE PRICE NOT GREATER THAN $25.50
NOR LESS THAN $23.50 PER SHARE
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL
EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1999, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
May 11, 1999
To Certain Former Holders of Common Stock of Delmarva Power & Light Company
and/or Atlantic Energy, Inc.:
Our records show that you formerly were a holder of Common Stock of
Delmarva Power & Light Company ("DP&L") and/or Atlantic Energy, Inc. ("AE").
Your shares of DP&L and/or AE were converted into the right to receive shares of
Conectiv (the "Company") in connection with the mergers involving the Company,
DP&L and AE (the "Mergers"), which were effective March 1, 1998. Pursuant to the
Mergers, each share of DP&L Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
effective time of the Mergers was converted into the right to receive one share
of Common Stock, par value $0.01, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), and each
share of AE Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of
the Mergers was converted into the right to receive 0.75 share of Common Stock
and 0.125 share of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01, of the Company (the
"Class A Common Stock", and collectively with the shares of Common Stock, the
"Company Shares").
ACCORDING TO OUR RECORDS, YOU HAVE NOT EXCHANGED CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING
THE SHARES OF DP&L COMMON STOCK OR AE COMMON STOCK FORMERLY HELD BY YOU (YOUR
"UNEXCHANGED SHARES") FOR COMPANY SHARES, AND, ACCORDINGLY, YOU ARE NOT A HOLDER
OF THE COMPANY SHARES THAT WOULD BE ISSUABLE TO YOU UPON EXCHANGE OF YOUR
UNEXCHANGED SHARES. BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT A HOLDER OF SUCH COMPANY SHARES, THE
ENCLOSED MATERIALS ARE BEING FURNISHED TO YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY.
Enclosed for your information are the Offer to Purchase, dated May 11, 1999
(the "Offer to Purchase"), and the related Letter of Transmittal (which, as
amended from time to time, together constitute the "Offer") setting forth the
Offer by the Company, to purchase up to 14,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the
"Shares") (including the associated preferred stock purchase rights (the
"Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1998
(the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and Conectiv Resource Partners,
Inc., as the Rights Agent), at a price not greater than $25.50 nor less than
$23.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash, specified by tendering
stockholders, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
Although the Company is not offering to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock, as a result of the Offer, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock may
elect, in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Company and the Rights Agreement, to convert each share of Class A Common
Stock (and the associated preferred stock purchase rights ("Class A Rights")
issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement) into 1.59997 Shares (and 1.59997
associated Rights) and to tender such Shares (and
<PAGE> 2
associated Rights) pursuant to the Offer; provided, however, that any such
election and conversion will be effective only with respect to such Shares (and
associated Rights) as are actually accepted for purchase by the Company pursuant
to the Offer.
THE COMPANY IS NOT OFFERING TO PURCHASE YOUR UNEXCHANGED SHARES. THE OFFER
TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND OTHER MATERIAL RELATED TO THE OFFER
ENCLOSED HEREWITH ARE BEING FURNISHED TO YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. UNLESS
AND UNTIL YOU EXCHANGE YOUR UNEXCHANGED SHARES FOR COMPANY SHARES, YOU CANNOT
PARTICIPATE IN THE OFFER WITH RESPECT TO ANY COMPANY SHARES THAT WOULD BE
ISSUABLE TO YOU UPON SUCH EXCHANGE.
IF YOU WISH TO TENDER IN THE OFFER ANY SHARES ISSUABLE WITH RESPECT TO YOUR
UNEXCHANGED SHARES OR TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OFFER THROUGH CONVERSION OF ANY
SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE WITH RESPECT TO YOUR UNEXCHANGED SHARES,
YOU MUST FIRST EXCHANGE YOUR UNEXCHANGED SHARES FOR COMPANY SHARES. ANY
QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF YOUR
UNEXCHANGED SHARES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE MERGERS, THE
BANK OF NEW YORK, TOLL-FREE AT 800-365-6495.
The Offer, proration period, and withdrawal rights will expire at 12:00
Midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday, June 8, 1999, unless the Offer is
extended (as it may be extended, the "Expiration Date"). If you wish to
participate in the Offer with respect to any Company Shares that would be
issuable to you upon exchange of your Unexchanged Shares, you must take the
necessary actions to exchange your Unexchanged Shares in ample time to permit
you, prior to the Expiration Date, to tender Shares or to convert shares of
Class A Common Stock into Shares, in each case, as set forth in Section 3 of the
Offer to Purchase.
May 11, 1999 CONECTIV
2
<PAGE> 1
This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of
offers to sell shares. The offer is made solely by the Offer to Purchase and the
related Letter of Transmittal which are being mailed to stockholders of Conectiv
on or about May 11, 1999. While the offer is being made to all holders of shares
of Conectiv's Common Stock, tenders will not be accepted from or on behalf of
the stockholders in any jurisdiction in which the acceptance thereof would not
be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions
whose laws require the offer to be made by a broker or dealer that is registered
in such jurisdictions and, subject to the availability of an exclusion from the
broker or dealer definition or an exemption from broker or dealer registration,
the offer shall be deemed to be made on behalf of Conectiv by The Blackstone
Group L.P. or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws
of such jurisdiction.
NOTICE OF OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH BY
CONECTIV
UP TO 14,000,000 SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK
AT A PURCHASE PRICE NOT GREATER THAN $25.50
AND NOT LESS THAN $23.50 PER SHARE
Conectiv, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), invites holders of shares
of its Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares") (including the
associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to the
Rights Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1998 (the "Rights Agreement"), between
the Company and Conectiv Resource Partners, Inc., as the Rights Agent), to
tender such Shares to the Company at a price not greater than $25.50 nor less
than $23.50 per Share in cash, as specified by tendering stockholders, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the
related Letter of Transmittal (which, as amended from time to time, together
constitute the "Offer"). Unless the context otherwise requires, all references
to Shares shall include the associated Rights.
The Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, determine a single per Share price (not greater than $25.50 nor less than
$23.50 per Share), net to the seller in cash (the "Purchase Price"), that it
will pay for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer,
taking into account the number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by
tendering stockholders. The Company will select the lowest Purchase Price that
will allow it to purchase 14,000,000 Shares (or such lesser number of Shares as
are validly tendered and not withdrawn) at a price not greater than $25.50 nor
less than $23.50 per Share. All Shares properly tendered at prices at or below
the Purchase Price and not withdrawn will be purchased at the Purchase Price,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the
proration provisions contained therein. The Company reserves the right, in its
sole discretion, to purchase more than 14,000,000 Shares pursuant to the Offer.
Shares tendered at prices in excess of the Purchase Price and Shares not
purchased because of proration will be returned.
Although the Company is not offering to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ("Class A Common Stock"), as a
result of the Offer, holders of Class A Common Stock may elect, in accordance
with the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the
"Restated Certificate") and the Rights Agreement, to convert shares of Class A
Common Stock (and associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Class A
Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement) into Shares (and associated
Rights) and to tender such Shares (and associated Rights) pursuant to the Offer;
provided, however, that any such election and conversion will be effective only
with respect to such Shares (and associated Rights) as are actually accepted for
purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer.
<PAGE> 2
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1999, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
The Offer is not conditioned on any minimum number of Shares being
tendered. The Offer is, however, subject to certain other conditions set forth
in the Offer to Purchase.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MAKING
OF THE OFFER. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY
RECOMMENDATION TO ANY STOCKHOLDER AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM
TENDERING SHARES. EACH STOCKHOLDER MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION WHETHER TO
TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND THE PRICE OR PRICES AT
WHICH SHARES SHOULD BE TENDERED. The Company has been advised that none of its
directors or executive officers intends to tender any Shares pursuant to the
Offer.
As promptly as practicable following the Expiration Date, the Company will,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, determine the
Purchase Price (not greater than $25.50 nor less than $23.50 per Share) that it
will pay for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer,
taking into account the number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by
tendering stockholders. The term "Expiration Date" means 12:00 Midnight, New
York City time, on Tuesday, June 8, 1999, unless and until the Company in its
sole discretion shall have extended the period of time during which the Offer is
open, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall refer to the latest time
and date at which the Offer, as so extended by the Company, shall expire.
Payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer
will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of certificates for
such Shares or Class A Common Stock (or a timely confirmation of a book-entry
transfer of such Shares or Class A Common Stock into the Depositary's account at
the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), or, in
the case of Shares held as Direct Registration Shares, completion of the
appropriate portion of the Letter of Transmittal), a properly completed and duly
executed Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed copy thereof), or an Agent's
Message with a book-entry transfer, and any other documents required by the
Letter of Transmittal. The term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by
the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to, and received by, the Depositary and forming
a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), which
states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express
acknowledgment from the participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
tendering the Shares that such participant has received and agrees to be bound
by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that the Company may enforce such
agreement against the participant.
Utility companies have experienced and will continue to experience a
significant increase in the level of competition in the energy supply market,
due to a steady industry evolution away from a regulated monopoly energy supply
structure toward a more competitive structure. In the context of this
progression, the Company's Board of Directors approved on May 10, 1999 a
strategic restructuring of the Company's businesses that is intended to maximize
stockholder value and better position the Company for the expected future
competitive environment. This strategy includes: (1) a recapitalization of the
Company through the Offer and a change in the dividend policy for the Shares;
(2) consideration of the potential sale of certain generating plants of the
Company's subsidiaries; and (3) the implementation of a productivity improvement
and cost reduction program designed to improve overall profitability. Purchasing
Shares at a 0.8% to 9.4% premium above their market value on the trading day
immediately prior to announcement of the Offer, among other things, enables the
Company to increase and accelerate the receipt of cash by holders of Shares.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, if more than
14,000,000 Shares have been properly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase
Price and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date, the Company will accept
for purchase all Shares tendered properly at prices at or below the Purchase
Price and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date, on a pro rata basis. The
Company does not expect to be able to announce the final results of any such
proration until approximately seven business days after the Expiration Date. The
Company also reserves the right, but will not be obligated, to purchase all
Shares duly tendered by any stockholder who tendered all such Shares owned,
beneficially or of record, at or below the Purchase Price and who, as a result
of proration, would then own, beneficially or of record, an aggregate of fewer
than 100
2
<PAGE> 3
Shares (including Shares held in a Conectiv Direct(TM) account and Shares
issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock). If the Company
exercises this right, it will increase the number of Shares that it is offering
to purchase in the Offer by the number of Shares purchased through the exercise
of such right. In accordance with applicable regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Company may purchase pursuant to the Offer an
additional amount of Shares not to exceed 2% of the outstanding Shares without
amending or extending the Offer.
The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any time and
from time to time, to extend the period of time during which the Offer is open
and thereby delay acceptance for payment of, and payment for, any Shares by
giving oral or written notice of such extension to The Bank of New York and
making a public announcement thereof.
Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time before
the Expiration Date and, unless accepted for payment by the Company as provided
in the Offer, may also be withdrawn after 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on
Wednesday, July 7, 1999. See Section 4 of the Offer to Purchase.
The Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal contain important
information which should be read carefully before any tenders are made. The
information required to be disclosed by Rule 13e-4(d)(1) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is contained in the Offer to Purchase and is
incorporated herein by reference. The Offer to Purchase and the related Letter
of Transmittal are being mailed to record holders of Shares and record holders
of Class A Common Stock, and are being furnished to brokers, banks and similar
persons whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the Company's
stockholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing
agency's security position listing for subsequent transmittal to beneficial
owners of Shares and beneficial owners of Class A Common Stock.
Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal
may be obtained from the Information Agent and will be furnished promptly at the
Company's expense.
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
D.F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 269-5550
All Others Call Toll Free: (800) 207-3156
The Dealer Manager for the Offer is:
THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P. LOGO
345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, New York 10154
(800) 275-5008 (Toll Free)
May 11, 1999
3
<PAGE> 1
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO GIVE THE PAYER.
Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e.,
000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only
one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to
give the payer.
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
GIVE THE
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT: SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER OF--
- ------------------------------------------------------------
1. An individual's account The individual
2. Two or more individuals (joint The actual owner of
account) the account or, if
combined funds, the
first individual on
the account(1)
3. Husband and wife (joint account) The actual owner of
the account or, if
joint funds, the
first individual on
the account(1)
4. Custodian account of a minor The minor(2)
(Uniform Gift to Minors Act)
5. Adult and minor (joint account) The adult or, if
the minor is the
only contributor,
the minor(1)
6. Account in the name of guardian or The ward, minor, or
committee, for a designated ward, incompetent
minor or incompetent person person(3)
7. a. The usual revocable savings The grantor-
trust account (grantor is also trustee(1)
trustee)
b. So-called trust account that is The actual owner(1)
not a legal or valid trust
under State law
8. Sole proprietorship account The owner(4)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------
GIVE THE EMPLOYER
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT: IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER OF--
- ------------------------------------------------------------
9. A valid trust, estate, or pension The legal entity
trust (Do not furnish the
identifying number
of the personal
representative or
trustee unless the
legal entity itself
is not designated
in the account
title.)(5)
10. Corporate account The corporation
11. Religious, charitable, or The organization
educational organization account
12. Partnership account held in the The partnership
name of the business
13. Association, club, or other tax- The organization
exempt organization
14. A broker or registered nominee The broker or
nominee
15. Account with the Department of The public entity
Agriculture in the name of a
public entity (such as a State or
local government, school district,
or prison) that receives
agricultural program payments
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If
only one person on a joint account has a social security number, that
person's number must be furnished.
(2) Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.
(3) Circle the ward's, minor's or incompetent person's name and furnish such
person's social security number.
(4) Show the individual name, business name or "doing business as" name of the
owner. Use either individual's social security number or business's employer
identification number (if it has one).
(5) List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate or pension trust.
NOTE: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be
considered to be that of the first name listed.
<PAGE> 2
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
PAGE 2
OBTAINING A NUMBER
If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or Form
SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the
Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service and apply for a
number.
PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments include the
following:
- A corporation.
- A financial institution.
- An organization exempt from tax under section 501(A), or an individual
retirement plan.
- The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any
subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
- A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or
any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- An international organization or any agency, or instrumentality thereof.
- A dealer required to register in securities or commodities registered in the
U.S. or a possession of the U.S.
- A real estate investment trust.
- A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
- An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust described in
section 4947(a)(1).
- An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
- A foreign central bank of issue.
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup
withholding include the following:
- Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441.
- Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and
which have at least one nonresident alien partner.
- Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in
money.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
- Payments made to a nominee.
Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the
following:
- Payment of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may be
subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is paid
in the course of the payer's trade or business and you have not provided
your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.
- Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under
section 852).
- Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens.
- Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
- Payments made to a nominee.
Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous
backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM, AND RETURN IT TO
THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST, DIVIDENDS, OR PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS, ALSO
SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
Certain payments other than interest, dividends, and patronage dividends, that
are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup
withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041A(a),
6045, and 6050A.
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE.--Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend,
interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers
who must report the payments to IRS. IRS uses the numbers for identification
purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are
required to file tax returns. Beginning January 1, 1993, payers must generally
withhold 31% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a
payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain
penalties may also apply.
PENALTIES
(1) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FURNISH TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.--If you fail
to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a
penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable
cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) FAILURE TO REPORT CERTAIN DIVIDEND AND INTEREST PAYMENTS.--If you fail to
include any portion of an includible payment for interest, dividends, or
patronage dividends in gross income, such failure will be treated as being due
to negligence and will be subject to a penalty of 5% on any portion of an
under-payment attributable to that failure unless there is clear and convincing
evidence to the contrary.
(3) CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO WITHHOLDING.--If you
make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition
of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
(4) CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING INFORMATION.--Willfully falsifying
certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including
fines and/or imprisonment.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX
CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
